Written by Dave Kolonich

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What a difference a year makes.  At this time in 2009, the media onslaught of Eric Mangini was just beginning – or resuming – depending on your perspective.  Mangini was accused of painting over Otto Graham’s picture, forcing rookies at gunpoint to ride a bus, blowing up the roster and even punching special needs kids in the face, although not all of those examples have been proven accurate. 

However, this year, the Browns’ new man about town, Mike Holmgren, is receiving anything but negative press for doing many of the similar things – minus the literal whitewashing.  After all, over the past couple weeks, Holmgren has uniquely stamped the Browns’ franchise in his own likeness – with several more changes likely to occur.

So, why all the love?

It’s simple – People know a good thing when they see it…for various reasons.

Grossi on Holmgren

In the Browns headquarters, people still refer to Mike Holmgren as coach. But at his first NFL annual league meetings, Holmgren is acting as club owner.  

Indeed, the gamut of Holmgren’s responsibilities as team president stretches farther and wider than any club executive in the NFL.

I wouldn’t exactly say Holmgren is “acting” as Club Owner.  In case you haven’t figured it out yet, Holmgren has essentially inherited this franchise from the King of Inheritances himself, one Randolph Lerner.  And before you interpret these words as criticism, let me remind you of what 60% of my columns revolve around:

Lerner’s incompetence as an owner.

Or, in other words, it’s about time that someone is finally acting as an authority figure in Berea.  For this, Browns Nation should be thankful.  While it’s far too early to make a judgment regarding Holmgren’s eventual success, at least it appears that our franchise is finally in the hands of a “serious, credible leader” – you know – someone very much unlike Lerner.

As for the other reason regarding the love affair with Holmgren, look no further than the simple truth regarding contemporary journalism, which is predicated on having precious access.  Simply put, Holmgren talks to reporters.  Mangini did not. 

Guess who gets more positive press?

Guess who just extended the life span of a dying industry?

Also, if Holmgren has truly inherited a franchise, then it’s obvious that he has become the man for local media to throw their weight behind – for better or worse.

How else could one explain the inclusion of the following quote?

“He’s the reincarnation of Paul Brown and George Halas, only doing it in the 21st century,” said noted sports consultant Marc Ganis. “He’s doing everything those guys did.”  

Technically – yes.  But, really?  Paul Brown?  Isn’t that stretching things just a bit?

Through no fault of his own, Holmgren was handed an incredibly dysfunctional system, and given the task of trying to create something remotely workable.  Is this a huge task?  Certainly….but let’s keep things in perspective.

But then again in this town, once the seeds are planted….

Speaking of seeds of a different sort…

Lombardi on Holmgren

Holmgren, much like Rex Ryan of the Jets, speaks openly and honestly about his team — which is not always the best policy around draft time. Holmgren is too nice a man to avoid the truth or tell little white lies. He lays his cards on the table, and now everyone in the league knows the Browns won’t take Clausen. 

The popular theory is that Holmgren is a renowned quarterback coaching guru so he must know more about these players than anyone else. However, the fundamental question is, are we evaluating all these moves based on Mike the coach or Mike the executive? 

With Holmgren announcing the Browns will draft a quarterback “later in the draft,” it will be interesting to see if the development he’s used to seeing actually occurs.

So, Mr. Lombardi – which “development” are you referring to?  The one where Holmgren eventually takes over head coaching duties…or gives them to another coach – perhaps one who currently resides in Charlotte?

If you’ve read Lombardi, or viewed my recent takes on his posts, you’ll know that he has been pimping every one of Bob LaMonte’s clients over the past several months.  Of course, it just so happens that Carolina’s John Fox is such a candidate, along with – you guessed it – Mike Holmgren.

As for tipping his hand – I’m not sure that Holmgren is the one who should be accused of this.

After all…to the frustration of most of the media world, this guy is still around…

Mangini on Future Trades

Coach Eric Mangini said at NFL owners meetings this morning that the trade of linebacker Kamerion Wimbley to Oakland for a third-round pick was partly done to create an opportunity for another trade.  

“It’s not that we didn’t like Kam or didn’t think he was doing good things,” Mangini said. “It’s just that having that pick (No. 75 overall) allows us to have just some more versatility.  

“A little bit of this was done in anticipation of being able to get some other things done that will involve draft picks,” Mangini said.  

At first, I bought the goods – the ones suggesting that Mangini had been reduced to a bit player in the Browns’ shining new path.  However, after some careful analysis, who else but Mangini – or Rob Ryan – could have signed off on the Wimbley trade?

Think about it – who would ultimately replace Wimbley in 2010?  If not a top rookie draft pick, then some combination of “Mangini guys” will likely fill the void, including David Bowens, Matt Roth, Jason Trusnik or Marcus Benard. 

Or, to go back in time again with Mangini, it is more than possible that his own reconstruction project started in 2009 is continuing.  First, Corey Williams is released, and now Wimbley.  If Shaun Rogers is ultimately dealt prior to, or on Draft Day, then Mangini’s work will be done. 

And if such a thing occurs – we all know who will get the credit.

After all, Holmgren has inherited much more than just a franchise…he’s also getting a whole lot of love.