Eric Mangini and the Shaun Rogers Circus

News out of Cleveland is that Shaun Rogers' feelings have been hurt. Articles written by insiders are blaming it all on Eric Mangini. The general argument is that after a few opportunities to meet with his Pro Bowl DE, Mangini blew it, hurting Rogers' feelings and causing him to request that the Brown's not pick up his $6 million option-bonus due him next month, culminating in his release.

First, don't get me wrong. I love Shaun Rogers. Last year he was the only bright spot on a miserable team. He played hard, every snap, and I am glad he was rewarded with a trip to the Pro Bowl. I want him back. I want him in a Browns uniform. But I suspect he doesn't want to be back, but not because of Mangini. He wants a bigger pay day, and he wants a new city and new uniform. I hope I am wrong. But, this incident seems like a minor one that should have easily been worked out behind closed doors instead of through the media.

I think what people are missing is that Mangini loves the Browns organization. Loves it so much that he has come in wanting to turn things around. He has purposely been a recluse, not because he is bad with people, but because he knows he only gets one opportunity to get this right. Getting it right means making big changes. That means not promising anyone anything, including Mr. Rogers. Let's not forget these players all have contracts. He has bigger fish to fry.

He also knows something that his mentors taught him well. You win with a team. Not with super star players. You build a team through the draft and solid evaluation and teaching, not free agency. That's how the Patriots have done it for years. They don't bat an eye when its time for a player to move on. Milloy, Law, Samuel, etc.. Sometimes you have to get rid of your best talent to get opportunities to build something great. Who are the Browns biggest assets, Shaun Rogers, Braylon Edwards, D.A. etc..... Some will stay, but maybe some have to go. They could bring in a great deal of draft picks by leveraging these guys. They could also save the team a lot of money with their exit.

That is why Mangini should be given some slack here. He is making big decisions about a team he has to make sure can compete in their division. The coaches before him have failed. The job at hand will be his legacy. He knows he has to succeed. At this point in the season, business comes first. Emotional displays of support and commitment to relationship building can wait until camp opens.

I might not have done it this way if I was the coach. But, I also didn't have a coaching job in New York to provide me experience on how to do things when given a second chance. Mangini knows what he is doing. Let him work. Let him build the team we will be proud of. Shaun Rogers needs to grow up. He'll get a call from the coach, when the coach needs to call him. Or maybe that's the whole point, Rogers doesn't want to get a call, because Rogers would rather just leave.

Sources:

Pat McManamon, "The latest drama in Berea involves Shaun Rogers..", Ohio.com