Eric Mangini already unpopular in Cleveland + Yanks/Sox standings in CT

As the sole Connecticut-based NYaT correspondent, here are two news stories for all the Nutmeggers out there.

First, the Hartford Courant has reported that the Yankees are once again the most popular MLB team in Connecticut, edging the Red Sox, 43% - 38%. The Mets garnered only 9% of the state's population.

I wonder what sparked this recent New York comeback (last year, the Red Sox were up, 41-40). It could be the Bombers' offseason signings of Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira, thereby representing the Yankees' potential to swing the balance of power back to New York. Or it could be the Yankees' streak of victories in May, as the survey was conducted from May 20-25. Indeed, the Courant article noted that, "the teams are so close that any current swing in fortunes on the field can push enough casual fans one way or the other to make the difference."

I just think that the casual fans -- those who swing the plurality in favor of one team or the other -- are easily swayed by whoever is in first place. And right now, that's the Yankees. I only wish Hartford county had more Yankees fans. My guess is that will change when the Yankees win their 27th World Series.

Second, Eric Mangini -- wow. Courtesy of ESPN's NFL Rumor Central, please enjoy Exhibit A on what not to do in your first few months as an NFL head coach. This deserves to be the subject of Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler's segment on SNL's Weekend Update, "Really?!?!"

Hartford trip not a hit for rooks

| Browns

Calling to mind Remember the Titans for some, and the Omegas from Animal House for others - with coach Eric Mangini in the Niedermayer role - the Cleveland Browns rookies took a field trip to Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday to be present at a weekend football camp for underpriveleged youths, leaving most of them furious.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, some rooks were "baffled" by the idea, and others were just upset that they would be taking a bus (!!) for 10 hours each way in order to attend the "voluntary" session. The issue of debate is that while attendance is "voluntary" for these activities, no rookie would dare skip the proceedings for fear of having the new administration look upon them unfavorably.

According to what a source told Pro Football Talk, coach Mangini was essentially "shamed" into taking the bus back with his pledges, err, players after flying out on Saturday morning, and the NFL players' association is investigating the whole situation to determine whether it is a violation of the collective bargaining agreement.