Eric Mangini, the former New York Jet coach, is reported to have had an outstanding interview with the front office of the Cleveland Browns.  He is now the favorite to become their next head coach.  The Browns wasted no time in their coaching search, after firing Romeo Crennel immediately after the 2008 NFL regular season.

If Mangini gets the job, sources intimate with the Browns internal affairs expect that George Kolinis, the director of pro personnel for the Baltimore Ravens, would become the team’s general manager.

Can “Man-Genius” turn Cleveland around?

For the first half of the 2008 season, Eric Mangini seemed a lock to sign a long term contract with the NY Jets.  But the collapse of the Jets at the end of the season caused the front office to find a scapegoat.  Managini became the sacrifical lamb.

The NY Jets fans, as all New York sports teams fans, are extremely demanding.  They become outspoken that it was time for a change. 

If the Browns do offer Mangini the coaching post, it is uncertain what will happen to the current Browns assistant coaches.

No decision has been made but sources say it will be Mangini!

Visanthe Shiancoe of the Minnesota Vikings is having a breakout season at tight end for Minnesota. His national exposure is now at an all-time high.

Fox televised a clip of Vikings owner Zygi Wilf’s postgame locker-room speech after Sunday’s victory at Detroit, and Shiancoe was inadvertently shown naked in the background. He was wearing a towel that did little to cover him. The network apologized, but screen-grab images were all over the Internet.

Shiancoe wasn’t available to the media Monday, but he joked with a gossip columnist for the Star Tribune of Minneapolis about it. “How’d it look?” he told the newspaper.

But Shiancoe’s agent, Tony Agnone, told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that his client was embarrassed and hopes fans understand it wasn’t intentional.

What do you expect to happen when you a TV camera into a men’s lockerroom.  There is no excuse and Visanthe is owed an apology from the TV crew.

GAME INFO
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers
8:30 PM EST
ESPN
Bank of America Stadium

 

FOR THE RECORD
The Tampa Bay Bucaneers are 9-3, 3-3 on the road, 3-1 in the NFC South and 8-2 in the National Football Conference. They are tied with the Carolina Panthers for first place in the NFC South.  The Bucs have scored 280 points this year while giving up 200.

The Carolina Panthers are also 9-3 but are 6-0 at home.  They are 2-2 in the NFC South and 6-3 in the NFC.  They have score 285 points and given up 231.

THE LINE
Panthers are favored by 3 points Under/Over is 38 points (subject to change)

PREVIEW
Tonight’s matchup is a huge game for both teams. They are tied for first place in the NFC South. It seems that both teams are headed to the postseason, but the division winner will likely get the No. 2 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye, so there is plenty at stake — the division champion would likely not have to face the Giants until the NFC Championship Game. These teams have a lot of similarities, and while neither is overly dynamic or exciting, both are well coached and fundamentally sound and find ways to win. In a division that will go down to the wire, every game becomes critical, and this may be the most important remaining game for both teams. We may not see a high-scoring, offensive-oriented contest, but this game will be close and physical.

TAMPA BAY FACTS
Jeff Garcia, the starting QB for Tampa Bay, took over the reins in October against Carolina in their earlier meeting.  He seems to be at his best the Panthers.
Jeff has thrown for 1902 yards and thrown 8 TDs. His QB rating is 92.5.

The Bucs running is lead by Warrick Dunn who has 640 yards on 145 carries with 2 TDS and Earnest. Graham who has 563 yards on 132 carries with 4 TDs.

Offensive Tackle J. haye is out. Wide ReceiverMichael Clayton, Defensive End Kevin Carter and Defensive End Gaines Adams are questionable for tonights game.

Jake Delhomme will be at QB for the Carolina Panters.  He has a QB rating of 81.7 in 2008 throwing for 2,427 yards with 12 TD passes. Running BackDeAngelo Williams leads the Panthers in the backfield with 955 yards in 193 attempts, scoring 11 TDs

Offensive Tackle Jeremy Bridges is Questionable for the game and Running Back Johnathan Stewart is listed as Probable.

PREVIOUS MEETING
 In the earlier meeting on October 12, 2008, the Bucs devastated the Panthers in Tampa Bay 28-3. This was the first game Jeff Garcia started for the Bucs.

OTHER NOTES
Two of the Carolina Panthers Defensive Ends are questionable for tonights game.  Even if they play, expect the Bucs to exploit them both.

PREDICTION
Considering the implications for both teams and the bump and grind style of both teams - expect it to a low scoring affair with the Carolina Panthers using the home field advantage to get revenge from their first meeting.

Carolina Panthers 21     Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10