DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Mangini Named Head Coach

That 'reporter' was Bruce Drennan, at least sounded like him.

I was surprised by his unwavering (read non-politically correct) answer. He said 'No' and shook his head. Said nothing else, got a bit of a chuckle out of the crowd.

I would have thought he would say that he was open to running the best D with what he has, blah blah blah.


He did go one to specify his reasoning why the 34 is better and why he likes it.

I'm glad, we are built right now for the 34 and it is, imo, a much better D than the 43.


I think that Aaron Curry is the best pick (at this point in time) for us with the #5 pick. (Just say no to ray)

Mangini sounded nervous...His press conference are only a little better than Romeo's.

One thing I thought was interesting was that he is open to keeping Romeo. He also mentioned Daboll and Callahan by name, and did mention that we would use West Coast concepts.

Also said that the rules are in place to create a good working enviroment, and that they are strict. Sounds like the sheriff is coming to town.

http://www.cleveland.com/brownsbeat/index.ssf/2009/01/cleveland_browns_introduce_eri.html

Goes over a bunch of points.

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And, don't you seek to hire Pioli as GM because you want to give him full control? Folks might say that Lerner did not want to give Pioli control to make decisions like hiring Ferentz.

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In a nutshell, I think that was the problem. Lerner didn't want another rookie NFL HC. I think he wanted experience at the HC position. I'm guessing that Pioli didn't agree..

It's a road block,, Pioli didn't budge and neither did Lerner.

I guess I get it. I understand that Lerner didn't want a rookie/first time NFL Coach.. It's his team, it's his money and in the end, it's his decision.

Frankly, I understand that feeling.. I understand not wanting a Rookie HC.. I really do.

Interestingly,, I didn't get to see the press conference, but I did read a little about it on the main browns site,, there is no mention of Randy being in the room or at the podium.. Keenan was there..

I loved it at the end when Mangini said "Go Browns"!!!! I think he gets it!

just clicking.

couple of notes after the interview.
1. Defense n Offense basic concepts are the same - Mangini brings change and yet continuity at the same time.

2. RAC and him are very close friends and he is meeting with him tonight to have him be part of this in some capacity.

3. Not signed yet but Ryan and QB coach of jets are who Mangini want as asst.

4. He also wants to interview those who wish to remain here (asst. coaches).

Adam Schefter of NFL Network...stated Jets were in a rush to fire Mangini ( I think to hire Cowher for their new stadium) and the Browns were in a rush to hire Mangini.

Somebody here is making a great mistake...we'll see who it is. Well lets see the franchise who really, really wanted Cowher insults him to not even get an interview...lol Something tells me we are at least starting ahead of the game on being the smart ones

I'm so excited...as I am with every hire so take it for whatever its worth. Just so many good things about this hire. And the negatives I have read about Mangini are totally false...so I haven't gotten to any negatives.

He promised us...ONE GOAL...ONE FACE...ONE TEAM - all working together nobody above the other. We win as a organization and Team and we lose together.

Relationship with GM...no you stay there and take care of that. I stay here and take care of this. We both work together to make both areas the best possible.

I couldn't care less how good my coach is at press conferences. I want a coach that respects what he has to do there and tries to answer questions well, but it is his least important thing to do.

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That 'reporter' was Bruce Drennan, at least sounded like him.

I was surprised by his unwavering (read non-politically correct) answer. He said 'No' and shook his head. Said nothing else

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That was frickin' great. He left Drennan speechless. Mangini was nervous at first, but took the heat and answered every question thrown at him.


I liked what he said about the type of players he wants:

Competitive.....ones that get upset even if they lose a card game. (I don't think those were his exact words).

Love for the game of football

Wanting to do everything possible to play to their potential. (Somehow, I think Braylon's in trouble.)

I also liked what he said about the importance of team rules and there will be consequences if they're broken.

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I refuse to play woulda, coulda, shoulda...not my game.

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Your so right mac.....I agree 100%, thats one reason I dont respond to many of these threads,

I also liked what he said about the importance of team rules and there will be consequences if they're broken

This is huge; fear is the wrong word, but it creates the notion that "I might not get to play" if I don't follow the rules.

We have needed that for a long time.

j/c

anyone know of a place online where we could wath the presser?

Browns lose out on two GM candidates
Posted: Adam Schefter | Adam Schefter NFL.com

When Cleveland hired head coach Eric Mangini, it lost two general manager candidates.

Not only will New England’s vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli not be the Browns next general manager, but neither will Philadelphia’s Tom Heckert.

Heckert told the Browns he is canceling the interview that was scheduled for Friday because he doesn’t know Mangini and would not be entirely comfortable with the situation in Cleveland the way that it is. This leaves Baltimore’s director of pro personnel, George Kokinis, as the last known candidate for the Browns general manager job.

But there will be no Pioli in Cleveland and no Heckert.

I guess we can't be TOO surprised by this.

I'm definitely not.

I think the main reason we did not go the Pioli way is that he wanted Fereitz or McDaniels, both would have been 1st time HC's and I think Lerner wanted a HC with experience.

To be honest I have no problem with that, Lerner writes the checks he should have the final say on what he wants/gets, but then again he also will have to take full responsibility for this good or bad. (here's hoping good)

I think the biggest thing that I took out of the presser was that Mangini wants to be here.

It sounds like if he had the opportunity to go to any of the 32 NFL teams, the Browns would have been his choice. I wonder if he grew up a Browns fan as he talked about us being one of the most, if not the most, storied franchise in history. I also read that during the Browns-Jets game the other year, he sent the Cleveland Media food with a note that he "never forgets where he came from."

It sounds to me that this is possibly his dream job.

Can't wait for the assistants to start coming in, and the Kokinis interview to happen, and then free agency, and the draft, and mini-camps, and.......

Oh hell, I'm excited again. After a lousy year of football where for the first time I didn't get excited for some games, that excitement has quickly returned.

"Heckert told the Browns he is canceling the interview that was scheduled for Friday because he doesn’t know Mangini and would not be entirely comfortable with the situation in Cleveland the way that it is."

That is no surprise,and I would surmise that the general consensus of people in the NFL agree with him.
I am so looking forward to the next 4 years.
Oh well,whatcha gonna do.I wish young Mr.Lerner had worn Bengal pj's.

Obviously we knew that we were committing to Kokinis and probably had a verbal agreement with him. I didn't think we were losing out...I thought we made our decision??? guess it all up to the eye of the beholder.

But Randy knew who what and where regarding the GM job before hiring Mangini...he had the partners all picked out and bases covered. Pioli/Ferentz...Mangini/Kokinis...Heckert/Spagnoulo.

We also lost out on Ferentz and Spagnoulo if you follow Schefter's logic.

Lost? Gained? depends which end of the glass you wish to drink from.

JMHO

I agree.

The decision to hire Mangini first stems from Lerners desire to have a coach first system rather than a GM first system....those guys don't want to compliment a coach, they are like savage who want a coach to compliment them.

Let Mangini have a big say in who is going to seek out the players he wants to have and coach.

This is a big deal, because IMO this is the best way to structure the team....with the GM and coach more or less on equal footing...one running the team, the other running the business end of operations.(and business end includes scouting and scouts, but doesn't mean the GM can force players on to the coach he doesn't want)

Since it's been brought to light that Opie wasn't drafting specifically for Rac's D... there has to be a two way street..coach needs to have say on his roster..and I think this situation is going to give MG that luxury.

No doubt...he will have the final say....I hope I didn't convey he wouldn't.

If there is a disagreement on a player they can't resolve, Mangini will have the power to do what he wants....he controls the roster.

The GM is going to compliment the coach....not the way it was with Phil or how it would have been with the guys who took their name out of the hat.

Would Kokinis have to have final say over the 53 man roster in order to not make it a lateral move?

j/c

From the PD recap posted above:

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Better prepared now than three years ago? "I'd say light years is a fair assessment."

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This is EXACTLY why I wanted someone with NFL head coaching experience. I'm so glad I won't have to watch some rookie head coach going through those light years of learning with us again (atleast this time around).

Yes I do....he isn't the GM in Balt.

Are you trying to mess me up or something??

I figured I needed to keep your brain sharp in its advanced age.

So, what you're saying is that Kokinis will have to have final say over the 53 man roster in order to come here, right?

Do all GMs have that role?

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2009/01/mangini_understands_what_it_me.html

BEREA -- New Browns coach Eric Mangini, who began his career here in 1994 as a ballboy and then a public relations intern, walked up to the podium at his introductory press conference this morning and quipped, "I feel like I should be getting some coffee or some Bucci's or picking up some towels or something."

Mangini, the 12th fulltime head coach of the Browns, looked as much at home in Berea today as he did in 1994 and 1995 when he was a gofer with a huge dream of someday being an NFL coach.

"I was a 23-year-old ballboy and I had to explain this to my mom," he said. "I had college loans and it was a hard sell. There were pictures of me with my arm around 12-year-olds and we had towels around our necks. I was like, 'Mom, this is the Cleveland Browns? Do you understand? It's the Cleveland Browns."

Mangini, 37, understands. He was here long enough to realize that "it's arguably the most storied franchise in NFL history." He knows the intensity of the fans and how their hearts were broken in 1995 when the team left town. And he's dedicated to restoring the Browns to their original luster.

"When I was here the first time, I made a lot of friends in Cleveland," he said. "I know what good hard-working, caring people are in this city. I want to promise them we're going to have good, hard-working people in this organization. That's the vision and that's what we'll be working for every single day."

Mangini vowed that he has a "distinct vision of a team, of an organization. We want not just talented players, but talented players with character, selflessly driven toward the same goal."

Mangini addressed a number of topics during his 32-minute press conference:

HIS COORDINATORS: He confirmed that current Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll will be his offensive coordinator; and that Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will be defensive coordinator. He also said he'll seek permission to talk to Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan, who's still under contract with New York.

ROMEO CRENNEL: He spoke very highly of the former Browns head coach and hopes to keep him around in some role, perhaps an advisory one. He said he has already talked to Crennel about it. "He's a great, great friend and I'd love for him to continue to be involved. We'd define the role."

ON KOKINIS AS GM: He admitted he's hoping the Browns can land Ravens pro personnel director George Kokinis as his general manager, saying "He's impressive. He's got tremendous substance."

ON HAVING FINAL AUTHORITY: He insisted it doesn't matter who has it, as long as everyone's on the same page. And he vowed everyone will be on the same page.

CURRENT BROWNS ASSISTANTS: He said he'll talk to all of them about possible positions with the Browns and that he knows how they feel.

ON HIS OFFENSE: He said it will be an amalgamation of the offensive coaches he hires, including Daboll and possibly Callahan. Daboll would run the Patriots' scheme, and Callahan is well-versed in the traditional West Coast offense.

ON THE QUARTERBACKS: He was non-committal, saying he'd evaluate the quarterbacks on their huddle presence and other qualities. "When it's right, you just know," he said.

ON ONE VOICE: He said he'll be the face and voice of the franchise, although others will be heard from. But on most team matters, he'll be the go-to guy.

ON HIS STOIC RAP: He said he learned from his "football parents" Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells, but that he'll be himself. During the press conference, he cracked a number of jokes and poked fun at himself in an easy-mannered way. Will he clam up now that the first presser is out of the way? Maybe not. He seems very comfortable here.

ON THE 3-4 DEFENSE: He won't change to the 4-3, no matter what. The 3-4 is what he knows and he'll find the players he needs to run it.

This was a little more ... but on the fly ....

http://www.cleveland.com/brownsbeat/index.ssf/2009/01/cleveland_browns_introduce_eri.html

Eric Mangini does not like doing press conferences sitting down. So the Browns have posted a lectern on the dais of their media room, especially for him.

Everyone's wondering who will introduce Mangini. Owner Randy Lerner's aversion to cameras might result in the first-ever press briefing hosted by club President Mike Keenan.


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Mangini wouldn't do one-on-one interviews in New York, but media here have been informed he will do them today.

Lerner will be present, but will not speak in front of the cameras. There may be a private briefing afterwards with print and electronic media.

The 9:30 news conference finally gets started at 10:16.

Keenan, Mangini and his wife, Julie finally stride in.


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Keenan has to introduce himself since few know him. He's reading prepared remarks. "Eric Mangini understands what it needs to win."

Here comes Mangenius. To applause, no less.


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Mangini pokes fun at his humble beginnings, saying he feels he should be bringing food with him.

One thing he was deeply impressed with is how much the Lerners -- Randy and his mom -- care about this team and city, he said.

He's talking about the Dawg Pound, Jim Brown -- "all those special things of the most storied NFL team in history." The difference here, he says, is Cleveland fans "they live football. It's a special intensity."


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He says what he's most proud of about his time with the Jets is the organization he was starting to build.

"I have a very distinct vision of what I want to build. Having talented players with character. Players selflessly driving toward the same goal. I'm going to be vigilante about that."

He says he wants his three boys to be Browns fans not because their dad is head caoch, but because of what they do on the field and on the other six days of the week.


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He promises that everyone will work towards the same goal. He calls it a great honor to come home to Cleveland and he's excited about getting to work.

Now the questions ...

First one is what got him excited about this team. He talks about Lerner's vision and passion. "It was critical to me."

Next one is about getting a second chance so soon after firing. "Well, it was a long week and I'm glad it's over."





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How did you sell yourself to Lerner? "I think it starts with my press conferences. The excitement I bring in a room. The applause is overwhelming." Very nice self-depracating humor.

How different are you now from three years ago? "I definitely do (feel like a different coach). You learn so much from your experiences. I tell players, win or lose, be honest. I ask myself that all the time. Nobody stops improving. I learned so many things over three years that there's no handbook for. There's no Dummies guide to head coaching."

What will you d o better as Browns coach? "There's probably a laundry list. There's so many different areas you're involved with as head coach ... I go back and look at my notes."

A question about Bill Belichick comparisons. "Didn't take long," he says.

"The most important thing to do is to be yourself. That's who I always felt I was. I've worked under Bill a long time, worked under Bill Parcells a long time."


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Question about Browns roster. He says when he played Browns in preseason, he saw a lot of similarities to his jets team. He says he's started the process of looking over the roster.

What else attracted you to this job? "What was most important to me was the conversations I had with Randy. Being able to talk about all the important issues that go into operating a team, an organization, the importance of having a general manger that you work side by side with."


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How did things go bad in New York? "During that process, each game had different things that we could have done better and we weren't able to achieve the goal we had in mind. It's everybody collectively."

Finally a question about Brett Favre. You on board? Yes, he says. "I really enjoyed my time with Brett. He's a Hall of Fame quarterback and came into a challenging situation. I respected how important it was for him to be one of the guys and fit into the team. I liked him as a person."

Open-minded to play a 4-3? "No."


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He says he talked to Romeo Crennel last night and wants him to stay.

Wants to retain the 3-4. "I've been attached to it a long time. Likes to form 4-3 concepts out of the base 3-4 front. You're not married to the concept of always adjusting the defensive line. I believe in it and think it's an outstanding system."

Brian Daboll and Rob Ryan as coordinators? "I will tak to them first and would really like to have them in those roles, but nothing's set in stone. I want to meet with the coaches on the old staff first."

What about guys like Winslow and Edwards who had off years? "When we went 10-6, I told the players this season is over. You don't get to start the next season at 10-6. You have to do everything better."


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Question about being the "face" of the franchise. "We never really put it in those terms, but I do believe in having one unified voice."

What about hiring a general manager? Who has the top power? "It's not going to be a function of what's defined in the contract, individual fiefdoms. To me, it's irrelevant. None of that stuff matters. What matters is the GM and I work together every day and reach "

What happened in New York, you're firing? "I really appreciate the opportunity I had. I've been on the other side of the table. I've made those calls. I respect the fact they made the decision they made. He (Mike Tannenbaum) was really good to me."

What about George Kokinis as GM? "I think he's impressive. He's got tremendous substance. That being said, what's also important is getting the best possible people to fill all the roles in the organization. We're going to go through that process."

Did you see your firing coming? "It wasn't a focus of mine. Never. What I wanted to do ... the pressure is never about that. The pressure is about getting the players in the best position to be successful."

How do you feel about laying down the law? "An environment has to be created where you can be successful. Rules are strictly enforced."

Better prepared now than three years ago? "I'd say light years is a fair assessment."

Do you have your coordinators hired?: “Brian (Daboll) and Rob (Ryan) are guys I’m going to talk to first and would like to have in those roles, but I haven’t finalized anything with them. I want to talk to all of the coaches here first.”



They haven't been inked yet..but I would think they will be..he's not going to keep too many of our underachieving coaches..

That's what secretaries are for, right?

I guess my original questions remains unanswered. In order for Kokinis to be able to come here and for it not to be considered a "lateral move", does he have to be given control over the 53 man roster?

It's not a lateral move, 79. It's considered a pormotion, so, no he wouldn't. HOWEVER, the Ravens are claiming that the language in Coke's contract states he would hav to be given full control to be allowed to leave.

In terms of his being able to leave Bmore..it might have to be worded in his contract that way..that might be what he's saying.