In all but one the five years he coached there it was improvement. His first year 5-11, then 7-9 the next two and the fourth the team went 11-5. His last year though the team did go 5-11, but that was only because of all the controversy surrounding the teams, in what seemed like, emminent move to Baltimore. There was a lack of concentration from players and the fans of the team were furious... which is what led to a bad season and because of Belichick's anger with the people trying to move the team he resigned as head coach. If Belichick just had the backing of the owners like he does in New England... well, Cleveland would of been a force to be reckoned with... and the scary thing is, Belichick was still learning. Cleveland really lost out in losing Belichick. I mean I remember watching them during those years and thinking to myself... "Wow... they're getting better." When they went 5-11 that year... I felt they would bounce back until I heard Belichick was leaving.
2007-12-20 04:49:08 · 15 answers · asked by Go Wit Da Flow 3 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
belichick is a great coach no doubt about it but cleveland was not a good fit for him they wouldn't let him control the team they way he wanted to run it. Art Modell was more interested in how much muny he could get for one of the storied franchises in the NFL. belichick saw the writing on the wall and left before the S**t really hit the fan. the browns had some great coaches and bad ones (shotenheimer) but if the browns hadn't moved(making belichick leave) we would be 14-0 this year
2007-12-20 04:58:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
He is seen by many as the person who ripped apart the franchise by releasing Bernie Kosar, and his "diminshed skills" quote justifying this angered fans then and there is still animosity today. The media especially disliked him because he was not the bubbly, joking personality they were yearning for (like former coach Sam Rutigliano) or would play the "leak" games with those who felt their columns were larger than the team.
Just last week a columnist from The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer took aim at Belichick, dredging up the past, while attempting to chop down his legacy with New England. It was sad in a way, since it oozed with jealousy and hatred, but unfortunately those emotions drive too much of the media today.
Belichick once hinted years later that there were mitigating circumstances during his time in Cleveland that made his job very tough, but would not elaborate. In Cleveland Browns history, Art Modell will remain "public enemy" number one, with Belichick in second place.
2007-12-20 05:12:04 · answer #2 · answered by Zombie Birdhouse 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Greg, you are right. If the owners were only willing to give Bilichick all the support he needed and not move out of Clevleand I would wager Cleveland would have been the team of the later part of the 20th century. At least in New England Bob Kraft gave Bilichick full control of the team. Kraft simply signs the checks, and sits in this luxury box. And because of hands off policy of Kraft, it would appear New England is headed for the Superbowl. I truly felt sorry for Browns fans when that move was made. I remember it.
2007-12-20 05:18:15 · answer #3 · answered by Tinman12 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I agree and if they had gotten rid of Kosar and not spent stupid money on Andre Rison, he might have had more to work with that last year. And of course, if the NFL hadn't made such a stupid mistake by putting a team in Jacksonville instead of Baltimore, the Browns would have never left. The NFL would have made sure that Modell got a new stadium eventually.
2007-12-20 04:57:07 · answer #4 · answered by halfwaytoeverywhere 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So let's see you combine those 5 years and he is basically .500, and that is GREAT? I mean what are you calling it? In that time he won NO division Titles. Sure he wins them with ease in New England, but look how crappy the division tends to be. He isn't in as competitive as a division. Also he WAS cheating in Cleveland. I know people like to thumbs down Austin but he is right about Bellichick cheating in Cleveland. That is probably why he DIDN'T have Modell backing him. FACT: Bellichick had players practice with no name or number on their jerseys. The story is he did that because he had players that WEREN'T ON THE ROSTER on the field. He claimed he was doing it so the media wouldn't know who was who or something silly like that. I think the truth is that Modell, who KNEW the sport, wouldn't support him because Modell didn't trust him.
2007-12-20 05:30:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Screw Belichick... if he was so dam n good why did he get rid of Kosar? He will forever be hated in cleveland.
2007-12-20 11:08:32 · answer #6 · answered by thatguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coaches get insulted that's just the way it goes. I doubt that you can name me one coach....for any team....that has not been criticized in the last week.
And you're still not going to convince us all that we should be Patriots fans and worship Bill & Brady like you do.
2007-12-20 05:08:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Answer this question. Would he be such a genius without Tom Brady? Remember, Charlie Weis was a genius, too?
2007-12-20 08:13:43 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh Greggy you are on a roll today!
Unfortunately, no matter what you say, people will still feel the same about Billy Boy.
I personally think he is a brilliant football coach and has made excellent professional moves.
2007-12-20 04:56:09 · answer #9 · answered by MsSoccerBunny 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
People do not hate him for his coaching but his arrogant attitude...
I am pretty sure you love him because you are a Pats fan and everything related to them is perfect for you. But honestly, the guy is an asshole.
2007-12-20 04:56:34 · answer #10 · answered by JMMZ 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋