Figure this applies here being that if the Browns do get Mangini then it pretty much seems Pioli will come too the Chiefs or stay in NE.
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http://www.cleveland.com/browns/inde...c_mangini.html
Analysis: Tracking Eric Mangini's path toward the Browns
Posted by jturner January 06, 2009 18:52PM
John Russell/Associated PressEric Mangini was not a vocal supporter of Brett Favre's signing with the Jets, although it was reported that after New York completed its late-season collapse, Favre told Mangini it was the players' fault, and not the coach's.
Eric Mangini was fired as New York Jets coach the day after the team completed a free-fall from first place to third in the AFC East and out of the playoffs.
Before the day was over, Mangini was on the fast track to becoming the front-runner to replace Romeo Crennel as the next Browns coach.
Now that Mangini's hiring appears inevitable, if not imminent, a refresher course on the one-time Browns ballboy is in order.
Question: How did Mangini go from "Mangenius" to "you're fired" in three seasons, two in which the Jets had a winning record?
Answer: Jets owner Woody Johnson doled out about $160 million in future contracts for veteran acquisitions in 2008 to get the team over the top while simultaneously pushing sales of ultra-expensive luxury seats in the new Meadowlands stadium under construction. The trade for disgruntled Green Bay quarterback icon Brett Favre was the final act in getting the team to the playoffs. When the Jets failed, Mangini took the fall.
Q: Is that all?
A: Mangini was not gung-ho about the Favre trade and seemed intimidated by him. Favre had his run of the place and other players took note. Mangini's defense failed him in the playoff stretch. He was heavily criticized for some game decisions that backfired. He also was hard on his players and on his coaches. He was not the most popular man in the Jets complex by the end of his time.
Q: So why did he appeal so much to Lerner?
A: Mangini was Crennel's first choice to be defensive coordinator in 2005, so there was some familiarity with him from that time. More importantly, Lerner has been convinced that the Browns needed an experienced head coach, one capable of learning from his failures in his first job. Mangini is a grinder who works his players hard and Lerner felt that type of coach definitely was needed. Also, Mangini never shirked responsibility as Jets coach and always stood up and took the bullets.
Bill Kostroun/Associated PressThe word "stoic" is often used in describing Mangini during his tenure in New York. But as he proved here, there were times when his emotions bubbled to the top during games, and he was considered a very demanding boss.
Q: Why has no other team expressed interest in Mangini?
A: Some believe he is too tough a coach to work for. But he's not the only coach accused of that. It is odd that he is not a candidate in Detroit, St. Louis, Oakland or Denver.
Q: Would Mangini be given the full authority over personnel and the draft that Crennel lacked?
A: Probably not. Mangini's personal choice to take over as Browns general manager is George Kokinis, the Baltimore Ravens' pro personnel director. They are good friends since their original days in entry-level positions with the Bill Belichick Browns of the early 1990s. The only way the Browns could pry Kokinis from the Ravens, however, is by giving him full authority over football decisions. Mangini apparently is comfortable with that.
Q: Isn't that the way it worked in New York between Mangini and General Manager Mike Tannenbaum, who also were close friends?
A: Yes. For three years, Tannenbaum and Mangini worked hand-in-hand on personnel decisions, with Tannenbaum having final say. But they differed on Favre. The owner and Tannenbaum wanted him and Mangini was lukewarm at best.
Q: Isn't Mangini a clone of Bill Belichick?
A: Well, they are very similar -- stoic workaholics always looking for the slightest competitive edge to exploit their opponents. They are not going to light up a room when they enter it.
Q: What has happened to their relationship?
A: It's non-existent. After succeeding Crennel one year as New England defensive coordinator, Mangini interviewed for some head coaching jobs. Belichick encouraged him with one proviso -- take any job but the Jets, who are the Patriots' arch rivals. Mangini not only defied his mentor, but further angered him by trying to raid the Patriots' staff for assistants. Then, after the season-opening meeting of the rivals in 2007, the NFL office received evidence of Belichick authorizing the videotaping of Jets' defensive signals, which is against league rules. It is widely believed that Mangini is the one who snitched. The Patriots were docked a first-round draft pick and fined $250,000. Belichick was fined an additional $500,000 -- the maximum under NFL rules. In three seasons, the Jets were 2-5 against Belichick's Patriots, including one loss in the playoffs.
Q: It seems the Browns should be more concerned with defeating their own rivals than in trying to find the next Belichick. What was Mangini's record against the AFC North?
A: In three years, the Jets were 2-4 against teams in the AFC North. They beat Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. They lost twice to Crennel's Browns.