Butch Davis Fired
It is now official that Butch Davis has been fired as head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
I think this had to be done, but I still don’t think Butch is a bad guy, or a bad coach. He was just a little too confident in his own abilities this time around. He wanted complete control of the franchise and it was probably stretching him too thin to make personnel decisions as well as coaching decisions.
He wasn’t a mastermind with the personnel, but he did some good things. Even though it hasn’t worked out, I think it was a good recognition that this team needed a new quarterback, and getting Jeff Garcia was a good idea. Sure it hasn’t been spectacular, but Garcia is a guy with a record of reasonable success. He certainly had a better track record than either Kelly Holcumb or Tim Couch.
Speaking of which, this was one of Butch Davis’ biggest blunders in Cleveland, and that was the QB controversy between Couch and Holcumb last year. I don’t blame him for questioning Couch’s abilities, but with a young guy like that, you either had to play him or cut him. Trying to keep him around as Kelly Holcumb’s backup was just a poor idea. And the circus continued into this year as Butch tried to trade him in the pre-season. The problem was that Couch was basically untradeable.
Speaking of trades, why couldn’t Butch get anything for Kevin Johnson? Why did he need to be cut in the middle of last season? Now with a depleted receiving corps, Kevin Johnson is catching passes in Baltimore. Sure, he isn’t the best receiver in the league, but he wasn’t the type of guy that you had to cut outright in the middle of the year. On top of that, look at what John Gruden did with Keyshawn Johnson in Tampa last year. He made him inactive and got what he could for him at the end of the year.
Finally, this brings me to the draft. Davis really didn’t draft all that well. Anthony Henry has been a bright spot, but Gerard Warren was bad. Jeremiah Pharms was a 5th rounder who was arrested shortly following the draft on charges that had been brought up well before the draft. Jeff Faine was a pretty good pick although probably too high at number 21 in the first round. Chaun Thompson has looked pretty good this year. William Green was a decent gamble even though it hasn’t worked out perfectly.
The 2004 draft appeared to be Butch’s shining moment. He still didn’t address the offensive line, but with Kellen Winslow Jr. and what appeared to be a good safety in Sean Jones, Butch had finally drafted some serious players. Until they both got hurt. Not Butch’s fault, but ultimately, the horrible performance of the team this year has to rest on his shoulders.
It appears that his stepping down was mutual, and that is that. No big deal really. I was already looking toward next season.
So, who is on the short list of future coaches here in Cleveland?
I am hoping for Jeff Fassell who did some good things with Kerry Collins and the Giants even though they were never that good.

While this was one of the ugliest moments in NBA history, I really think maybe this is a little harsh all things considered. I think Ben Wallace’s suspension is a little heavy for a guy who got into a small fight with another NBA player. I don’t think a little push on Artest after a hard foul in the closing seconds of the game was worthy of a full five games. I feel like this is a night in jail for running a stop sign. I guess it has been extended due to the horrible events that ensued after that push.
Smallville - I have stated here before that I am a sucker for stories about time travel and for characters with super powers. Superman has always been a favorite even if I don’t carry it to Seinfeld proportions of obsessive-ness. I used to watch Lois and Clark with Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher even though it was mighty cheesy. This incarnation with an Abercrombie model playing Clark is about the same, but I can’t stop watching it. Super powers rule.
Lost - I couldn’t figure out if this show was going to be like Jurassic Park or a serious Gilligan’s Island or what. Frankly, I am still not sure at this point, but I am totally addicted to the combination of living on a deserted (or is it?) isle and the constant character reveals that we get to show us who these people were before they got on that plane on that fateful day. It adds a level of character development that will cause a wave of emotions depending on the character’s back-story. This will be great on DVD for those who missed it thus far.
NYPD Blue - I have been watching NYPD Blue (off and on) since it started in 1993. That’s right. Almost 12 years of my life with Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz. Sure there has been a rotation of people who have been his partner over the years, but the storylines have been pretty consistent. I will admit that this final season is going to be a breath of fresh air. The show really does need to end. They didn’t kill off Andy’s wife even though Charlotte Ross isn’t with the show anymore. Also, I think Zach Morris (Mark Paul Gosselar) is an improvement over Rick (don’t call me Ricky) Schroeder, but this year’s story line about him losing his way pretty well sucks. So, while I still love the show, I am happy it is going to end. How will they do it though? Will Andy die? Will he retire? Will he take up being a mime in Central Park in a weird plot twist? Only time will tell.
Joan of Arcadia - That’s right. I said it. I watch this show. It is like Beverly Hills 90210 meets Quantum Leap or something. I can’t figure out why I like this show so much. I can tell you that Mary Steenburgen and Joe Montegna play the parents. (Do you know how often I get made fun of for knowing stuff like, umm, well, MARY STEENBURGEN’S NAME?) Amber Tamblyn who was also in the terrifying horror movie, The Ring, plays Joan (of Arcadia, dummy) and all things considered she isn’t all that good. Again, maybe it has something to do with the storyline of Joan talking to God, but I can’t stop watching this show.


