Browns Haven't Officially Hired Eric Mangini, but He's Allegedly Assembling a Staff

Yesterday I mentioned that while Browns owner Randy Lerner waited for Patriots vice president Scott Pioli to make up his mind about the GM job, Eric Mangini was emerging as the unofficial favorite to replace Romeo Crennel.

Still no word on Pioli's plans -- he's scheduled to meet with the Chiefs this week -- but they might not matter as far as Lerner's concerned; National Football Post's Mike Lombardi is hearing things: "I hear - and keep hearing - it is Eric Mangini's job in Cleveland, and he is already assembling a staff."

You know, if true, I think that's a solid move for the Browns. Not splashy, but solid. Mangini got run out of New York after missing the playoffs two of the last three seasons. Part of the problem, apparently, was that he was meticulous in his preparation, but couldn't motivate Kris Jenkins to eat a cheeseburger.

Sound familiar? Bill Belichick was a mediocre NFL head coach during a five-year stint in Cleveland in the mid-'90s, known as much for his winning personality as for being responsible for running Bernie Kosar out of town.

Five years later he re-emerged in New England, and now sports three Super Bowl rings and has people calling him genius (just like Jim Zorn but the exact opposite).

For Mangini, the question becomes: can he find a way to marry the Xs and Os with the ability to relate to his players? No idea how Belichick went from just another dude to the Norman Einstein of the profession, but that's Mangini's task in Cleveland. (Again, assuming he's even got the gig.)

One thought -- and if it sounds insane to you, know that it sounded insane to me, too ... but, well, just go with it -- Mangini should hire Herm Edwards. (Assuming he's fired, which, frankly, is only a matter of time.) Let him coach up the defense, give him an "associate head coach" title or some such, and more importantly, let him be in charge of motivating players.

Edwards might not be the best in-game tactician (okay, he's probably one of the worst), but he can inspire guys. Yeah, I know, it's hard to over look "Guy Who Led Chiefs to 2-14 Record" on his CV, but as an assistant he'll have a lot less to worry about. Theoretically, anyway.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-05-2009 @ 6:40PM

LEN Plasse said...

There's a limit on how many losers you can accomodate on one staff. Both Mangini and Edwards should be filing for unemployment.,If you want to motivate players, hire someone like Turner Gill. There are too many good old boys in the NFL

1-05-2009 @ 10:59PM

jeff said...

cleveland can hav man-dummy . hope he takes all of his jets staff with him. what a bunch of losers .

1-05-2009 @ 11:11PM

Rick Johnson said...

I don't understand why Randy Lerner feels the need to rush to get a coach. I am not sure Mangini is the answer. I rather wait & see if Scott Pioli is interested in being the General Manager, then look at the coach. Lerner isn't in Cleveland enough to understand the full operation of the team.
If they bring in Mangini that doesn't mean they'll suddenly be better. This could very well prove to be a bad hiring. Lerner should be asking the Jets why they wanted to get of him. And Lerner should be taking notice no other team shows interest in talking to Mangini. If those are not red flags, I don't know what are.

1-06-2009 @ 2:09AM

chris said...

Good Luck to him (and the browns) and GOOD RIDDANCE.!!! Cleveland fans get used to a coach with no emotion, no motivational skills, and most importantly no passion. Just ask us Jets fans about his actions the last month of the season. Never had our team ready, never made any halftime adjustments, just stood there like a lifeless statue. Honestly i would rather keep Romeo. I give him no more than 4 yrs as coach there. That is unless the organization suddenly falls in love with this waste.

1-06-2009 @ 8:31AM

Big John said...

Cleveland are you crazy? If you are considering making another mistake by hiring Magini you deserve what you get!
Not only was his coaching ability questionable, look at the the mistake with Farve and Pennington and the other trades/drafts he made! Thinking back about Romeo - no one could of won any more after losing three quarterbacks!!!!!!!!!!!
The Jets are the lucky ones.

1-06-2009 @ 4:05PM

jonathan said...

mangini didn't make those decisions, genius - the GM did... new york must be exactly like philly - cities that hate good players and coaches - donovan mcnabb is one of the best quarterbacks of the last 10 years and he's getting hate mail from Philly fan.... you new yorkers are all morons - do yourself a favor and educate yourself before entering your misinformed opinions for the world to see.... god, you're stupid!

1-06-2009 @ 8:40AM

Fio said...

Mangini is a RAT BASTARD & is better off dead or working for the FBI!

1-06-2009 @ 3:12PM

Bobby Gee said...

Minority hiring? How these pigs keep getting hired year in and year out is the most baffling of all secrets. Do they sleep with management? Do they kick back their salary? It is inconceivable how this bum and and Herm Edwards and Wade Phillips get hired immediately after destroying a franchise they are absolutely and utterly clueless. First time coaches in Baltimore, Atlanta, going to the Superbowl and the rest of the league recycles pig fat. I just don't get it.

1-06-2009 @ 7:39PM

Mike said...

I don't know a lot about Mangini but I do know Crennel is the most ignorant coach we ever had.Coin flips to choose your Quarterback is stupid and shows no leadership.An NFL player should need no motivation, only a systym to flourish in.Remember Eric metcalf.Did nothing running up the middle in Cleveland and caught 100 passes for atlanta.I think Lerner should pick some minds and listen to what they think of who is out there.Lerner has proven he has no knowledge.Whoever we get is a step up from Crennel.Marty Shottenhiemer had the best success, maybe get his opinion.

1-07-2009 @ 3:40PM

mark said...

In 3 seasons with the Jets he had winning records in two of those seasons, and made the post season once. Its not his fault ownership brought in an over the hill qb in Favre. When you throw 9 picks in the last 5 games youre not going to win, I dont care who you are. That was the ownerships mistake not Mangini's. The Browns need someone who can game plan, that was Crennels biggest problem, he couldnt do that on a consistant basis, not to mention hiring rookie coordinators in Tucker, and Chudzinski. Sometimes I wonder how theye can destroy the Giants then look bad against the Texans. You blame that on the coach and its staff. Favre threw 22 int's this season, how did theye win 9 games?

1-08-2009 @ 5:29PM

cevans7949 said...

Motivate players? What is a football team, a freakin church congregation? These are supposedly professionals, and highly paid ones at that! If a player doesn't play up to his potential, he doesn't need motivation. He needs a ticket out of town and replacement with someone who is self motivated and wants to excel. This pro teams sports as an exercise in kindergarten management gives me a big pain in the gluteus maximus!