Mr. T Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Analysis: There's little time to wait as Mangini ponders off-season moves for Browns by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer Reporter Tuesday January 13, 2009, 6:50 PM CLEVELAND -- One of the reasons Browns owner Randy Lerner acted swiftly on naming Eric Mangini head coach was to give Mangini a jump start on the tasks at hand. And there are many. The NFL calendar is not put on hold while the league conducts its postseason tournament. This is another example of how the league is rigged to help losing teams catch up to winning teams. While the organizations still involved in the playoffs are immersed in their next games, the also-rans are ramping up efforts to improve themselves. A just-hired coach like Mangini also has to round up a coaching staff or else be stuck with leftovers. So that's Mangini's first order on a crowded list of "things to do" over the next three months. Complete his coaching staff: The main cogs appear to be in place -- offensive coordinator Brian Daboll (formerly Jets quarterbacks coach), defensive coordinator Rob Ryan (Raiders) and special teams coordinator Brad Seely (Patriots). Daboll and Ryan probably would bring in suggestions for Mangini to fill out some of the position coaches. As for retaining some coaches from the Romeo Crennel staff, Mangini didn't sound too positive about it at his introductory press conference. Some already have been notified they won't be retained. Hire a general manager: In his interview with Lerner, Mangini strongly recommended George Kokinis, Baltimore pro personnel director, for the job. Lerner interviewed Kokinis on Sunday and a mutual positive feeling emerged. A source confirmed that Kokinis will receive a second interview after some time next week after Baltimore plays Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game. That interview could be tantamount to a contract being negotiated. If Kokinis accepts, it's possible the Ravens would give him permission to leave the team before the Super Bowl. Kokinis' scouting work for Baltimore on the two NFC finalists -- Philadelphia and Arizona -- essentially would be completed by then. It's also possible that Kokinis may opt to enjoy the Super Bowl experience with the Ravens, should they advance past Pittsburgh. If Kokinis does not accept the job, Lerner has dropped the names of a few potential alternative candidates. But none has been formally interviewed. Mangini also must make a decision on whether to keep Browns director of player personnel T.J. McCreight, who has interviewed for the GM job and is supervising the scouting staff during this transition period. McCreight also could be a candidate for a personnel position with another team. Evaluate the roster: This is a high priority that can't wait for Mangini to complete his entire staff. This must be done in order for Mangini and the Browns to proceed on their off-season scouting projects. Mangini is somewhat familiar with the Browns' personnel because the Jets and Browns played three times (once in preseason) over the past three years. But he needs to get a better handle on what he's inheriting and he already has begun poring over video in his first full week on the job. Ideally, the GM would participate in a full staff evaluation of the Browns' roster. In Kokinis' case, his job with Baltimore requires him to know every team's personnel, particularly within the division, so he conceivably knows more about the Browns than Mangini. Devise an off-season strategy: Once Mangini (and the GM) knows the Browns' roster, they can prioritize the positions of greatest need. Then they can plan how to attempt to fill them in free agency, trade and the draft. Under former GM Phil Savage, the Browns were aggressive in each of their four off-seasons. Savage made more trades than any other GM in that time and the Browns were not shy in spending big on free agents. The Jets were aggressive in free agency only last season with Mangini, when the owner tried to buy the team into the playoffs. Recoup extra draft picks: Savage's trades left the Browns without choices in the third round (for Martin Rucker), fifth (for Paul Hubbard) and seventh (for Travis Daniels). If Mangini follows the example led by mentor Bill Belichick, he will seek to fortify his draft -- not only this season but in succeeding years. In three years under Mangini, the Jets made trades acquiring 11 draft picks and losing 15 for a net loss of four. They gained one as compensation for losing a free agent and another for releasing former coach Herm Edwards to Kansas City. Commit to a quarterback: This has been the franchise's greatest failing in the expansion era. Savage contributed by acquiring four starting quarterbacks in four seasons. Crennel said Brady Quinn would be his quarterback in 2009, but the former coach won't have a voice in it. In his only comments about the position, Mangini indicated he is in no rush to decide on Quinn or Derek Anderson. Mangini said of choosing his starting quarterback, "You have to be able to assess what they can do physically, you have to get to know what their huddle presence is like, how they are mentally, the decision-making process. And that's not something that you just do right away, not something that necessarily happens quickly. You go through a process and you make a decision when you feel it's right. You just know." It has been commonly believed that the Browns have to make a decision on Anderson in March, when he is a due a $5 million roster bonus. But the terms of Anderson's 2008 contract extension make that payment guaranteed in the event Anderson were released prior to that date. In other words, the Browns have to pay Anderson the $5 million if they release him or keep him. The only "out" is if they trade him before the due date. The new team would inherit that contract guarantee. A possible compromise for a trade could be the Browns agreeing to share a portion of the roster bonus. Whatever option they choose on Anderson, it's more probable now that it won't happen until April at the earliest. KEY DATES Jan. 11-17: East-West Shrine Game in Houston. Jan. 18-24: Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Feb. 18-24: NFL combine in Indianapolis. Feb. 19: Deadline for clubs to designate franchise and transition players. Feb. 26: Deadline for submission of qualifying offers to restricted free agents (RFAs) whose contracts have expired and to whom clubs desire to retain right of first refusal/compensation. Also, it's the deadline to submit offers of minimum salary to retain exclusive rights to players with fewer than three years and whose contracts expired. Feb. 27: Veteran free agency begins and trading period begins. March 22-25: NFL annual meetings, Dana Point, Calif. April 17: Signing period ends for RFAs. April 24: Deadline for old club to exercise right of first refusal to RFAs. April 25-26: NFL draft. -- Tony Grossi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YtownBrownsBacker Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Outstanding article. When I first read it this morning the thing that came to mind was the roster turnover. Normally I think I would have said about 30% or more, but after thinking about it I don't think it will be as high as it should be because of the cap problem. What's your take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. T Posted January 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 I think Mangini will get rid of those who were here to collect a check and anyone who dosn't want to run sprints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldcrow1945 Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 While I'm not crazy about Mangini, he does have a history of wheeling and dealing A LOT on draft day and he has made some very good decisions. D'Briskshaw Furgeson and Mangold in the first round. Revis in the first round....The kid is a good corner and pro bowler. Picking up Kris Jenkins was a great move. Picking up Thomas jones was another great move. Picking David Harris in the 2nd round (His rookie year he had 127 tackles and was injured in '08) Not bad at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OconRecon Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 Feb. 18-24: NFL combine in Indianapolis. Man, have you guys ever watched this on NFL Network? Football heads only. Really geeky stuff. A great way to kill a day or two! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiperBowl Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 i will be consumed by it, and what is nice they will re air it all the way upuntil the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownsFan17 Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 Man, have you guys ever watched this on NFL Network? Football heads only. Really geeky stuff. A great way to kill a day or two! Love the combine. I just wish they wouldn't spend as much time as they do showing the dash times. Some of the other drills are alot more interesting IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squintz Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 Love the combine. I just wish they wouldn't spend as much time as they do showing the dash times. Some of the other drills are alot more interesting IMO. I agree - they spend so much damn time on the dash and it's not a good thing to watch. They need to spend more time in the weight room and on other exercises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solon16 Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 Haven't missed it since its been on....also have watched the Draft gavel to gavel since it first aired on espn 20+ years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mole644 Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 Man, have you guys ever watched this on NFL Network? Football heads only. Really geeky stuff. A great way to kill a day or two! Hell yeah, gotta love NFL network. I was glued to the TV last year and the Browns didn't even have a pick! I may not move from my couch this year! Better stock up on the wings and beer now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldcrow1945 Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 Love the combine. I just wish they wouldn't spend as much time as they do showing the dash times. Some of the other drills are alot more interesting IMO. I love them too! I tell the guys at work that I TIVO and watch every minute and they think I'm nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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