Seely's move not lateral

Hey Mike - Thanks for the explanation, but what about the Mangini angle here? I understand that fans and the media may have "blacklisted" Mangini from all that is the New England Patriots, but do you see any resentment from the organization that Seely would leave Foxboro for Cleveland given Mangini's presence?

Mike,
Can a team have more than one asst head coach? It appears Dom Capers official title with the Pats in 2008 was special assistant/secondary coach. What is a special assistant? Could we call the video clown (no need to name him) a double secret assistant?

Hi Jonathan. I don't sense any resentment from the Patriots that Seely is leaving for Cleveland. Seely gave the Patriots all he had over the last 10 years. This is an opportunity that the Patriots couldn't/wouldn't provide him (finances are a part of this too, I would assume). Hi Joe Smith. I believe a team is restricted to one assistant head coach, although I am not 100 percent certain on that.
--Mike

Mike,

Why did this not happen with the Jets? It seems like if Seely was going to leave for a promotion from Mangini, it would have happened already in the past 3 years.

What about the coach we hired to replace Seely...will that cost the Pats some compensation?

Teams can create their own titles, the Pats could have named Seely Special Assistant to the Head Coach or Assistant to the Head Coach if they really wanted. Also, I'm pretty sure you can have more than one Assistant HC, the Jaguars had two this past year: Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends - Mike Tice and Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator - Gregg Williams. If getting promoted is Seeley's plan than there is no better place to do that than in New England with Belichick. I have a feeling that BB had a plan to replace Seely when his deal ran out. There is no reason to overpay Seely when a coach like Scott O'Brien, who BB worked with in the past, is out there.

Mike, could the Browns just throw in a title like "Asst. Head Coach" to Seely just to avoid having to provide compensation to the Patriots? In other words, doesn't a promotion in title have to transalte to actual expanded duties? Is this something the league could investigate if the Patriots were to lodge a complaint?

Maybe a change of scenery is good for both...Lot's of break downs on special teams (kick and punt returns) this year. Giving Seely credit for Gostkowski's success is a bit of a reach....Seely is depending on Mangini for his future--good luck with that..

Maybe this was Bill's way of saying "Here's you hat, what's your hurry, Seeley?" but in a nice way. It does sort of sound like he was let go, but in a respectful manner.

Actually I have a different spin on Seely's so called promotion.This is Manginia's way of hiring Seely away from the Patriots without having to compensate them with a draft pick,see because if it can be labeled a promotion then The Patriots can't ask or seek compensation for the pilfering job just done by Manginia!!! This man is a fraud...He's manipulating the system,you can name as many Asst.HC as you like it's only a title,the Patriots have 2 right now until Capers leaves,both he and Dante are asst.HC's..If I were BB I'd ask the Commissioner for a clarification or detrmination,and seek at least a 7th rd draft pick.Seely was under contract...

Mangini has proven over and over that he is overrated. Taking Pats coaches and players is a sign that this guy is a fraud. Cleveland owners are idiots, he had a very good team and didn't deliver, you think with a team who's TE is a rebel, top WR is on his way out and second best option is Dante Stallworth and has no defense that Mangini will do something with that team in that unltra-competitive division? At least he had 2 wins guaranteed every year in Buffalo, now his team is the guaranteed win for other teams. His only hope is swaying Billachek, Brady and Moss.

I hope Mangius falls flat on his face again . The Brown players are a bunch malcontents and underachievers. Crennel was to nice and the players liked him but did not play hard for him. I am sure that Eric will not be even given a chance and be tuned out by the players from day 1. I envision that fraud con artist getting into it with Winslow. Eric will be like Rod Rust one and done. The Browns and The Broncos with Jr Josh at the wheel will probably fighting for the 1st pick in the 2010 draft.That would be great.