Cleveland Browns (2009 Season)

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Browns hire Mangini By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 05:45 p.m. EST, Jan 07, 2009
Browns' ball boys have new reason to dream big.
Eric Mangini completed a storybook rise from that lowly task Wednesday when he reached agreement on a contract to become the fourth coach hired by the Browns since 1999.
Although he interviewed some of the brightest coordinators in the league, owner Randy Lerner was seeking prior coaching experience. That swung the decision in Mangini's favor, along with his reputation as a disciplinarian who works his team hard and reportedly a vow to Lerner that he can win with quarterback Brady Quinn.
Mangini compiled a 23-25 record in three seasons with the New York Jets, including a 10-6 playoff season in his first year in 2006. After a 4-12 season in 2007, the Jets started this season 8-3 but finished 9-7 as quarterback Brett Favre faded down the stretch. Mangini was fired the morning after the season's final game and Lerner was visibly excited when he learned the news during a session with the media.
Turning 38 on Jan. 19, Mangini was the first person Lerner interviewed after firing coach Romeo Crennel and General Manager Phil Savage. The two went 4-12 in 2008 and 24-40 in four years.
''I'm excited for him,'' Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro said of Mangini, his brother-in-law. ''He's an extremely intelligent, creative and driven guy. He will increase the Browns' chances to be a championship team again.
''On a personal level, this is the first time in 18 years in Cleveland that I will have family here and that would be a reason for other family members to come here to visit.''
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[osugrad21]

CPD

Cleveland Browns reach contract terms with Eric Mangini as head coach

by Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporters Wednesday January 07, 2009, 5:25 PM


UPDATED: 9:11 p.m.

Tom Hauck/Getty ImagesA former ball boy with the Browns who has stated he still has emotional ties to Cleveland, Eric Mangini will become the franchise's 12th full-time head coach following a press conference on Thursday.
CLEVELAND --- The 12th full-time Browns coach is a former team ball boy whose second job with the franchise was fetching food for the media at lunchtime. Only time will tell if he has critics eating out of his hand again with wins on the field.
The Browns will announce Eric Mangini as Romeo Crennel's successor at a news conference Thursday morning.
Amid growing reports that Mangini already was formulating his coaching staff, the club confirmed that an agreement was reached with the fired New York Jets coach on Wednesday.
Mangini, who turns 38 on Jan. 19, was the first of four candidates interviewed by owner Randy Lerner to replace Crennel. He was fired on Dec. 29, the day after the Jets lost their final game and were eliminated from the AFC playoffs.
They were in first place at 8-3 after defeating division superpower and arch rival New England on Nov. 13, then lost four of their last five to fall to third. The Jets were 23-26 in Mangini's three years as coach, twice finishing with a winning record.

Lerner was informed of Mangini's firing during a sit-down with Cleveland reporters. His eyes lit up at the news and he almost immediately made arrangements to meet with Mangini the next day. Lerner was so impressed that he never wavered from Mangini as his first choice.
In fact, Lerner effectively chose Mangini to head his football reorganization ahead of GM candidate Scott Pioli of the New England Patriots.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Sources: Crennel won't be on Mangini staff

by Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday January 07, 2009, 11:47 PM


New Browns head coach Eric Mangini and fired coach Romeo Crennel reportedly agreed Wednesday that there was not a place for Crennel on Mangini's staff, such as defensive coordinator, sources close to the situation told The Plain Dealer.
Crennel could be willing to stay around in an advisory role, the source said. But ESPN's Michael Smith reported Wednesday night that Crennel and Mangini would part ways.
Mangini was defensive backs coach under Crennel when Crennel was defensive coordinator of the Patriots from 2001 to '04, during which time they won three Super Bowls. They also spent three seasons together with the Jets, from 1997 to '99.

Crennel and Mangini were so close that when Crennel took the job as New England's coordinator in 2001, he and his wife lived with Mangini and his wife for about six months while the Crennel's home was being built.
When Crennel took over as Browns head coach in 2005, he wanted to hire Mangini as defensive coordinator, but Mangini replaced Crennel as coordinator in New England. Mangini will most likely hire Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan as his defensive coordinator here, ESPN's Smith reported on WKNR AM/850 on Wednesday night.
Crennel told The Plain Dealer last week that he'd be willing to stay with the Browns in some capacity -- but only if the head coach really wanted him. If there's one situation in the NFL where the new head coach wouldn't mind his predecessor sticking around, it could be Mangini-Crennel.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Current Browns coaches told to avoid Berea

by Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday January 07, 2009, 9:57 PM


The current Browns assistant coaches were asked Wednesday by team president Mike Keenan to stay out of the team's Berea headquarters for the next two days, a source told The Plain Dealer.
"Apparently, they don't want the coaches to have any contact with Eric Mangini, at least for the next couple of days," the source said.
None of the current staff is believed to have been contacted yet by Mangini, who has already has selected his offensive and defensive coordinators, according to sources. Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll will be the offensive coordinator, a source said, and Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will most likely fill that role here, ESPN's Michael Smith reported on WKNR AM/850.
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[osugrad21]

CPD

Pioli's 'demands' not an issue, sources say

by Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday January 07, 2009, 9:47 PM

Stephan Savoia/Associated PressScott Pioli's chat with Browns owner Randy Lerner was more "exploratory" than a negotiation, said sources familiar with the meeting on Wednesday.
Reports that Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli turned the Browns off with his "outrageous demands" were absolutely false, multiple sources close to the situation told The Plain Dealer Wednesday. Browns owner Randy Lerner spent about 10 hours talking to Pioli on and off over the past week and the dialogue was positive, the source said. It was also described as one source as more "exploratory" than actual negotiating.
Lerner really liked and admired Pioli, his first choice for a general manager, sources said. But Lerner identified early on in the hiring process that the head coach was the more important hire between the two. Research had shown that landing the right coach was the bigger indicator of a franchise's success.
So when Mangini was fired by the Jets last week, it altered the landscape of the search, and Mangini became the focal point. It didn't help matters that Mangini and Pioli were on opposite sides of the Spygate controversy, in which the Patriots were disciplined for taping the Jets' defensive signals.
Pioli also interviewed with the Kansas City Chiefs, but hasn't made a decision yet on whether or not to leave New England, a source said.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Pluto's scribbles on the Browns' big move

by Terry Pluto/Plain Dealer Columnist Wednesday January 07, 2009, 9:04 PM


What I think is next now that the Browns have hired Eric Mangini ...
George Kokinis is the most likely candidate to be the new general manager. I sense the Mangini/Kokinis pairing became a possibility early in the discussions between the Browns and Mangini. As the Ravens Director of Pro Personnel, Kokinis is the right-hand man to Baltimore GM Ozzie Newsome. Kokinis is constantly in the office, working with the coaching staff, the scouts and Newsome to make sure everyone is organized and staying with their plans.
The Browns want a strong presence in the front office to work with the coach. They want the coach and GM to be close, to work for consensus on forming the 53-man roster. They want the front office and head coach to react quickly when something such as the Kellen Winslow staph infection problem came up so that it does not linger.
If the Browns do hire Kokinis, they know he and Mangini have a strong relationship based on mutual respect. But they also will have to find a super scout, much like the role that Phil Savage filled. It's possible they could promote T.J. McCreight, who was the top scout under Savage. McCreight was brought into his scouting career by Kokinis in Baltimore, so they have a relationship.

The other candidate is Tom Heckert, who is listed as the Eagles' general manager. But Philadelphia coach Andy Reid seems to have the final say on most roster decisions. He seems to have more dealing with the college draft than Kokinis, who specialty for the last several seasons in Baltimore is scouting and gathering information on NFL players for possible free agent signings and trades.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Raiders' Ryan, Jets' Daboll could be Mangini's top assistants with Browns

by Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday January 07, 2009, 8:56 PM

Raiders/NFLOakland Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan could be Eric Mangini's top defensive coach with the Browns.


Browns coach Eric Mangini is expected to hire currents Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator, a source close to the situation told the Plain Dealer Wednesday. He also plans to hire Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan as his defensive coordinator, ESPN's Michael Smith reported Wednesday night on WKNR AM/850. Ryan is the twin brother of Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and the son of legendary coach Buddy Ryan.
Mangini and Ryan worked together for four years in New England, when Mangini was defensive backs coach and Ryan was linebackers coach, and became close friends. Another close friend, fired Browns coach Romeo Crennel, is not expected to become his defensive coordinator, a source said, but could take another role with the team.
Mangini tried to hire Ryan for the Jets job in 2006, but the Raiders wouldn't let him go and signed him to a three-year extension instead. Ryan's Raiders finished 27th in the NFL defense in 2008, but were No. 1 in pass defense in 2006.

Mangini was hoping to bring current Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan on board, possibly as offensive coordinator, but Callahan is still under contract with the Jets and highly regarded by the team. He recently interviewed for their head coaching vacancy, as did current offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

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[CookyPuss]

New year, new coach... I vote all Browns posts go here and we get the 2008 thread off the front page. Time to let that waste of a season rest in peace.

 

[LitlBuck]

McKay does not want to be GM

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns GM search loses another candidate
by Tony Grossi
Friday January 09, 2009, 2:37 PM

CLEVELAND -- Scratch Rich McKay from the list of Browns general manager candidates.

The Browns had permission to interview the Atlanta Falcons president, but the interview won't take place, at McKay's choosing.

Early on in the Browns' search process, McKay was considered a "brand name" candidate to head a reorganization of the team's football operations. Scott Pioli, New England vice president of personnel, also was in that class.

But the big names fell by the wayside upon the naming of Eric Mangini as head coach by Browns owner Randy Lerner.

Another potential candidate, Philadelphia General Manager Tom Heckert, backed out on Thursday.

The GM job appeared to be framed for Baltimore pro personnel director George Kokinis, a friend of Mangini's, who is scheduled to be interviewed on Sunday.

But sources say that Kokinis may be leaning toward staying in Baltimore, and that is why the Browns' GM search has been widened. Former Denver GM Ted Sundquist and Chris Polian, Colts vice president of football operations, may be potential candidates.

I sure hope that Lerner can find a GM. Maybe some of these guys wanted to hire their own coach. I sure hope Lerner knows what he is doing but I have my doubts.

 

[LitlBuck]

PD

NFL Insider: What if Kokinis says no?
by Tony Grossi
Sunday January 11, 2009, 1:30 AM

By naming Eric Mangini as head coach, Browns owner Randy Lerner has backed himself into a corner in regards to finding a new general manager.

The assumption was that the job was earmarked for George Kokinis, Baltimore pro personnel director, as a result of the very first interview with Mangini. Kokinis and Mangini have been good friends since the days in 1994 that they shared a room in Cleveland while serving as gofers for Bill Belichick.

But now that Mangini has been hired and D-day is here for Kokinis -- he's supposed to be interviewed today -- there is a feeling gaining steam that Kokinis may develop a case of cold feet and stay with the Ravens.
Then what?

The Browns may reach out to former Denver General Manager Ted Sundquist or Colts vice president of football operations Chris Polian.

There is also the pool of experienced GMs who, like Sundquist, are currently not with teams, such as Floyd Reese (formerly Tennessee), Charley Casserly (Houston and Washington) and Tom Donahoe (Buffalo and Pittsburgh).

Continued

I would like to see Floyd Reese get the job. He has a good football mind and has a lot of experience. The only reason he left Tennessee was because he had a falling out with Fisher. Maybe Donahoe but I don't know how much he did in Buffalo and Pittsburgh when it came to selecting players.

 

[billmac91]

PD


I would like to see Floyd Reese get the job. He has a good football mind and has a lot of experience. The only reason he left Tennessee was because he had a falling out with Fisher. Maybe Donahoe but I don't know how much he did in Buffalo and Pittsburgh when it came to selecting players.

Please say no to Floyd Reese....have you seen that guy on TV?? He makes idiotic points and is as simple as you can be...

Not to mention he openly campaigns for GM jobs, while GM's are currently employed. A huge slap in the face, and unprofessional.

If Kokinis says no, and Pioli is out, find another young football mind, and give Mangini a little more say over roster moves.

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

49ers interview Browns offensive coordinator


By the Associated Press

Sunday, January 11, 2009

SANTA CLARA, Calif. ? Rob Chudzinski, the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, is interviewing with 49ers coach Mike Singletary for San Francisco's vacant offensive coordinator job.
Former St. Louis coach Scott Linehan and Indianapolis receivers coach Clyde Christensen interviewed with the 49ers on Friday.
Chudzinski was praised in 2007 when Cleveland's offense scored 402 points and finished eighth in the NFL, but his unit slumped to 31st this season, contributing to coach Romeo Crennel's firing. Chudzinski got a contract extension from Cleveland last season, but isn't expected to stay on new coach Eric Mangini's staff.
Mangini, fired by the Jets before taking over in Cleveland, is expected to hire New York quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator.
The 40-year-old Chudzinski is an up-and-coming offensive mind, but he was known for a pass-first philosophy with Cleveland quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, which might not fit Singletary's vision of a run-based offense in San Francisco.
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[osugrad21]

ABJ

Mangini won't kiss and tell After messy breakup with Jets, new Browns' coach won't dish dirt
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 06:54 p.m. EST, Jan 10, 2009


BEREA: Several times during his introductory news conference Thursday, Browns coach Eric Mangini had a chance to lash out at the New York Jets.
''Did you feel betrayed by your friend Mike Tannenbaum?''
''Do you have a chip on your shoulder after the Jets experience?''
But each time New York came up, Mangini demurred, dancing around the subject of the team that fired him after he led it to two winning seasons in his three years.
''I feel really good about the things we did in New York; I feel really good about the organization we were building, the people we brought in,'' he said. ''I know how hard the coaches worked, how hard I worked, how hard the players worked and those are the things that I'm proud of. I'm going to work as hard here and obviously learn from mistakes we made and continue to grow.''
Browns owner Randy Lerner spent 20 hours with Mangini during the week before he hired him. He knows the chip is there.
''We call that hunger,'' Lerner said.
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[osugrad21]

CPD

From ball boy to team intern, Eric Mangini returns with his job of a lifetime: Browns head coach

by Mary Kay Cabot Sunday January 11, 2009, 7:23 AM


When Eric Mangini announced to his mother Nancy that he was taking a job as a ball boy with the Browns a year after college in 1994, she flipped out as only a mother could.
"I said, A ball boy? You've got to be kidding me!' " recalled Nancy Mangini. "All those years and all that expense of an education, and you're going to be a ball boy? No paycheck? No benefits? No pension? I said, Eric, you really shouldn't do this!' "
Mangini, the Browns' new head coach, was 23 at the time and a graduate of Wesleyan University in Connecticut with a degree in political science. He planned to become an investment banker, but caught the coaching bug while studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia, where his brother was a banker.
When his brother's semipro football team needed a coach, Mangini jumped at the chance. He had a blast, deciding then and there to scrap mergers and acquisitions for the X's and O's of the NFL. Upon returning home, he worked as a substitute teacher and helped coach his high school team. He also had a real job offer, to coach the offensive line at nearby Trinity College in Hartford.
But he gave it all up to pick up socks and jocks for the Browns.
"[My mom] sees this picture of me with 11- and 12-year-olds, and I have my arm around them and we've got our towels on," Mangini said. "I had student loans and it was a hard sell. I kept saying 'Mom, this is the Cleveland Browns. Do you understand? THE Cleveland Browns.' "
Mangini got his foot in the door as a Browns ball boy because his former Wesleyan head coach, Kevin Spencer, now a Cardinals assistant, was the Browns special-teams coach at the time. Even so, it was a tough gig to get. Then Browns coach Bill Belichick, a control freak from the start, was in on the hiring of ball boys, making them catch balls and prove they could hold their own on a football field.
Of course, it didn't hurt that Mangini played college ball at Wesleyan - just like Belichick. Mangini was an undersized, overachieving nose tackle who set the Cardinals' career record with 36.5 sacks. Belichick had played center and tight end there 15 years earlier. "I think they had a secret handshake or something," quipped then Browns vice president of public relations Kevin Byrne, now with the Ravens.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Ravens' playoff run keeping GM candidate Kokinis out of Browns' reach

by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer Reporter Sunday January 11, 2009, 10:02 PM

Ravens/NFLGeorge Kokinis may not be available for interviewing by the Browns until after the Super Bowl.

CLEVELAND -- Next stop for George Kokinis is Pittsburgh, not Cleveland. The Baltimore pro personnel director will remain off limits to the Browns for at least another week after the Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship Game over the weekend.
The Ravens will play the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday in the conference title game. Winner advances to the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 1.
Kokinis was scheduled to interview for the Browns' general manager job with owner Randy Lerner on Sunday. Even if Kokinis is gung-ho about reuniting with long-time friend Eric Mangini as the new Browns' management duo, the Ravens don't have to release him until after their season is over.
That could be as late as Feb. 2.

Lerner has said there isn't an urgency to name a general manager until preparations of the draft begin in earnest.
Well, guess what? They begin in earnest for most NFL teams Monday in Houston, where college players have their first practice for the East-West Shrine Game. The game is Sunday.
The next event is the annual Senior Bowl college all-star game in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 24. NFL coaches and scouts start congregating on Jan. 18 for player weigh-ins and interviews.

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