In fact, about 87.4 percent of poll respondents as of late in the day had fingered Farmer for the fiasco. Pettine got 12.6 percent of the vote.
Sounds about right since Farmer is charged with acquiring the talent and hasn’t been able to assemble a winning roster despite four first-round draft picks the past two seasons.
Despite saying in August he didn’t think it would be necessary, owner Jimmy Haslam naturally is contemplating cleaning house after the Browns — with games left against the Chiefs and Steelers — most likely finish 3-13.
After Sunday's 30-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, quarterback Johnny Manziel campaigned to keep the coaching staff intact so he won't have to learn yet another offense, which would be his third in as many seasons assuming he isn't traded to the Cowboys.
“I want these guys to be here next year,” Manziel said.
He referred mainly to Pettine, offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and quarterbacks coach Kevin O’Connell.
Continuity isn’t always the answer, but Manziel is right. Where’s the harm — unless Jon Gruden suddenly becomes available — in giving this staff another crack at it? Why not do something novel and keep a head coach more than two years for a change?
Pettine’s three immediate predecessors — Eric Mangini (2 years), Pat Shurmur (2 years) and Rob Chudzinski (1 year) — lasted a combined five years.
If anyone needs to be sacrificed in the name of progress, it probably should be Farmer, whose big free-agent signee, receiver Dwayne Bowe, has been a total bust for $9 million guaranteed, barely able to get on the field.
Meanwhile, check out this from CBSSports.com about the 14 NFL coaches who occupy the hottest seats. Pettine is on the list, of course, but it sounds like Haslam truly has yet to make up his mind.
Don't be surprised if Haslam indeed listens to the fans on this one and keeps Pettine, much as he supposedly took guidance from that homeless guy who told him to draft Manziel in 2014.
Standing ‘O’ for Pierre tonight? Not sure why
Got a kick out of Dayton basketball coach Archie Miller calling for Dyshawn Pierre to receive a standing ovation Tuesday as he returns to the team after serving a 10-game suspension for an alleged sexual offense against a female UD athlete.
With last year’s leading scorer and rebounder back in the fold, Miller can hardly contain himself, and that’s to be expected. His team has played well without its best player and should only get better from here.
But that’s the only conceivable reason to cheer.
Certainly there should be no boos, but let’s not make Pierre out to be some conquering hero, either. There may not have been enough evidence to charge him with a crime, but are we really sure he’s innocent? The school certainly didn’t think so when it removed his bio from this year’s printed version of the men’s basketball media guide while handing down the discipline.
Maybe threatening to bench Phillips would work
Looks like the Reds might be stuck with second baseman Brandon Phillips unless he waives his no-trade clause or they pick up the remaining $27 million on his contract.
Both look like long shots.
But wait, maybe there’s hope.
If anything could get Phillips to agree to a trade, taking away his playing time might do it.
Sad, though, that it might come to something like this.
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