Eric Mangini opened up with Clark Judge of CBSSports.com in a way he has not opened up with any local reporter since he's been hired. It's an interesting interview, a good interview, with a lot of insights and information.
Judge writes: 'What I discovered is that virtually everything I read, heard and believed about the guy does not correspond with the man I met. He was cooperative. He was engaging. He was candid. He was thoughtful, secure and downright interesting."
In the interview, Mangini said (among other things):
–Brady Quinn has a future in Cleveland
–There are many comparisons to the Browns this season and the Patriots in Bill Belichick's first season
–He sums up his philosophy this way: "You get a bunch of good people organizationally, committed to the same vision and working the same way … and it doesn't waver … great things happen."
There's a lot more, and it's good stuff. In a sense, I hesitate to comment on this interview because Clark Judge is a great, great friend of mine. He's been supportive in tough times, and we've shared some challenges together. I also respect his work as much as anyone who writes about the NFL.
It almost seems like I should talk to him before posting this, but the log world waits for no man.
So I'm going to comment:
–This is a good interview. Revealing. Expansive. It espouses Mangini's core beliefs. And it helps understand why Randy Lerner was so impressed with him after one interview.
–It also makes you wish he'd done this the first week he was hired with the local media, but he didn't. I keep hearing one dichotomy about Mangini over and over and over again. That when he gets behind closed doors and relaxes he's a different person than when he's in front of the local media and cameras. This reality even frustrates some within the Browns.
–The constant comparisons to New England are getting old. But it's becoming a trend. Let's be honest: If the Patriots don't stumble into a Hall of Fame quarterback in the sixth round, where is Bill Belichick and his staff in the Pantheon of NFL geniuses?And for those who say the Patriots were smart to draft Tom Brady, I say: "Please." New England, like every other team, passed on Brady five times. Too, let's not forget that Brady Quinn came in with more fanfare and adulation than Tom Brady. Luck is often better than good scouting. (For those who say the Patriots expected this from Brady, I say, again, "Please." A Hall of Fame quarterback in round six? Good fortune. Pure good fortune. Like Johnny Unitas trekking to the Colts after Pittsburgh cut him.)
–Goals and expectations are wonderful, and Mangini's are to be commended. But they also have to be translated to the field. Players must play as if they believe in what they are being told. The first half of the season, the first eight games, that didn't happen. The Browns were putrid. I could go back over the stats again, but I won't. They are the worst team to play in Cleveland since 1995. If the goals and expectations can't be communicated into real action, then they remain mere words.
–Judge wrote the hell out of this interview. But coming in for one afternoon paints only a partial picture. Watching this team for eight games is a much more revealing portrait. And that's what it comes down to — how the team plays. It's played lousy. Too, being around it for a long time will reveal some of the problems — especially the constant negativity and mental stress involved in playing for this team. Some things are learned over time, not with one visit or one interview. And I think Clark would agree with that point.
–I'm intrigued by the appearance of this interview right when things were at their lowest, with the GM firing swirling and many people (many other than me) speculating about Mangini's Cleveland future. If I'm the coach, at that point I go in to survival mode. Because if this coaching experience ends badly, it might affect any potential for him to be hired in the future. Perhaps this interview was happenstance. Perhaps it wasn't. I just know the timing from Mangini's standpoint — especially being so willing to do it with a national writer when he's not near as expansive locally — is intriguing.
As for my good friend Clark Judge, I'd invite him to watch replays of the previous few games with me. Or to watch the next few games with me. Either would be revealing.
That being said, I also say good for him for getting the interview, and good for Mangini for opening up with him. I only hope it's the start of a growing trend.
He's definitely been affected by all the bad press, and I took it that was the only real comparison he was trying to make with New England. Some of those old quotes from the Boston papers seemed pretty familiar considering recent local coverage of the Browns, and pretty ridiculous to boot in retrospect. We'll see, I guess, if Mangini survives the season and off-season.
mangini is a snake. he's perfectly capable of a passable attempt at garnering sympathy. too bad he's not capable of being a high caliber human being or even a mediocre football coach.
Pat,
Thank you for linking us to this article. It was a very insightful and intriguing glimpse into the mind of Mangini. If this article is true, and this is truly Mangini’s approach, then I believe he deserves one more year. However, I believe he deserves one more year with some conditions: 1) he becomes more open to the media’s questions and 2) his only participation in the hiring of a new GM and overseer of football operations is in how their personalities will mesh. With my job I have many of the same objectives, and I believe building a foundation is more important than the product that is being put out. If this is truly who Mangini is, then he deserves one more year to build and erect that foundation, however, if this interview was a total front, and this is not truly him, he needs to be released and a complete overhaul must take place.
Regardless of the philosophy Mangini espouses in the interview, no one in their right mind could say that any of the Browns actually appear to have bought into it. Browns fans have not been subjected to such complete apathy by the players on the field since, well maybe even ever (even the '99 expansion browns had glimpses of enthusiasm). I don't see the point of keeping Mangini on longer to see if his vision of the next Patriots comes to fruition (it didn't happen with the Jets in three years, it's not happening here either). And this nonsense about telling players like Braylon that they can call him whenever, does any player actually do this with Mangini? I can't imagine it.
Having read the interview makes me wonder if the worst case scenario is to fire him before he has a chance to prove his "process". Or has he had that chance? The spectre of starting over AGAIN makes me drowsy. I wish the Browns would just steamroll through the rest of the season and give Mangini some credibilty. Bashing him is getting old. He's a PR nightmare, but does that make him a bad coach based on 2/3 of a season. Gettttinnnnnnnng drooooooowwwwwsy….
"Happenstance?" Pat, you're smart enough to know what's happening here.
By the way, I went back to the columns on the day of Mangini's hire. You pretty much nailed it, Pat. Kudos. And your predecessor, the Android Cleveland Civic Cheerleader? Wow. It's a carbon copy column of of every other post-hire column of every Cleveland front office hire in literally every Cleveland professional sport since that first day in 1997 that columnist completely lost the ability to be critical and/or judgmental when he found The Big Guy Upstairs & His Son. Just wow. (By the way, no slight on religion. I just think you can't be Born Again and a sports columnist, too. And ignore the name "Jamie Turner" in the second column, she is (or he is) just the person who just posts the online stuff for the newspaper. Be duly prepared to say, "Huh, that was some damn good prognosticating" from the Irish guy with the first column, and simply be prepared to wretch your cookies all over your keyboard with the second column.)
Please, Pat, so long as you are writing sports columns, never find God. It's like Church and State. It will forever spay and neuter your thought processes and your critical thinking worse than Chastity Bono's sex-change operation.
http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/37240299.html
http://xr.com/zcr
Nothing more than a lame attempt to save his hide. Too little, too late, Mangoonie.
It's been pointed out on numerous sites that this article just points out what a blatant liar Mangini is. This Q&A in particular:
Q: "There was a suggestion that he was nailed to the bench because of his contract and an escalator clause that rewards him the more he plays. Any truth to that?"
Mangini: "No, absolutely not. With all the different contracts … I don't know what the incentives are. But that wouldn't make my decision [even if I did]."
Mangini was asked in the preseason about whether Quinn's incentives would have an affect on who was named the starter. He replied "Not one bit."
So, obviously he was aware of the escalators. I still believe that Lerner made it known to Mangini when he hired him that he wanted Quinn to be the starter. Mangini complied for 2 1/2 games and then benched him so he couldn't make the incentives and justified the benching solely on Quinn's play.
That said, I do think it was the smartest thing that Mangini has done this season. Quinn's contract is much more cap friendly now and it makes him easier to trade.
The dim witted local media and fans wouldn't be happy unless we rebuilt the team every 6 to 8 games by hiring new coaches, GM's, stadium security, cleaning crews, lawn boys, etc.
NOBODY CAN TURN THIS TEAM AROUND THIS YEAR. Just shut up until you can figure that out.
Marc, I wrote it yesterday, before this interview was even published, and I'll say it again. Mangini is a great salesman, and Lerner would have bought a used car from William H. Macy's character in "Fargo." It's not too late. What happens if they finish 4-4?
I think you're right on every point, old friend, but one: Brady was lucky to be taken by the Pats, not the other way around. Remember, this is the organization that made Matt Cassel an effective NFL QB. Had they taken Tim Rattay (a seventh-rounder) that year instead, there's at least a decent chance he'd have become a fantastic NFL QB. And just think, Belichick is the guy this city ran out of town despite taking the team to the playoffs with an ancient Testaverde at QB. Browns fans deserve everything they're getting from this organization.
It was great to read the interview and article pointed to! Beside the Point is definitely the first place I go to to find out what's happening right now! Thanks, Pat.
Mangini is articulate about his coaching mission. I would guess that most coaches have an articulate mission — and are at their most personable when they get to talk in such generalities. Who knows if he can still be successful here — or will get the chance. I do believe any strong personality who takes over a Parcells type position with the Browns will get rid of him just because of the Kokinis matter.
Finish 4-4…vs. Oakland, KC…..ahh, why am I even speculating??? They ain't finishin' 4-4. 0-8 will be closer to reality.
Brady truly deserves better, and I hope he does well. But I want Mangoose gone, so I'll be perfectly fine with EIGHT "L's" to close out this debacle. History will show that hiring the Ball Boy is no way to run a pro franchise.
a quick summary of what mangini said in this interview:
"these aren't the droids you're looking for."
Pat and all – The premise from most of the posters is that because we've been so bad the first 8 games this year means Mangini must be a horrible coach. This point would maybe make sense if this was Mangini's first head coaching job in the NFL. However, it isn't – he coached the Jets for 3 seasons having records of 10-6, 4-12 and 9-7. "Horrible" coaches don't have those records in their first 3 years of coaching. "Horrible" coaches have records of 1-15, 4-12 and 2-14 for their first 3 seasons. It's not like Mangini took over the Steelers or Colts in his first job either – the Jets team he took over wasn't very good. I would invite anyone to look up the scores for each of the games in Mangini's first 3 seasons. Even in the bad 4-12 year, his teams lost mostly close games – just a couple of blowout losses. So now he can't coach? This year, Mangini took over a bad team and turned over about half of the roster and is installing a completely different way of doing things than what the remaining players were used to the last couple of seasons. I still think the guy can coach and he knows what he's doing. His first draft looks suspect at this point, but it's really too early to tell since WRs usually take 2-3 years before they finally start becoming productive. Mack is a solid pick and Davis and the one DB got hurt before they could prove what they could do. I still think the Edwards trade will pay off big time since I believe that Trusnik will be a very good player. Might as well give this guy through next season to see how things progress before we get rid of him.
Judge took him a rack of baby back ribs and Mangini opened up. McManamon, when was the last time you took a covered dish to an interview? And on your way, stop and get Ryan some Whoppers. Double beef please.
tim, herm edwards took the jets to five playoff games. mangini didn't inherit a team that lacked talent. also, remember that edwards was traded to the chiefs for a pick since he wanted out of new york. what do you think mangini would get in a trade? i've got some trash i need to take to the dump. i wonder if the browns would take it off my hands for their doughboy.
@ real Alan WOW!! We are not worthy*********!!!
GO CAVS!! GO Steelers! put ben-gay in the coaches headset
roadkill…is your pen name at ABJ ..Loren Eberly?
roadkill = Loren Eberly
terje that's a good summary, though I can't help but picture mangini as more of a jabba the hut than an obi-wan
What's with Mangini naming his kids after coaches and players that had an affect on him? Thank goodness collegiate linebacker Lucious Pusey had never pulled Mangini from a burning building. Lucious Pusey Mangini. The poor kid would have been scarred for life.
Terje, the Jets were 4-12 the year before Mangini took them over. If you want to make the argument that the 4-12 Jets team had more talent than the Browns team Mangini took over, then you are only making a stronger argument to KEEP Mangini b/c he has shown he can win if he gets more talent on the team. I know that you and many others hate the guy, but it's just not logical to say that this guy is a terrible coach, when the evidence shows otherwise. The Jets team last year was 8-3 and just came off impressive wins back to back on the road against NE and Tennessee, handing TN their first loss and beating them by 21 points. Of course, then Favre tears his biceps muscle and starts playing poorly and they lose 4 of 5 down the stretch. He has shown he can field teams that are competitive and have winning records, so I think he deserves more than one season to see if he can do it in Cleveland also. Now, I have no idea if he will ever be able to take a team to a championship, but I do know that he can lead a team to the playoffs. Why not give the guy 3 full seasons (like most new coaches are given) to see what he can develop here? How about at least 2? If things aren't much better, then look elsewhere. He's young and a hard worker, so if he takes us to the playoffs by the 3rd season, then maybe we might have a keeper to coach the team for 15 seasons and bring continuity and the consistent winner that the city craves.
Please, Tim. Gee, what a coincidence, Favre supposedly got hurt when the losses started. How do we know when Favre really got hurt? Because Favre says so? Because Mangini says so? Mangini has been lying through his teeth about the times and dates of his players' injuries since the Roosevelt Administration. And that's Teddy, not Franklin.
And other than Don Nelson, what coach in professional sports *isn't* a hard worker? And who cares if he's "young?" So is Miley Cyrus. But I wouldn't have hired her as a head coach/GM, either.
Well Alan, young does mean something because a young coach who ends up being a very good one that takes you to the promised land will be coaching for 15-20 more years and can bring stability to an organization. If the Browns hire a Shottenheimer now as coach and he turns things around and we go to the playoffs in 2 years, then what, he coaches for maybe one or 2 seasons after that and then retires? Then, you'd have to bring another coach in, and are rolling the dice again. Your Miley Cyrus comment may be cute and all, but talk to me when Miley has coached an NFL team to 2 winning seasons in 3 years. I agree about your criticism of my "hard worker" comment – it was kind of stupid since most NFL coaches are hard workers. Oh, and as far as Farve goes, I know that it happened at the time the losses started mounting because I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES. I'm not a Jets fan, but since I have cable and not the NFL package I have to go to sports bars to watch the Browns play, so I saw Favre play quite a bit. I would actually watch some of the Jets games b/c I just like watching Farve play. I could tell something was wrong with him b/c of the way he was throwing. You could see that his throwing motion was more labored – not as smooth as usual. Plus, even though he could occasionally still get some zip on the ball, the zip was missing on many of his throws and I think alot of his picks occurred b/c he was trying to make a throw that he normally could easily make, but the ball just wasn't getting there and someone would pick it. I'm sure if you ask a Jets fan, they would tell you that they noticed the same thing.
@ Tim IF AND A BIG IF missgenie is ssssssssssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooo good WHY in the World would the J .E .T. S .JETS! JETS! JETS ! let him GO ?????
Roadkill, by your logic then Shannahan and Gruden must stink also because they just got fired after 8-8 and 9-7 seasons. I didn't say Mangini was a great coach, it's way too early in his career to say that and he hasn't won anything yet. I'm just saying that his record shows that he's at least a decent to good coach, and not the horrible coach that people on here say he is. His firing at NY was a big mistake in my opinion. I really think that he was fired because the organization went all-in with the big chance on Favre and it didn't work out, so Mangini took the fall for it. All the media had this big love affair with Rex Ryan when he was hired and how great he is after the 3-0 start. Well now they're 4-4, losing 3 of the last 4 games and he's not as lovable anymore. I think Tampa's firing of Gruden was a huge mistake also. His season was similar to Mangini's since TB was 9-3 and ended up 9-7 and missed the playoffs. TB thought that they were so smart by getting rid of Gruden and promoting an internal guy to keep continuity, and all they've done is regress down to 1-7.
tim, if you could tell something was wrong with favre then what's mangini's excuse for playing him and letting him throw the ball 40 times in a couple of those games? i watched quite a few of those games. leon washington was healthy and completely wasted by mangini. i understand that you want the browns to win but he ain't the guy.