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BEREA, Ohio -- Like a proud father flipping through a photo album of his children, Eric Mangini leaned forward in his office chair to display the New York Jets' offensive and defensive depth charts to a visitor seated across from his desk.

Mangini pointed at player after player after player after player. These were the guys he once coached. As he rattled them off, he tacked the phrase "was with me" after each name. Mangini articulated the names with an emphasis that reflected their importance to him.

"You go right on down the list," Mangini said from his spacious office that overlooks the Cleveland Browns' practice fields. "It's a core group of guys, and you know so much about these guys. You've had so many shared experiences with them, and now you're playing against them."

Mangini is in between games against his previous employers, referring to these two weeks as his personal version of the film "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past."

He gleefully embarrassed the New England Patriots last week and will coach against the Jets for the first time since joining the Browns on Sunday.

Mangini unwillingly departed the Jets 22 months ago. They fired him after a 9-7 season that began with a promising 8-3 start and Super Bowl chatter but disintegrated along with Brett Favre's right arm.

An outsider might assume the games create similar feelings for Mangini. They don't.

Mangini has faced his former mentor, Bill Belichick, several times. They've exchanged many frigid handshakes. Mangini, a former defensive assistant ruled a turncoat for joining the Jets, has a long history with the Patriots. The subsequent Spygate scandal drove the wedge deeper.

Still, the Patriots and Belichick are in his coaching DNA. Mangini is from them, of them.

"Being with Bill as long as I was there," Mangini said, leaning back in his leather chair and eating purple grapes from a cup, "you understand things change and parts change there each week, but philosophically it doesn't change."

His three years with the Jets were more of an association. Unlike his time with the Patriots, though, he had ownership of the Jets' roster. Those were his guys, and many of them remain on Rex Ryan's squad.

"Those are guys that I was instrumental in bringing in and developing and coaching and teaching," Mangini said.

"I told those guys when I left -- I got to address the team -- and I said 'Look, fellas, we were close here, and we made mistakes. There's a new head coach coming in here, and you guys have worked too hard to fight that guy and set yourself back. Embrace that guy and allow him the opportunity to achieve things we could have achieved.'"

Mangini didn't know at the time the Jets would hire Ryan, a gregarious figure who made the transition easier for the players. Most of them quickly embraced Ryan on his own merits, but the fact that he was a stark contrast to Mangini's austerity helped.

The Mangini-Jets breakup has worked out for the Jets. They made the playoffs last year -- with the same 9-7 record that got Mangini fired -- and are considered among the NFL's top few teams, a Super Bowl contender.

It must be noted Mangini played a significant role in giving Ryan a roster to work with. Still, Mangini insisted he's not bitter about his exit. He has acknowledged the concept of the fall guy, and one was necessary. He remains close friends with Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum.

"It's cool to see them doing as well as they're doing," Mangini said.

Mangini claimed that what's happening in Cleveland has made this week's preparations for the Jets less emotional for him.

Mangini barely survived his first season with the Browns. They went 5-11 but won their last four games. The Browns hired Mike Holmgren to oversee football operations. Holmgren stripped Mangini of some duties, but the product seems to be improving.

The Browns are 3-5 and enter Sunday's game against the Jets with back-to-back victories over the New Orleans Saints and Patriots.

"This has been pretty satisfying," Mangini said. "Getting the job was great because it meant somebody recognized the great work we did in New York. We had a tough last year, but we developed. This year, we're competitive and we're making more steps. It's starting to pay off to some degree."

Mangini's disparate feelings for the Jets and Patriots are evident in his personnel moves.

He and Tannenbaum have made notable trades.

The Browns sent Braylon Edwards to the Jets last year for receiver Chansi Stuckey, linebacker Jason Trusnik and two draft picks. The Jets were able to get quarterback Mark Sanchez through a blockbuster draft-day trade that sent quarterback Brett Ratliff, defensive end Kenyon Coleman, safety Abram Elam and two picks to the Browns for the fifth overall selection.

Mangini, whether with the Jets or Browns, never made a trade with Belichick.

That fractured relationship is unlikely to heal.

"I appreciate what he did for me," Mangini said. "He was a huge part of my life. We were very close friends for a long time. When things started to go south, it sucked.

"Whether it'll ever get to that stage where we're close friends again, I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. But at no point will I ever stop appreciating what he's done. I feel I know who the guy is as a person, and hopefully at some point the friendship will resume."

That's why the Jets and Patriots are different for Mangini.

But he wants to beat them just the same.

The Cleveland Browns have an interesting situation brewing at inside linebacker.

Sunday's free-agent signing of Scott Fujita adds to a mix of veterans and youngsters competing at the same position. In the end, there may not be enough room for all of them.

Fujita joins Eric Barton, D'Qwell Jackson, Kaluka Maiava and the versatile Jason Trusnik as players who spent time starting at middle linebacker for Cleveland last season.

A starter for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, Fujita didn't come to Cleveland to be a backup. So let's assume he's a starter next fall. That leaves four players -- Jackson, Barton, Maiava and Trusnik -- competing for one starting job.

Barton signed a four-year deal last season and is a favorite of head coach Eric Mangini. But Barton is coming off neck surgery and his health is in question. Jackson has been one of Cleveland’s most productive defenders, but he's also coming off a season-ending pectoral injury. Jackson has a second-round tender and could generate some interest in the trade market.

Maiava and Trusnik both are young players who can provide depth.

Because the Browns play a 3-4 defense, they would probably prefer to keep a large surplus of linebackers. But Fujita, Barton and Jackson are a particularly odd trio with tons of combined starting experience and just two jobs available.

Fujita isn't going anywhere. So an educated guess is Cleveland's front office, led by new president Mike Holmgren, likely has to decide between keeping Barton or Jackson this offseason.

The Cleveland Browns made their tenders to restricted free agents official Thursday night.

The team's new front office of president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert decided to place second-round tenders on tailback Jerome Harrison, fullback Lawrence Vickers, safety Abram Elam and linebackers Jason Trusnik, Matt Roth and D'Qwell Jackson.

Cleveland also tendered all of its exclusive rights players, which were tailback Chris Jennings and linebackers Marcus Benard and Blake Costanzo.

After finishing 5-11 last season, Cleveland is expected to be players in free agency. The team has money to spend and also is equipped with 11 draft picks.

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Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker

Five nuggets of knowledge about this weekend’s games:

	Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
	Carson Palmer owns a 6-3 record in nine starts against the Ravens.

Who is No. 1: Sole possession of first place is on the line Sunday when the Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) travel to play the Baltimore Ravens (3-1). This is the biggest game to date in the AFC North and will set the tone for the first half of the 2009 season. The Ravens and Bengals have split the past six meetings, but Baltimore swept the season series in 2008 in convincing fashion, outscoring the Bengals 51-13.

Palmer vs. Ravens: Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer is one of the few quarterbacks who’ve had consistent success against Baltimore’s stout defense. Palmer is an impressive 6-3 in nine starts against the Ravens. He’s had some of his best days against Ray Lewis and Co., throwing for 2,235 yards, 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine games. Palmer will need another great performance against Baltimore to catapult Cincinnati into first place in the division.

O-line shuffle: One of the top, young offensive tackle duos probably won't be whole as Jared Gaither is not expected to play Sunday following a recent neck injury. The left tackle’s probable absence will lead to some shuffling. Rookie right tackle Michael Oher will move into Gaither’s spot on the left side, and backup Marshal Yanda will make his first start of the season at right tackle. Oher and Yanda held their own on short notice last week in the second half against the New England Patriots.

Mendy is in: Is there a running back controversy brewing in Pittsburgh? Perhaps. Steelers starting tailback Willie Parker (toe) probaly will sit out his second consecutive game against the Detroit Lions (1-3), which means Rashard Mendenhall will get another start. In Mendenhall’s first start in Week 4, the 2008 first-round draft pick rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries, earning AFC player of the week honors. Parker struggled this year when healthy, so if Mendenhall has another big game Sunday against the Lions, a starting job may not be waiting for Parker when he returns.

Different look: How will the offense of the Cleveland Browns look without Braylon Edwards? The Browns made their second significant change in as many weeks, trading the former Pro Bowl receiver to the New York Jets for receiver Chansi Stuckey, reserve linebacker Jason Trusnik and two draft picks. In Week 4, Cleveland benched former starting quarterback Brady Quinn in favor of Derek Anderson and it provided a spark. Now rookie Mohamed Massaquoi will take over Edwards' role as the No. 1 receiver. Massaquoi had a career game in Sunday’s loss to Cincinnati with eight catches for 148 yards. He will start opposite Josh Cribbs or fellow rookie Brian Robiskie.

Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker

BEREA, Ohio -- The AFC North blog spent Wednesday at Cleveland Browns headquarters following the blockbuster trade of receiver Braylon Edwards.

Edwards

Here are some notes and observations:

• Browns coach Eric Mangini definitely sent a message to his team. There’s a strong feeling in Cleveland’s locker room Wednesday that no player is safe until after the Oct. 20 trade deadline. Cleveland is 0-4 and going nowhere. So it may not be the last trade as the Browns begin building for the future.
• Although Edwards didn’t speak with the Browns’ media before leaving, I’m told Edwards is happy that he’s out of Cleveland. He wanted a change of scenery and was pretty much counting the days to free agency. This is the final year of a five-year contract and he didn’t plan to re-sign with the Browns.
• Rest assured Jets coach Rex Ryan talked to his twin brother, Rob, to get a scouting report on Edwards before New York signed off on the deal. Rob Ryan is the defensive coordinator in Cleveland and spent enough time with Edwards this year to get a feel for whether the receiver could mesh well with his twin brother as head coach.
• As far as my personal opinion, Edwards’ tenure in New York can go either way. He usually plays hard on good teams, so it could work out with the Jets. But Edwards also can get frazzled easily if he has a bad game. He often thought Cleveland’s media was too harsh on him, so I can’t imagine how he would react following a bad game with the relentless New York media. From Cleveland’s perspective, I have no problem with the Browns getting something when Edwards wasn’t returning next year. But they should have made this move in the offseason when Edwards’ value was higher.
• According to some of the former New York Jets with Cleveland, receiver Chansi Stuckey is a smart player. He is at his best in the slot, which makes you wonder if he’s starting material or just a No. 3 receiver. Ironically Stuckey had one more reception (11) this season than Edwards (10) through four games.
• Finally, Mangini dodged the question twice of whether trading Edwards for Stuckey, special-teamer Jason Trusnik and two draft picks instantly makes the team better. The truth is it doesn’t. Cleveland is a worse team Wednesday than it was a day ago. But the Browns could’ve gone winless without Edwards in the first month of the season. So with two additional players and reportedly third- and fifth-round picks in 2010, the Browns can only hope the trade works out best in the long-term.

Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker

BEREA, Ohio -- If the winless Cleveland Browns are willing to trade former Pro Bowl receiver Braylon Edwards, they can trade just about anyone.

Mangini

"I’m definitely surprised," Browns linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said.

That was the resounding reaction Wednesday in a shocked locker room after Cleveland’s blockbuster deal to send Edwards to the New York Jets.

Browns head coach Eric Mangini reiterated that personal conduct is very important. Through trading Edwards, Mangini’s message was clear: Get with the program or get out.

"That’s been the message since he got here," Browns Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas said. "You’re going to do things the way you’re coached to do it and the way you’re told to do it. If you’re not, then we’ll find somebody else."

Mangini added that, contrary to popular belief, he had trade talks with teams other than the Jets.

But in the end, New York once again provided the best package for Edwards. Cleveland in return gained receiver Chansi Stuckey, special-teams ace Jason Trusnik and two draft picks in 2010. It was the second trade in six months between those two teams.

Moving forward, it’s still to be determined who Cleveland’s starting receivers will be Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Rookie Mohamed Massaquoi will take one spot, while fellow rookie Brian Robiskie, Josh Cribbs and Mike Furrey will compete for the other starting job. Stuckey is out of the running for now as he has to learn the playbook.

Every pass-catcher from the high-powered offense of the Browns in 2007 is now gone. Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. were both traded in 2009 and Joe Jurevicius was released last offseason.

"There’s just times where you just move forward and we got to get better," said Browns quarterback Derek Anderson, who was also surprised by the move. "The 11 guys that we put out there, we got to find a way to get it done and execute the plays no matter who those guys are."

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

If you're a New York Jets fan and would like to express your gratitude, mail your thank-you notes to:

	James Lang/US PRESSWIRE
	The Jets traded up with the Browns in this year's draft to select Mark Sanchez at No. 5.

Cleveland Browns
Attention: Eric Mangini
76 Lou Groza Blvd.
Berea, Ohio 44017

The New York Jets pulled off another trade with their former head coach's new team. The Browns have a general manager, George Kokinis, but Mangini most certainly was involved to a high degree in trading receiver Braylon Edwards to the Jets on Wednesday morning.

This, of course, isn't the first time the Jets and Browns brokered a major deal. The Jets made a five-for-one deal to acquire Cleveland's fifth overall draft pick for the purposes of selecting Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez.

So the Jets have acquired the third overall pick from the 2005 draft and the fifth overall pick from this year. And what, really, have they parted with?

Cleveland, clearly in a rebuilding mode, is collecting draft picks for the future. New York is tweaking their roster to win this year.

What the Jets have gotten from dealing with the Browns

• Mark Sanchez, quarterback: The Sanchise won the job in training camp and, despite some rookie mistakes, has the Jets 3-1 and tied for first place in the AFC East.
• Braylon Edwards, receiver: He had off-the-field problems and was erratic in the Browns' offense, but he's the big-play receiver the Jets were lacking.

What the Browns have gotten from dealing with the Jets

• Brett Ratliff, quarterback: He's third on the depth chart behind Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn.
• Chansi Stuckey, receiver: Stuckey was the Jets' No. 2 receiver, but didn't seize the job out of camp as much as he was a better option than David Clowney.
• Jason Trusnik, linebacker: A depth player and special-teamer, he was undrafted out of Division III Ohio Northern and has an injury history.
• Abram Elam, safety: Elam starts for the Browns but would have been a backup for the Jets behind Kerry Rhodes and Jim Leonhard.
• Kenyon Coleman, defensive end: Coleman starts for the Browns.
• 17th overall draft pick (Sanchez trade): The Browns turned another trade, giving the pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who took quarterback Josh Freeman, for picks Nos. 19 and 191. The Browns then dealt No. 19 to the Philadelphia Eagles for Nos. 21 and 195.
  
  The Browns drafted starting center Alex Mack at No. 19, cornerback Coye Francies at No. 191 and running back James Davis at No. 195. Francies is a backup, while Davis is on injured reserve after a promising preseason.
• 52nd overall draft pick (Sanchez trade): The Browns kept the pick and selected defensive end David Veikune, who now is a backup inside linebacker.
• Two undisclosed draft picks (Edwards trade).

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

The New York Jets finally acquired the big-play receiver they've been trying to locate for months.

	Paul Jasienski/Getty Images
	The Jets hope Braylon Edwards is able to enhance their vertical passing attack.

In a blockbuster move that further solidifies the Jets as a contender and Mike Tannenbaum as the most daring general manager in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns have unloaded problematic wideout Braylon Edwards for No. 2 Jets receiver Chansi Stuckey, linebacker and special-teamer Jason Trusnik and two undisclosed draft choices.

Mark Sanchez now has the deep threat the Jets had been trying to obtain for him. Jerricho Cotchery will make a fine second option, an upgrade over what Stuckey offered.

The Browns have had enough of Edwards' act. He has been a problem off the field and could be facing league disciplinary action after a recent alleged altercation outside a Cleveland nightclub.

Edwards has been accused of punching an associate of NBA superstar LeBron James, Cleveland's reigning monarch. We've since discovered Edwards had a brewing off-field rivalry with James, and the alleged assault was "this town isn't big enough for the both of us" move.

New York is plenty big enough, especially with Plaxico Burress behind bars.

I'm only half-joking when I wonder out loud if Cleveland mayor Frank G. Jackson or Ohio governor Ted Strickland ordered Browns coach Eric Mangini to get rid of Edwards once and for all.

"I've never crossed paths with Braylon before, but it seems like there is a little jealously going on with Braylon and me and my friends," James told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. "I have no idea why. I've never said anything to Braylon at all. For him to do that I think is very childish. My friend is 130 pounds. Seriously, it is like hitting one of my kids or something like that. It doesn't make sense, but the right people will take care of it."

The Plain Dealer noted the police report listed the man Edwards punched is 5-foot-7 and 135 pounds. Edwards is listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds.

"It is unfortunate that some guys don't understand that," James said. "You are a role model to kids, and you should carry yourself that way on and off the field."

But from a football standpoint, Jets fans should be thrilled.

They didn't give up much with Stuckey, a reliable No. 2 receiver who has 11 receptions for 120 yards and one touchdown through four games.

Edwards hasn't been too involved in the Browns' struggling offense, but his abilities are beyond his number so far: 10 receptions for 139 yards and zero touchdowns. Two years ago, he caught 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker

Receiver Braylon Edwards' tenure with the Cleveland Browns came to an end Wednesday in a move that was long overdue. These recent allegations and his lack of production only hastened the trade to the New York Jets.

	AP Photo/Mark Duncan
	The Browns have agreed to trade wide receiver Braylon Edwards to the Jets.

Cleveland was never a good fit for Edwards. His boisterous, big-city personality often came off as too brash in such a blue-collar city. A trade to New York is an ideal landing spot for the former Browns receiver.

Edwards will be a free agent after the season and made it clear that he wouldn't return. So the winless Browns (0-4) got Jets receiver Chansi Stuckey, special-teamer Jason Trusnik and two draft picks.

Edwards was rarely happy with the Browns. In the 2005 draft, he believed the Miami Dolphins would take him with the second overall pick. But when the Dolphins selected tailback Ronnie Brown instead, leaving the Browns to select Edwards at No. 3, the receiver seemed disappointed at the prospect of coming to Cleveland (or not going to Miami).

The initial hunch was correct.

With the exception of some good moments in 2007, Edwards’ tenure in Cleveland was mostly a disappointment. He was a late arrival to training camp and later suffered a season-ending knee injury in his rookie year. He’s been among the league leaders in drops the past two seasons in addition to several off-the-field incidents that often served as distractions.

Catches of the Day • Walker: Browns had to trade Edwards • Graham: Jets GM on Edwards deal • Sando: Expectations for Crabtree • Fantasy Focus on Edwards, Crabtree deals • Karabell: Winners in Edwards-Stuckey deal • NFL Nation: Edwards coverage | Crabtree coverage

Edwards also butted heads with coaches and teammates through the years. One of the more infamous moments came when he was yanking former Browns quarterback Charlie Frye's jersey on the sideline while arguing with other players.

Edwards also had a strange complex as a University of Michigan alum playing in Ohio State Buckeye country. He thought he never got a fair shot, but that was terribly overrated. Browns fans mostly were upset with Edwards’ drops and inconsistency.

The arrival of coach Eric Mangini, who is a disciplinarian, made it just a matter of time before Edwards exited Cleveland. The Browns couldn’t find the right deal in the offseason but they were able to make their second trade in six months with Mangini’s former team.

Getting a fresh start is best for Edwards and the Browns.