The new leaders of the Cleveland Browns met with the media together Tuesday to answer questions and pose for photos.
(Please do check out Eric Mangini’s awesome “Even I can’t believe I kept this job” facial expression here. Leave your captions below.)
Tom Heckert was introduced as the new Browns G.M. and Bryan Wiedmeier as executive vice president/business operations. But questions naturally drifted towards Mangini why Holmgren kept him.
One factor was an endorsement from a key Holmgren buddy: Bill Parcells.
“Yes I did [talk to Parcells]. He knew him as well as anybody firsthand, so it’s important to talk to those people,” Holmgren said. “Bill in his usual style -- he’s very matter of fact. He and I have always had that type of relationship. We do answer each other’s questions honestly and thoughtfully. Clearly he believes in Eric as well, but he said, ‘I’m not there. This is is your call.’ So I appreciate that.’'
We’re going to assume that Holmgren didn’t call Bill Belichick for a similar chat.