With all of the transgressions that followed the completion of the 2008 Browns season, one person who seemed to fly under the “blame radar” was offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. Chud appeared to be the savior following last season and even was able to pick an apple of the (now seemingly very generous) contract extension tree. After all, he turned our former backup quarterback into a Pro Bowler.
After the opening day massacre against the Steelers, Chud was the Anne Sullivan of Cleveland football.
Well, if any of the currently circulating rumors are true, Chud may also be in the group that will be collecting money from the Browns while not actually working for them.
Confirming reports which hit the New York media last night, we’ve heard twice in the last 24 hours that, if Eric Mangini becomes the new Browns head coach, he will want to bring Bill Callahan along with him as his offensive coordinator. Currently the Jets’ offensive line coach [...]
Mangini has also spoken with at least two other members of his former coaching staff in New York about joining him in Cleveland should he land the job. We have yet to learn the names of those two coaches.
So when fans and media alike mention a complete overhaul of the front office (and/or roster), this is definitely one step in getting that done. Now, I do not know enough about Bill Callahan (Big Bill Callahan’s son? Rob, you were there…) to form a judgement. But I do know that the Jets actually had a pretty good performance from their offensive line. I mean, they provided Brett Favre with all of that 
time to throw those interceptions and Thomas Jones/Leon Washington had Pro Bowl seasons. Now, how that would transfer to an entire offense would remain to be seen.
And if you’re one of those anti-Mangini types, The OBR’s John Taylor mentions that Steve Spagnuolo “wowed” the Browns decision makers during his interview. There are several other coaches currently in the NFL (encompassing various roles) that could be linked to Spags as well, which would also not be the greatest of news for Chudzinski. It doesn’t appear that the Browns will fire Chud without having a replacement in line. But given the current names on Randy Lerner’s radar, the OC’s magic eight ball likely reads: Outlook Not So Good.
Assisting Mangini? [The OBR]
(Update: Oh, and the PD just “broke” the same story here – that the OBR did, but – thanks to “unnamed sources.” Unreal.)
