Written by Dave Kolonich

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About a month ago, I conceded the fact that I would eventually have to write a second chapter to last year’s The Process, a work which was hailed by some as “seminal” and derided by others as blind homerism.   Despite the growing sense of optimism surrounding the Browns in the offseason and throughout most of the preseason, none of us truly believed that our franchise had finally turned its back on the past decade of darkness.

Longtime readers of this site know the familar refrains of the piece, which attempted to explain the depths of Eric Mangini’s mission to completely reform our beleagured franchise.  While I’m not sure if I can – or would want to – take credit for coining the phrase “The Process” – at least as it relates to the arrested development of the Browns – its message has become something of a signature among readers of the this site. 

Throughout the first two weeks of the new season, the phrase has been used by several readers as either a sort of affirmation of the work Mangini is doing, or as some verbiage to cling to as we prepare for yet another tortured season.  In most respects, “The Process” has evolved from a simple, yet terrifying rationalization about the depths of damage done to the franchise over the past decade into a sort of pseudo rally cry that we now must carry into the immediate future.

Or, until this happens…. 

Here’s an interesting read from Barry McBride at The OBR.com….

OBR – McBride – The Holmgren Bubble

It’s a familiar pattern: First, come the calls for the quarterback. Then come the calls for the offensive coordinator. Once he’s been tossed under the bus, the call will come for the head coach. If Eric Mangini wants to survive with his job intact for as long as possible, he’ll put off changing those first two things as long as he can.

Criticism generally climbs the organizational chart like a vine, its rate of growth depending on the severity of the team’s struggles. When the team fails to improve after changing the quarterback and play-caller, the head coach will become entangled. Unless there’s rapid success after these changes, criticism will slowly extend its tendrils into the upper tiers of the organization.

The fundamental problem the team faces, of course, is that the talent on the roster is decidedly mediocre, particularly at offensive skill positions….

If McBride can reference Isaac Asimov, then surely I can borrow liberally from Dennis Green.  Or in other words, “they were who we thought they were.”

Again, what exactly was the ceiling for this year’s version of the Browns?

Despite having bolstered a few areas of the roster in the offseason and considering that Mangini and his staff were given another year to improve on last year’s strong finish, the expectations for 2010 were still rather low.  In fact, my earlier prediction of 6-10 could be considered a bit of a reach, considering the still limited nature of talent across the board, coupled with an incredibly difficult schedule.

Yet articles like these – which was more or less a reaction against those who have already subtly and otherwise begun the call for Mangini’s head – seem to be accelerating The Process into light speed.  McBride’s take almost makes an eventual dismissal of Mangini a given, as he instead focuses on the steps that will have to be taken before the rising tide of fan anger reaches the office of the Team President.

Of course, small steps first. 

And if you recall from last year’s article, The Process doesn’t exactly occur over the span of a weekend…

But before Mangini can actually begin to build his version of the Browns, he must first tear down the existing structure. And in case you haven’t noticed, the process has already begun.

After all, we’ve only seen two games – both of which were decided by less than a field goal.  And if you’re the optimistic sort, you could also make a case that the Browns have lost to two teams who are still undefeated.

Better yet, perhaps we should just focus on the true reality at hand.

These Browns – while greatly improved from a year ago – are still woefully talent-deprived at a number of key positions.  Despite two fairly solid consecutive drafts, the Browns still lack impact offensive linemen, playmaking wide receivers, consistent quarterback play, defensive line depth, playmaking linebackers and a dominant safety presence.

Or in other words, we’re still a few more drafts away from truly being ready to compete at an elite NFL level.

However, to get back to McBride’s piece and the general tone of the analysis emanating from outside of Berea, it’s becoming clear that most fans and critics have already reached that point in the season where frustration replaces hope.  Which of course is a natural part of The Process.

However, unlike last season, this familar refrain is occurring far earlier than usual.  In 2009, there was an almost comatose sentiment felt throughout most of September – ebbing after the bye week and subsequent loss to Baltimore on Monday night. 

This begs the question – why now?  Aren’t the Browns truly one to two plays away from currently standing at 2-0?

In terms of overall play, the defense has had some moments, while the offense has managed to be productive – at least through the first half of each of their two losses.  Compared to 2009, the team in general has far exceeded the production levels shown against the likes of Minnesota and Denver.

However, the anti-Mangini sentiment this season seems to be marked by three distinct factors.

1.  The Browns have lost to two teams – Tampa Bay and Kansas City – who were previously deemed “beatable” in the offseason.  Excerbating matters is the idea that the Browns seemed to be superior to each – at least based on their 2009 finish.

2.  Speaking of which, the way the Browns finished their 2009 season pointed to an idea that the team had finally “gotten over the hump” so to speak.  After all, wasn’t the four-game win streak to end the season a validation of Mangini’s “process?”

3.  Perhaps most striking is the idea that while the Browns are still talent-deprived across the board, the team has delivered two very “un-Mangini-like” performances.  The first two games of the 2010 season have been littered with penalties, crippling turnovers and sloppy execution – things not found throughout much of 2009.

And isn’t this the problem?

In many ways, Mangini is being evaluated by legions of Browns fans on a bit of a curve.  Although there is still a huge portion of Browns Nation reluctant to give him credit, Mangini has accomplished a great deal during his short tenure in Cleveland.  From cleansing the locker room of pseudo-divas such as Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow and onto instilling a more professional and accountable approach on the practice and game field, Mangini has turned in a somewhat Herculean performance.

Although it took a few months to finally realize the effects of Mangini’s plan, his Browns ended the 2009 season playing a most satisfying and productive brand of physical, smart football.  Of course, the talent was still very much thin, but the results were at least tangible heading into 2010.

But after two disappointing losses to open the 2010 season, it appears that Mangini’s greatest value to the franchise moving forward has evaporated.

Or in other words, if these Browns are regularly turning the ball over, hurting themselves with penalties and appearing quite impotent down the stretch of games, then what conclusion are we to reach?

After all, “The Process” is largely a validation of Mangini’s culture change, yet if this transformation does not manifest itself on Sundays, his value to the franchise is mostly lost.

Again, if the question comes down to simply talent, then Mangini is largely excused.  Or, how about this?  Is there another presumptive head coach who could do more with what the Browns currently have?

Would this future head coach be able to prevent Jake Delhomme from making an awkward side-armed pass against Tampa Bay?  Or be able to somehow transform Mohammed Massaquoi and Jerome Harrison into consistent Sunday performers?

As McBride points out, this year’s version of the blame game cannot rest solely at the feet of Mangini.  After all, Mangini is not the sole owner of the Browns – like he was in 2009.  These Browns now feature an expensive new Team President and General Manager – two “highly respected” football men brought in to again save our franchise.

But of course, any continued blame will lie at the feet of Mangini….after of course the obligatory shots taken at Brian Daboll….which is a whole other story to be told.

Yet in terms of the 2010 Process, the question that now has to be answered is this:

Just whose Process is this?

Again, citing from last year….

But before Mangini can actually begin to build his version of the Browns, he must first tear down the existing structure. And in case you haven’t noticed, the process has already begun.

In terms of figurative ownership, what role does Mangini actually play going forward?  Besides Randy Lerner’s general ineptitude as an NFL owner, there was a clear reason why Holmgren was brought to town.  As evidenced by Mangini’s one-man show in 2009, it became obvious that no one individual can assume complete control over an NFL franchise.

In the Browns’ specific case, the arrival of Holmgren signalled that the franchise was finally ready to erase the past decade of mistakes, caused by a mostly leaderless void.  Of course, the timing couldn’t have been worse, considering that Mangini had already begun the process of resurrecting the franchise.

And in an odd sort of parallel design, it appears that the Browns have reached yet another crossroads – as certainly more losses will lead to yet another franchise reckoning.  And in some bad timing exclusively known to the Browns, the next two months of the season features contests with the elite of the league.

So now, the groundwork has been laid.  What becomes of Mangini’s “Process” in 2010?  Are we facing yet another possible 1-11 start, followed by the lights coming on again in December?  Will this signal that Mangini’s overall “Process” is truly a series of one-year reconstructions, as opposed to the continuation most of us thought we would see?

Or, does Holmgren eventually either inherit “The Process”, or create one of his own?

In the meantime, the rumor mill and subsequent “hot seat” mentions will no doubt ratchet up again.  In this sense, it’s obvious that Mangini was doomed from the moment that Holmgren arrived in town – regardless of the offseason endorsement he received. 

Again, this is a Browns team that is clearly 2-3 drafts away from truly competing on a weekly basis.  Those of us who are rational and not blind homers realize this.  Of course, Mangini knows this as well – along with Holmgren. 

However, the question now – the one that will be ignored in favor of hot-button, traffic-generating “hot seat” headlines, at least until Mangini begins coaching like Mangini again - is this:

Whose process is this?