Browns’ new head coach Eric Mangini has declared an open competition at quarterback between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.

“I talked to both of them about that and was very clear,” Mangini said. “I said if they have any questions they can come and see me. In terms of the competition and their opportunities. That’s what I told them. They understand that.”

Mangini said after reviewing tapes of both players, holding conversations with them and talking to others, he is “excited” about the prospect of having both compete for the job.

“Without knowing exactly what they were being asked to do on each of the plays, I thought both seemed to have a good presence, a good command of the situation. They each do different things in the passing game and running game that I like,” he said.

Mangini said he will determine later how to divide QB repetitions in offseason practices, the minicamps and then in training camp. He said with the Jets he alternated QBs by the practice period, by the day, even by the interception. He said there is merit in mixing up the opportunities.

The coach said there is no timetable in determining his starter.

As usual, Mangini didn’t rule out trading a quarterback before the competition actually plays out on the field.

“What I haven’t ruled out is George (Kokinis, GM) and I looking at any opportunity to improve the team,” he said. “But I in no way am saying that is specific to the quarterback situation. But we would look at any opportunity we thought would improve the team.”

This isn’t a bad idea by Mangini because if neither is traded this offseason, it’s always good to drum up some competition for training camp, no matter what position it is. Anderson was a stud two years ago and Quinn showed flashes of potential before getting hurt last season. So make one of them earn a starting gig this season. (Assuming one of them doesn’t get traded, that is.)

Here’s an interesting rumor about Brady Quinn and the Browns:

The Sports Guy remains atop my rotation. I was listening on the way home last night, and surprisingly found a Rotoworld blurb when listening to Mike Lombardi talk Brady Quinn.

“I’m just hearing things out of Cleveland that don’t make me feel Brady Quinn is part of their future. … (Quinn’s) support has left the building. We used to call it sponsorship at the Raiders. When your sponsorship goes, you aren’t the same player.”

Quinn’s “sponsorship” was given out by former GM Phil Savage, and he’s long gone. We’ve documented that Lombardi isn’t a huge fan of Quinn recently, saying he lacked accuracy. That’s an opinion that doesn’t really matter. It matters if the Browns agree with him. It’s looking more like they do.

And you thought Eric Mangini was unpopular in Cleveland now. Wait until he trades boy wonder!

Obviously this is all just speculation, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Mangini is already in a rift with defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and it’s clear that he’s not playing favorites. So there’s no reason to believe that Quinn will be guaranteed a starting job and if Mangini feels that he isn’t the Browns’ future, then there would be no stopping him pursuing one of his own guys.

Boy, the Mangini era in Cleveland has really started off with a bang!

ESPN.com is reporting that defensive tackle Shaun Rogers has been a no-show for the Browns’ offseason conditioning program this week.

While the workouts are considered voluntary, Mangini has made it clear that he wants his players in attendance because it was his first chance to address the team in a group setting.

Mangini and Rogers have clashed for nearly two months when the coach initially refused to communicate with his star player, despite being in the same place on two separate occasions. Rogers didn’t take the snubs lightly, as things escalated to the point where he asked to be released from his six-year, $42 million contract.

Rogers is guaranteed a $5 million bonus this month, making the player’s release unlikely, and should earn an additional $950,000 in likely-to-be-reached incentives when he’s on the field. Mangini has since attempted to reach out to Rogers, but his absence this week makes it clear that there is still much work to be done to patch up the relationship.

The Browns absolutely need this guy in the middle of their defense so it would behoove Mangini to settle the rift as quickly as he can. I understand that Mangini doesn’t want to give into his players, but Rogers has a history of being very unmotivated in a hurry. And while that doesn’t speak well for Rogers’ professionalism, he is what he is at this point in his career.

According to Rich Cimini of the New York Daily Times, the Browns are reportedly shopping wide receiver Braylon Edwards.

This rumor has been circulating for over a month, but so far nothing concrete has developed. Cimini doesn’t even go into much detail about the subject, in fact all he writes is that he got a “hot tip� that Cleveland is shopping Edwards and asks readers whether or not the Jets should be interested.

One small rumor that developed late last week had the Browns shipping Edwards to the Giants for Mathias Kiwanuka, which on the surface makes sense. Cleveland is dying for a pass rusher and Kiwanuka, who has experience at both defensive end and linebacker, certainly fits the bill. New York is in obvious need of a wideout with the uncertainty of Plaxico Burress’s situation hanging over their heads, and is stacked with defensive linemen and linebackers after signing Chris Canty, Michael Boley and Rocky Bernard last week.

The Tampa Tribune is reporting that a trade between the Browns and Buccaneers for quarterback Derek Anderson may be in the works.

Free agents such as Byron Leftwich, J.P. Losman and Patrick Ramsey are all being thrown around as possibilities but one possibility that is gaining steam would have the Bucs trading with the Browns for Derek Anderson.

Anderson has one of the strongest arms in the league as well as just about every physical tool you need to be a difference maker at his position. What he doesn’t have is a great understanding of defenses or the game’s nuances.

With a little work and a bit of a push he could be developed into one of the game’s better quarterbacks and word is the Brown might take as little as a third-round pick for him.

When you consider that he’s younger than Luke McCown but has more experience than McCown it doesn’t sound like a bad option for the Bucs to consider, especially with Jeff Jagodzinski running the offense.

This would be a good move for both teams if the scenario plays out. The Browns have already decided to turn the keys to the offense over to Brady Quinn and therefore don’t need Anderson anymore. The Bucs have decided not to re-sign Jeff Garcia and could use competition for McCown. As the report notes, Anderson has the physical tools to be a starter, but he took a major step back last year after his stellar 2007 campaign. It’ll be interesting to see how this story develops.

It’s official Browns fans:

Eric Mangini completed his rise from Browns ball boy and public relations intern Wednesday, when he reached agreement on a contract to become the team’s fourth coach since 1999.

Mangini went 23-25 with the New York Jets, including a 10-6 playoff season in his first year in 2006. In 2008, the Jets started 8-3 but finished 9-7 as quarterback Brett Favre faded down the stretch.

Mangini, who turns 38 on Jan. 19, was the first person Lerner interviewed after firing coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage after a 4-12 season and 24-40 record over four years.

A protege of former Browns coach Bill Belichick and a graduate of Belichick’s alma mater Wesleyan University, Mangini worked with Belichick for 10 years, including one in Cleveland (1995) and three with the Jets when Belichick was assistant head coach under Bill Parcells.

Mangini could also consider keeping Crennel on as an assistant since they worked together for seven years with the Jets and Patriots.

I shared my thoughts on the subject here.

Rotoworld.com (via ESPN’s John Clayton) says that Eric Mangini could be hired by the Browns as early as this week.

ESPN’s John Clayton believes that the Browns could hold a presser by as early as Thursday to announce their new head coach.
Eric Mangini is already trying to poach the Jets’ coaching staff for assistants, so it’s clear that a deal is imminent. Mangini’s top choice to run the offense is Bill Callahan. He may target Romeo Crennel to call the defense.

Depending on who becomes their next GM, this is a good move. There’s no doubt Mangini learned a few things in New York – namely what happens when other teams figure out how to scheme against him. And despite popular opinion, the Browns aren’t a total mess. They have a young quarterback that has showed potential, a solid offensive line and a couple of defensive players in Shaun Rogers, Sean Jones and Eric Wright to build around. They just need a coach that will demonstrate leadership and that will instill direction.

Mangini should be instrumental in turning around the defense, although the same thing was said when Romeo Crennel was hired. Still, this is a sound move because he’s a good football coach and he’s one of the more creative young minds in the NFL.

A source has told ProFootballTalk.com that the Cleveland Browns are pursuing Bill Cowher to possibly become their next head coach.

Per the source, the Browns are willing to give Cowher a contract worth $8 million to $9 million per year.

Presumably, Cowher’s arrival would occur only if G.M. Phil Savage were fired or significantly marginalized. (Maybe Savage can go work for the Bills — or if all else fails he can root for them.) Cowher would want final say over personnel, and Cowher would want to install one or more of his former Steelers colleagues into key positions.

Likely candidates, if they can finagle a path out of Pittsburgh, would be director of football operations Kevin Colbert and/or director of business operations Omar Khan.

Cowher played for the Browns (i.e., Ravens) from 1980 through 1982, and he served as special teams coach in 1985 and 1986. He was moved to defensive backs coach in 1987, and he remained in that position through 1988.

This is obviously interesting news but keep in mind the source. PFT rarely (if ever) reveals their sources and I’m not so sure they don’t make 50% of their stories up. And how convenient is it that they released this story the same day word surfaced that current Browns’ GM Phil Savage sent a Bills’ fan an e-mail with the words “F&*% You� in it?

I don’t want to dash any hopes for Browns fans because the story might be 100% accurate, but I’m going to wait until a more reputable sports site does a follow up.