When I wrote about my reasons for optimism in Cleveland last week, the first thing that came to mind was the effort the entire team plays with every week.
It’s not the most talented team in the world, but they have been a tough out and competed into the fourth quarter of every game on the way to a 2-5 record. That reflects well on coach Eric Mangini, who Browns President Mike Holmgren said Tuesday is safe through the end of the season.
Holmgren said he will evaluate the coaching staff after the season, and his decision won’t just be based on wins and losses. It may also be based on Holmgren’s anxiousness to get on the sideline.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Holmgren said more than once Tuesday he hasn’t ruled out a return to coaching.
He plans to fulfill his promise to owner Randy Lerner to turn this around in Cleveland.
“If I keep wearing a suit or not, we’ll see,” Holmgren said.
Mangini may need to get his team to play even harder.