Mangini Comes Full Circle

Eric Mangini will assume control of a storied, yet troubled football franchise tomorrow as he accepts the head coaching position with the Cleveland Browns. For Mangini, this is an opportunity to restore his status, restore the team that first gave him employment to prominence, and a chance to come home.

Mangini began his football career in 1993 with the Browns, initially a glorified copy boy that poured over stats for 18 hours a day until then head coach Bill Belichick took notice and asked to promote him. Mangini remained a "special assistant" for two years (essentially fetching coffee and info for the staff) before again being promoted.

For the Browns final season in Cleveland, Mangini served as a defensive assistant coach gaining his first true coaching experience.

He followed the franchise to Baltimore and remained with the Ravens as an offensive assistant for only one season before bolting in 1997 to re-join his mentor on Bill Parcell's Jet's staff, returning to his preferred defensive side of the ball.

In 2000 he again followed the rising star to New England earning a trio of Super Bowl rings serving as defensive backs coach before again being promoted to defensive coordinator.

Mangini continued the "every Belichick assistant gets a head coaching job!" trend as he was tapped to lead the New York Jets. After three seasons, one playoff appearance, and a 23-25 record, he was dismissed.

Tomorrow Mangini will be announced as the fourth head coach of the "new Browns," and in many ways comes full circle.

Cleveland is a blue-collar town, and a self-styled one at that. The fans of the team recognize hard work, self-made success, and guys who through hard work and performance are rewarded. Mangini started as a ball boy for these very Cleveland Browns. He is married to the sister of the Indians GM. He demonstrates toughness and the stoic attitude that Clevelanders respect.

So why isn't everyone happy to have him?

Because Cleveland is also a smart football town. And after Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, Romeo Crennel, and one playoff appearance since returning in 1999, a very skeptical football town.

But should they be so skeptical of Mangini?

Shortly, yes.

Taking only head coaches of the Belichick lineage, there isn't much success once the apple falls off the tree. Charlie Weis is on very thin ice at Notre Dame following the worst two-year period in school history, and Romeo Crennel achieved little in four very forgettable years in Cleveland.

Mangini's own Jets posted a 4-12 mark in 2007, and ended a promising beginning with an all-out collapse this season. With Mangini's firing, it seemed as though the bloom was off the rose.

Browns fans have every reason to have a "wait and see" attitude. They do not, however, have reason to declare this a disaster at its outset.

Mangini's Jets earned a wild card berth in 2006 finishing 10-6 before being knocked out by the mentor and his Patriots. In 2006 however, the Jets improved over the previous year in every category. In 2007 injuries (including Chad Pennington missing 12 games) led to a 4-12 mark that still saw the Jets improve in rushing and over all defense.

The 2008 New York Jets season that saw the end of the Mangini era began with the addition of Brett Favre. The season began well, and reached fever pitch as the Jets knocked off undefeated Tennessee to improve to 8-3 and on a "control your own destiny" path toward a playoff spot, as well as a division title.

For the year the team again posted improvement in over all scoring, passing, rushing, and total defense over the last four years.

Down the stretch the wheels fell off. The Jets lost four of their last five games and fell out of the playoffs. Three of the four losses were to NFC west opponents that were out of playoff contention. All were games the team that the Jets could have won.

And the coach was fired.

What gives me most hope for the future of Mangini was the outcry from the players angry that Mangini was blamed for the collapse. They also pointed fingers at what they felt was the culprit, 40-year-old dead-armed QB Brett Favre.

Favre in fact, may be as much the reason that Mangini is gone than the collapse.

Over the last five games, Favre posted a 55.3 rating throwing two touchdowns and nine interceptions. Favre's arm strength was on the decline, and his decision-making was as erratic as ever. After one particularly erratic performance, Mangini called Favre out in front of the team calling for "better choices from a veteran."

It was reported in the locker room that Favre made it clear that if he were to return, he did not want to play for Mangini. Favre was forced on the coach to begin with by GM Mike Tannenbaum and owner Woody Johnson.

And when it became more and more clear that the two couldn't exist together, a financial decision was made. If Favre comes back, he'll sell more jerseys, and put bodies in the seats.

So should Browns fans be worried of more of the same?

I don't believe so.

Mangini's path is much more reflective of his mentor Bill Belichick than his predecessor here, or Weis at Notre Dame. Mangini is young, football smart, relates well to players, but knows the difference between friends and friendly.

He gained experience and incrementally more experience before getting his opportunity as a head coach. Like Belichick, the first opportunity was bumpy while showing that there is potential there.

Now, like Belicheck in New England, Mangini has a chance to show that he can learn on the job.

Cleveland fans should try to hope.

Maybe, this is completing the circle. Maybe, this is where he was meant to be. Maybe, he will be good for this team, and maybe this town will be good for him.

If Mangini called out Favre, he will have no problem calling Braylon Edwards to the carpet for a case of the dropsy's or not running routes. He should have no problem calling out any of the defensive players for "taking plays off."

If this team's biggest problem is that it needs a disciplinarian to control it, Mangini may fit the bill.

If all goes well he will be paired with a General Manager that will work with him rather than for himself and build a team, rather than a collection of talent.

Browns fans will be Browns fans, and there will be doubt along with the usual mix of cheers and jeers. But if nothing else Browns fans should give pause.

Since the team's return fans have clamored for a coach with experience as a head coach in the league, and with playoff experience. And as a bonus in Mangini Browns fans get a guy who wants to give back to the franchise that gave him a chance.

Browns fans have gotten what they wanted.

And now we can pray.