The plan was supposed to work something like this: disgruntled Browns fan, as a show of their repugnance at how the organization was systematically being run into the ground, wouldn't be in their seats for the opening kickoff of the nationally televised Monday night game against the Ravens.
With a bevy of big name coaches likely ready-for-hire heading into the 2010 season, in addition to a lot of really poor NFL teams in 2009, we can expect rumors to be swirling all over the place for the rest of this season and on into the offseason. Thus, it's not surprising to see Mike Holmgren mentioned as a possibility. Of course, most thought he'd have to at least wait until next season to get involved.
According to Adam Shefter of ESPN, Holmgren may not have to wait. Shefter reports that the Browns want to hire Holmgren as their vice president of football operations -- similar to the role Bill Parcells has with Miami -- and that the job is immediately Holmgren's for the taking.
When asked to explain what he would like to see from his team, first-year Browns head coach Eric Mangini offered this: "Aggressive, intense, tough, physical, finishing ... consistency, execution (editor's note: I'm in favor of it!), communication ... good, solid, sound, fundamental, tough football. Physical football. Intense football. That's what I want every week."
He made these comments shortly after the Browns lost their sixth game in seven tries, this one a steady-as-she-goes 31-3 defeat to the Packers. Last month, after an 0-3 start, fans started an online petition begging owner Randy Lerner to sell the team. Nothing came of it, so the sights have been set a little lower: fire Mangini. This time the Akron Beacon Journal's Patrick McManamon is leading the charge.
I suppose these are the things you concern yourself with when you're a Browns fan and don't have much else to be excited about.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, John "Big Dawg" Thompson, a prominent member of the Dawg Pound, sued Electronic Arts "after he found out the 'Madden NFL 09' video game released last year, featured a fan at Cleveland Browns Stadium who resembles the costume he had been wearing to Browns games for the last 25 years. The case was transferred to U.S. District Court in August."
A year ago, Eric Mangini, still the Jets head coach, was contemplating making a quarterback change. Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens were scheduled to fight for the job, and Mangini, uninspired by his options, eventually traded for Brett Favre and released Pennington.
After an 8-3 start, the Jets, largely due to Favre's inconsistent play, finished 1-4 and missed the playoffs. Pennington signed with the Dolphins and promptly led them to the AFC East title.
Mangini is now with the Browns (and Favre is retired, at least momentarily), but last year's experiences may have influenced his decision with his new club. Leading up to last month's draft, speculation had Cleveland trading Brady Quinn. It didn't happen, and apparently there were plenty of opportunities.
If the first draft under the new leadership is any indication, the Browns will use the last weekend in April to restock the roster, and eschew high-priced, quick-fix free agents. The previous regime had a healthy mix of the two: Gary Baxter, Eric Steinbach, LeCharles Bentley and Donte' Stallworth were signed as free agents; Kamerion Wimbley, Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn were all high-round draft picks.
It seemed Braylon Edwards had weathered the worst of it. Speculation had the Browns trading him out of Cleveland by draft weekend, yet four days later, he's still on the roster.
Maybe head coach Eric Mangini thought Edwards could find his '07 Pro Bowl form (maybe). Or perhaps general manager George Kokonis scared off potential suitors by asking for too much in return (more likely).
Still no word on Pioli's plans -- he's scheduled to meet with the Chiefs this week -- but they might not matter as far as Lerner's concerned; National Football Post's Mike Lombardi is hearing things: "I hear - and keep hearing - it is Eric Mangini's job in Cleveland, and he is already assembling a staff."
You know, if true, I think that's a solid move for the Browns. Not splashy, but solid. Mangini got run out of New York after missing the playoffs two of the last three seasons. Part of the problem, apparently, was that he was meticulous in his preparation, but couldn't motivate Kris Jenkins to eat a cheeseburger.
Sound familiar? Bill Belichick was a mediocre NFL head coach during a five-year stint in Cleveland in the mid-'90s, known as much for his winning personality as for being responsible for running Bernie Kosar out of town.
Five years later he re-emerged in New England, and now sports three Super Bowl rings and has people calling him genius (just like Jim Zorn but the exact opposite).
Patriots vice president Scott Pioli is taking his sweet time getting back to the Browns about that GM job. Despite reports that Pioli had to make a decision last Thursday or the deal was off, the Browns are still interested in the guy who played a very big role in assembling those New England rosters that won three Super Bowls earlier this decade.
So now Cleveland waits. Pioli still has to meet with the Chiefs, and depending on how it plays out, Browns owner Randy Lerner could opt to hire a head coach and worry about finding a general manager later. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot, Eric Mangini is the early favorite, although other names are also in the mix.
Two other head coaching candidates -- fired Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz -- are on the backburner for now. Shanahan was contacted by the Browns, but told them he will be on vacation with his family for the next two weeks and will not interview during that time, a source said.
If the Browns haven't hired a coach by then, they might still reach out to him.
If the Browns haven't hired a coach by then, their fans will have already burned down the city.
With a bevy of big name coaches likely ready-for-hire heading into the 2010 season, in addition to a lot of really poor NFL teams in 2009, we can expect rumors to be swirling all over the place for the rest of this season and on into the offseason. Thus, it's not surprising to see Mike Holmgren mentioned as a possibility. Of course, most thought he'd have to at least wait until next season to get involved. 
When asked to explain what he would like to see from his team, first-year Browns head coach Eric Mangini offered this: "Aggressive, intense, tough, physical, finishing ... consistency, execution (editor's note: I'm in favor of it!), communication ... good, solid, sound, fundamental, tough football. Physical football. Intense football. That's what I want every week." 
I suppose these are the things you concern yourself with when you're a Browns fan and don't have much else to be excited about. 
A year ago, Eric Mangini, still the Jets head coach, was contemplating making a quarterback change. Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens were scheduled to fight for the job, and Mangini, uninspired by his options, eventually traded for Brett Favre and released Pennington. 
Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.
It seemed Braylon Edwards had weathered the worst of it. Speculation had the Browns trading him out of Cleveland by draft weekend, yet four days later, he's still on the roster. 
Yesterday I mentioned that while Browns owner Randy Lerner waited for Patriots vice president Scott Pioli to make up his mind about the GM job, Eric Mangini was emerging as the unofficial favorite to replace Romeo Crennel. 
