Comments on: What about James Harris for Browns GM?

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:22:39 +0000

Alan…don't you think there wasn't much of a public demand for Mangini from other teams because when contacted his agent flat out said he'd only interview if the Browns job did not happen? Lerner was extremely quick in getting Mangini interviewed (24 hrs after he was fired). Heck, he had someone contact Mangini during the presser. I don't think any other team was acting that quickly.

Realistically, Mangini was the best option out there after Cowher decided to stay in the tv studio. Shanahan would have wanted too much control. Inexperience with any of the coordinators avail. And Lerner wanted an experienced coach.

Before everyone jumps on the "fire Mangini" bandwagon, lets see what he can do. Everyone was giddy about Butch Davis, Savage and Romeo getting hired, look how that turned out. Hopefully because so many seem to disagree with the hiring this time things work out the right way.

Personally, I don't care who the coach and GM are. Just win some games! GO BROWNS!

By: larry d.

larry d. — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:57:02 +0000

I suspect Lerner's just a Jets fan.

By: alan t.

alan t. — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:31:09 +0000

I don't think anybody was hardcore "working behind the scenes," but it's conceivable that Mangini was always Plan B if Cowher declined. That's what I mean, Mangini's agent working behind the scenes for months, putting in a good word for his boy in the event he was canned. Son Mark Shapiro chatting with Lerner at Corky & Lenny's, putting in a good word for his brother-in-law in the event his brother-in-law. Heck, Ron Shapiro also happens to also be on the Ravens' payroll. There are plenty of connections with Lerner here.

Who knows how it came to be, but something just ain't right here. When an owner who appears to be out of his element gets all giggly and impulsive when somebody, apparently without much demand elsewhere, has become available, in this instance you tend to wonder who said what to whom the past few months. I think Lerner was looking for sage advice, and for months he's gotten it from Mangini's and Lerner's common friends, acquaintances and family.

By: Tim in Plantation FL

Tim in Plantation FL — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 05:05:13 +0000

Alan, again, it's been widely reported that Lerner was visibly shocked and brimming with excitement when a reporter told him that Mangini had been fired. Doesn't sound like someone who was working behind the scenes with Mangini's agent trying to conspire to steal him away from the Jets. I truely believe that Lerner didn't even think of Mangini as a possibility until the reporter told him that he just was fired. Lerner wanted Cowher, and when that failed, he was just going to bring several candidates in as plan B. I'm sure he's followed Mangini's career and liked him before he even became available, but that doesn't mean he had any thoughts of him being the next head coach of the Brown's until the Crennel firing press conference.

By: alan t.

alan t. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:15:18 +0000

Mike, it does seem kind of fishy. Way too fast. By the way, nowhere did Rhoden, who, by the way, is very well respected for a "hack," accuse Mangini of losing "on purpose," whatever that means.

Who knows what kind of preliminary feelers went on between agents and third-parties. Either Lerner is a compulsive dope, which is unlikely, or there is something amiss in the sniff test. It's not a crazy notion.

These guys all travel in the same circles. Dollars to donuts Lerner chatted with Mangini's agent, Ron Shapiro, during the season, even in an unofficial capacity. Everybody knows who Ron Shapiro is, the guy is one of the most powerful dudes out there. Maybe Lerner and Shapiro bumped into each other at a Bar Mitzvah in a Cleveland suburb, and chatted over a piece of lean brisket, who knows. Ron is Mark Shapiro's father and Ron Shapiro's daughter is married to Mangini. It's not an unreasonable notion that feelers went out from both Lerner's camp and from Mangini's camp long before any interview was even scheduled, long before the season ended. It doesn't mean that Mangini took a dive, but it's always comforting to know you're going to land on a soft pillow if you fall.

Pat, James Harris? Hey, why not hire Franco Harris? Makes as much sense as the other silliness going on inside the offices located at 100 Alfred Lerner Way.

By: larry d.

larry d. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:08:06 +0000

Same with McKay!

By: JagRoar

JagRoar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:57:00 +0000

Another thing about Shack Harris, he drafted only one Pro Bowl player (DB R. Mathis) in six years.

Moreover, the Jags only had one playoff win and zero divisional titles in six years under Harris.

Harris rode the coattails of the Coughlin players and when they grew old, his ineptitude was exposed.

Pat: Pull your head out of your arse, Harris would be a horrible hire and you hurt your credibility by mentioning it..

By: JagRoar

JagRoar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:46:05 +0000

Aside from the Browns, I follow the Jags because I live in Florida and, trust me, Shack Harris was a disaster in Jacksonville. Moreover, he's a blatant racist.

It would be a nightmare if the Browns hired Harris, he'd be worst than the Savage/Dough Boy combo.

By: terje

terje — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:36:51 +0000

ryan, i'm not sure what high school has to do with the pros. but if i was the man in charge you wouldn't have had to see romeo choke one playoff appearance away and then see the savage/romeo show rip the team apart last year.

one year for mangini. if he doesn't make the playoffs then bring in cowher.

By: Arjay

Arjay — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:12:09 +0000

Shack Harris is awful … He can't draft any better than savage and his free agency record is no better (Hugh douglas, Dennis Northcutt, Jerry Porter,) … The Browns are in bad enough shape with mangini and the mess that was left in cleveland… Back to the doodle board.. again…