League, Union Looking In To “Mangini Cruiser” Incident?

The fallout continues regarding the decision of Browns coach Eric Mangini to take his entire rookie class on a “voluntary” ten-hour bus trek from Cleveland to Hartford, Connecticut to participate in a one-day football camp.
After Saturday’s camp, the “Mangini Cruiser” will load up the players for the ten-hour trip back to Cleveland.
One league source told us tonight that both the league and the NFLPA are looking into whether Mangini’s actions violate the CBA and/or other potentially applicable rules.
As to those who think that the exercise represents an effect Remember The Titans-style “it’s good for you even if you don’t like it” bonding exercise, think again. Per the source, the players are “f--king pissed” that they’ve been subjected to 20 hours of bus travel at a time when they otherwise should be having a couple days off from “voluntary” workouts that they dare not miss.
It’s all part of the reality in Cleveland that Mangini rules the roost with an iron fist. As one source explained it, even G.M. George Kokinis is “scared to death” of the guy.
Our take? Mangini is trying to force on those around him the kind of respect that Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells command.
The difference? Mangini has done nothing to earn it.
And, based on this weekend’s bus trip, he is doing more than enough to lose whatever respect he has managed to muster through three NFL seasons as a head coach, which featured as many playoff appearances as pink slips.