DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren to meet media

After hearing him say there has to be something in place to alert people..he knows that the ball was dropped somewhere..

I did say I may be wrong!

As far as Colt being a liar. He does play foosball, and moma says foosball is the devil!

I read it is he feels like the breakdown happened at a more global level then the Browns. It appears to me that they followed every step as required by the NFL and NFLPA. If they didn't the NFLPA would have been screaming bloody murder after their meeting yesterday, and the players in the locker room would be screaming if they thought the Browns didn't handle it right.

Just because the system isn't perfect, doesn't mean somebody dropped the ball.

The buck stops at the Big Shurm. He is the HC after all and definitely saw the hit when it happened and should have demanded a concussion test. We cannot allow a very busy medical staff to be scapegoated for not watching the game (which isn't there job), but we can blame the HC who after having been around football forever should have a pretty good idea that a guy should be checked out after a hit like that. If that was a hit to Colt's knee and he was down like that does anyone really believe he would have been back in after a couple minutes without the coach demanding his knee get checked out?

Also, I do not think Colt is gone and doubt that Holmy uses a first rounder on a QB unless Luck/Barkley fall to us (that is not to say Colt will start next year, as we may look at free agents). It sure seemed from that presser that Holmgren would much rather have a couple of receivers who can CATCH a football than a new QB to throw it to them.

I've wondered for most of the season how much the Clevleand media has contributed to the team's long-term lack of success.

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Holmgren would much rather have a couple of receivers who can CATCH a football than a new QB to throw it to them.

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I got that as well. He almost seemed to have a bit of a smile about it, too. Almost as though I'm not throwing anyone individually under the bus, but catch the damn ball guys!

u believe no one saw the hit?

Holmgren didn't say 'no one saw the hit', but he did say that 'the medical personnel did not see it, as they were tending to other players', in other words doing their job.

I'm sure if no one is hurt or requires attention they watch as much of the game as possible, but in this case they were busy.

I'm going from what I know as fact.

• CM got hit hard
• Lots of guys get hit hard every game and do not have concussions
• CM got hit in the head
• Lots of guys get hit in the head every game and do not end up with concussions
• CM did not show any concussion type symptoms during the game
• CM passed the concussion test after the game, therefore the medical staff did not miss anything they should have caught
• The medical staff cleared him to go back into the game
• None of CM teammates felt that he was acting in a way that would indicate a concussion
• The Players Association has no issues with the way the staff handled the situation
• If the Players Association did have and issue with it, they would be throwing an absolute fit right now
• Pat Shurmer is not a doctor
• Pat Shurmer cannot see into the future
• No replays of the hit were shown in the stadium

I never said that I think the system is perfect and there is no room for improvement to make sure that something like this doesn't happen again. However stringing up Shurmer and the org for following the guidelines set out to them is, while an unfortunate occurrence, not gross negligence. There was nothing pointing to a concussion other then the fact that he got hit hard.

If you think that's naive, it's no sweat off my back. I've been called far worse by people I care about more.

I watched the game .. I saw the hit .. I'm of the opinion that Schumur saw the hit .. There is no way I would have put the kid back in for at least a series .... No way !

If Holmgren can't take the heat from the press ( even our group of idiots ) he is in the wrong job..

So Mike Holmgren thinks the media (and probably the fans) are against the Browns organization. He seems surprised and perturbed by that.
He also seems rather annoyed that anyone might think that it's "Browns business as usual."

Let's re-hash: Holmgren was paid handsomely to make some progress and arrived here fully aware of our sorry history since coming back into the league in 1999. He saw how the Browns endured one ineffective front office and general manager after another. He saw our unimpressive draft history. He saw how we have done virtually nothing in free agency for years. Most importantly, he saw how this team has hired one inexperienced, unaccomplished, "no one else offered them a job" coach after another.

So how did he handle those problems? He hired an inexperienced, unaccomplished, not-on-anyone-else's-list coach. He had an ok, but far from impressive draft. He did nothing in free agency when there was at least a player or two who could have helped us to whatever degree. There has been more regression than progress. The situation over the last two years has been a "business as usual" textbook.

Now he's upset that anyone might have the audacity to ask if it's "business as usual."

Cry me a river, Mike.

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So Mike Holmgren thinks the media (and probably the fans) are against the Browns organization. He seems surprised and perturbed by that.
He also seems rather annoyed that anyone might think that it's "Browns business as usual."

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Where do you get this idea that he probably thinks the fans are against the Browns organization?

The media I've agreed with. Grossi and Cabot are always looking for controversy they can stir up. It drives me nuts. While I'm from Connecticut, I read the Plain Dealer Sports (Browns Section) avidly for the past......... 10 years. I've recognized that they're always reaching for an issue.

But the fans? Where do you get this. Holmgren's problem is that the media tries to create stories that aren't always there. This stirs up fans emotions based on things that aren't true. That's the issue.

And I agree with him. It's what those two people do. People like Mary Kay, reaching in her interviews about issues that Northcutt has losing his starting wideout spot to Braylon. I read the interview the article is based on, and there's nothing there. But the article has them having an issue.

Well, me too. And anyone who knows some football. We have stunk beyond forgiveness. Hope he gets truly riled up. How about starting Grossi.

Cry me a river.
Year after year they've marched out the same sorry ass pile of crap,and this year's pile is no better than previous year's pile.Of coarse the media is going to get on you.They don't like the stench any more than anyone else.
If Mike don't like it,put out a decent product or just shut up.

Didn't read ALL the post but many of the ones I did read seem to point to the lack of anyone seeing the hit OR the replay and saying " WOW.. we better really check him out" While watching a hit on TV we seem to think we can determine how much damage was caused before we actually examine the injured person. BOOM ! Wow.. that sucker got blowed up !

I thought the same thing when BEN got hit on the leg.. I KNEW he was done, flopping around on the ground.. no question somin torn there. Yet it was really just a sprain. You think the doctors needed to see a video to determine the injury ? MRI's and XRAY's did that.

Was the video evidence compelling on the hit ? Sure.. But just like in a Murder trial, ask a procecutor if he would rather have forensics or an eye witness. We were all eye witneses yet the forensics of the case at the time of the exam on the sidelines indicated he had no concussion.

Coming from a different angle..If you walk into a hospital complaining of a headache, dizzy, sensitive to light and tell the doctor you took a hit.. do you think the doctor will tell you " Well, you might have a concussion but I can't really tell unless I see a video of the hit ? " I suspect the doctor could care less WHAT it looked like, just what the tests indicate AFTER.

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I'm not saying that Holmgren SAID the fans are unhappy with the organization, but I'm sure he can guess it since about 75-80% of comments toward him, the coach, the organization have been negative.

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So positive comments are about equal to our winning percentage... that's probably not a coincidence.

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There is two parts to that. seeing it and saying something about it.

I don't believe for one second that nobody saw it, but I do believe it's possible that nobody spoke up.

And when you break it down, that's all Holmgren is really saying., That noone told them to watch Colt.,

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Holmgren said.. he saw it on the replay...Maybe he should have made a call down himself...If your concerned about your players...making the initiative for the medical staff to look him over..might have prevented this situation...

General reply

Honestly, i was expecting them to drag out the resuscitation equipment for Holmgren before the presser was over.

As for Shurmur not seeing the hit. It was on the opposite side of the field with the OL in between them. I don't know if they were blocking the view but it is plausible. Even if he did see it, its his job to coach, its the trainers job to say if a guy is capable of playing.

Anyone else remember when being knocked out was treated with smelling salts and being told to get up and walk it off and get back in there.

For the Shumur haters. Shurmur will be here as long as Holmgren is. IF you don't like it go root for Buffalo lol. Couldnt resist.

At the end of the day, i am very glad Holmgren is the man in charge. He was ready to do battle with the media today and I like it. There is no rush moves made by this FO, even snapping at the media almost seemed to be well planned.

Cleveland Browns Prez Mike Holmgren's press conference -- Tony's take

Cleveland Browns Prez Mike Holmgren's press conference -- Tony's take
Published: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 11:37 AM Updated: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 2:43 PM
Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer
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Cleveland Browns Mike Holmgren explains Colt McCoy's concussion Cleveland Browns Mike Holmgren explains Colt McCoy's concussion Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren talked with the media about what happened Thursday night concerning the hit on Colt McCoy by the Steelers' James Harrison and the resulting concussion. McCoy was sent home today still suffering from a headache. Watch video

BEREA -- Media room filling up fast for Mike Holmgren's first press conference since Oct. 21.

A point of interest: The appearance was unscheduled until 10:53 this morning when the Browns electronically sent a media advisory.

Coach Pat Shurmur's regular Wednesday press briefing was set back till after today's practice.

* * *

To set it up ...

the Browns were visited on Tuesday by two doctors representing the NFL and the NFLPA. Their mission was to review the Browns' handling of Colt McCoy after the quarterback suffered a concussion on a hit by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison in the Thursday night loss in Pittsburgh.

Holmgren has been criticized for not making any public comments on the controversy and letting Shurmur speak for the organization.

* * *

Holmgren enters the room six minutes late, smiling, in Browns sweat suit.

* * *

Says he met with NFL to get some sort of closure on what happened with Colt. Reason they waited, he said, is to have those other meetings before seeing the media.

Also said the schedule of how we have these "is going to be our decision, not your decision."

Was McCoy examined and tested for a concussion?

"No, he was not," Holmgren replied.



* * *

Holmgren said the doctors and trainer did not see the impact of the Harrison play because they were all working on other players. They heard the crowd reaction and saw McCoy was down and also Alex Smith down.

"Our medical staff and our training staff -- we have the best in football. There's no doubt in my mind. These guys are really good."

One of the things troubling to me is they're getting slammed pretty good, along with the head coach, he says.

* * *

Holmgren taking us through the details of what happened. Said McCoy "was not unconscious" and was responding to every question.

Holmgren: "Why wasn't a SCAT test administered at that time? ... Their reaction to the way Colt was reacting did not dictate that. They did not see the play. ...

"If you see the hit, you'd say, 'Goodness gracious.' But they didn't see the hit."

* * *
Holmgren extremely defensive and intermingling admonishments to media that "It's not business as usual with the Cleveland Browns."



* * *

"You people in the press box of having the luxury of seeing the replay."

* * *

Holmgren says the trainer goes to the head coach, based on how Colt responded, and says, "He's good to go."

"No coach that I know would ever overrule a doctor and put a kid in a game. Pat will never do it. So understand that up front."



After the game is over, Holmgren said McCoy still showed no symptoms. First thing they did was X-ray his (left) hand.

Holmgren said McCoy was put through the concussion tests by Dr. Waters after that.

* * *

Holmgren said McCoy passed the test, but made a remark about hearing a loud noise in the shower. He also asked for the lights to be dimmed.



When he came back the next day, he still had a headache.

Holmgren said all these events in this timeline were detailed in the NFL review.

"I don't expect anything to happen in a punitive way. What could we have done differently? They followed protocol. We did what we had to do.

"Colt is home today. We're following the league protocols by league standards. He still has a headache.

* * *

So, what were you thinking when McCoy went back in?

"I'm not going to second-guess Pat. Pat's in the front lines. He's got to make the decision. (as a coach) if I feel the quarterback's good to go, then he's back in the game. That's his call."

What about McCoy laying on the ground?

"That came up in the meeting yesterday. It seems inconceivable but nobody alerted anyone. So how do we do this so the doctors get the information they need. Best thing we could come up with is putting in a process to have somebody say something."



* * *

"I saw the hit on replay and I go, 'OK, that's not good.' But I've also seen hits that look bad and you just let them go.

"It didn't start to show (symptoms) until a good time in the locker room."

* * *

Was Shurmur told not to answer question about getting tested for concussion?

"I think before you can answer those questions truthfully, you have to get the doctors in the room."



* * *

What about coaches in the booth? Didn't they see the hit?

"By the time the replays were going, (McCoy) was on the bench. If they (doctors) had that information, there was a hit, I can't say for sure anything would be different because he didn't display the normal (symptoms). It wasn't there."

You don't expect any penalties? What type of feedback did you receive?

"I think it was a very healthy meeting. From league, union and club standpoint, how can we make this a little bit better. Have an observer, perhaps? It wasn't a condemnation of how we handled the situation."



* * *

Holmgren said Brad McCoy's story that Colt couldn't remember the play did not jive with Colt was saying during the game.

Holmgren said he has not talked to Colt

* * *

He declines to comment directly on the James Harrison one-game suspension.

Holmgren is asked about Shurmur's job.

"Absolutely (will be back). He'll be the head coach."

* * *

Holmgren refuses to answer why Seneca Wallace was not kept in the game or his feelings about it.

"Ask Pat," is all he'd say. "Ask Pat."

* * *

Holmgren on his role: "My definition of my role is hire good people and support them the best I can. That's why I don't do press conferences. That's why I don't have a radio show. I've done that for 25 years. I support my people behind the scenes. We have a very competent young coach who will be here for a long time."



* * *

Holmgren admits he may have wasted a year by waiting to change coaches, but says he doesn't regret doing it. He is very, very defensive today. "You're either with us or you're not. I'll be honest with you ..." He stops himself from saying something he didn't want to say.

* * *
"If we'd just snap the damn ball and catch some passes, we'd be 7-6."



* * *

Holmgren declines to evaluate Colt McCoy until after the year.


Mike HolmgrenCleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren speaks about quarterback Colt McCoy's concussion during a news conference at the NFL football team's headquarters in Berea, Ohio Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011. Holmgren says McCoy was not checked for a concussion while he was on the sideline after helmet-to-helmet hit by Pittsburgh's James Harrison. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Pressed to comment on McCoy, he declines again.

* * *

Holmgren says he didn't want to see Browns teammates retaliate against Harrison. "Two wrongs don't make a right. That's not how I want my team to be. Do I want them to remember? Yeah. Do I want them to do that in a game? No."



* * *

Holmgren said "We've talked to Brady McCoy." (Not pleased.)



* * *

After repeated questions about what's going wrong with the season, Holmgren reiterates he'll talk about those things after the season.



* * *

"I'd like to win a couple of these down the stretch. I had a year in Seattle, 4-9, Hasselbeck was new and had three playoff teams (to play) and we won all three. Matt kind of established himself and it really was the springboard for the future. They also removed me as general manager after the last game, which to this day I don't agree with."

***

Holmgren clarifies that he did not speak to Brad McCoy but somebody in the organization did. Said he feels the air was cleared.

* * *

Towards the end, Holmgren is more conciliatory and less defensive. Folding his arms and leaning back, he says it would have been premature to comment before today.

"We're trying to be better, far as transparency and dealing with (media). ... Sometimes, unlike years past, when you needed two sources, stuff comes out immediately. In our rush to judgment on things, I would ask you to believe me a little bit and trust me on how we're doing things around here. I'm not going to lie to you. We will try to get you the proper message at the appropriate time."



The Big Show is over. In closing, he lauds Shurmur as a good man and says he's going to be the head coach here for a long time.



An instant classic.

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"If we'd just snap the damn ball and catch some passes, we'd be 7-6."

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So we are in the Justin Blackmon sweepstakes.

Even if they missed the hit, they probably didn't miss him flailing around on the ground...and you usually don't do that for a hand injury.

Holmgren admits he may have wasted a year by waiting to change coaches, but says he doesn't regret doing it

Daman that BUD'S for U and spme others who debated about keeping Gini when MH came in..it set us back a year..

j/c

Watching the interview now.

Say what you will about the guy and the content, man, you can tell he is getting kind of tired of dealing with some of the press.

I dunno...it's kind of expected, isn't it? As President of the Cleveland Browns, you will deal with press. Win a few and see what happens.