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Try as you may, but there is no running from the idea that the Browns past and potential future will be on display come this Sunday’s AFC title game. For the 5-11 Browns, the closest type of simulation they will have in terms of playing late January football comes in the form of the Jets.

From the starcrossed lore of Braylon Edwards serving as a constant reminder of wasted potential to the idea that an Eric Mangini-built squad is only one game away from the Super Bowl, most of Browns Nation will be colored green this Sunday - possibly from an overwhelming sense of envy.

Although narratives in the NFL are never this simple, one easy - and mostly satisfying - perspective to take away from the weekend is the idea that Mangini was mostly responsible for the Jets’ current success…

…and timing is a funny thing, indeed.

Ex-Coach Eric Mangini Still a Fan of New York Jets, Takes Pride in Gang Green’s Run

“I do take a lot of pride in how they are doing,” Mangini told the Daily News Thursday night. “Not just in how they are playing, but the type of people they are. That locker room is loaded with good guys. I am happy with their success. I feel I contributed to it.”

…Mangini was fired despite having two winning seasons and one playoff appearance in his three years, but it doesn’t sound as if he’s holding any grudges. The irony is that he had the same 9-7 record in his final year as Ryan had this year, but the Jets snuck into the playoffs this time around.

In this case, the old adage “what a difference a year makes” really doesn’t apply, since Rex Ryan basically caught the breaks that eluded Mangini. Besides playing their final two games against playoff-bound teams on cruise control, Ryan has avoided the pitfalls that plagued Mangini a season prior, which include the luxury of having a healthy defense, along with the absence of a malfunctioning Brett Favre.

Not to take anything away from Ryan, as he has done a tremendous job in the playoffs so far, but considering the orgasmic hyperbole surrounding this coach and “his” team, it’s rather obvious that Mangini is not receiving the proper credit for his efforts.

In the span of just a precious few weeks, GM Mike Tannenbaum has been hailed as a personnel guru - only one year removed from nearly being the loser in last season’s front office bloodshed. And Ryan himself, possessing a flair for bombast, has vaulted to the upper reaches of the NFL coaching cradle after barely a season - while Mangini, the scorn of sports media everywhere, has become virtually anonymous.

And so it goes…on one hand, perhaps Mangini is on the receiving end of a serious karma backlash, albeit one derived from his aloof and secretive manner of media relations. But, realistically Mangini is yet another victim of the tenuous job security that combines with Darwinian front-office power struggles to produce a system where stability is anything but a constant in the league.

Speaking of things that are a constant…

Braylon the Clown

…as in constantly breaking the hearts of loyal fans everywhere.

Much like the overwhelmingly abundant connections between Mangini and the Jets that we will all realize this weekend, the threads between Braylon and the city of Cleveland are still intact.

And no, I’m not referring to the Midget Punching Case.

Here’s a great reader note regarding Braylon. This about sums it all up.

Anonymous said…
Good article. You’re right on the mark about Edwards being a clown. He’s also a juvenile who never grew up, because he never had to.

…So, Rexie boy, enjoy your “playmaker”. I fully expect the Indy CBs to press this dude hard on the line and knock him off any route assigned to him (which he won’t run well anyway). Here’s hoping he drops 3 or 4 in the AFC Championship game and ends up with about 2 catches for a whopping 18 yards.

In many respects, Braylon is the classic comtemporary athlete. Consider that because of his genes, which gave him some extraordinary athletic talent, and his background, which provided him the means of his later exposure, he was basically destined to become an NFL player.

Obviously, Braylon has put some work in throughout his career, but he has never had to truly struggle during his college and professional life. Because of his natural talents, Braylon is the type of player who never had to rely on raw desire in order to evolve as a top talent.

Having said this, naturally what follows is a sense of entitlement and warped ego - which is a deadly twin force that long ago arrested Braylon’s development. Obviously, this became apparant in Cleveland - especially considering the Browns’ recent struggles. In New York, Braylon has been mostly sheltered by the Jets’ success, which has distracted the usual fan and media scorn of the team.

Which can only mean one thing…it’s great right now, but once the winning stops, it will be a much different story.

Enjoy it while you can, Jet Nation.

Finally, speaking of receivers…

It looks like the longest running joke in Cleveland media has finally made its’ way to Cleveland Reboot, courtesy of Prodigal Fan.

Wednesday Roundup: Stealing Your Thunder Edition

Anonymous is right:

-ProdigalFan

As seen throughout most of last year on numerous message boards, Prodigal Fan has set out the bait. Let’s see if anyone jumps.

paulbip said…
Hey Prodigal… How about Rice for Minn. when you say that no rookie improves after year one. When you generalize, you get into trouble. Big article in USA TODAY about him.

With sources to back him up, mind you. Impressive, indeed.

Anonymous said…
99% sure Prodigal was being sarcastic, Paulbip.

Followed by the voice of reason…which doesn’t last long…

Anonymous said…
Uh guys look up some stats … wide receivers rarely have huge rookie seasons. The ones that do are the exceptions… let’s see Jerry Rice 49 receptions 3 TDs rookie year, Chris Chambers 48 receptions … there is a long list of marginal rookie seasons from star players.

Call me simple, but I never get tired of that one.

For bringing some entertainment to our lives, Prodigal Fan has been awarded the Cleveland Reboot 2010 January Instigator of the Month Award.

Congratulations, Prodigal Fan. Well done, sir. Now, our topic for next week - who should be the Browns’ starting QB in 2009?
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