MVN: Most Valuable Network

I think most can agree that Scott Pioli is the big fish out there as far as front office help goes.  He's the top candidate on most owners' radars and apparently has an interest in the Cleveland Browns job due to various outside factors (used to work there, wife's family is from there).

However, what doesn't make sense to me is the news that the Browns will interview Eric Mangini.  Huh?

Let's see.  That same Mangini that pulled the plug on SpyGate having worked with the same folks just a year earlier?  The one blemish on Pioli's otherwise impressive resume is that he has been associated with cheating.  The Pats cheated.  Pioli was there.  That's the connection.

And all this cheating was prompted by Mangini who called them out on it.  Yep, the same Mangini that benefited from these practices just months earlier while with the Patriots.  Wonder why he didn't pull the trigger then?

I just don't see Pioli and Mangini being able to work together.  Owner Randy Lerner's interview with Mangini is likely for leverage against Pioli.  Showing them that they can go in a different direction.

But, to say I don't understand it would be an understatement.

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen's decision to fire Mike Shanahan with 3 years and $20 million remaining on his contract (yeah, Bowlen will likely have to pay most of that) sent shockwaves through the NFL, including the Denver Broncos players themselves."After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a... Read more

The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Detroit Lions dumped their head coaches yesterday.  Each team failed fulfill expectations, some heavier than others.Cleveland BrownsRomeo Crennel and Phil Savage are out.  Scott Pioli's name is popping up in connection to the GM job because of his connections there (wife's family is... Read more

The Detroit Lions just completed the NFL's first 0-16 season so naturally Black Monday is a busy day for them.  The team announced that Tom Lewand has been promoted to team President and Martin Mayhew has been given the job of GM full time.  Both are from the previous regime... Read more

Jim Zorn signed a 5 year deal worth $15 million prior to the 2008 season.  Fans were excited when he jumped out to a 4-1 start.  A playoff berth in the toughest division in recent memory?  Too good to be true.Too good, indeed.  Zorn's 'Skins began to spiral a bit... Read more

The burning question in the midwest is the future of Browns' head coach Romeo Crennel and his boss GM Phil Savage.  Both believe they can make a case that they should stick this thing out but both have also made critical gaffes with this team that owner Randy Lerner will... Read more

The San Diego Chargers were sitting at 4-8 and all but out of the division playoff race.  The following week would put the Broncos up 3 games with 3 to play.  Basically over, right?Wrong.The Chargers got a grip and the Broncos fell asleep like they've had the tendency to do... Read more

With Albert Haynesworth's Pro Bowl invitation, it triggered a clause in his contract that will enable him to enter free agency following the season.  The Titans and Haynesworth agreed to a one year contract extension with incentives set in place that would deny the team the ability to franchise him... Read more

Carl Peterson was four days away from reaching the 20th anniversary since Lamar Hunt hired him.  Too bad Hunt's son, Clark, now chairman of his late father's Chiefs', decided that was too long.  Carl Peterson has "resigned" all his duties (President, GM, CEO) with the Chiefs.  Clark Hunt said he... Read more

The New York Giants have apparently declined to pay $1 million bonus due to Plaxico Burress. The contract, signed just hours prior to the start of the 2008 season, dictated $1 million of his signing bonus be paid by today (December 10th).Carl Francis, spokesman for the NFLPA union, said, "We... Read more

If you're like me and skimmed over the news that Pacman Jones was injured in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers then you'll be floored to learn that the injury, apparently to the neck, could cost him his career.Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is reporting that following the injury... Read more