Eric Mangini Accepts Fate As New Cleveland Browns Coach

Here we go again.

The dismissed and disgraced Browns coach exiting Cleveland to make way for the latest schmuck, err, leader.

Are we supposed to be excited about Eric Mangini?

We were excited about Bill Belichick and Butch Davis. Some were even optimistic about Romeo Crennel.

The names and faces change, but the results remain constant. Since the organization returned prior to the 1999 season, the Browns have been nothing but a humiliating flop and source of frustration and angst for fans.

I have absolutely no faith in the organization anymore.

In the past decade, we have suffered through heartless and talent-deficient players, incompetent head coaches, and front office management that could not equate sound decision-making with their collective egos.

Meanwhile the Browns’ two chief “rivals,” the Ravens and Steelers continue to thrive despite both teams hiring first-time head coaches recently. Instead of trumpeting the lack-of-experience excuse on which the Browns have pinned their numerous train wreck seasons on, Pittsburgh and Baltimore will meet in the AFC Championship game this weekend.

I’m tired of players who don’t want to be in Cleveland. I’m tired of botched draft picks. I’m tired of waiting for a Browns linebacker to make a bone-jarring hit. I’m tired of watching Steelers sacking Ty Detmer/Tim Couch/Kelly Holcomb/Jeff Garcia/Trent Dilfer/Charlie Frye/Derek Anderson.

Most of all, I’m tired of losing!

I don’t believe I’m about to type this, but if we knew this was what we were going to get after the original Browns parted for Baltimore—we might have issued a collective, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Not counting interim coach Terry Robiskie, the Browns have employed three head coaches since ’99. None have obtained another head coaching gig in the NFL. Simply put, it is where head coaches go to die or at least their careers. 

It is an ominous sign for poor young Eric Mangini.

For the record, I like Mangini. I think in any other circumstance he could be successful.

In Cleveland, however, he’s just the next colossal failure.