The Genius of Eric Mangini and a Quarterback Controversy

You can smell it in the air. It's summer. The kids are out of school. However, so much more importantly, the Browns are on the practice field.

Anyone who says Cleveland isn't a football town has obviously never been here. Cleveland lives, breaths, eats, and sleeps with the Browns on their mind.

The most popular subject in Cleveland by far is the "Quarterback Controversy." The fan favorite, Brady Quinn, is loved by Browns fans by a fan vote of eight of 10. No one needs to point this out anymore. It has been well voiced that "WE WANT QUINN!"

Meanwhile, you have Pro Bowl QB Derek Anderson who is still considered by all Browns fans to have a good shot at the starting job.

You may be saying right now "No he doesn’t, he can't touch Quinn," which proves my point. If something is not a threat, why would you even worry about it?

You're all worried that DA will beat Quinn for the job. Otherwise this QB controversy wouldn't be the talk of the town (no pun intended).

This is where the "Mangenius" does his work, and I will do my best to open it up to you all. A few thoughts you should have in your mind as you read this: Mangini's coaching career since the ball boy days.

1. Ball boy ('94) 2. PR ('95) 3. Off. Assist ('96) 4.Def. Assist ('97-'99) 5. DB Coach ('00-'04) 6. Def Cord. ('05) 7. NYJ HC ('06-'08)

Keep in mind the record of the Jets from '05 to '08: (4-12), (10-6), (4-12), (9-7).

Also in the '07 year, Chad Pennington had a injured ankle in preseason that haunted him through the full regular season, resulting in his release in '08.

Having this in mind, remember about Mangini being in public relations? You have to understand that nothing he says is without a purpose.

When he said the QB competition is close, he said it for a reason. The question is, "What reason?" Is it because the competition is really that close? Is it because he wants other NFL teams to feel one QB is as good as the other?

I have another theory in mind. I feel that Mangini wants to make sure both QBs have a firm grip on his game plan and offensive strategy. If right now he was to name the starting QB, the runner-up may feel less urgency to learn every detail possible. Why would you go the extra mile to learn the starter role if you feel there's no chance at advancement?

The thought comes to mind that the loser may want to compete for a trade if he's been labeled the second string QB. It would give others the impression he's a fluke, especially when you consider him as worse than the other. Neither QB has good enough numbers to get excited about.

The reason I think this is the more plausible answer is because it takes care of multiple issues. It really is a win all the way around.

Remember the '07 year when the Jets went (4-12) because of Chad Pennington's injured ankle? Kellen Clemens was unfamiliar with Mangini's system, thus forcing him to use an injured QB. If both QBs would have known the system, Pennington could have been relieved of his duties long enough for the ankle to heal.

Also, if Mangini can use his PR experience to con other teams into feeling both QBs are evenly matched, the trade value would go up or down (depending on the performance of the starter).

Lastly, if you can hold off announcing the pick till the night before the first game of the year against Minnesota, then DC can only guess which of the two he will have to face.

Mangini said on June 4, "One of the problems defensively is not knowing who the starting QB is going to be. I hated when I didn't know who their starting quarterback for the other team was. It's a huge, huge headache."

Again, nothing he says is without reason.

Personally, I believe that Mangini has already mentally made up his mind. Unless the underdog has an outstanding performance in preseason, the QB position has been selected.

I feel that with the knowledge and experience Mangini has learned in his coaching career, he will make the announcement at the perfect time.