Eric Mangini FAIL List Part One: Events Leading to His Firing as Browns Coach

This article is influenced by the Fail Blog , and this is part one of Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini's version, with all of the following "FAIL" events listed below leading up to his eventual demise as coach of the Browns.

Whatever Happened to Running Back Jerome Harrison?

When it was announced that Mangini was coming over to the Browns from the New York Jets, many experts, analysts, and fans assumed that he would be able to finally utilize Harrison's talents as a player in a similar fashion to how he used Leon Washington with the Jets.

Unfortunately, this has not been the case at all

After a great performance running for over 100 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals, Harrison has been a non-factor in the Browns' offense since.

What's the deal here, Mangini?

Obviously, you really do not know how to properly utilize talented players on your rosters, and despite the fact that everyone knows the Browns' roster has minimal talent, Harrison is one of the very few players that do have some talent.

Sad to say that Mangini not using Harrison's talents more is a "FAIL" toward himself getting fired.

Brian Daboll as Offensive Coordinator Instead of Brian Schottenheimer? REALLY!?

So Mangini gets to pick his offensive coordinator here in Cleveland, but instead of bringing his Jets coordinator in Schottenheimer, he brings the Jets' former quarterbacks coach in Daboll.

WHY!?!?

You have a proven and experienced guy in Schottenheimer, but you go with Daboll, who will give you a rookie offensive coordinator for one of the biggest professional sports team rebuilding projects of perhaps all time.

Bad call.

Bringing Schottenheimer over would have been a much better move, but again Mangini gets a "FAIL" based on his decision to bring Daboll instead.

Passing on USC Linebackers and Possible Franchise Quarterback in the 2009 NFL Draft

So let's give Alex Mack some credit here first, because he has been a great young addition to the offensive line and will be wearing a Browns uniform for many year to come.

Also, some credit has to go to Kaluka Maiava because the Browns did grab a USC linebacker, but they could have had two instead of just the one they have now.

But...Mangini could have drafted for positions where there was more need, like at quarterback and especially linebacker.

At this point in the Browns' season, Mark Sanchez would have been a welcome addition to the horrible play of both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn.

Sanchez might not have had much success given the lack of playmakers on the roster, but he does show much more poise than Anderson or Quinn.

Also, the Browns could have had USC linebackers Clay Matthews III or Rey Maualuga, who have both shown immediate impact on their respective teams so far this season. With the Browns hurt at linebacker once more, they will have to look at 2010's crop of linebackers to fill needs.

Mangini gets a "FAIL" on this too based on the crop of linebackers that USC produced, and those guys (including Brian Cushing) will all be Pro Bowlers down the road.

The Handling of the Preseason Quarterback Competition

This is the one event that probably 98 percent of all Browns fans are most aware of.

Here is the quick summary: Quinn and Anderson are equally splitting reps, Mangini starts Quinn in preseason game one, then Anderson in game two, then splits the halves in game three for both, and sits both for the fourth game without naming the regular season starter until a few days before the game.

Mangini gets a "FAIL" for this approach because it would have been much more beneficial to name a starter after the second preseason game so the starter could have the third and maybe the final preseason games to develop chemistry with the rest of the offense before the season started.

Rookie Running Back James Davis Gets Injured During Practice

So the NFL ruled that there was no wrongdoing in Davis' injury, but let's all be honest here and ask why Davis wasn't wearing pads.

Davis had a tremendous preseason and was a very promising rookie going into the season, but for some reason Mangini let Davis not wear pads in what he calls "opportunity drills" after practice ends for rookies and squad players to get a chance to impress coaches.

Davis was hit by another player who had pads on.

This is ridiculous, and Mangini should have told Davis to put his pads on since the defender had his on.

Unacceptable, and Mangini gets a "FAIL" for letting one player practice against another with pads on because anything can happen with the game of football, including during practices.

Where are the safety measures, Mangini?

Trading Away a No. 5 Pick in the First Round and Two Pro Bowlers For Next to Nothing

Former Jet castoffs and mediocre draft picks are what Mangini got in exchange for the No. 5 overall pick, Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow Jr.

Pathetic, and it was too bad that former general manager George Kokinis didn't stand his ground and put his foot down to stop the acquiring of average players.

To give some credit, linebacker Jason Trusnik has been a pleasant surprise, but he is no Pro Bowl player at all.

Mangini gets a "FAIL" for not asking for more and higher value in these trades period.

Using Josh Cribbs in a Meaningless Attempt at an Impossible 16-Point Play

First of all, there is no such thing as a 16-point play in football, so the last second hook-and-ladder play on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens was dumb.

Cribbs has said that Quinn called to keep the ball alive, which might be a play in keeping all the heat off of Mangini, but with seconds remaining in a 16-0 debacle, why even try to score with two seconds left?

Take a knee, let the fans boo, and get off the field to prevent any injury on a meaningless play.

Mangini, you get a "FAIL" for even trying to score in the final seconds of the game only to save your own butt by not getting shut out so fans would not hate you more.

Guess what...the fans hate you even more because you almost got the best offensive players on the roster knocked out for the season or worse.

This will be an ongoing series of articles, so look for more to come in the future as Mangini continues to achieve "FAIL" status in the many decisions and actions as the season progresses and ends with the eventual demise of him as coach of the Browns.

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)