It is amazing how fans who wanted Eric Mangini's head last year now are supporting him. Would their opinion be the same if John Kasay's kick on the final play of the Carolina game was one foot to the right, in which case the kick would have been good and the Browns would have lost, 26-24?

The Browns are 5-7 and are much better than they were a year ago. Mangini has a lot to do with that. Players have bought into his philosophy of hard work and attention to detail.

I believe he does deserve another year, but let's see what happens in the last four games. A split to end up 7-9 shoiuld be enough to earn Mangini a third year on the job, but team president Mike Holmgren might want some changes.

The offense still struggles when Peyton Hillis does not dominate. Holmgren might tell Mangini to change offensive coordinators. That would not be easy for Mangini,because he is very loyal to his assistants. He is close to offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.