www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W7Ng7ger4Q

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Evolution makes species adapt to their environment, can Eric Mangini change to survive?

Eric Mangini has been widely criticized in the past year for numerous missteps.   Some of them may be unfair but losing makes perception become reality.  Hear are some of the Mangini’s faux pas:

1. Media reports of Mangini ignoring star Defensive lineman Shaun Rogers at the Cleveland sports awards.

2. Eric Mangini signs multiple Jets during free agency who don’t have a real impact during the season.

3. Mangini trades with the Jets giving them a potential franchise quarterback for very little compensation.

4. Mangini drafts two 2nd round players who struggle to find the field during the season.

5.  Mangini sends his rookies on a “voluntary” bus trip eleven hours  to assist in his football camp.

6. Mangini doesn’t decide until a few days before the season opener on a starting quarterback.  The managing of the competition is considered to be complete failure.

7. Mangini gives the quick hook to “golden boy” Brady Quinn after two and a half games.

8. James Davis gets hurt in an “opportunity drill” during practice and the media speculates that the Browns were not in compliance with NFL rules.  It was later disproved but perception had already been shaped about the event.

9. Mangini watches his rookie offensive coordinator direct one the poorest offenses in NFL history.

10. The Browns part way with Mangini’s hand-picked General Manager George Kokinis during the middle of season.  Not much explanation is given on the decision except it just didn’t work out.

After making this list I have to admit I am amazed that Mangini is still the coach.  After the Holmgren hire some of these things started to fade into the background, but wow that is one heck of a list.   Mangini did have a very positive finish to the end of the season by winning the last four games and beat arch rival Pittsburgh. The team didn’t quit.

So how does this tie to Mike Holmgren?  

Holmgren could have very easily fired Mangini but he must have saw something in the coach. 

What does Mangini need to do to keep his job?

1. Listen to Holmgren-it is the most important thing he can do.

2. Improve Communication-this means communicating with the team better and the media.  The media is an extension of the fan base.  There is an art of saying little without being be arrogant to the media. Holmgren is a master at this.

3. Just Coach-Don’t worry about scheduling bus-trips, signing Jets, or controlling everything.  Mangini is a good coach, multiple players have said he is a genius when it comes to gameplanning and schemes.  If he can stick to just coaching the team will be better.

4.  Develop players- If a player isn’t great on special teams that doesn’t mean the player couldn’t contribute on the offense or defense. This is the Brian Robiskie rule.  Last year Mangini needed somebody to tell him-Hey the team is 1-11 play Robiskie.

5.  No QB competitions- Holmgren has said he hates them, but Mangini hasn’t said the same.  Mangini has constantly had a QB competition throughout his coaching career.  It doesn’t work.  Get the starter ready as soon as possible in training camp.

Will Mangini survive nobody knows, but he has the opportunity-(he loves opportunities, ask James Davis) to make it.  He needs to navigate these five things.  Holmgren will not allow the team to spiral out of control like last year.  So if Mangini doesn’t evolve his NFL head coaching career could be over.  If he does he could be the next successful branch of Holmgren’s tree.

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Alex Smith | 6’4” | 258 | Stanford

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Day 1:

9 hours before the draft:

Smith: Told no chance Browns trade for No. 1. Doubt anyone does. Rams don’t wanna move out. RT @ftblsickness: any real move up to 1 talks there? 11:30 AM Apr 22nd.

Smith: Joe Haden (by a hair over Josh Wilson) RT @BGFlockaJames: if Berry is not available, who is plan B for the Browns? #NFLDraft11:45 AM Apr 22nd.

3 hours before draft:

Smith: Holmgren doubts Browns can get #1. Also, given their needs and where they’re picking, he told me Browns unlikely to take QB early. #NFLDraft4:44 PM Apr 22nd.

After the Chiefs take Eric Berry:  

Smith: Berry was Browns’ 1st choice @ #7. Now choice comes down to CB, Haden or Wilson. I imagine that debate is still going. I say Haden #NFLDraft 8:10 PM Apr 22nd.

Browns tried to trade with the Jets to get Kyle Wilson:

Smith: Kyle Wilson was too good to pass up for the Jets. I know Browns and Jets had been discussing a deal for the Browns to get into this spot. 10:35 PM Apr 22nd.

Day 2:

7 hours before the start of the 2nd round:

Smith: I’m in Cleveland again today. Browns have a 2d and 3 3ds. Still don’t expect Browns to take a QB with one of those picks, though. #NFLDraft 10:25 AM Apr 23rd.

Smith: Holmgren told me yesterday Browns’ needs/where they pick = unlikely to take a QB early. I’m expecting S and probably a RB today. #NFLDraft 10:30 AM Apr 23rd.

On Taylor Mays:

Smith: Possibly. If so he’ll be there after they pick, too. RT @clevelandview: Will Taylor Mays make it to the Browns 2nd round pick? 12:59 PM Apr 23rd.

If the Browns were going to trade up to pick 33:

Smith: Sorry. I still don’t see it RT @T_Chin: Schefter reports that the Browns are trying to move up to the 33rd pick…are they going after a QB? 1:12 PM Apr 23rd.

If the Browns will draft Clausen or McCoy:

Smith: I’ve got company … RT @Jay_Glazer: No, I don’t see the browns drafting claussen nor mccoy in round 2. #NFLDraft 1:38 PM Apr 23rd.

Everybody speculates the Browns wanted Safety Nate Allen, Michael Smith didn’t:

Smith: I never gave u a name! RT @clevelandview: Im thinking @MrMichael_Smith likes Nate Allen safety from South Florida as the Browns pick at #38. 2:38 PM Apr 23rd.

Smith talking about what he thought Browns would do on day two, all came true:

Smith: I’ve been talking about the Browns going S in round 2 and RB at some point today, but they also could very well be targeting an OL.#NFLDraft 3:09 PM Apr 23rd.

Smith predicting the Browns will take T.J. Ward:

Smith: If the Browns stay put, which I believe they will, look for them to continue upgrading the secondary and take Oregon S T.J. Ward. #NFLDraft 6:33 PM Apr 23rd.

Smith: As I’ve told you for two days, Browns weren’t looking at QB early. And here’s that “other” Pac10 safety I was taking about earlier.#NFLDraft 6:40 PM Apr 23rd.

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As you can see Smith had almost every move the Browns made.  I know he had access  the war room, but Smith was truly the insider for the Browns during draft week.

http://twitter.com/MrMichael_Smith

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2003

Cleveland Browns: B
Jeff Faine will be a great anchor on the offensive line for years to come, and while I thought Chaun Thompson went a little high, he has a great work ethic and dominated at his level of competition. Chris Crocker was also off the board a little early, but I like the fact that he can move from corner to safety, and Lee Suggs will be a solid backup to William Green. Mike Lehan also made a lot of sense in the 5th round.

2004

Cleveland Browns: B
Kellen Winslow is ideal for the offense of the Browns and will give Jeff Garcia a nice target over the middle, while Sean Jones and Luke McCown were nice value picks. Not a lot of players came into the fold but Cleveland did get quality from limited numbers.

2005

Cleveland Browns: B
You can’t argue with the Browns taking the best player available at No. 3 in Braylon Edwards even though they have other needs. If safety Brodney Pool gets back to the stellar form he showed as a sophomore he will pan out nicely, corner Antonio Perkins will be a nickelback who can also contribute in the return game and quarterback Charlie Frye has the skills you want in a quarterback despite the fact that he throws a wobbly ball on occasion. Andrew Hoffman will be plugged in to fill a need at nose tackle.

2006

Cleveland Browns: B

First-round pick Kamerion Wimbley will be a perfect OLB in the 3-4 defense, and D’Qwell Jackson reminds me of Jonathan Vilma. Wide receiver Travis Wilson could be a third or fourth option in the passing game. I like RB Jerome Harrison in the fifth round, and the Browns also got really good value in the sixth round with FB Lawrence Vickers and DT Babatunde Oshinowo of Stanford.

2007

Cleveland Browns: B+

The Browns were going to use the third overall pick on Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas or Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn. At the end of the day, the Browns came away with both players. From a pure talent standpoint, getting CB Eric Wright in the 2nd round is good value. Wright had first-round talent — you could argue he’s better than Leon Hall and Darrelle Revis — but slid because of character issues. Cornerback Brandon McDonald played under the radar at Memphis; and Melila Purcell has the skills to be a pass-rushing specialist. DT Chase Pittman will be a hardworking backup. The Browns did, however, give up a lot of picks in this draft.

2008

Cleveland Browns: B+

The Browns didn’t have a pick until the 4th round and grabbed UNLV linebacker Beau Bell and Missouri tight end Martin Rucker, who could be a factor in the passing game. Ahtyba Rubin is more of a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. Wide receiver Paul Hubbard is big and athletic, but he’s inconsistent catching. Alex Hall will be an OLB in the Browns’ scheme. Cleveland only had five picks; however, they traded this year’s 1st round pick to take QB Brady Quinn last year and traded 2nd- and 3rd round picks for Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers. When you factor those transactions, the Browns are using the draft process the right way.

2009

Cleveland Browns: B-

Alex Mack was a good pick at No. 21 and Mohamed Massaquoi was a very good pickup in the 2nd round. I think fellow 2nd rounder David Veikune was a bit of a reach in that round, but not enough of one to seriously dent the Browns’ grade. They didn’t get a great receiver in Brian Robiskie  in the 2nd round, but he’s polished enough as a rookie that he could be a solid possession guy for this franchise.

2010

Cleveland Browns: C

The first draft of the Mike Holmgren era in Cleveland also received an average grade from Kiper. He praised the pick of cornerback Joe Haden at No. 7 overall. But otherwise Kiper felt safety T.J. Ward and tailback Monterio Hardesty were drafted too high and considered them reaches. Cleveland traded up in the 2nd round to get Hardesty, who Kiper likes but didn’t think the move up was necessary. Kiper also questioned why the Browns drafted Ward and Larry Asante, who are both considered “in-the-box” safeties. Kiper feels quarterback  Colt McCoy at the end of the 3rd round was a good value pick.

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So based on Mel’s grade the Browns had the worst draft they have had in the past eight years. If that is the case, god help us.

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8uCPzHnWk4

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