Written by Dave Kolonich

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In recent weeks, there has been a flood of NFL video added to Hulu.com – which was formerly the site I liked to call “the place to find SNL Digital Shorts on Monday morning.”

Currently, the collection of videos related to the Browns is an almost Big Lots type assortment, as the traditional John Elway-tinged 1980’s content is there in case you want to just end it all – all over again.  Along with what I expected to find, there is also a heavy emphasis on the 2002-2004 Browns.  Basically, Dennis Northcutt has his own channel.

Although I suspect that because the NFL – and the NBC/Universal/GE corporate monolith is involved, this precious “free” content will no longer be as such in the future.  Already there are rumblings that Hulu is on the path towards becoming a pay site – which means the following will likely occur:

1.  I will again have to turn to some shady Internet feed like BBC’s Sky Sports in order to actually watch NFL Network broadcasted games.

2.  In about 10-15 years, we will all sadly regret the days when the Internet officially became the last great truly free source of information on the planet.

3.  On a related note, #3 probably won’t have much of an effect, as we all likely become slaves to Google’s data – and future soul – mining.  But, what can you do?  Google is just so convenient.

 

4.  More importantly, gems like the following will no longer form the impetus for a mid-June Reboot column:

Hulu.com – 1994 Cleveland Browns Team Highlights

Of course, in 10-15 years, I will be deliriously entering the life of 40-year old senility…posting nothing but cat pictures and “accidentally” forgetting to pay for things at WalMart. 

So, maybe we should all take a moment to reflect.

As for the 1994 connection – forgive me for the following, but there seems to be some eerily intriguing comparisons to be made from that playoff team and the prospects of the 2010 squad currently being assembled.

Let’s make the case.

When thinking about a more modern Browns’ history, the 1994 playoff squad seems to get forgotten.  Perhaps the main reason for this exclusion is because the team was dominated by the Steelers, and of course respectively owned and coached by the two biggest public enemies to be found in the city.

Of course, the Art Modell connection is easy.  Less than a year after the Browns advanced to the second round of the playoffs, the franchise was headed to Baltimore.  Volumes could be written here regarding Modell’s complete lack of business sense, but of course this story has been better told – in equal parts venom and logic.  But enough about that.

The other inconvenient anchor of the 1994 team is no doubt Bill Belichick, who despite having the popularity levels of a BP executive, had quietly built the Browns into one of the league’s most physical and sound units. 

Just merely stating this truth – again, inconvenient as it may be to passionate fans – is perhaps the main reason why Browns Nation easily dismisses the 1994 season as nothing more than a prelude to the team leaving town.

However, if you truly revisit this season – and again, check out the Hulu link above – the parallels between the team’s last real contender and this year’s version are sometimes striking.

As a footnote of sorts, it’s worth mentioning the 2002 team, along with the 2007 version, as more immediate examples of Browns’ success.  However, if you compare the makeup of this year’s unit – ideally speaking – they are light years removed from the above mentioned Butch Davis and Romeo Crennel squads.

In more ways than one…

The Belichick Tree

Despite their recent personal squabbles, it is beyond apparant that Eric Mangini has tried to follow exactly in Bill Belichick’s footsteps as an NFL head coach.  From his sometimes archaic discipline demands and attempts at imposing an old-school football culture, Mangini is certainly the most vivid example to fall from the Belichick coaching tree.

In a more immediate – and often self-defeating sense – Mangini accomplished this and more during his first Browns’ campaign.  Besides establishing a much needed culture change in Berea, Mangini managed to alienate most of the local media in the process and quickly became an instant villian.

Sound familar?

Of course, lost in the sea of negative press was the idea that Mangini’s painful 2009 process actually produced some rare positive momentum in Cleveland.  Beyond the four-game winning streak in December, Mangini successfully imposed his will on a team that was among the league’s best in terms of physical and mental toughness. 

Although he will never get credit for it, Mangini’s greatest influence so far in Cleveland has been a dramatic shift in terms of accountability, which can easily be traced to the team’s vast reduction in 2009 penalties committed.  Throw in the exceptional play of the special teams units and overall team desire to play hard every week – despite some unbelievably bad circumstances – and the connections between a pre-Super Bowl Belichick and a now hardened Mangini are just too easy.

From a Sunday standpoint, the 1994 team’s success was predicated on tough, veteran defense, incredible special teams play and a reliance on the running game. 

Entering 2010, the same principles will likely be applied.  Both in terms of the apple not falling far from the tree – and of course, a lack of explosive young talent on both squads – perhaps Randy Lerner knew all along what he was getting in Mangini….meaning not Romeo Crennel.

Reclamation Projects

It’s easy to forget how good Vinny Testaverde could be.  Of course, if you ignore his actual 1994 stats, and give him an emotional pass because he replaced Bernie Kosar, the case for Testaverde becomes a little easier to make. 

Perhaps the better comparison here is the idea that Belichick basically rescued Testaverde’s career by bringing him out of the dumping ground known as the pre-Tony Dungy Bucs.  Before Testaverde arrived in Cleveland, he was simply known as a turnover machine who helmed one of the league’s perennial doormats.

However, for stretches in 1993 and for most of 1994, he was nothing short of a streaky, yet quality veteran starter.  Perhaps more importantly, he is the last Browns’ QB to actually win a playoff game.

I’ll give you a moment to throw yourself off a bridge after digesting that last thought.

Anyway, naturally history tends to color things in a more nostalgic tone.  What is easily forgotten is the overall sense of dread that accompanied Testaverde’s play.  Or, in other words – most of us remember never truly trusting Testaverde…despite his leading the team to most of their 11 wins.

In the easiest comparison I think I’ve ever made, all I have to do is merely mention the name Jake Delhomme.

Does it get any easier than that?

Because of Delhomme’s recent struggles – or complete detonations if you will – this same feeling will likely be brought back from 1994.  Although Delhomme is a vast upgrade over the likes of Charlie Frye, Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, I sincerely envision Browns Nation as never being able to fully trust Delhomme.

However, within this natural skepticism, I am confident that Delhomme – assuming his arm doesn’t fall off – will provide the type of QB leadership that Testaverde gave the last Browns’ playoff winner.

Second Year Leaps

Although Derrick Alexander’s Browns tenure is more correctly defined by his horrid playoff performance against the Steelers, it is worth noting that he, Keenan McCardell and Michael Jackson formed a nice trio of improving young wideouts during the 1994 season.  Of course, any memories of the 1994 season have to be coded in the sense that the Browns’ offense that season was not predicated on the play of the wideouts.

Or, in other words – the passing attack wasn’t exactly dynamic.

However, this trio – along with veteran Mark Carrier and a vast assortment of tight ends – proved to be just enough to compliment the rushing attack.  Looking ahead to 2010, the same argument can be made – only the names of second-year wideouts Mohammed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie and veteran Chanci Stuckey need to be inserted.

For a better comparison, it’s worth remembering that Alexander led the team with 48 receptions – which perhaps could be the bar for either Massaquoi or Robiskie to set in 2010. 

As for the above mentioned rushing attack, perhaps a 2009 allusion is a better fit. 

Much like Jerome Harrison last season, Hoard never found his footing – or was given much of a chance – until later in the 1994 season.  Perhaps partly because of his penchant for fumbling, Hoard was comparable to the mythical qualities of Harrison – or teasing, if you will.

However, when Hoard was entrusted to run the ball, the 1994 Browns’ offense showed the type of dominant physical play that was reminiscent of last year’s December run.  Of course, as a bit of a personal aside - it’s worth noting that Belichick’s complete lack of faith in Hoard during the Pittsburgh playoff game essentially derailed the team’s hopes.

Core Investments

Another easily forgotten 1994 gem is the play of the Browns’ then young offensive line.  Of course, compared to the pre-Joe Thomas O-lines of the past decade, it’s pretty easy to lose sight of the last time the Browns actually had a good front line.

Although the names of Tony Jones, Steve Everitt, Wally Williams, Bob Dahl and Orlando Brown are nothing sensational, a case could be made that these players formed the core of the 1994 offense.  From a purely physical standpoint, towards the end of the season, the Browns boasted one the conferences’ better O-lines. 

The idea of youth here is an important one when remembering these names.

Entering 1994, all but Tony Jones had been in the league less than three seasons.  In Everitt and Brown – and Williams to an extent, Belichick had discovered some prime young O-line talent. 

Moving back towards the contemporary roster, the names of Joe Thomas and Alex Mack share similar qualities.  Of course, an easy case can be made that Thomas and Mack – along with the veteran influence of Eric Steinbach form a much stronger core in 2010.

Blends and Infusions

Of course, any discussion of the 1994 Browns has to be centered on the team’s defense – one that allowed the fewest points in the entire league.

For the sake of comparison, this is where my argument goes a little off-base.  Simply put, what we will likely see out of the 2010 defense will not come close to matching the production of the 1994 version. 

However, it’s worth noting that the 1994 defense featured a great mix of veterans and youth – similar to what should occur in 2010.

Speaking of those veterans, the 1994 team was laden with ex-Belichick and Parcells players such as Carl Banks and Pepper Johnson, along with the likes of Don Griffin, Frank Stams and Micheal Dean Perry.  These veteran influences gave the defense some extraordinary leadership and toughness, which helped vault the unit to one of the league’s best – particularly against the run.

However, another lost gem from the Belichick years is the presence of then young talent such as Rob Burnett, Anthony Pleasant, Eric Turner, Stevon Moore, James Jones and Antonio Langham.  While never spectacular – except in the rare case of Turner – the Browns’ 1994 defense proved to be a great blend of youth and experience.

In 2010 – a similar case could be made – although certainly not on the same level as over 15 years ago.

Unlike the 2010 offensive line, the current collection of defensive veterans includes a lesser degree of talent.  However, the names of David Bowens, Kenyon Coleman, Robaire Smith, Scott Fujita and Sheldon Brown form a nice balance to the new talent, which includes Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Ahtyba Rubin and a host of young linebackers. 

In a sort of remote sense, Bowens proved in 2009 that he is the veteran influence that Banks and Johnson proved to be in 1994.  Also, the addition of Fujita – at least from an experience standpoint – could prove highly beneficial in 2010.  The exact same could be said for Sheldon Brown.  If the Browns can get one Don Griffin-esque year from the veteran corner, the secondary could be vastly improved.

Belichick Drafts/Mangini Drafts

Again, when pointing to Belichick’s Cleveland tenure, you have to balance the good with the bad.  Before he was annoited as a genius, Belichick missed in the draft as many times as he hit.  The names of Burnett, Pleasant, Everitt, Brown, Langham, Turner and others are equally balanced by misses such as Ed King, Tommy Vardell, Patrick Rowe, Mike Caldwell and Romeo Bandison.

However, it’s worth noting that many of Belichick’s Cleveland picks enjoyed long, productive careers in the NFL.  Even more intriguing is the type of player that Belichick drafted – which again points to Mangini being an extension of his mentor.

Like Belichick, Mangini’s draft picks – which include some 2010 selections, at least in terms of his influence in the new “consensus” era – points to mentally and physically tough players.  While never sensational, the names of Alex Mack, Mohammed Massaquoi, Kaluka Maivia and hopefully T.J. Ward, Larry Asante, Monterio Hardesty and Shaun Lauvao represent a complete throwback to the Belichick years.

In the particular case of Steve Everitt and Alex Mack, the mentality of both coaches can be measured on the idea that drafting a center – the least glamorous of first-round picks – is as important to Belichick and Mangini as taking a glamorous wideout or overhyped QB was to Phil Savage and Dwight Clark.

The Pick

Here’s where I come back to reality.

Although I fully expect the 2010 Browns to continue to progress, I can’t envision anything more than 6-7 wins.  Simply put, the Browns’ schedule is brutal as always, the offensive talent is raw, the QB position is far from solidified and defense finds itself in a weird nether region of equally aging and being completely inexperienced.

However, in terms that could be viewed as ideal to some, the comparisons between the Browns’ last playoff winner and an eventual return to respectability are far too convenient to ignore.  Although not to the point of predicting another 8-2 start.

Regardless of Mike Holmgren’s presence in Cleveland, and also dismissing the eternal hot seat that Mangini finds himself in, these 2010 Browns could prove to be the most physically sound, disciplined and hardest working team since the Belichick years.

Starting with a solid offensive line, emphasis on the running game, potential for a rejuvenated veteran QB and hopeful second-year leaps of the offensive skill positions – along with an improving defense and already solid special teams – this year could be the closest we come to the glories of the past.

Assuming you view them as such.  Or even care to remember them…

Which we all should.