(From the official Browns web site)

Browns, Mangini reach agreement
01.07.2009

The Browns have announced that an agreement has been reached with Eric Mangini to become Head Coach of the team.

Mangini spent the last three seasons (2006-08) as the head coach of the New York Jets. In his first season, he led the club to a 10-6 record and a postseason berth into the AFC Wild Card game. Last season, the Jets finished with a 9-7 record and narrowly missed the postseason.

He joined the Jets as head coach after having spent the previous six seasons with the New England Patriots (2000-05). In the first five seasons there, he served as the defensive backs coach (2000-04) before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005.

Mangini's first NFL coaching opportunity came in 1995 as a coaching assistant on Bill Belichick's staff in Cleveland. When the team moved to Baltimore, he was retained on the staff and remained there until moving onto the Jets in 1997 as an assistant.

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Mangini began his career at the Browns in 1994 as a Ballboy.

I feared this. He is another protege of Bill Bellichick, and we just fired a Patriots castoff, Romeo Crennel.

Well. More of the same, or give him a chance? I suppose a four-year contract means the latter.

Somehow, I don't believe the fans have the patience.

One good thing: Mangini is the guy who told the League about the Patriots' video scam (they were filming the opposing teams' signals from the sidelines.) That was good. He has a tough reputation with the players, too, and that is needed in Cleveland.

Anyway, it is nearly time for baseball Spring training.

John Smolz is going to the Red Sox on a one-year deal. He spent his entire career in Atlanta. This will really help the Red Sox.