Eric Mangini Changes Culture by Removing Mural of Browns Legends

If Eric Mangini is trying to win friends and influence people in the greater Cleveland area, he sure has an odd way of doing it. In one of his first orders of business as the Browns new head coach, Mangini has decided to change the culture in Cleveland by ripping down a mural containing Jim Brown, Otto Graham, Lou Groza and Paul Brown. Because nothing says change in culture like removing a tribute to the most important people in franchise history and replacing it with, well, nothing.

The mural was located at the team's practice facility in Berea, Ohio, and in its place is a spectacularly bland, plain white wall. Exciting. I'm guessing this is to represent what the Browns have accomplished since the players mentioned above hung up their cleats. Or, perhaps, it represents that Mangini has absolutely lost his mind and is about to get a face full of fist from Jim Brown.

What's he going to do next? Change the name of the team to the Cleveland Manginis?

In a twisted and bizarre way, it's kind of funny when you think about it, because Mangini is simply following in the footsteps of Bill Belichick, his one-time mentor, who was also rather fond of pissing off the good people of Cleveland during his time there.

As Bob Glauber points out, Belichick alienated many former Browns players -- but did he ever tear down a mural of Hall of Famers to replace it with a white wall? -- while also tossing aside fan-favorite Bernie Kosar for Vinny Testaverde.

I can't wait to see what Mangini replaces the mural with, assuming he ever does.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

1-24-2009 @ 2:18PM

horatiowrd said...

and the Mangini Curse is born.

Brian said...

Is it that big of a deal that Mangini ordered the mural down? I mean, it really hasn't motivated the players to add to the Cleveland Brown's legendary history, they finished 4-12 and got Crennel fired. Not to mention, why is everyone so concerned about Jim Brown's feelings? Jim Brown would punch a white guys face if they as much said hello to him. I just don't think Mangini has that kind of clout (I was surprised anyone would hire him after exposing Belichick as a cheater), that order probably came from Lerner.

1-24-2009 @ 2:26PM

section44 said...

Typical of Mangini. When he was the Jet coach we heard he wouldn't allow former Jets players, even those from the Super Bowl III team, into the locker room. The man has no sense of tradition. Or maybe he's jealous of those who have accomplished something in their athletic lives. God knows Mangini hasn't.

1-24-2009 @ 3:19PM

Scally said...

When you the boss, you do what is needed to be done. As someone else says, the team is still not doing so well with that on the wall.
So, why not see it that works. Actions speak louder than words. Will see.

1-24-2009 @ 3:41PM

heismy4tress said...

The Jets fired Mangenius for a reason you know.

1-24-2009 @ 4:20PM

mssolange said...

Its a clean slate, no more living in the past.Its time to create new stars and winning teams. Well, that's my take on it. Why not? Try anything.

rayk33 said...

Didn't the team those players represent move to Baltimore? It would appear that someone thinks it is time to establish stars for the new team, even though they took the old name.

1-24-2009 @ 4:26PM

dave said...

Winning teams build for the future but remember and pay tribute to the past. Just like Bellicheat, Weis and the rest of that group, Mangini thinks he is better than the rest. His only salvation is the Bungles; with Pittsburgh and Baltimore in that division, he won't sniff the playoffs. Not really a big deal though-Browns have not won anything since Jim Brown was playing. Losers beget losers.

1-24-2009 @ 5:00PM

thndrshwr34 said...

I remember the first game the Bwowns played in the AAC and the Browns began with Paul Brown, Dante Lavelli (who just passed away) Otto Graham,Lou The Tow, Jum Brown the greatest, and Mangini took this picture down..You got to be kidding! He is going to catch some real heat.

1-24-2009 @ 6:23PM

coyotebluffs said...

Did anyone as Mangini why he did this? Sorry, I forgot, you're a "journalist" and you're suppose to speculate and create controversy then seek out the facts and report them as an in-depth follow-up to your original article.

1-24-2009 @ 6:48PM

kmgolf said...

Didn't the team those players represent move to Baltimore? It would appear that someone thinks it is time to establish stars for the new team, even though they took the old name.

Actually, from what I've inferred, it was one of the few moves where the team did not take the past with it. Hence, when the Browns got the team back, they still represented the CB teams of the past. Anyone know the truth behind this?

1-24-2009 @ 6:50PM

AdamGretz said...

This is correct. When the Ravens became the Ravens, they had no history as it all stayed in Cleveland.

1-25-2009 @ 12:11AM

Ron said...

Mangini and his staff of former Jets coaches suck! But worst of all is the Defensive coordinator that got from Oakland. Looks like another 3-4 yrs of sub 500 teams, by which time most of our good players will ask to be traded.

1-25-2009 @ 7:50AM

Fio said...

Well you better listen to RATGINI since that subhuman piece of shit will rat you out to the NFL!

That WOP BASTARD should go work for the FBI

1-25-2009 @ 9:13AM

Jim said...

All this does is point out the incompitence of Randy Lerner as an owner. He has NO clue. No GM and HE hires Mangenius. This team will be floundering for years until there is a change in ownership. Maybe Randy should worry more about his soccer team and do us Browns fans a favor and sell to a Football man. It all proves that having Money does not mean you have a brain. And you Browns fans thought Romeo was a bonehead.

1-25-2009 @ 9:15AM

zelmamae said...

were there any joe namath murals removed from the jets facility,coach needs to coach,these self important guys should put results in front of arrogance

1-25-2009 @ 9:31AM

bob said...

he should of torn down the whole town, cleveland sucks!

1-27-2009 @ 10:19AM

vince said...

Yea time for Mangini to start from scratch...can anyone tell me whos a star in the league under mangini's coaching?...Favre..noo not him..Jones..noo not him again..Washington..maybe..i predict Cleveland goes 2-14. Maybe 3-13 if they get an easy schedule.

1-29-2009 @ 9:04AM

Mike said...

Tear it down, they were actually very good, in fact GREAT players. But that was then and this is now, and there is not one player on the Browns who is or has been good enough to get their picture on some damn wall, let alone a football card of them. Do what you have got to do to get this team, of high draft choices and supposed men, to play with some passion and the will to win at all costs. If this helps in Edwards to catch a football, or Cribbs to quit dancing and run, for the line to give the QB a second or two to pass, or for God's sake a player to make a tackle behind the line of scrimmage or deflect a pass, then DO IT. I have no idea what is actually wrond there in Cleveland, but somebody has to do something to this team. If I ever had the chance to coach there this team would have a totally different out look, or, they would be in great shape as I would make them run and run and run and were their pads everywhere they ever went until I saw some passion and the want to win games there. It's unreal they have been so bad for so long.

1-29-2009 @ 12:30PM

Chris said...

If its brown flush it down! I love that the retarded front office practices of the Brownholio's continues!

That pretty much sets the table for Pittsburgh to shut out Cleveland for another 4 or 5 years!

Mangini is a proven sub-par coach that will go 500 at best with hooten-nanny's that play in Cleveland.