Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.
As the clock struck zero in the Lions-Browns game, there was a pass interference penalty called on Cleveland in the end zone. In the aftermath of the play, Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford laid on the field injured. The officials called an injury timeout for Stafford. Also, Cleveland head coach Eric Mangini took a timeout to seemingly do nothing more than lambast the officials for what appeared a pretty obvious interference call.
In anticipation of mutual head coaching availabilities in 2010, Charlie Weis and the Cleveland Browns have met to discuss the possibility of Weis taking over for Eric Mangini at the end of 2009, a source deep within the Browns organization has told FanHouse.
"Charlie understands that the Chiefs with [Scott] Pioli are a good fit," the source said. "But he also knows that no one expects and embraces sports mediocrity quite like the city of Cleveland. Plus, there, 6-5 WOULD be good enough. And from what Weis told the Browns, that matters a lot."
The Wildcast is NFL FanHouse's podcast formation. It's like the Wildcat, but better.
Matt Snyder and I got on the horn for this first edition of the (newly named) NFL Wildcast -- and believe me, did we have plenty to talk about. There are two undefeated teams in the NFL, the Vikings are surging and Brady Quinn is heavily involved in MVP chatter, so that shouldn't be a surprise.
All Quinn jokes aside, though, we do cover the spectacular Lions-Browns matchup and the rest of Week 11, debate who's on the hottest streak in the NFL right now (replete with cheesy segment music!) and discuss early MVP candidacies. Plus, Snyder gives angry Ravens fans a little flack in what will probably become a weekly ranting session. Take a listen after the jump.
There was little on Sunday that matched the drama of the Cleveland-Detroit showdown. Yes, two 1-8 teams gave us a gripping game filled with highlights and lowlights from both sides.
After Matthew Stafford found Brandon Pettigrew for the game-winning touchdown on an untimed down that followed a defensive penalty, Browns coach Eric Mangini -- never one to shy away from controversy -- decided to accuse the Lions of faking injuries during the game.
It was two years ago that then-Jets head coach Eric Mangini ratted out the Patriots for what would become Spygate. The NFL slapped Bill Belichick with a $500,000 fine, took away one of their first-round picks, and kindly asked us to move on.
Eventually we did, but not before accusing the Patriots of cheating their way to three Super Bowl titles this decade before karma intervened by way of David Tyree.
New England became an afterthought when Tom Brady went down 15 minutes into the 2008 season, football gods and Pats-hating fans finally mollified. But it was only a matter of time before the Dark Lord found new ways to gain an advantage over opponents. And now, after some time off to regroup, Belichick is back, this time with psychological warfare. Or as the liberals would call it: subtle forms of torture.
When you're the Detroit Lions and you're thinking about making Matthew Stafford the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, you're a quivering Jell-O mold of fear and trepidation. Is the kid smart enough? Is he strong enough? Is he tough enough to not just play but thrive in the most crucial position any sport has? Will he represent the team well? Does he make a good impression? Is he a leader? You're risking dozens of millions of dollars and the future of your franchise on questions you really can't hope to answer by the end of April of his junior year of college, and it's scary.
But the flip side is what you know he can be, which is that rarest of NFL commodities -- a franchise quarterback. You imagine a day when he puts the team on his back, overcomes some ridiculous obstacle (an expired clock, say, or an injured shoulder ... or both!) and leads the team to an emotional, season-defining win. You believe he can be that kind of player, and so, you give him the money and hope. And then, in Week 11 of his first season, he gives you a glimpse.
Early this season, running back Jerome Harrison was an integral part of the Cleveland Browns' offense. In Week 3, he had 21 touches (16 carries and five catches) and in Week 4 he had a whopping 34 touches, with 29 carries and five catches.
But Harrison's role in the offense has steadily declined, to the point where in Monday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Harrison never got the ball.
Whatever, the organization that continually strives for mediocrity continues to fall woefully short. Which is why we've decided to distract ourselves from the putridity by creating a roster of non-football-playing professional athletes who would immediately make the Browns better. That's not hyperbole.
You see innovations like the West Coast offense or the zone blitz, and you're immediately amazed at the genius. That's what separate guys like Bill Walsh and Dick LeBeau from, say, Mike Tice and Eric Mangini.
And then there are plays that define a philosophy. For the Joe Gibbs Redskins it was the counter trey. For the Bill Belichick Patriots it's (at least for me) the variations of the screen pass. And for the Bethel University Royals it's the fake toss reverse alley-oop at the goal line. Or, as it's officially known in the playbook: Ace Rt Zoom 48 Granny QB.
Not sure Jeremy Shockey should be the final arbiter of who's fit to play in the NFL and who isn't, but he took to Twitter to explain to all the football simpletons that LeBron James couldn't cut it. Just in case that wasn't obvious from the outset.
The thing is, after James made the comments, and Browns head coach Eric Mangini offered a "come on down," some people figured all that was left to do was sign the contract and get him fitted for a a uniform. Not sure how it got to that point, but thankfully, Shockey, who came out of retirement this season to resume his career (Wait, he was in the league last year? Really?), has set us straight.
Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things. 
The 
The Wildcast is 
There was little on Sunday that matched the drama of the Cleveland-Detroit showdown. Yes, two 1-8 teams gave us a gripping game filled with highlights and lowlights from both sides.
It was two years ago that then-Jets head coach 
When you're the 
Early this season, running back Jerome Harrison was an integral part of the Cleveland Browns' offense. In Week 3, he had 21 touches (16 carries and five catches) and in Week 4 he had a whopping 34 touches, with 29 carries and five catches.
You see innovations like the West Coast offense or the zone blitz, and you're immediately amazed at the genius. That's what separate guys like 
