DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Tom Heckert to meet with Browns

I really like his background. He seems to have the exact experience that you would look for in a GM candidate.

I am so glad that Holmgren is running the show.

just clickin'


For once, it seems like the browns are finally getting their top choices. They wanted Holmgren, and against what seemed like long odds, landed him. Now they want Heckert, and it looks like this will materialize as well. Maybe the football gods are smiling on the browns.

Or is it a common sense approach?

Yes...a common sense approach.

j / c...... It`s been stated that Will Lewis also may be offered a job from MH.... Can any one tell me what that job would be ? If Heckert takes the GM spot where does Lewis fit in ?

Here's his bio on the Eagles website.

Bio

- On his bio he was asked: Favorite team growing up?

- His answer: The Miami Dolphins until my dad started working for the Cleveland Browns when I was in 7th grade.

Look at the second and third paragraph of that Bio...

This guy sounds like he can pick some players. Something tells me he'll work extra hard with us because a guy like him has to love the challenge.

It can't hurt that he's got ties here..

What I find interesting is those two paragraphs weren't written by some sports media type or some agent trying to sell him to a team for a job.

that stuff is written by the PR department within the Eagles.. written to demonstrate his skills to those Eagles fans that are interested in knowing such things. No reason to exaggerate,, none whatsoever.

I agree,....even if he botched every other personnel effort he made, that talent alone is the core of the current Eagle success. Though they haven't won The Big One, Philly has been on a nice run a long time.

I think he can help us.

Thanks Line Judge......

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You mean other than the fact it's from the Eagles' PR department?

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Point is, why write that stuff if it isn't true..

It would appear you have never dealt with PR people.

Everyone can go ga-ga over this guy,but the plain truth is no one knows what he'll bring.
What we don't know;
How much,if any,input he had in player selection.
What we do know;
He comes from an exceptional org.and Holmgren wants him.That's good enough for me,I see no need to glorify the guy without any evidence to back it up.

dealt with them plenty,, They tend to stretch the truth, but there is a quote by his boss.. PR people may reword it, but the sentiment is still there..

I guess my view of it is, there isn't a reason to embellish..

jc
Guy likes fishing!!! He'll be ok.

I'm not sure if this souce is okay but here is something I found.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/home..._Cleveland.html

Yup, it's looking official...




Heckert leaving Eagles to become GM of Browns under Holmgren

NFL.com Wire Reports

Tom Heckert is leaving the Eagles' nest.

Philadelphia's general manager has agreed to become the Cleveland Browns' new GM, a person familiar with the hiring told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the details of Heckert's contract have not been finalized. NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reported last week an announcment was expected on Monday.

The Browns recently hired Mike Holmgren as their president and now have found a replacement for GM George Kokinis, fired by the club in November.

Cleveland's front office is being reorganized under Holmgren, who interviewed Heckert last week in between meetings with coach Eric Mangini. Holmgren announced Thursday he was bringing Mangini back for a second season.

Heckert has been with the Eagles since 2002, serving as the club's GM since 2006. He began in Philadelphia's pro personnel department and during his time with the club, the Eagles won four NFC East titles and went to one Super Bowl. Heckert was in the final year of his contract in Philadelphia.

It's not known how much final authority Heckert will have over Cleveland's roster, draft and free-agency moves. In Philadelphia, he had to defer those decisions to coach Andy Reid. Heckert was considered for Cleveland's GM job last winter, but he withdrew his name after Mangini was hired.

Heckert has ties to the Browns. His father, Tom Sr., worked as a scout for the team in the 1980s.

Holmgren also interviewed Will Lewis, Seattle's director of pro personnel, for the GM opening. Lewis worked with Holmgren in both Green Bay and Seattle. Lewis was a minority candidate, so his interview fulfilled the Browns' obligation to comply with the NFL's Rooney Rule.

It's possible Lewis could still wind up in Cleveland. The Seahawks are undergoing a massive overhaul following coach Jim Mora's firing on Friday and are in negotiations with Southern California coach Pete Carroll.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Link

Heckert agrees to join Browns
by Marla Ridenour on January 10, 2010

http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/2010/01/heckert-agrees-to-join-browns/

The son of a former Browns scout will join a former Browns ball boy on the second floor of the team's Berea headquarters.

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Tom Heckert agreed to become the Browns' general manager Sunday, the Associated Press reported, citing a source familiar with the hiring.

Details of Heckert's contract have not been finalized, according to the AP.
Heckert will assume a position vacant since George Kokinis was relieved of his duties on Nov. 2.

Heckert, 42, will handle day-to-day operations, but new president Mike Holmgren will have final say "on everything," as Holmgren disclosed on Dec. 28.

Coach Eric Mangini, who started out as a Browns' ball boy in 1994, could report to both Holmgren and Heckert, or to Heckert, although Holmgren said all will contribute in matters such as draft-day decisions.

Heckert's father Tom, a Youngstown native who received his masters from Kent State, was a scout for the Browns from 1982-86 while his son was attending high school in Adrian, Mich. Heckert Sr. spent 20 years in the NFL in player personnel and Heckert Jr. started out watching tape in his father's office.

Holmgren did not know the younger Heckert before he interviewed Wednesday, but Heckert came highly recommended by Eagles coach Andy Reid, who worked under Holmgren in Green Bay from 1992-98.

Reid said earlier this season that Heckert deserved a chance to be a general manager with another team. Reid holds the title of executive vice president of football operations and has final say over Philadelphia's 53-man roster. Heckert was in the final year of his contract, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Browns could not hire Heckert until the Eagles were eliminated from the playoffs. According to the Inquirer, Heckert did not attend Saturday night's 34-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Howie Roseman, vice president of player personnel, is expected to assume Heckert's duties in Philadelphia.

Promoted to general manager in 2006, Heckert was a candidate for the Browns' GM job last year, but pulled his name out of consideration after Mangini was hired on Jan. 8.

Heckert has also interviewed for GM positions in Atlanta and Minnesota. He lost out to Thomas Dimitroff with the Falcons in 2008 and declined a job with the Vikings in 2006 after Brad Childress was chosen as coach.

Heckert was scheduled to interview for a top football position in Seattle, but withdrew from the Seahawks' search last week.

The Browns also interviewed Seattle's director of pro personnel Will Lewis, who could still come to Cleveland if he becomes a casualty of the Seahawks' shakeup in football operations, which includes the expected hiring of USC coach Pete Carroll.

Heckert has 18 years of NFL experience, including 10 in the Miami Dolphins personnel department. During his time in the league, Heckert's teams have had just one losing season, have won eight division titles and made the playoffs 13 times.

When he joined the Eagles in 2001, Heckert came highly recommended by former Dolphins coaches Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson.

"I had long talks with Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson about Tom," Reid told the Washington Post in 2001. "They're impressive guys, and they couldn't say enough good things about Tom Heckert."

According to the Eagles media guide, Johnson said when Heckert was hired, "I told coach Reid if I were to come back as a head coach, Tom would be one of the first guys I'd try to hire."

The Eagles won four NFC East titles, went to four NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl during Heckert's tenure in Philadelphia. Before he became general manager, his first draft in 2002 brought in future Pro Bowlers Brian Westbrook, Lito Sheppard, and Michael Lewis and cornerback Sheldon Brown.

According to the Inquirer, 14 of the Eagles' 22 starters against the Cowboys Saturday night were drafted since Heckert arrived and three others who were undrafted free agents were signed. Among the rookie free agents he discovered were safety Quintin MIkell, center Jamaal Jackson, defensive tackle Sam Rayburn, receiver Greg Lewis and linebacker Akeem Jordan.

Since 2003, Heckert has been part of the NFL's 12-person College Advisory Committee, which evaluates college juniors' draft status. In 2008, Heckert was appointed to the General Managers' Advisory Committee, which studied issues involving player development, scouting and technology.

Heckert played defensive back at Hillsdale College (Mich.) and spent two years there as an assistant coach before being hired by the Dolphins.

Browns to hire Eagles' Heckert as GM
Official announcement could be made today at Berea headquarters
http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/81117357.html

By Tom Withers
Associated Press


Published on Monday, Jan 11, 2010

CLEVELAND: Tom Heckert is leaving the Eagles' nest.
Philadelphia's general manager has agreed to become the Cleveland Browns' new GM, a person familiar with the hiring told the Associated Press on Sunday.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details of Heckert's contract have not been finalized, said the 42-year-old could join the team as early as today in Berea. The Browns recently hired Mike Holmgren as their president and now have found a replacement for GM George Kokinis, fired by the club in November.
Cleveland's front office is being reorganized under Holmgren, who interviewed Heckert last week in between meetings with coach Eric Mangini. Holmgren announced Thursday he was bringing Mangini back for a second season.
Heckert has been with the Eagles since 2002, serving as the club's GM since 2006. He began in Philadelphia's pro personnel department and during his time with the club, the Eagles have
won four NFC East titles and gone to one Super Bowl. Heckert was in the final year of his contract in Philadelphia.
It's not known how much final authority Heckert will have over Cleveland's roster, draft and free-agency moves. In Philadelphia, he had to defer those decisions to coach Andy Reid. Heckert was considered for Cleveland's GM job last winter, but he withdrew after Mangini was hired.
Heckert has ties to the Browns. His father, Tom Sr., worked as a scout for the team in the 1980s.
Holmgren also interviewed Will Lewis, Seattle's director of pro personnel, for the GM opening. Lewis worked with Holmgren in Green Bay and Seattle. Lewis was a minority candidate, so his interview fulfilled the Browns' obligation to comply with the NFL's Rooney Rule.
It's possible Lewis could still wind up in Cleveland. The Seahawks are undergoing a massive overhaul after coach Jim Mora's firing on Friday and are in negotiations with Southern California coach Pete Carroll.
CLEVELAND: Tom Heckert is leaving the Eagles' nest.

Philadelphia's general manager has agreed to become the Cleveland Browns' new GM, a person familiar with the hiring told the Associated Press on Sunday.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details of Heckert's contract have not been finalized, said the 42-year-old could join the team as early as today in Berea. The Browns recently hired Mike Holmgren as their president and now have found a replacement for GM George Kokinis, fired by the club in November.

Cleveland's front office is being reorganized under Holmgren, who interviewed Heckert last week in between meetings with coach Eric Mangini. Holmgren announced Thursday he was bringing Mangini back for a second season.

Heckert has been with the Eagles since 2002, serving as the club's GM since 2006. He began in Philadelphia's pro personnel department and during his time with the club, the Eagles have
won four NFC East titles and gone to one Super Bowl. Heckert was in the final year of his contract in Philadelphia.

It's not known how much final authority Heckert will have over Cleveland's roster, draft and free-agency moves. In Philadelphia, he had to defer those decisions to coach Andy Reid. Heckert was considered for Cleveland's GM job last winter, but he withdrew after Mangini was hired.

Heckert has ties to the Browns. His father, Tom Sr., worked as a scout for the team in the 1980s.

Holmgren also interviewed Will Lewis, Seattle's director of pro personnel, for the GM opening. Lewis worked with Holmgren in Green Bay and Seattle. Lewis was a minority candidate, so his interview fulfilled the Browns' obligation to comply with the NFL's Rooney Rule.

It's possible Lewis could still wind up in Cleveland. The Seahawks are undergoing a massive overhaul after coach Jim Mora's firing on Friday and are in negotiations with Southern California coach Pete Carroll.

WOW,, at this point, it would be a shocker if it didn't happen

don't think we're gonna see any WCO in Cleveland right now...

Exactly who's gonna call it???...Mangini don't know squat about it and I'd bet even more that Dingball don't either...

I also don't think we're gonna be looking at ANY QB...Anderson will be released and Quinn takes the reigns from day one...That's a guess but when u look at this team from 09 and see exactly what Quinn had...U can't help but think HE NEEDS MAJOR HELP ALL OVER...




Holmgren is going to be a strong offensive voice, regardless of what side of the ball the HC comes from."
It's not gonna matter if EM can run it or not..he had a WCO QB in Farve and the Jets didn't struggle ..just FARVE did his late in the season plumment..

Look for him to bring in someone to "assist" Daboll. He'll take control over the offense one way or another- especially the QB situation..that someone may already be here..


Cleveland being dead last in offense and pass offense which is what MH is most experienced in..right?
U think he'd let that continue to happen?

The other statement when describing MH (And I heard it last night in regard to Andy Reid (think Heckert)) is how it all starts at the QB position. Both believe in a pass first offense.
If it starts with the QB,U think they'll let the pathic play continue?
They have time to evaluate BQ..

MH will devote himself to getting the offense on track first.
Heckert is going to help him shape that offense.
Count on that..

Both Ryan & Mangini are defensive minds and can concentrate on that while leaving MH to work with Daboll.
Dumboll being a newbie offensive coordinator may actually look forward to being tutored by MH.

If he doesn't he will till be instructed one way or another..
I wouldn't say he will need anyone to assist him other than MH. We know that MH also has an itch to coach still so running ...errr ....giving input on offense while having his HC worry about defense might not be a bad thing for him for us.

That was my first thought..lets see who else is brought in here..
I know the thinking (and I still wonder myself) is that with the current set of coaches ,MH won't inplant the scheme..but if you think about it,it still can since both MH/Heckert have backgrounds of it.
I could be off, but I seriously doubt the Browns continue the style they've previously had before..

It'll be a 50/50 deal,...they're gonna want to go WCO, but really can't overnight without some MAJOR talent changes,...and they want to let Mangini have his process continue,...

I'm just gonna bide my time.

I don't think it's that complicated..what major changes are needed?
If the Browns offense was set then yes it would be a major change..
Like when Botch brought in Garcia and tried to fit him into a smash ,straight ahead offense..which was stupid..

We already have the left side of the line set and it's strength is a zone scheme ..so whats really needed are athletic OG/OT's..however they could leave Womack there @ OT and get a OG ..or get a OT to upgrade there..or both..thats not too hard IMO..

Next the harder part is getting a WR to insert..but again the draft and/or FA could yield that..they're going to need that anyway..we don't have a true threat or a YAC reciever..

TE?Not a huge need but one could aquired to go along with Gaines/Moore..nothing too difficult..

RB..Harrsion would fit well in that offense as would Davis..what they need is a bigger back like a Dwyer or Montario Hardesty in the draft to add....again this is not impossible.

The hardest piece..QB..and guess what..thats the major piece ..don't ask me who ,all I know this team needs a upgrade no matter if you want to play flag football..

Then it's getting the coaching staff familar with running it ..so this next season you start incorporating it ..all teams run some little variant of it anyway as we know..
So if you look at the needs of the offense ,the pressing needs are the same ones to be addressed regardless of scheme, so you aquire the type of players that will fit the system now as early as can be...
I don't view it as a impossiblity ,just installing it and progressing ..

Any news on the hiring? As this ball gets rolling it's tough to not want to see it start rolling faster!

I'm like an impatient little kid on Christmas morn!

Well, that's kinda what I meant by major changes, -- not a lot of them, but the right/correct ones in the right spots and the team's offensive directional focus, coaching etc. We're on the same page. Heck none of "that" may even happen,...they might just leave Mangini to his process,...?? Who knows.

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I'm like an impatient little kid on Christmas morn!

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Oh Brother do I know what you mean

Were we not in the top 10 in almost every O category over the last 1/2 of the season?

We kept the entire coaching staff including Daboll, don't expect any major changes. I think it's pretty safe to say that MH has totally bought into the direction that Mangini has set for this team and is more concerned about keeping things right on course.

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I think it's pretty safe to say that MH has totally bought into the direction that Mangini has set for this team and is more concerned about keeping things right on course.

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That's one way to look at it. But it could also be that Holmgren feels that the staff is bright and young and can be nurtured and grown to grow HIS way...

I don't think it necessarily means he bought into anything....

But that's a glass half full approach

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First off,...my glass is always half full.

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Oh sure, you say that now

Anyway,, I just don't think for a second that Holmgren is just buying into what mangini says.. I would bet you it's the other way around...

I think Holmgren staying with Mangini says a lot about his character. One might question his judgement on that point, but that will be more a function of future performance. There was no where to go but "up" anyway. Eric will either improve and flourish, or he will not.

Glass half full.