Did Eric Mangini Tip His Hand in a Certain Cleveland Browns Quote?

Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini has always been the type of coach from whom it was nearly impossible to get any information, at any time of the year. Recently, his tune has changed a bit.

Perhaps it is President Mike Holmgren being very open and honest with the fans and media that has changed the once-secretive Mangini.

Or perhaps Mangini himself knows that he needs to lighten up, in order to keep his job with the Browns past 2010—and to keep himself in the NFL, period.

No matter what the real answer is, Mangini is now a changed coach when it comes to being open and honest with the media.

According to CBSSports.com , Mangini told reporter Marty Gitlin that he is very impressed with the versatility of all of his linebackers thus far.

“It’s great to have guys who can play [inside or outside]," said Mangini to Gitlin. "You may not have to carry an extra inside or outside linebacker. You can shift guys to those spots and maybe carry an extra receiver.”

Did Mangini just tip his hand with regards to what the Browns plan to do over the next several months at wide receiver?

In the ongoing debate about either adding or not adding a veteran receiver to help the Browns' young group, this little quote from Mangini may be a clue that the Browns will indeed add someone before the regular season begins.

Many in Browns nation have said that adding a veteran impedes the progress of the younger guys. There is also the issue that teams rarely carry six receivers on their roster.

Or perhaps Mangini was just saying this to feed the fire of the ongoing debate.

Whatever the case is, thanks Eric for giving us writers, reporters, and bloggers something to write about to continue the wide receiver debate through these slow news months of summer.

Also posted on Dawg Scooper: THE Cleveland Browns Blog.)