Browns hope win is start of win streak

Head coach Eric Mangini said his system will work; it just takes time.

The Canton Repository

BEREA — Amid rumblings that Browns owner Randy Lerner could be close to hiring a football operations “czar,” Eric Mangini basically said c’mon down.

“I would imagine that anybody who would merit the title ‘czar’ would look a lot deeper than just the record,” the Browns coach said about 13 hours after beating the Steelers on Thursday night.

“Like I’ve said, I’m transparent. There’s been rationale for all of the decisions. There’s been a thought process.

“Some of it’s been good, some of it’s been bad, but there’s a reason behind it. Anybody who comes in can take a look at it. They can sit down and talk to the coaches, sit in on any meeting, watch our practices. See how we operate. Come to our meetings. See how we teach. See how we function as a staff, because it’s good and it’s right. I’m confident in it. Come take a look because it’s a good product.”

Many Browns fans remain skeptical about Mangini and the Browns (2-11), but the 13-6 win over Pittsburgh stopped an avalanche that seemed to be sweeping Mangini away, no matter how calm he remained.

Mangini was in no hurry to get to sleep.

“I stayed up later than I probably would have, because I was here back in ‘94 and ‘95,” Mangini said.

“I don’t think we beat the Steelers those years, and it sucked not beating them.

“It’s nice to beat them. It’s important, and it’s important to the city. It’s important. I get that. I got a note from the guy who dropped off the paper this morning. I really appreciate it.”

The Browns don’t have many long-timers. Beating Pittsburgh meant something to the small cluster of them.

“I think it’s about time that we got one,” linebacker Kamerion Wimbley said.

Only one player who saw action on offense or defense Thursday was with the Browns in any year before Wimbley was drafted in Round 1 in 2006 — Joshua Cribbs.

“This is my fifth season,” Cribbs said. “This is not a good season. This is a good, positive win. It showed us what we’re capable of doing. I mean, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“It’s going to carry us through the year,” he said.