"I feel like I should be getting some coffee or picking up some towels or something," he joked.

The ball boy returned as the boss.

Mangini, fired by the New York Jets after their season finished with a December nosedive, took over the rebuilding Browns yesterday, completing a personal and professional career circle that started with his running errands in the early 1990s as an eager underling for then-Cleveland coach Bill Belichick.

The 37-year-old Mangini now has his dream job, the one he had a tough time convincing his mother was remotely possible when he came to Cleveland 14 years ago.

"I was a 23-year-old ball boy and I had to explain that to my mother," said Mangini, who signed a four-year contract. "I had student loans, and it was a hard sell. I kept telling her, 'Mom, this is the Cleveland Browns. Do you understand? The Cleveland Browns.' "

Mangini is inheriting a team with talent, but one that went 4-12 and didn't score an offensive touchdown in its final six games.

Mangini would like to hire Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator and plans to talk to Oakland's Rob Ryan about running his defense.

Mangini also would like to keep Romeo Crennel, one of his closest friends, who was fired as Browns coach after going 24-40 in four years.

"I learned a ton of football from him and I'd love to have him here," Mangini said.

Jets. Brett Favre will take his time before deciding whether to return to New York next season.

The 39-year-old quarterback told ESPN he is following the advice of Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum by not making a hasty decision on his future.

"He said he's not going to bother me for three or four weeks," Favre said. "He told me to do whatever, and he'd give me a call in a month.

"Maybe I will tell him my answer that day. But he told me to get away and don't even think about football."

Favre said he plans to make a quiet decision without a public news conference if he does retire, unlike the emotional departure last off-season when he announced he was stepping away from the game only to return a few months later.

Broncos. Team owner Pat Bowlen wrapped up his first round of interviews for Denver's coaching vacancy when he met with Miami Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles, a former Temple star.

Bowlen fired Mike Shanahan last week. Bowlen, who hasn't spoken publicly about the search, has interviewed New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, defensive coordinators Raheem Morris of Tampa Bay and Leslie Frazier of Minnesota, and offensive coordinators Jason Garrett of Dallas and Rick Dennison of Denver.

Vikings. Minnesota coach Brad Childress confirmed that defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will visit the Detroit Lions, who fired coach Rob Marinelli after becoming the first team to finish 0-16.

Childress was noncommittal about what the team will do to address the biggest weakness during his three years in charge - the quarterback position.

The coach praised Tarvaris Jackson's progress but also pointed out his inconsistency and performance against the Eagles on Sunday.

Childress revealed that right guard Anthony Herrera underwent shoulder surgery on Wednesday and "should be close" to ready when the strength and conditioning program begins in April.

Chiefs. Kansas City signed fullback and tight end Jed Collins to a two-year contract. The 6-foot, 249-pound Collins entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Eagles this season but was released before the regular season and added to the practice squad.