For $7 mil, I'd keep my mouth shut too.

Well … maybe for $9.352 mil.

Notice the difference in the cultures of the NFL and other sports? In the NFL, they pay people to keep quiet. In the NBA, guys criticize their own team while they are working for said team. NBA folks are not afraid of criticism. I don't know what NFL types are.

Turns out the Broncos didn’t hire a GM first. Very quietly, owner Pat Bowlen gave final personnel say to Jim Goodman, the team’s Vice President of Football Operations. Then he hired a young coach in Josh McDaniels, who also interviewed with the Browns. McDaniels said at his news conference that Goodman would have final say if he and Goodman did not agree on a player.

Give that person any title you want, but the has the responsibility for the draft, college scouting, pro personnel and salary cap clearly has General Manager’s duties. Bowlen said he saw no reason to add anyone else to the front office.

Don’t underestimate the change. For years Mike Shanahan had personnel control in Denver; for Bowlen to change that structure is significant. Too, McDaniels is too young to have that kind of responsibility. Goodman is a guy who worked his way up from small-college head coach to area scout to director of college scouting to vice president of player personnel. He has more experience than McDaniels, and he will have more responsibility.

The quibble people seem to have with the Browns is that Eric Mangini has such influence with the Browns choice of GM, that in effect he will be the guy in Cleveland calling the shots. That remains to be seen. In fact, it might be that the new hire (GM) will have final personnel say.

But … Goodman sounds like a very low-key, no-ego guy who will bend over backward to help McDaniels. He is like George Kokinis in that he’s not a big name. So perhaps that is the key, that no matter the person in the position of title, it’s the personality of the person that makes it successful.

The key will be the same as it’s always been: For the new hire to be able to work with Mangini.

The acquisition of Mark DeRosa fills a need at third base, gives the Indians an option at second base and provides depth in the outfield. He's Casey Blake, but better.  DeRosa is not a superstar, but he is a very good, solid player. He hit 21 home runs last season, drove in 87 and scored more than 100. His presence rounds out an infield that will keep Jhonny Peralta at short – which is good – and Asdrubal Cabrera at second base.

GM Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge will speak on this later, and Sheldon Ocker will write tomorrow's story for the Beacon Journal, but this is a very good trade. It keeps Peralta at short, where he belongs. Peralta is not a great defensive shortstop, no, but he also does not have the quickness and instincts a third baseman needs. He's better where he is, but now the Indians have the wherewithal to make a move if need be. And they have Luis Valbuena and Josh Barfield in the mix as well.

DeRosa could be a free agent after the season, but an extension is not unrealistic. Too, the Indians have Wes Hodges in the minor leagues. If he's ready, DeRosa would be a one-year move. If DeRosa likes it here — and what former Penn quarterback would want to leave? — the Indians can re-sign him. The best thing: The Indians gave up three prospects to acquire DeRosa. They did not have to give up anyone in the major leagues.

This offseaon Mark Shapiro has signed a free agent closer, further strengthened the bullpen with Joe Smith and now added DeRosa. The only major leaguer lost was Franklin Gutierrez, who can't hit a breaking ball.

Makes a guy wonder: How the heck does Shapiro pull this stuff off?

Regarding the Browns …

Eric Mangini has emerged as a more-than-viable candidate to take over as coach. I believe that Randy Lerner and the team's new GM – likely Scott Pioli – will have to do a real "sell job" to convince the fans that Mangini is a clear and exciting step forward.

Now … he may be. There are many people I've talked to who say that Mangini deserves the kudos he gets behind the scenes. That he is smart, organized, efficient and a very good coach. That he articulates a long-term plan well, that he would be a much different coach than Romeo Crennel.

This may be true, but the public perception at the moment is that Mangini is "Romeo Light." That is to say another member of the Bill Belichick tree, a former Belichick assistant who rose to be defensive coordinator under Belichick before leaving. Sort of like Crennel.

Too, the Belichick tree has not exactly set the world on fire, so folks wonder if Mangini will be any different. I've heard many people ask: What's the difference between Pioli-Mangini and Savage-Crennel?

Personalities, for one, but that has to be explained. Scott Pioli is not Phil Savage, and Mangini has been described as a far different personality and communicator than Crennel. Still, people wonder. Mangini may be a very good coach, but he doesn't seem to have the fan base excited. Thus, the "sell job."

Mangini had two winning seasons in three in New York, though in the first he had a very easy schedule. This season the team fell apart down the stretch when a playoff spot was well within reach.

Though Mangini continues to be a viable candidate, the Browns will look into Mike Shanahan. How can they pass him up? Shanahan, though, might fall in the Bill Cowher-mold of a guy who wants a lot of power and responsibility, which might not mesh well with a Scott Pioli.

Then again, the Jets role in turning the Patriots in to the league office for "Spygate" remains one of the great unanswered questions in this chess game. That is, is Pioli still angry with the Jets and Mangini for turning in the Patriots?

The status of Rich McKay as a possible front office hire is a bit uncertain. The Browns were interested, but Pioli remains the preferred choice.

All these permutations could cause a headache. The Browns will continue to interview candidates, including a couple minority coaches as well as Steve Spagnulo of the Giants and Jim Schwartz of the Titans. Both are defensive coordinators. Things could move fast, but at this point it seems like the team will take more time investigating its candidates.

Shanahan could emerge, but personally I'd be surprised.  Right now, at the first turn, Mangini seems to have a lead. But the race is far from over.