Shaun Rogers must have an exit strategy. Of that there is no doubt. No player in today's modern era turns away from a $6 million roster bonus without a reasonable assurance another team is ready and waiting to pay him that money. So Rogers — probably through his agent — has a place to land. Which is why he has let it be known that he prefers the Browns not pay the bonus so he can be released and be a free agent (according to a report from NFL.com and Adam Schefter, a reporter whose inside information is never incorrect).
But … it did not need to come to this, and the fact that it did falls squarely on the shoulders of new coach Eric Mangini.
People criticized me and wondered why I wrote so much about the way Mangini handled people. What does it matter if you win, folks wrote. It's a fair question. But my answer is simple: It always matters how you treat people. And when you are the lead guy in an environment where a team is built, how you treat people is vital. Look at how LeBron James treats people; his teammates love playing with him. Look at Mike Brown. Most great coaches have players who give extra because they respect the coach so much. The Browns hire a guy who immediately starts taking down murals of Hall of Famers and painting walls and making plans for renovations while people are laid off and the guys he needs most, his players, are ignored at banquets.
It matters.
Mangini can put on the happy face all he wants at his news conferences and say he's confident with the kind of guy he is. But not reaching out to players — especially the best players — does little to build camaraderie. Mangini instead has chosen to spend a lot of time in his office with the door closed. I'm sure he's doing a lot of football stuff, but he's also done a lot of non-football stuff. And he's obviously made little or no effort to contact his players, especially his key players, if they have not passed through the building.
In Baltimore (gosh it's getting old using Baltimore as a reference) John Harbaugh's first move was to call each and every player and explain to them his strategy and thinking. That came from owner Steve Biscotti, who told him it was important for the new coach to earn his players' respect immediately. A wise man once listened to an new executive address his employees; in the address Bob Exec said how Person A or Person B was pleasing to him. The wise man said Bob Exec had it backwards. In a new job, they are not pleasing to you, you are pleasing to them. For the coach to walk right past Rogers, within a few feet of each other, at the Cleveland Sports Awards banquet … well that's unnecessary. And when the coach says he didn't see Rogers … well that's a hard one to swallow.
There is one chance for a first impression. Mangini's has come and gone.
Now, you can say that Rogers has a contract and the Browns should hold him to that contract and if he doesn't like that, well that's too bad. You'd be right. The Browns have that option, and Rogers' job would be to live up to the contract in the most professional way possible. It's also very possible Rogers just wants out. Mangini and Rogers could have shared espressos at the local Starbucks and he still might want out.
But the bottom line is this puts the Browns in a bad spot. Because if Rogers is released, then it's anyone's guess who next starts making noise publicly to get out. And if he's not released, then Rogers very well could revert to the Shaun Rogers of Detroit days — because he won't want to be here.
And clearly the lack of contact played a role in this situation getting to where it is. And that's unnecessary.
The situation did not have to come to this. Not even close to this. Because treating people the right way matters. And while building a team means being tough and challenging at times, it also means being smart enough to reach out and win over the people you need most.
Emily Litella …
If Rogers comes out and says this was all a misunderstanding … well … never mind.
Newspaper layoffs …
My previous post brought quite a few comments, and I was intrigued. Perhaps I'm not the only one who has a problem with a company filing bankruptcy and asking for millions to be set aside for bonuses if people's jobs are eliminated. I find that immoral.
Alan, you said I could write the bankruptcy judge, and I will do so. Any clues how to get his name? Can you get his name (he wrote, figuring Alan spends most of his life on the internet anyway)?
Elizabeth, I love your idea for a Business Ethics Secretary. Love it. The sad thing is that in today's world using the words Business and Ethics together almost sound like an oxymoron.
And Alan, I'm touched that Roger Ebert's review was so close to mine. Geez Alan … what else do you do all day but read the internet?
A sad moment …
I shall address this more as time goes on, but the past couple days have been tough. Adriana Lima has indeed eloped with Marko Jaric. Once again, the dumpy, dopey Irish guys of the world are left wondering what we did wrong, and why she seems to be saying in this picture: "Hey all you dumpy, dopey Irish guys out there … eat your heart out!"
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
i'm with you pat. the browns organization continues to be a sham.
i never looked at pictures of marko jaric until yesterday. no wonder he's such a stiff on the court, he has no peripheral vision!
i am in agreement that the browns organization is dysfunctional.
however, pat do you really think that mangini not saying hello to rogers is a legitimate excuse (as schefter reports is rogers' reason) to want to be released?
you are right to criticize the browns, but this rogers situation does not vindicate your criticism. rogers is being a baby. if he would come out and say that he want's to be released because the browns suck, or that he wants a new contract (these are probably the real reasons), then i would be fine with him wanting out.
The sad thing is that many fans seem to think building a winning team and being a decent guy are mutually exclusive – the Belichick Effect. It's not. I'm always amused at how money apparently precludes human instincts – Rogers is making millions, therefore he should suck it up and be all-pro, even if his coach doesn't seem to know who he is.
Oh well, get used to it Browns fans. There is more to come.
Enough of the knashing of teeth over Mangini. Pat Mac needs to move on. I'm not a big fan of Mangini, but I don't think he is this brute that people hate which is the non stop message from McManamon. David Bowens who the Jets released in a cap move said his first stop in trying to find a new team was going to be Cleveland because he "loved" playing for Mangini and a lot of the Jet's players spoke up for him when he was fired.
Mangini certainly isn't a warm and fuzzy guy, but there has to be more to him than McManamon tries to portray.
The whole Rogers thing (and we don't really know the real story yet) seems like it has to be more than him being upset because Mangini didn't say hello to him. Come on is Rogers that sensitive? It has to be about money as is usually the case in pro sports. The Browns aren't going to release him because they would take a huge cap hit. Rogers was a guy who made noise or drama from time to time when he was in Detroit and did anyone think he wouldn't do the same in Cleveland?!
I think it is likely that he and his agent paint Mangini as the heavy or bad guy in an effort to get more money and the local media jumps on board.
Actually, Pat, in response to your vicious series of Don Rickles-like shots, I kinda have a weird vested camaraderie interest in what happens to you guys and gals at newspapers. In much the same way that you nearly lost your job a few months ago, I *did* lose my job a few months ago. Accordingly, if you have any (intelligent) suggestions as to how I can better spend my tons of free time than spending much of it surfing on the Internet and then watching six hours worth of East, Central, Mountain and Pacific time NBA games every night, then trust me, I'm all eyes and ears.
And that Roger Ebert review was just a coincidence. I happened to see the movie over the weekend, then I looked up his review. His words were suspiciously identical to somebody else here with the initials "P.M."
Your savage shots aside, if anybody truly believes Mangini didn't see Shaun Rogers at that "banquet," then I have some prime palm tree real estate to sell you on the beaches of Ireland. Not only could Shaun Rogers be easily seen at that banquet, but Shaun Rogers can be easily seen from Google Earth.
"I think it is likely that he and his agent paint Mangini as the heavy or bad guy in an effort to get more money and the local media jumps on board."
i think you're right larry. but doesn't it bother you even a little bit that mangini left the door open to be used as a scapegoat? if mangini doesn't pretend not to see the largest guy in the room then shaun has to find another excuse to get more money. if mangini can be played this easily off the field i'm not going to count on him being a strategic genius on the field—-and according to jets fans he is far from that already.
hopefully mangini wins a ring before he starts sleeping with the secretary and filming the steelers taking showers.
I'm tired of all of these cry babies we have had since the team came back. Suck it up and be a man – not a baby – so he didn't talk to you give me a break – I think the guys liked the Romeo era because he was warm and fuzzy and treated them like babies. Well I hope the days of fuzziness is over and we can get a team on the field that plays like a team with leadership instead of all this high egos they have. I just don't get it – y ou're making millions of dollars to play ball do that – I think this team is in for a rude awakening – because I think Mangini will discipline this team which it needs and they won't like it – like Bob Golic said on tv at the end of the season – if you don't want to play in Cleveland get out we'll find someone who does – this city and these fans deserve better than what the players have showed us on the field. I just want to see them grow together and WIN>…
Let him go and use the $ to find a younger,healthier D lineman.The guy is too fat,has to be taken out of the game for breathers(gets gassed easily),and is not mobile enough.Yeh,he plugs the line and can be a force,but give me a guy with more speed and agility. Besides,he can be a pain in the butt.
I remember the good old days when Paul Brown would gather his team together and they would sing old folk songs.I think it was Tom Landry who started that whole chest bump thing in Dallas.Or how about Chuck Noll when he would get all emotional talking to or about his players.Mike Ditka was always a coach who had nothing but positive things to say to his players during a game.And how could I forget Vince Lombardi .A coach who was always willing to put an arm around his players to show his support.Give me a ******* break.The players loved and respected Romeo and supposedly played hard for him.What a bunch of ****.Do you think Shaun Rogers could play for Belichick.Probably not.Belichick doesn't feel you should have to treat your players like a Big Baby.Trade him back to Detroit for one of their first round picks.There's a couple of good young hard working defensive tackles in the draft looking for work.Please stop.You didn't like Belichick and you don't like Mangini.Period.Enough is enough.What will you say if he takes the Browns to the Super Bowl and they win.He should have smiled more when they presented the trophy.Let it go.
Pat, I'm very surprised you think Schefter is never incorrect. He's often wrong. His sources aren't very good. I'd wait for something more than Schefter to believe this report is true.
"It always matters how you treat people."
That about says it all.
Yes, superdawg, that's exactly what we need more of, 800-pound football players gathered together to sing "Kumbaya."
But Pat has a very good point, whether he likes this guy or not. Who the hell starts off his tenure the right way by being a complete asshole? Seriously, you don't have to prove to others that you're the new sheriff in town by being a schmuck. Show some common courtesy, give respect. I don't care what line of business you're in, that's not prudent people management.
At this point I'm begging the ABJ for a story on the Tribe. In case they haven't noticed, spring training has started. Where's Sheldon? All I see are AP wire reports. The Browns are done until Fall, let's move on!
Brian, the Browns are done until Fall? I did not know that. I guess this means that, as usual, they'll be skipping the April draft.
Alan … a few things.
1) Your comments crack me up … love the previous one about the draft!
2) I am soooooooooo sorry about the job situation. Clearly I am not and would not ever make fun of anyone in that situation. If I can help, e-mail me. In fact, e-mail me what you do, and perhaps I can help.
3) Clearly the Don Rickles remarks were much akin to some of the ones you direct to me. All meant in fun, nothing else.
4) Did I mention your comments crack me up?
Hang in there. Can't be an easy time.
Best,
pat
First – no way Browns take a 9M cap hit and let a pro bowl player walk….he is dreaming if he truly thinks this will happen. This happens every year with players and what they want in more $. Do you really think it is a coincidence that this is brought to light 2 days before free agency?
Second – Since Mangini was hired, he has stated that he wanted to review tape to get an unbiased opinion of all the players before he met them. He states that his plan is to have a sit down with each player during the March weight lifting timeframe. If he has been busting his butt to analyze this team, prepare for free agency, and work toward the draft, we should all be happy. I personally think he is trying to get all his ducks lined up before he talks to players so he knows what he wants to say to them. I don't understand why everyone can't just relax and let the man do his job. Believe me, Rodgers isn't going to pass up any paychecks. He got a new contract last year before he played a single down for us. It is time for him to shut up and be a leader. We have way too many fans that don't like the Mangini hire and are looking for anything to rag on him about.
Last – let's wait and see what happens in free agency and the draft. Let's see if his hard work pays off. Nothing is going to change by complaining now because it is way premature. BTW – Pat it is obvious you don't like the Mangini hire and the way they fired some of the old regime members (some of your insiders). It is obvious you have an agenda…why don't you find something else to write about because true Browns fans are tired of hearing the same old crap from you.
I'd like to vomit down the throat of every single person who trots out the "true browns fan" b.s.
as if my 30 years of following this sorry franchise was somehow negated because i think this organization has been the second worst in the nfl since they came back into the league. dana, you've got "true browns fan" confused with "battered wife syndrome".
I don"t care one bite about this. The Brown's aren't playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday, and if Rodgers wants to leave, so be it. For six million dollars, I wouldn't care if the coach never looked my way or said a word to me. For what these guys make in one game, to me it's like hitting the lottery, so grow up! Man Up! and play ball. I'm sick of these whining Grown _ _ S! so called men, crying over little stuff like this. Don't they have any sense of whats going on in real life? For a tenth of what these guy's make, I'd be happy to sit on the bench and watch the grass grow. Get Real. By the way, while he's leaving town, take anybody else with you on that team that feels slighted. SEE YA!!!!
Apparently Rogers is just an anti-white racist. He gave his all for the black coach, but when the white guy came in he is looking for reasons to put him down.
Rogers, Romeo was a bad coach and a generally stupid man. (Quick Romeo, what is 1:34 minus one play clock?) The guy could not even do game clock math and was a head coach?
Minority hires that work out are rare.
Mangini may fall on his ravioli too but I guarantee he won't be out thought.
As far as Rogers, let the whining cokehead go. Or keep him and find a way to suspend him without pay for a year. Let's see what a year without income does to him.
The Browns just don't "get" the people thing. They used to. After Pa Lerner died the atmosphere changed around the place. Randy started bringing in his NY buddies, which didn't mesh real well with us Midwestern types. Really glad I quit when I did. Sorry folks, but like I've said before- it starts at the top. We don't have anyone at the top that is 1) a proven football guy and/or 2) someone who "gets" Cleveland and the Browns. Hell just might freeze over before this changes. Hey, can we trade the whole organization for the rights to an NHL team?
perro_grande, Race has nothing to do with this. Only in your little world would something like race have room to cultivate. You see in a empty head there is a lot of room for (Bravo Sierra) thinking to circulate. You see small minds small thoughts. When the head is in the rectum defolaid position, it's hard to think straight, come up for some fresh air, clear your head son, it's not that serious.
So what's wrong with Rogers going and introducing himself to Mangini? Or is he too big of a star for that? It's a two-way street. Mangini may have bungled a little but no need in making a mountain out of a mole hill. I think Rogers senses he's in for a little more work this season and not getting as many breather's on the sideline as RAC gave him.
I like Rogers and feel he definitely was a plus last season and a integral cog in the wheel for the defense this year. Maybe Mangini isn't as much of a "players coach" as RAC but what did that get us last year?
Hey Alan, was I not the guy who complimented your writing and suggested asking Pat about turning it into a paying gig! I think some kind of finders fee is in order or at least a Bobby Jindal tie.
NOTE TO THE BROWNS . . . . . . Rex Grossman becomes available Thursday Night at 11:01PM EST
ACT
Well Pat as usual you didn't investigate and jump the gun reporting this story.Unlike other people who cover this team namely Jim Donovan at channel 3.He did some investigating and found out that the story is false.Rogers is concerned that the Browns are in a rebuilding mode at wants to sign with a contender.He doesn't want to go through another losing experience like he did in Detroit.Unbelievable.Pat admit truth you cannot report anything good about Mangini because you don't like the guy.You hated belicheck and the local media helped grease the wheels to run him out of town.The only problem was the whole organization left too.But you feel Mangini is a Belicheck clone and a bad one at that.So you use any angle to turn the public against him like the mural story.So the snub story wasn't your creation but it didn't stop you from pointing the finger at Mangini.How about trying something new report the facts and leave your opinion out of it.Mangini will make this team a winner and we will win a Super Bowl.Then you will have to eat big **** sandwich but you won't be the only one in the local media.There will be plenty to go around for everybody.Bon Appetit.
Your kidding!
Pat M., I don't know who is more pathetic, you or Rogers. Go write for the style section, it is more your speed.
When did everyone become such wimps??? It's football, Not Ms. Manners class!!!
Are we actually worrying about a guy being upset because his coach did not say "hello" to him? Could Rogers be more of a weak minded baby. Gee, that is what championship teams are made of, weak minded whiners! Rogers is the equivalent of a player who scores a lot of points for a bad basketball team. Has he ever been good on a good team? Pro Bowls mean more on a 12 & 4 team, then a 4 & 12 team.
Mike Tomlin said "his players should worry about what he thinks of them, he does not worry about what his players think of him as a coach." He would be considered a decent coach, I think?
Apparently Josh Cribbs does not have a problem with Mangini. Heck, Cribbs made a point to track Mangini down and talk to him, not the other way around.
Is this football, or chess club? Please get rid of the girls on this team!!! I don't think we can find a dress big enough for that fat baby!
Gut the team if you have to. The players, like their former coach Crennel are WEAK! I want tough, strong minded players to represent the fans, not these drama queens!
I honestly believe the casual and friendly relationship RAC had with his players has, in part, fostered the feeling on the part of the players that their egos come first and the team comes second. That is going to be a hard culture to change.
I honestly believe the casual and friendly relationship RAC had with his players has, in part, fostered the feeling on the part of the players that their egos come first and the team comes second. That is going to be a hard culture to change.
superdawg-speaking of facts, you might want to find some of your own. nobody ran bill belichick out of town. he was fired a few months after the browns went to baltimore.
i bet you've trotted that line about winning the superbowl after every new coaching hire. how have those 3 "**** sandwiches" tasted?
Hey terje,Did you actually think modell was going to keep Belichick as head coach after the fans and media revolted against him in Cleveland.Pull your head out of your *** .If you had read any books written about the Browns after they left you would know that little piece of information.Modell was always concerned about what was being written about him or his team.When Belichick started getting rid of players from that roster the media was all over him.But only two players lasted more than 2 yrs after he released them. That was Webster Slaughter and Michael Dean Perry.In fact they were the only ones who were still in their prime. But they didn't see eye to eye with Belichick.When he let go of Bernie his fate was sealed.Even though Kosar was never the starting quarterback for another team.Yes he started a game for Dallas but he was never named the starting quarterback.My point is Belichick made the right decisions but not the popular ones.
As far as the previous coaches winning a Super Bowl.After the NFL gave us a whole 8 months to put a football franchise together.I knew we were Super Bowl bound especially with the hall of fame head coach and GM we hired.Throw in the fact that the NFL also pushed Carmen Policy on Al Lerner to help get the ball rolling.Policy was able to leave the sinking ship known as the 49ers to his Brown and Orange life raft.Let's see 8 months to put a franchise together with a first time head coach and a first time GM who were from two different systems.Hoist the Lombardi trophy baby it's coming to Cleveland and it's here to stay.Please you have to be joking with the obstacles in place this franchise was going to struggle.Yes we had short glimmers of hope only to come crumbling down.I have to admit I was optimistic when Romeo and Savage were hired.But they were from two different schools of thought.Romeo liked veterans players and was reluctant to start rookies.Savage on the other hand wanted the young guys to play and play a lot.That started the problems and they never went away.
Mangini will bring much needed discipline and structure something this young team craves.Unlike Romeo, Mangini will push them to work hard and focus on how to be better football players.That's why Romeo liked veteran football players less maintenance.He can spend less time on responsibilities and techniques and more time on schemes and attack points.Mangini will play the best players not the oldest players.Mangini and Kokinis have worked together and they share the same philosophy.Communication inside the organization as a coaching staff and player personnel will be in line.That's why Mangini will be successful.Mangini and Kokinis have worked and learned from the best in the NFL.They will take that knowledge and work together to build a winner in Cleveland.I guess what I'm saying is they know there ****.So chew on that terje.Yummy.
superdawg, you are great at making excuses. you should get into politics. too bad it's 2009 and not 1999. not even terry pluto, the author of the book you mentioned is hanging on to that argument these days.
modell announced the move in november. he fired belichick in february. the cleveland fans and media ultimately had very little influence on modell firing belichick. if they had, he would have been gone long before february.
you sure are pretty gung-ho on a coach with a sub-.500 record. did you fight this hard for butch davis? at least he got them in the playoffs. randy lerner is glad he has fans like you in his pocket. he won't ever feel the pressure of needing to win as long as the cash keeps rolling in.
That's not the book I was talking about the guy who wrote it actually work for Modell and the Browns and that's a fact.Try doing some research before you respond. Pluto wasn't the only person to write about the Browns move and the behind the scenes drama.He was part of the front office from the 80's until they left.I could never be a politician I'm too smart.As far as a sub .500 coach were you referring to Belichick or Mangini?Remember the last time the Browns won a playoff game 94' and Belichick was the head coach.How many coaches get fired after going to the playoffs.After Modell Ok'd the release of Bernie he would have looked like a fool to fire Belichick in 93'.As far as making excuses no team had less time to put a front office,coaching staff,scouting department,training facility and workout schedule together than the Browns.It's a fact.Jacksonville and Carolina each 2 yrs and Houston had 2 1/2 yrs.That not counting putting a roster together.Please don't misinform people pretending your a fan.You are the unsatisfied unhappy pessimistic fan that pollutes the Internet with your negative slop.You have a good day!
o.k. superdawg! keep on blaming what happened in 1998 for today's problems. maybe you and that guy from the movie "napolean dynamite" can go back in the time machine together to 1982 since you both live in the past. have a nice day too! i've got to go blame by parents for ruining my life in 1974!
HEY PERRO_GRANDE: Your tailor called…your hood is ready. Theres also a note here from the Wizard….the meeting time has been changed to 7:00.
Most of us fail to realize how being disrespected (or dissed) is a really big deal to those people. And by "those people" I'm merely referring to….uh, you know…..lazy, arrogant, entitled……uh………linemen.
Wow! I actually took the time to read all those comments! Why? I have no idea. The bottom line on all of it is: Pat should do something else for a living; the media is in "attack" mode on Mangini just like the guy who was here and then won three Super Bowls; Rogers is doing us a favor, trade him because he had his year and will go south as a player in the future; the Browns need to bite the bullet, rid themselves of the malcontents, and move forward; and lastly, I stand by my early judgement, Terje is, most probably, a nerdish little man who turns to sports to feel like a man – kind of like those umpires in softball who couldn't play so they umpired. Good points, Superdawg!
To Larry – How did the tailor get "your" number?
To Hightower – Perro_Grande called…your invited to the meeting.
To Jake …er…Joyce – I agree with your first sentence…you have no idea.