An Evaluation of Eric Mangini

Allow me to weigh some of the positives and negatives of Eric Mangini being the head coach of the Cleveland Browns for the last two seasons, and then explore whether he should return for a third.

Positives

• The players always give a strong effort. 
• The character of the team is better.
• A legitimate running game has been developed.
• The team finds a way to compete in games despite inferior talent.
• The team shows more on-field discipline evidenced by far fewer penalties.

Negatives

•  The offensive play calling at times is awful.
•  Inferior teams are left hanging around by a conservative game plan.
• In game adjustments are non-existent.
• Game and clock management are often bungled.
• The passing game is the worst in the league.
• His 2009 draft set the team back a year.
• Talent evaluation is questionable and doesn't always get his best players on the field.

Mangini has done some positive things in these two seasons, and the this team is clearly better than it was last year despite ending with the same record.  The Browns are still seriously deficient in talent and I would even suggest they have over-achieved, but some of the responsibility for the lack of talent falls on Mangini.  Some of Mangini's weaknesses have already been dealt with by bringing Holmgren and Heckert to make personnel decisions.  The biggest problem with Mangini is that there is a clear difference in philosophy between him and the higher-ups in the organization, and can the positives that Mangini brings to the table out-weigh those differences?  I don't believe so.  Mangini didn't exactly get a fair chance to implement his plan as the head coach here or in New York, but he'll be relieved of his duties tomorrow, and I won't have a problem with it.  Bringing in a coach that is in sync with the President and GM is better for the organization in the long term.  Having Holmgren here makes a coaching search an ideal scenario for the Browns, as he'll bring in someone he really wants (like Jon Gruden) and if that guy isn't there, he can coach the team himself.  I do believe some of the work that Mangini has done here the last two years will be invaluable to the next coach and that this team can become a winner next season.