Dissecting Lerner's six-word statement

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer

And here is the beauty of this here Interwebs. Yesterday, the News-Herald Browns' beat reporter Jeff Schudel worked his sources, as a traditional journalist does, and was able to send an e-mail to the team owner, Randy Lerner.

Lerner's response to Schudel about head coach Eric Mangini's future was short and sweet.

"I plan on sticking with Eric."

Now, the blogosphere can chime in and begin a dissection of those words.

Cynicism runs rampant with Browns fans nowadays. Just a few weeks ago, the team fired general manager George Kokinis. It's been reported the Browns are looking to bring in a team president by early December.

Yesterday, the 3-6 Buffalo Bills fired Dick Jauron, as the first coach to be let go in 2009.

Naturally, with the Browns at 1-8, a talent-less 53-man roster, in a four-way tie for the worst record in the NFL and a game with Detroit looming on Sunday, Schudel was right to ask the man at the top about Mangini's future.

"I plan on sticking with Eric."

Notice how Lerner stayed somewhat abmigous and didn't elaborate? Sticking with Mangini for now, sure, but the future is a differenty story. This team has 11 draft picks and needs help everywhere. Mangini needs a chance to build things up after tearing them down, right?

Today, the NFL Players Association will be in Berea to talk with players about Jamal Lewis' allegations of long practices. At 1-8 you would think the team needs three-and-a-half hour? Yet the grumbling from Browns players insinuates they do not like working hard for Mangini. At the professional level, the basic job of a head coach is to motivate his players. That ain't happening.

It seems as if the players aren't sticking with Eric. Why should the owner?

Let the Internet discuss...

  November 18, 2009 at 7:44 AM

Comments

Yeah, and I am sticking with my plan not to renew my season tickets!

  November 18, 2009 at 8:35 AM by frederick j blacknight

"This team has 11 draft picks and needs help everywhere. Mangini needs a chance to build things up after tearing them down, right?"

It's not the simple fact that Mangini has torn this thing down. It's the manner in which he has torn it down - that will lead to his demise. Cowher could have came in and done the same thing and had the same record and the fans would still be behing him. Mangini failed to gain the trust of the fans and the players and now it's too late.

  November 18, 2009 at 9:30 AM by Ryan

"I plan on sticking with Eric."

randy is more intelligent then many give him credit for ;)

as soon as i saw his statement- i "knew" exactly what he meant!

his TOP priority is for a GM right now, is it not?

what do you think the first order of business said gm will preform?! :)

EXACTLY.

  November 18, 2009 at 10:08 AM by pk

Hopefully he means he is going to get rid of Mangini, before the season is over.

  November 18, 2009 at 9:35 PM by ken

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