At least he's not Marty Mornhinweg

I'll be honest, I did not expect Eric Mangini to remain on as Browns head coach. I thought he did a decent enough job and the Browns were better at the end of the season than it was at the start, which is a credit to Mangini. That being said, they started off 1-11 and despite their season ending four game win streak, there are still significant problems on both sides of the ball. I figured Mike Holmgren's emphasis on everyone being on same wavelength and dismissal of in house fiefdoms signaled Mangini's exit.

Guess not.

Not that I though Mangini had to go but it would make sense cut cord. Holmgren could honestly say that this isn't a statement about the job that Eric did but that they simply had philosophies that couldn't mesh. People may have groused about Mangini's unfair shake but it's not exactly difficult to build a case for his ouster. The blown second round draft picks, the absurd handling of the quarterbacks, starting Jamal Lewis over Jerome Harrison and the horrendous offensive playcalling are reasons enough to show him the door.

But Mangini stays (with his entire staff).

In some ways this is a win-win. If Mangini does a good job and the Browns play well, all the better. They did show marked improvement as the season progressed and it wouldn't be fair to give Mangini just one season (and I think Holmgren, being a former coach, knows this). If the Browns do poorly, Holmgren will already have a GM and front office in place and they should be able conduct a thorough, proper search (guys like John Fox and Jon Gruden could be available, nevermind Holmgren himself).

My one is concern is the length of Mangini's leash. I do believe that Mangini will try to make things work, it's really in his best interest. He's gotta know that if he flames out here, it's probably his last chance at a NFL head coaching gig. I just wonder if the Browns start off 0-4, how quick is Holmgren's trigger (and how strong is his itch to put on a headset)? I'd rather they just fire Mangini now than at some point during the 2010 season. Doing that just seems like a waste of time.

In other Browns news, Josh Cribbs has been whining about his contract over Twitter and saying that it's over. Great.

I love Josh Cribbs; he's far and away the best player on the Browns (he's basically their offense) and you gotta love having a guy from Kent State scoring TDs on Sundays. That being said, chill out man. The Browns just hired Holmgren and they don't even have a GM yet (you know, the guy who negotiates the contract with your agent). No offense, but figuring out the coaching situation takes precedent over a contract dispute.

I will say that I can't really disagree with Josh's complaint. If the Browns really did offer him $1.3 or $1.4 million, I can see why he'd be miffed (when his side offered $3 million per). However, I can't help but feel that these public outbursts are coordinated and part of a strategy. He may really feel that he won't be back next season and he's not wanted but getting the fans all riled up certainly helps his bargaining position.

I can't imagine Cribbs not playing for the Browns next year. It's extremely early in this process (the regular season hasn't been over even a week) and I imagine that the two sides will eventually come to some sort of agreement.

You've Got to be Kidding Me

No no no no no no no no no no no:

It's sounding more and more as if Mike Holmgren will accept the Browns' job because of the option to coach the team in addition to being its chief executive.

Holmgren turned down an offer from his beloved Seattle Seahawks to be president of the team, according to the Seattle Times.

Holmgren's abrupt change of heart stunned media and fans in Seattle. As late as Friday afternoon, Holmgren talked on his radio show of wanting to return to the Seahawks.

Holmgren also pointed out the attractions in Cleveland were the absence of "layers" of management between him and owner Randy Lerner, and also the option to do "any and all" of the jobs of president, GM and coach.

God dammit. GM and coach? Seriously? Is Randy Lerner really going to go down this road?

I've loved, absolutely loved, the idea of bringing Holmgren as their "Football Czar." Here's a guy who's been a part of successful organizations and has been to (and won) the Super Bowl. Yes, bring in that guy.

But GM and coach? Didn't we all decide that Eric Mangini was doing too much and that it's extremely hard to handle both jobs? So now they're gonna throw a ton of money (Randy Lerner's specialty) at Mike Holmgren let him do both jobs? Brilliant.

Nevermind the NFL conventional wisdom, Holmgren's own history says that he can't do both. From 98-02, Holmgren was both GM and coach of the Seahawks and their record was 31-33. As just the coach (02-08) he went 55-41 (51-29 before his final season).

It's seems like the Browns are taking one step forward (hiring Mike Holmgren) and two steps back (letting him do whatever he wants). Now, the Browns haven't gone anywhere near 31-33 in quite some time, so I guess even Holmgren's worst is a step up, but this just seems dumb.

I'm all for hiring the Walrus but only for one job, not two (or three).

Anything but Receiver

Terry Pluto on Josh Cribbs, the Toast of Cleveland:

Number 16, Joshua Cribbs.

Now there's a jersey that Browns fans can wear proudly.

Cribbs could have played for Paul Brown, for Blanton Collier, for Sam Rutigliano or any other Browns coach. They all would have loved the guy.

He runs back kicks. He runs back punts. He runs out of the Wildcat formation, taking a long snap for center, then sprinting and daring the defense to stop him.

He also covers kicks. And punts. And he would play safety, if they'd let him.

Really? He'd play safety? What the hell are they waiting for? It's sure as hell than lining him up at wideout. I fully believe Cribbs could be an awesome safety in the NFL (just imagine him blitzing!).

Meanwhile, Joe Thomas thinks Cribbs could be a (great) running back:

"There's no doubt," said Thomas, after watching the game film of Cribbs rushing for 87 yards against the Steelers' top-ranked run defense. "I think he's too valuable to take off of kick return and punt return and special teams, but there's no doubt in my mind, especially after seeing the things that he did [Thursday night] that he'd be an extremely successful running back in the NFL.

"The guy's got some unbelievable vision, just watching the game film and seeing him going to his left, step toward the sideline.

"He must have some unbelievable vision because he could see all way back to his right, there was a lane the whole way back, like some of the greatest running backs in the NFL could. He hit a seam and took it for about 20-some yards. He kind of takes the approach it's a punt return. But the vision he's got is amazing."

Cribbs agreed.

"Being a jack of all trades, I feel like that's one of my abilities. My position is running back. I was a running back back in the day. The wildcat is me at running back. It's a straight handoff. It's not like we're trying to fool you with the quarterback being in the mix. I'm getting the ball and I'm running it; try to stop me."

That bold part is certainly true. I've been frustrated more than once this season with the lack of imagination from the wildcat formation (really? Cribbs off tackle, ya don't say...).

But if they're gonna get Cribbs touches on offense, I'd rather it come in running plays rather than the passing game. He's an adequate receiver at best. The only pass I like to him is the quick out/quick screen. Let him operate in space, asking him to go run routes isn't his forte (his hands aren't great either).

He really is their entire offense.

(Pay the man)