Written by Dave Kolonich

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What a difference a year makes.  This time in 2009, Eric Mangini was the scourge of both the local and national media, based on the fact that he was…well, Eric Mangini.  This inconvenient fact didn’t sit well with many members of the local press corps, who suddenly found their precious Phil Savage/Romeo Crennel era sources extinguished in favor of a more secretive, yet professional Berea culture.

Thus, the mural whitewashing incident, Hartford Bus Gate and the tragic tale of Brady Quinn. 

And on a national level – everything from punching orphans to urinating in the Dawg Pound. 

To say that Mangini was the ill-informed national media’s whipping boy was an understatement along the lines of claiming Brandon McDonald as the worst tackling defensive back in the history of the league.

But then again, hyperbole is quite the selling point.  

Anyway, a year removed from Mangini’s tumultuous first season, one in which he essentially ran the franchise, things appear to be a bit smoother. 

Florio – Browns Rookies Will Work Another Training Camp

Last year, the class of first-years Browns players “volunteered” to work a football camp that entailed 20-plus hours on a bus.

This year, they’ve volunteered to work one that entails much less travel.

The Browns’ rookies will participate on Thursday in a youth camp being conducted this week at the team’s facility in Berea.

We assume that their decision to do so is a lot closer to being truly voluntary this time around.

And the 2010 award for Most Backhanded Mea Culpa goes to…one Mike Florio.

Much like the way I’ve been hammering on the idea of Browns’ progress these past few months, it looks like none other than Florio has begun to turn the corner – ever so slowly – and in his own petty, sensationalist way. 

Just when you thought you knew a guy.

But then again, there may be a direct correlation between Florio’s softened stance and Mangini’s near rise to respectability.

Pro Football Talk.com – Season Preview Magazine

We’ve interviewed Commissioner Roger Goodell and Browns coach Eric Mangini, we’ve hammered out a bunch of other PFT-style features, we’ve kicked up a debate regarding whether off-field conduct should be considered when voting on Hall of Famers, and we’ve sought the input of some of our friends at NBC and beat writers and radio hosts throughout the country regarding the prospects of each and every NFL franchise for the coming season.

Oh right – wait, what?  Florio “interviewed” Mangini??? 

Maybe the Mayans were off by a couple of years. 

Of all the baseless, horribly negative and petty things Florio has written about Mangini, how in the world does this does this happen? 

Either Mangini doesn’t know how to work his Web browser and has never heard of Florio, or perhaps Florio was rebuked by every other coach, GM, player and tackling dummy in the league.  I can’t imagine the tone of this conversation, as Florio essentially reported the demise of Mangini starting last September, while Mangini is not exactly the most forthcoming personality in the league.

I suspect some foul play is involved here.  As I’ve suggested for over a year now, I’m pretty sure one of these guys has revealing photos of the other. 

Or, perhaps this is just another step in the extreme image makeover of Mangini.  It’s kind of obvious that Mangini has become a bit warmer this time around.  I wonder why…. 

Pluto on Mangini: Bus Trip 2010

Camp Mangini: One Year Later

Pluto on Mangini: Father’s Day Edition

Mangini Knows the Drill

Posnanski on Mangini

Wait – forget about that last one.  Some people just have no clue regarding Cleveland sports.

Anyway, all of the above makes for a fascinating turn of manufactured events heading into 2010.  As a select few of us have noted, Mangini’s greatest 2010 accomplishment could be found within the Browns’ locker room, as the former culture of selfishness and stupidity was virtually erased in less than a season.  Of course, the four game win streak to end the 2009 season helped to bring this realization to the surface.

Naturally, any credit for Mangini’s evolution as a member of the Bill Belichick coaching tree will likely go to new team President Mike Holmgren – who of course, will be given full honors for any continued 2010 turnaround.  Perhaps rightfully so in the case of Mangini, as Randy Lerner’s handpicked franchise savior (the 2009 edition) should finally be allowed to focus solely on coaching.

And giving interviews, evidentally. 

What is the world coming to?