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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > May > 03 > Entry
Keep those cards & letters coming from Cleveland, where Browns will finish 6-10
BENGALS FAN IN CLEVELAND
LOYAL TO ‘LUDWIG AT LARGE’
LOOK FOR STEINBACH TO GET CUT;
HE DOESN’T FIT MANGINI’S MOLD
Every morning, my E-mail inbox gets flooded with messages from Cincinnati Bengals fans eager to know & learn more about the team.
The messages are from sea to shining sea, and even overseas — let’s here it for Hong Kong!
I like this one from that faraway, desolate, decrepit championship-starved land known as Cleveland, Ohio.
It’s from my newest best friend, James (I won’t reveal his surname for fear that he might be attacked by Browns fans, forcing him to enter the Federal Witness Protection Program) …
JAMES IN CLEVELAND WRITES …
“As a rare (endangered?) Bengals fan here in the Cleveland area, I rely on your blog and articles to get the unvarnished truth on the team. Thank you for that.
“Could you post an early guess as to the depth chart on the blog? Looking at the roster after the draft, it seems that quite a few familiar names may be looking for jobs come late August.
“Just wanted your perspective on that. Could be a good topic for discussion.
“Thanks, James (AKA J-Dub)”
The Chickster’s Response:
Even though I cranked out a two-deep depth chart after the draft, I’ll do another, more elaborate one this week.
And I promise a day-by-day positional analysis starting soon.
CLEVELAND BROWNS IN DISARRAY
Thank you for checking in, James. I keep a close eye on the Cleveland Browns, who will finish 6-10 and in last place in the AFC North in 2009.
The No. 1 thing the Browns have going for them is their great fans. Loyal, victory-and-championship-starved “Browns Backers” are everywhere, and I applaud them.
As for the team itself, it has three things going against them.
• An owner that has no idea about what he’s doing.
• An arrogant, egotistical head coach who wiped out the club’s entire public relations staff, then proceeded to conduct a poor draft.
• A quarterback controversy featuring two sub-par signal callers in Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, neither of whom are capable of leading the Browns to the playoffs.
The Browns should have drafted Mark Sanchez and gotten rid of Anderson & Quinn.
And my sources in Cleveland tell me that Eric Steinbach is in deep trouble. Eric Mangini likes big, bruising maulers on the offensive line.
Steinbach doesn’t fit the mold. He’s more finesse. I look for Steinbach to get released after the 2009 season. If fact, with his fat contract, he’ll be fortunate to make the 53-man roster. Don’t be shocked if he gets terminated before the ‘09 opener.
Permalink | Comments (49) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Realist
May 3, 2009 2:14 PM | Link to this
Sanchez is another 1 year starter from the Pac 10. The Jets got the next Akili Smith in a fleecing by the BrownsBy LMAO
May 3, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this
Cleveland 6-10 in 2009? In their dreams….2-14, 3-13 maybe, if they catch Oakland, Detroit & KC all on bad days…By JohnBoy
May 3, 2009 5:29 PM | Link to this
Just when you think the Bungles couldn’t get any dumber they find a whole new level of stupidity. Can’t wait to see this years version of Prison Break! Ha!By JohnBoy
May 3, 2009 5:30 PM | Link to this
Just when you think the Bungles couldn’t get any dumber they find a whole new level of stupidity. Can’t wait to see this years version of Prison Break! Ha!By Steve
May 3, 2009 5:43 PM | Link to this
JohnBoy, What exactly are you talking about? What team does Dante Stallworth play for again? Well, “played” might be he appopriate term.By Sam
May 3, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this
Your ideas are absolutely insane, why would the Browns waste a first round pick on a quarterback? They have a plethora of quarterbacks, its the very least of their current needs. Using a pick on the offensive line was the best move they could have made, 4 quarterbacks got injured last year, the run game had no holes to run through, and there was no time to run routes due to all the pressure. You have no idea if Quinn can lead the team, nobody does, he hasn’t been given a chance. However the only games he played in were season-highs. Anderson could very well return to 2007 form. Brett Ratliff has untapped potential, and Graham Harrell could easily be a dark horse in the competition. I will guarantee the Browns do better this season than Cincinatti. Cinci had a terrible draft, grabbing big name prospects with poor work habits, behavior problems, and sketchy play. Smith opted not to play in his teams biggest game last season to go to dinner with his agent. Yeah team loyalty is huge to him. He is out of shape, has trouble keeping weight off, and his competitive spirit has been questioned, congrats on wasting a first round pick. Oher or Monroe should have been your choice. Maualuga was the most overrated player in the draft, I can’t wait til the end of the season when they look back to how many tackles he shanked by trying to make a bigger hit. This man is all aggression and no football smarts. Good luck with your top 2 picks, I give them 5 seasons in the league.By Sam
May 3, 2009 6:56 PM | Link to this
Your ideas are absolutely insane, why would the Browns waste a first round pick on a quarterback? They have a plethora of quarterbacks, its the very least of their current needs. Using a pick on the offensive line was the best move they could have made, 4 quarterbacks got injured last year, the run game had no holes to run through, and there was no time to run routes due to all the pressure. You have no idea if Quinn can lead the team, nobody does, he hasn’t been given a chance. However the only games he played in were season-highs. Anderson could very well return to 2007 form. Brett Ratliff has untapped potential, and Graham Harrell could easily be a dark horse in the competition. I will guarantee the Browns do better this season than Cincinatti. Cinci had a terrible draft, grabbing big name prospects with poor work habits, behavior problems, and sketchy play. Smith opted not to play in his teams biggest game last season to go to dinner with his agent. Yeah team loyalty is huge to him. He is out of shape, has trouble keeping weight off, and his competitive spirit has been questioned, congrats on wasting a first round pick. Oher or Monroe should have been your choice. Maualuga was the most overrated player in the draft, I can’t wait til the end of the season when they look back to how many tackles he shanked by trying to make a bigger hit. This man is all aggression and no football smarts. Good luck with your top 2 picks, I give them 5 seasons in the league.By Brian
May 3, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this
Yeah Sam. If the Bengals were as smart as Man-genius they could have traded down three times in the first round to reach for a center with a nasty habit of getting knocked on his can as opposed to blocking defenders.By Antwan Odom in your face
May 3, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this
Mr. Chickster throwing fuel on the fire… I love it. Cheers Ludwig.By Troy
May 4, 2009 2:05 AM | Link to this
Sam go get your Browns off the sandbar in Lake Erie oh, Thats Cleveland Browns Stadium.By Boris
May 4, 2009 7:30 AM | Link to this
Steinbach cut? Wow! Not hard to believe from a Dayton sports writer who obviously is jealous the Browns stole Steinbach from the Bengals! Nice attempt at journalism chickster! Browns stolBy I Know More Than You
May 4, 2009 8:05 AM | Link to this
Bengals fans jealous of the Browns? That’ll be the day. Hahaha…..hehehe…….good one.By Mualaga says hi
May 4, 2009 8:12 AM | Link to this
Let’s see, Cleveland opens against Adrien Peterson and Minnesota. Cleveland was 28th at stopping the run last year. Yeah, your first chance for a win comes November 11 against Detroit. Good luck.By THE12THMAN
May 4, 2009 12:08 PM | Link to this
Yea Randy Learner has no idea what he is doing , if you mean he doesnt know how to bring in players who better serve in prison than on the football field. Great draft by the bungles too , they managed to get Maualuga , wow Im blown away you guys got the one guy nobody else wanted for a reason , but dont worry in a year or two he can change his name too and beg to be traded every yearBy Jared
May 4, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this
Browns fans are morons. Anyone who thinks this team will win more than 5 games is hilarious to me. The QB’s stink, the WR stink, the D stinks, and to make matters worse, nobody in and around c-town seems to realize it….HAHAHAHAHA. have fun watching Broadway Jose turn into a hall of famer. idiots.By Jared
May 4, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this
Browns fans are morons. Anyone who thinks this team will win more than 5 games is hilarious to me. The QB’s stink, the WR stink, the D stinks, and to make matters worse, nobody in and around c-town seems to realize it….HAHAHAHAHA. have fun watching Broadway Jose turn into a hall of famer. idiots.By andy
May 4, 2009 10:23 PM | Link to this
Just like the bungholes to never learn their lesson. I love how fans act like all these guys who drop in the draft are steals by the bungles.By ADH
May 5, 2009 12:08 AM | Link to this
LOL, bengles trying to talk about a clueless owner??? I didn’t realize Mike Brown was the new Robert Kraft? And why is everyone saying how great Sanchez will be?? Less experience than the dork in Arizona and even his own college coach thinks he’ll have a hard time in the pros due to his leaving earlie But if everyone wants to applaud that then go aheadBy ADH
May 5, 2009 12:10 AM | Link to this
LOL, bengles trying to talk about a clueless owner??? I didn’t realize Mike Brown was the new Robert Kraft? And why is everyone saying how great Sanchez will be?? Less experience than the dork in Arizona and even his own college coach thinks he’ll have a hard time in the pros due to his leaving earlie But if everyone wants to applaud that then go ahead Someone wanted to bring up Stallworth…. Should we bring up the entire Bungles roster a few years ago? LMOA, the pot calling the kettle black there, eh?By Ryan
May 5, 2009 12:49 AM | Link to this
Is this supposed to be serious journalism?By Chick Ludwig
May 5, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this
Hey, Ryan, it’s a blog, dummy … insight, opinion and analysis you won’t find anywhere else, no matter how hard you look. Keep looking. I know you’ll be back. Thanks for being a loyal “Ludwig At Large” subscriber. Cheers, ChickBy Clint
May 5, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
I think somebody else already said this, but Sanchez will be like Akili Smith. When all of the QB hype for the 99 draft was going on I was thinking “What is so good about this guy?” This happens a lot with first round quarterbacks. Joey Harrington, Cade McNown… should I go on? Brady Quinn will be a great Quarterback. There is no possible way to reason that he can’t be.By Clint
May 5, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this
I think somebody else already said this, but Sanchez will be like Akili Smith. When all of the QB hype for the 99 draft was going on I was thinking “What is so good about this guy?” This happens a lot with first round quarterbacks. Joey Harrington, Cade McNown… should I go on? Brady Quinn will be a great Quarterback. There is no possible way to reason that he can’t be.By Clint
May 5, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
I think somebody else already said this, but Sanchez will be like Akili Smith. When all of the QB hype for the 99 draft was going on I was thinking “What is so good about this guy?” This happens a lot with first round quarterbacks. Joey Harrington, Cade McNown… should I go on? Brady Quinn will be a great Quarterback. There is no possible way to reason that he can’t be.By JohnBoy
May 5, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this
Steve, you’re a bunghole fan! Enough said!By JohnBoy
May 5, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this
When did Bunghole fans get the idea they they had an opinion that mattered? Stay home, watch that joke of a franchise and keep your yaps shut!By Bill Beck
May 5, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this
With every year I grow older it becomes harder to tell if anyone even tries to be reasonable, or has any idea what that means. I’ll try to show you some, Chick. First, the 6-10 prediction is reasonable. It is perhaps even optimistic. I have no problem with that. The notion Randy Lerner is a novice is also reasonable. Most new people are. You were once, presumably. The notion that you KNOW that Quinn is incapable of being a winning QB is absurd. You can’t reasonably know that. The notion that Anderson is at least has some evidence, although you might have said the same about Jim Plunkett in this stage of his career. And your assessment that the coach is “arrogant, egotistical, and conducted a poor draft” as reasons for their future demise is hot smelly garbage. Blanton Collier was not egotistical. I think roughly ALL other coaches were. And as for the draft being poor, also too soon to tell. You may not understand the plan, but it is clearly a plan. If you are so omniscient, why aren’t you picking stocks, or horses, or the vaccine of the year? Try reason once. Credibility will follow.By Bill Beck
May 5, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this
With every year I grow older it becomes harder to tell if anyone even tries to be reasonable, or has any idea what that means. I’ll try to show you some, Chick. First, the 6-10 prediction is reasonable. It is perhaps even optimistic. I have no problem with that. The notion Randy Lerner is a novice is also reasonable. Most new people are. You were once, presumably. The notion that you KNOW that Quinn is incapable of being a winning QB is absurd. You can’t reasonably know that. The notion that Anderson is at least has some evidence, although you might have said the same about Jim Plunkett in this stage of his career. And your assessment that the coach is “arrogant, egotistical, and conducted a poor draft” as reasons for their future demise is hot smelly garbage. Blanton Collier was not egotistical. I think roughly ALL other coaches were. And as for the draft being poor, also too soon to tell. You may not understand the plan, but it is clearly a plan. If you are so omniscient, why aren’t you picking stocks, or horses, or the vaccine of the year? Try reason once. Credibility will follow.By Ed
May 5, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this
Remind me again when the Bengals last won a playoff game? Don’t they still have the WORST record in the NFL since 1990? The Bengals are miles behind the Browns and we didn’t even have their team stolen for 3 seasons. Look at Houston, they have never made the playoffs. It’s a serious setback to try and start a team over again. Especially since you are competing against teams that have been drafting well for years like the Steelers. The Browns still managed to beat up on the Bengals in 2001 and 2002 only 3 and 4 years into expansion. Steinbach isn’t going anywhere. Stop being an idiot.By Ziffels
May 5, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
The Bengals not only have the ugliest helmets in football, they have the dumbest beat writers. Nice pic, by the way, Chickie. Finally we have a visual answer to the question: “What if Steve Forbes and Ed Begley Jr. had a love child (and smoked a lot during the pregnancy)?”By MadBrown
May 5, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this
Championship starved? Well, if you want to get technical and look at the whole history of both teams, the Bengals have zero (0) versus the Browns’ eight (8). Hmm.By Josh Ferencz
May 5, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this
we went 4-12 against the second most difficult schedule in 2008. You played the bottem feeder schedule an managed to tie one game to our loss— while we went through 4 different QBs. That gives you room to pretend you are in such better shape? haha. We’ve upgraded every position outside of TE, K, P, NT, FS, to which we moved to a protecting TE rather than pass catching— so the results are to be seen. I dont see how our improved team with an easier schedule than 2nd toughest int he league, will pull a 2-14 record like some loser bunghole fans want to say.By Stray_Dawg
May 5, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
The fact is both teams have been irrelevant since the late 80’s. The Browns were making a push back onto the scene when the team was moved. Browns fans can use the excuse of fighting an uphill battle of re-establishing the franchise since 1999, what excuse do the Bengals have since 1990? Fans going back and forth arguing which team sucks worse is like debating the best way to be tortured. And the only reason the Bengals franchise exists is the same reason the Ravens exist, because Art Modell is an a-hole. The only difference between the franchises since 1999 is the fanbase of the Browns. We have a loyal following that is somewhat knowledgeable about football, the same can’t be said for the Bengals. Have fun continuing your argument in futility.By The 12TH Man
May 5, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this
Lets face it the only team that is run worse than the bungles is the raiders and Mike Brown is a step behind Al Davis . Please keep Marvin Lewis Until the rock decides he wants to coach football for real , he did wonders in that movie with the prison football team just think what he couldBy Stray_Dawg
May 5, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this
The fact is both teams have been irrelevant since the late 80’s. The Browns were making a push back onto the scene when the team was moved. Browns fans can use the excuse of fighting an uphill battle of re-establishing the franchise since 1999, what excuse do the Bengals have since 1990? Fans going back and forth arguing which team sucks worse is like debating the best way to be tortured. And the only reason the Bengals franchise exists is the same reason the Ravens exist, because Art Modell is an a-hole. The only difference between the franchises since 1999 is the fanbase of the Browns. We have a loyal following that is somewhat knowledgeable about football, the same can’t be said for the Bengals. Have fun continuing your argument in futility.By nick
May 5, 2009 2:06 PM | Link to this
Ahh, another reason to hate Bungle fans. What a joke. Hey Chick, wait am i referring to a male or that tool i see in the picture above. I hope i meet you so i can tell you what an a-hole you are. Face it the Bungles are garbage, their fans are garbage, and Carson Palmer sucksBy bvd
May 5, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this
chick… just thought i’d take time out of my busy day to tell you what an idiot you are. the browns will not cut steinbach, i think thats wishful thinking on your part because he didnt work out for the bung-holes. and you also wrote the browns will finish in last place at 6-10, lmao the bengals will be lucky to get four wins next season. in closing your picture looks like a pediphile and your name fits your description. you suck!!!!By Rob
May 5, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Ludwig has it all figured out on how to fix Cleveland. He named the three main problems Cleveland has: • Owner that has no idea ( Sound like Mike Brown) • Egotistical coach • Poor draft (Can you see into the future Ludwig?) • Two sub-par signal callers I don’t know where you went to school Ludwig, but you named four things. Here is how I see it. • Owner who wants to make change • Coach who had two winning seasons out of three • Draft that won’t be defined for another 5 years • One sub-par Pro Bowl QB and one sub-par QB who hasn’t played but three games. Next time try to come up with some facts and not your own opinion. Learn how to count!By Burrman
May 5, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this
Hey Chuck: It may be wise for you to concentrate more on the latest police blotter,than write about the predicted finish of the Browns. I am sure that there are plenty of Bungles gone bad that you can waste some good ink on. If that fails you can always follow up with a truck load of malcontents. Starting, but not stopping with Ocho D Bag.By The 12TH Man
May 5, 2009 6:18 PM | Link to this
Oh yea , as far as our sub par signal callers … I remember DA out performing Carson Palmer last time they went face to face , after Carson gets hurt again they can have his even gayer brother take the reins , Bungles fans are hillbillies and this “CHICK” douche … he looks like a better fit for Queer eye than a knowlegeable sports writer , so “CHICK” keep your opinions where your sex life is .. to yourself . Let real football fans worry about our team.By The 12TH Man
May 5, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this
forgot about Da’s Choke game at the end of 07 , but Carson palmer is still a crybaby , and it doesnt change the fact that the Bungles suck !!!!! Go BrownsBy JohnBoy
May 5, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this
Is that actually a picture of you Chick? You should change your picture or your name. When I look at your picture I see Dick Pudlick.By Tony
May 5, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this
Chick? What kind of name is that?? Obviously some bone-headed Bengals beat writer kinda name…we’ll see who finishes where at the end of the season you foolBy Tony
May 5, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this
Chick? What kind of name is that?? Obviously some bone-headed Bengals beat writer kinda name…we’ll see who finishes where at the end of the season you foolBy David
May 5, 2009 10:43 PM | Link to this
With all due respect, Chick, the Browns had a great draft-day. They now have strong competition for both roster and starting spots across all position groups…something they’ve never come close to in the 10 years they’ve been back in the NFL. This will be the most competitive, talented team the new Browns have fielded. I enjoy following the Bengals…as long as they’re not playing the Browns…but we’ll see how well Luigs handles Shaun Rogers (and Hampton and Ngata). He’s not a great fit for the AFC North.By JohnBoy
May 7, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this
Thought I might have been a little critical of you Chick so I thought I would give you another look. You still look like a douche bag!By Sean
May 8, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
Okay, let’s see where we’re at here…. “An owner that has no idea about what he’s doing.” Randy Lerner: Hired a coach and GM who took the team to 10-6 and their best record in 13 years. Offered him a contract extension on the back of this season because after all, the coach and GM revamped the O-line and brought in a legitimate running back to make the dynamic offense that was a big part of the winning record. Fired the coach the following season when the team lost badly because coach and GM didn’t account for injuries, threw free agency money at a WR with a history of doing nothing and then chose to upgrade the defense against the run while letting teams throw over the top against a mixture of journeymen, rookies in the backfield and a little bit of talent at MLB. They proved they hadn’t the know-how to build a winning team and he fired them. Then he brought in Eric Mangini, a coach who has been to the postseason inside 3 full seasons coaching and knows how to win football games. Okay, next: “An arrogant, egotistical head coach who wiped out the club’s entire public relations staff, then proceeded to conduct a poor draft.” Ah that’s right, because PR staff are of great use to you on the field when you trail by 7, 4th and 12 on the opposition 25 and with one minute thirty left on the clock. Not to make light of the job losses because a lot of good people were released, but how does cutting the PR staff equate to performance on the football field? Particularly when the Mangini regime has already made clear that they don’t really talk to the press on team matters? Not one of dozens of draft experts has gone so far as to call the Browns draft out-and-out poor. The Browns did what needed to be done and mostly off the back of Sanchez who is nothing more than a college career and a smile at this point in time. If Sanchez is a bust and any of the Browns picks pan out, with Alex Mack and Brian Robiskie strong possibilities, then who has the poor draft? Finally: A quarterback controversy featuring two sub-par signal callers in Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, neither of whom are capable of leading the Browns to the playoffs. Sub-par? DA is a big tall quarterback, with a strong arm, 43 touchdown passes in 31 games and only having started two seasons. Last season he was benched to take the heat off the coach despite the fact that in virtually all the games he played in he had no-one to throw to, as anyone who watched the Browns would know. I’m not sure you can make that judgement but feel free as I’ve a feeling DA is going to be around for a while yet. In the case of Quinn, you CAN’T make that judgement unless you feel 3 games in the pros and 1 win is sufficient to evaluate talent. But somewhere along the line you might have missed the presence in the pocket and accuracy of the guy if you’re drawing that conclusion. But hey, I get it. Your job is to be all partisan and controversial. No problem. Next season will prove if you’re a prophet or a goof.By Phil
May 8, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this
lol. Just like a Bengals fan; dilusional, borderline retarded and most of all-a hater. The Bengals are looked down at as the Raiders of the East. Talk about Randy Lerner not knowing what he’s doing? True, turd. True. But Mike Brown? I mean, how do you have the gull to say ANYTHING about another owner. Paul Brown is turning in his grave wondering who REALLY fathered his wife’s offspring. Just stick to writing about the Bengals dude, because it doesn’t matter. You start bringing up the Browns or other teams, and intelligent fans are going to read your article. You don’t want to lose you job do you? hahah, actually you probably do. Now I feel sorry. No I dont.By skyler188
May 8, 2009 5:18 PM | Link to this
Interesting perspective, Chick. I agree with those who say the jury seems to still be out about Quinn at least (and Anderson too perhaps, though he’s shown a lot of weaknesses). Just the same, I too worry about Mangini’s temperament (I fear he thinks he’s emulating Belichik by being a jerk; better he should emulate him by being a genius — then nobody’d care whether he was a jerk or not). I’m especially concerned if your sources are right about Steinbach — the Browns’ OL might be their one strength (and I’ve seen teams go plenty far on that strength), so I’d hate preference for one style of player to cause them to drop a solid citizen and a good performer. I’ve seen the Browns’ draft rated no lower than a B, and like most Browns fans I have no life, so I’ve looked a lot of places. I’d like to hear more about what you disliked about the draft. I’d also like to hear people stop with the idiot name-calling. We’re talking on the comments section of a blog about a sport that hasn’t been in season for three months and won’t be back for four more. By definition, we’re ALL losers. Let Chick do his job and then let’s talk, but for crying out loud, how about politely?