Pioli, coach Bill Belichick's right-hand man, has already said he will fulfill his contract with the Patriots, which runs out in late April 2006. Pioli has been on the wish lists of many teams recently, including Miami, Cleveland, San Francisco, and now the Seahawks, who are owned by Microsoft mogul Paul Allen. Allen is in the process of reshuffling his football management team.
Three top-ranking executives have left the franchise since the end of the Seahawks' season, including Ted Thompson, who was vice president of football operations but left to become general manager of the Green Bay Packers; Scot McCloughan, the Seahawks' former college scouting director, who left to become vice president of player personnel with the 49ers; and team president Bob Whitsitt, who was fired Jan. 14. And the Seahawks recently brought in Mike Reinfeldt as a consultant to manage the salary cap.
Meanwhile, Patriots defensive backs coach Eric Mangini met with Browns coach Romeo Crennel and team officials for five hours yesterday about becoming Cleveland's defensive coordinator, and later took a flight with Crennel back to Boston. Also at Browns headquarters was Maurice Carthon, the former Patriots running backs coach who was the Cowboys' offensive coordinator last season. He is expected to be named the Browns' offensive coordinator.
Mangini was in Miami Thursday to meet with the Dolphins, and both the Browns and Dolphins have made offers of three years at an average of close to $1 million per season. The Patriots were waiting to see how Mangini's visit with the Browns went, but word from Patriots sources is that the team is likely willing to get into a salary range that might appeal to Mangini.
It was also learned that Crennel earned close to $1 million as the Patriots' defensive coordinator this season because with bonuses for the team winning the Super Bowl. Crennel's salary was listed at $625,000, but bonuses made the deal far more lucrative.
