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That said, he didn't have a good shot last year being a new coach in a lockout year.





You are right he didn't. So what are you basing the Weak Link Comment on?


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Yes we both have been around the block with this team for a long time.

I'm pretty much with you to a great degree. I'd like to see TH kept. I really don't see how any football mind would consider trying to find, or even being able to find a guy with a better eye for talent than he.

I'm not really drinking any kool-aid. I just think if something is working and you want to make money, you don't blow it all up.

I'd have to see a lot of improvement in Shurmer to be in his corner at this point. If he fails, I see them bringing in someone with experience if they truely feel they want to make this thing a winner.

I look at it this way, Lerner did nothing to really build anything to this point. All he really got right was bringing in Heckert. And I'm not sure if that was on Lerners part or Holmgrens.

But there are the Philly ties here. Those ties would keep pretty much the same O in place to a great degree. A RB who runs and catches. Passes both short and long.

I'm not saying this is how things will work out, but there's also no real reason to think everything will be blown up eiher. So I'm taking more of a wait and see approach that the sky is falling approach.


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That said, he didn't have a good shot last year being a new coach in a lockout year.






You are right he didn't. So what are you basing the Weak Link Comment on?






Personal observation. I still think the guy looks like a rat. If you take on rat like features, that's a sign.



That said, I am willing to overlook my prejudices and allow another 4-5 games.


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Many of the prior attempts to build this team were abstract failures. No problems with blowing them up. I think people here see some signs of hope with the way this team is being built. That is why people are expressing concern over another start over.


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Quote:

Quote:

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That said, he didn't have a good shot last year being a new coach in a lockout year.






You are right he didn't. So what are you basing the Weak Link Comment on?






Personal observation. I still think the guy looks like a rat. If you take on rat like features, that's a sign.



That said, I am willing to overlook my prejudices and allow another 4-5 games.




The guy looks like a Rat? ya know, I could care less if he looked like you on your worst day, if he does the freakin job, I'm good to go..



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Many of the prior attempts to build this team were abstract failures. No problems with blowing them up. I think people here see some signs of hope with the way this team is being built. That is why people are expressing concern over another start over.




I was mainly concerned about the team moving initially but that was quickly put to rest by the posters here, thank you.

I don't want to see a complete roster blow up either, but in reality the elite posters are most likely correct. We have lost 67 percent of our games over the last 4 years anyway so how much can a blow up really hurt when you look at the grand scheme of things.

I can think of my season tickets right now, and not feel angry. That is a first.

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Yes we both have been around the block with this team for a long time.

I'm pretty much with you to a great degree. I'd like to see TH kept. I really don't see how any football mind would consider trying to find, or even being able to find a guy with a better eye for talent than he.

I'm not really drinking any kool-aid. I just think if something is working and you want to make money, you don't blow it all up.

I'd have to see a lot of improvement in Shurmer to be in his corner at this point. If he fails, I see them bringing in someone with experience if they truely feel they want to make this thing a winner.

I look at it this way, Lerner did nothing to really build anything to this point. All he really got right was bringing in Heckert. And I'm not sure if that was on Lerners part or Holmgrens.

But there are the Philly ties here. Those ties would keep pretty much the same O in place to a great degree. A RB who runs and catches. Passes both short and long.

I'm not saying this is how things will work out, but there's also no real reason to think everything will be blown up eiher. So I'm taking more of a wait and see approach that the sky is falling approach.




Excellent points and sometimes I think I may spend to much time seeing worst case probibilties and as an extention of such then see best case but never really see the middle ground. Thanks for showing the most likely outcome which would be somewhere in the middle.


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LOL....I was just revisiting a comment from last year.

I think with that comment last night I decided it was time for bed.


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Many of the prior attempts to build this team were abstract failures. No problems with blowing them up. I think people here see some signs of hope with the way this team is being built. That is why people are expressing concern over another start over.




I was mainly concerned about the team moving initially but that was quickly put to rest by the posters here, thank you.

I don't want to see a complete roster blow up either, but in reality the elite posters are most likely correct. We have lost 67 percent of our games over the last 4 years anyway so how much can a blow up really hurt when you look at the grand scheme of things.

I can think of my season tickets right now, and not feel angry. That is a first.





I don't think a complete blow up would hurt that bad. Pretty much anyone on our offense is pretty flexible scheme wise - IMO. On defense we kind of lose Sheard if the D switches. Perhaps he could move to OLB if we went 34. Our D-line and defensive backfield would be okay. We would need to beef up the Lb corp, especially OLB. But LB isn't one of the strong points of the D to begin with. Also, it looks like the top of next year's draft is going to be very strong with 34 OLBs.

So no blowing up this current regime at this point isn't the worst thing. The concern is that we are progressing with this team. And that has s hopeful. This current regime has this year to show they are improving. If they do then I think we stick with them. If not, I wouldn't be surprised with a blowup after this season. How much would that hurt us? Well we would obviously lose this season, and next for the changeover. So 2 years.

On the other hand. If we continue with this current regime and the team does not make progressive improvements then how long before that inevitable blow up? And how far does that set us back?

In my opinion the current management and coaching staff has this season. Then we need to decide. Did they progress enough that this is the route that we want to go forward with or do we determine that they have failed. The decision needs to be made after this season. We have to stick with that decision. And that decision, whichever direction, needs to be the right one.


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LOL....I was just revisiting a comment from last year.

I think with that comment last night I decided it was time for bed.




Yeah,, you were starting to take a dive there man


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Browns keep eyes on present while owner swap promises interesting future
By Jason La Canfora
July 30, 2012 6:49 PM ET

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns were about to embark on a training camp focused not on new coaches or team presidents or management issues, but finally just about the hopeful development of a young roster. Then all hell broke loose.

Late last week news began to circulate that Randy Lerner was selling the team to a Steelers minority owner. On Friday, team president Mike Holmgren was addressing questions about his future in Cleveland. Now everyone in the surrounding area is seemingly focused on who Jim Haslam is and how quickly he takes over their beloved, if often hapless, franchise. While the Browns take the field every day -- and in reality no ownership change this time of year would be able to impact the on-field product for 2012 -- many of those around the players here at team headquarters can't help but wonder how drastically all areas of this building could change, and brace for yet another exodus of employees in everything from football operations to marketing.

As if young head coach Pat Shurmur didn't have enough to negotiate, trying to revive a moribund offense and prepare a rookie quarterback, running back and right tackle to be starters, and cultivate a very raw receiving corps, he is suddenly also facing more macro issues as well. Several league sources continue to anticipate that Haslam will take over for Lerner before the start of the regular season, with the league possibly calling for a special vote on it by late August. Within the Steelers front office, where Haslam remains part of the ownership group, for now, it's seen as a relative fait acompli. It's talked about in those same terms here.

Haslam has also received glowing recommendations from the league on bringing in former Eagles team president Joe Banner in the same position, league sources said, and while the issue of Banner's precise equity stake may still need to be resolved, many in the league office expect Banner to end up in Cleveland. That would spell the end of Holmgren's regime, and by the end of the season another series of sweeping organizational changes would be afoot.

It's a lot to have hanging over you, but the team's perpetual struggles under Lerner and his litany of coaches and GMs and team presidents have taken a toll on this football-rabid market, and the league office would love to see the luster of the historic franchise return. Haslam is seemingly universally well thought of, he's seen as a principle owner in waiting, and the Rooney family, of all NFL dignitaries, supports the move.

The sale price will be north of $900 million but less than $1 billion, sources said. This is going to happen. Everyone around here seems to know it. But it's also a little awkward, caught between a current owner who keeps a very private profile and has been the subject of much scorn in these parts, and not yet having even met the man primed to take over (Haslam will also have to quickly address an old declaration that he's 1,000 percent a Steelers fan when he gets to town). Shurmur broached the topic during his camp-opening team meeting last Thursday, hoping to get it out of the way before the inevitable media blitz began.

"What I told the players was," Shurmur said, "not one thing that we talked about during the team meeting in terms of what we need to do to get better, and what we hope to accomplish, not one thing has changed. And I think they absorbed it and then you talk to them and the feedback that I'm getting tells me they understand that. So it's like anything that you hear for the first time, you kind of absorb it and move on, and I think our team has done a good job of that."

Similarly, young general manager Tom Heckert had a team of scouts and staff harboring some of the same questions and concerns. They're naturally wondering what the impending change might mean for them as well.

"My guys, I told them all, 'This is probably going to happen, it's in the works,'" Heckert said. "So everybody wants to know, 'Well, what does that mean?' Well, nothing really until we meet the new owner. So really there is nothing you can do about it. So I told everyone just carry on doing what we've always done."

The reality is, at this stage of the offseason, no owner could change too much now. "You would think so," Heckert said. "That's what I told some of the players: Everything is more or less done for the season now, so it's nothing to worry about now."

Heckert has been bold this offseason, trying to rapidly upgrade what was a brutal attack in 2011. They drafted Trent Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden in the first round, grabbed Mitchell Schwartz to be the right tackle and used a second-round pick in the supplemental draft a few weeks back on Josh Gordon. It's a foregone conclusion that Weeden will be the starter, and Gordon, whose size on the practice field is striking, is working with the starters in some packages despite not playing college ball since his sophomore year at Baylor.

"I've been pleasantly surprised by what a fast learner he is, which has allowed him to get on the field and play," Shurmur said, as the rookie missed the entire offseason with the supplemental draft just taking place in early July.

He has the body type to be a matchup nightmare if he can develop and stay away from failing a drug test.

"We know it was a little bit of a risk," Heckert said, "but he's a big physical guy. With Greg Little and [rookie] Travis Benjamin there too, we feel like we've gone from a so-so group to a really good group. We're excited about them, we really are."

If nothing else, they're physically imposing.

"It's not like Dan Marino's Smurfs out there," said new offensive coordinator Brad Childress, whose presence allows Shurmur to focus on things beyond the offense more this season. Childress said it's like old times in Philadelphia being back with Shurmur -- "We speak the same language" -- and the two of them know they must get Weeden up to speed quickly (former starter Colt McCoy has been working primarily with the second team and could be gone by the start of the regular season).

Monday's practice focused on special situations -- goal line and two-minute drill -- and it all looked new to the rookie, with Weeden getting some balls knocked down, seeming unsure. That's to be expected and Shurmur said there would be five more preseason practices in this vein to focus on those situations.

"Everything is new to him, with the two-minute drill and the speed of the game and spitting [plays] out," Childress said. "I'll be anxious to see him against a good front in Detroit in the first preseason game. He's not bad right now, but when you put all those big bodies in front of him and hands waving and the ball gets batted today. He's not too bad. He's got great innate skills, but we've got to get it to be rote. If you're thinkin', you're stinkin'. And I don't want him thinking."

Come to think of it, that's pretty much the approach of the entire organization with so much in flux: Don't think too much, focus on the next task at hand, try not to contemplate the uncertain future, and aim to prove your worth in 2012, with Haslam primed to truly put his mark on the Browns this winter.

Camp Rumblings: Benjamin, a fourth-round pick, continues to make plays and the coaches believe he could push for playing time.

• The Browns expect defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin back around the first preseason game and Heckert is confident that key lineman Phil Taylor, who tore a pectoral muscle in offseason training, will be able to play shortly after coming off the PUP list following Week 6.

• Schwartz is struggling, especially with speed rushers, but continues to get reps with the starters and will have every shot of winning the starting right tackle job. He's expected to secure it.

• Rookie linebacker James-Michael Johnson, another fourth-round pick, shined Monday in full pads, making plays in goal line, picking off two passes and continuing to impress.

• The players are off on Tuesday.


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Punch...good read, thanks for posting.


Heckert is one of the keys to the future success of the franchise. Now, how much input and consultation he has had with Holmgren on personnel and draft matters...we don't know.

I do know this...I do not want Joe Banner doing what Heckert is doing.

Can Banner do what Holmgren does?...find the best talent available, selling them on Cleveland to fill coaching and front office positions in management, scouting and support...maybe?

Can Banner do what Bryan Wiedmeier does as Executive Vice President, Business Operations?...Banner's claim to fame is his experience as a numbers/salary cap guy...Banner is probably best qualified to oversee the Business Operations of the franchise.

Can Haslam do what Lerner does...do all he can to support the long term plan that began in 2010?...Haslam should have no problem doing what Lerner has done.

The rebuild of the front office is done and appears to be operating as well as any owner could ask.

The rebuild of the roster is 60% complete with 3 of the 5 drafts already done. Haslam needs to allow those doing the rebuilding of the roster time to complete their work before judging the job they have done, IMO.

In 2010 Lerner, Holmgren and Heckert identified one of the root causes for the franchise's past failures...it is CHANGE...CONSTANT CHANGE...too much change, too often... every 2 or 3 years a new QB or a new headcoach or a new offensive or defensive coordinator with a new playbook for the players to learn.

The Browns cure to fix the problem of "constant change" has been to pick the best available coaching talent and allow them the time and space to do what they are best at.

Coaching changes...tweaking the coaching staff might be needed...but major changes that result in new playbooks or sweeping changes to the offensive or defensive coaching staff, IS NOT needed.

Is Shurmur's job on the block if the team does not win this year...maybe. But, as the Browns HC, Shurmur needs to get the most out of his players. To Shurmur's credit, his players did not quit on him last season even when the wins were few. That is a plus in favor of Shurmur's coaching style.

Any way you cut it, Haslam brings to the franchise, "less experience" as an NFL owner than Lerner has...hopefully Haslam will listen to and not repeat the mistakes Randy Lerner made.


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I may be in the minority here, but is Holmgren really that much of an asset to this organization? Other than the fact that he has a recognizable name?

What has he done for the Browns? The only area he has influenced, that I know of at least, is the QB position.. and I'm not so sure he did a great job. He brought in Delhomme, traded for Wallace, and pulled the trigger to draft Colt. Nothing special in my eyes.

Heckert is the key to this organization, and I will be highly upset if the new owner comes in taking away ANY of his responsibilities. The guy has brought fresh new faces to Cleveland, and most of them are contributing right away. I likes!



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we tried to hire Heckert w/o Holmgren and were rebuffed.
we were able to hire Heckert once we had Holmgren.

So, I agree that Heckert is the key at this point, but give pause to say that Holmgren is a big reason that we have him.


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Good points Mac.

I have stated that Mike Holmgren's job could be in jeopardy and for know other reason, then his moniker of 'Team President'.

Some folks forget that he was instrumental in every move we made in way of hiring FO personnel and Coach's/Key Quality Control personnel who help the Coaching staff.

There's one thing I'm sure of and that is that there is a much greater since of urgency now and that 5 year plan has been squeezed down and streamlined.

He's another question ... who would they bring in to replace Tom Heckert?

Good GM's and scouting staff aren't found growing on tree's.

I hope that Jimmy Haslam see's what he has in place here already.


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So you are saying he is going to coach?


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I may be in the minority here, but is Holmgren really that much of an asset to this organization? Other than the fact that he has a recognizable name?




I consider him a big catalyst of what we have going for us, but not that vital an asset NOW, if that makes sense. I wouldn't feel anything if we swapped him out w/ Banner.

I'd be pretty picky about the changes made after that, though. I, like quite a few others here, feel a sense of stability in the works right now. I don't want any drastic CHANGES unless 800% necessary. The thought makes me nervous . . .

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So you are saying he is going to coach?




You can never say never!


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Maybe he'll realize that stability is the way to go, after all, the Steelers have practiced stability for a while now. Perhaps the new owner will take note of that.

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Quote:

I may be in the minority here, but is Holmgren really that much of an asset to this organization? Other than the fact that he has a recognizable name?




I consider him a big catalyst of what we have going for us, but not that vital an asset NOW, if that makes sense. I wouldn't feel anything if we swapped him out w/ Banner.

I'd be pretty picky about the changes made after that, though. I, like quite a few others here, feel a sense of stability in the works right now. I don't want any drastic CHANGES unless 800% necessary. The thought makes me nervous . . .




I agree and I think that it comes down how we have proceeded with an eye on the future and not going for the quick fix that other regimes thought we should take. It's a deliberate (with a deliberate direction on both sides of the ball) plan and it starts with the foundation (and yes we still need to prove we have 'The Guy' at QB), but the second part of the plan is to keep our (hand picked) talent once they show their respective worth's and keep them in the fold.

I just think that there is a noticeable difference in our talent level overall since this new team has been in place.

There just seems to be a greater degree of urgency for some young guy's to mature in a hurry, but that's not to say that if they do not that their futures are still not bright going forward, because expectations rarely meet our expectations soon enough.


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Maybe he'll realize that stability is the way to go, after all, the Steelers have practiced stability for a while now. Perhaps the new owner will take note of that.




Of course I don't know enough about Jimmy Haslam yet, but he strikes me a pretty even keeled man and savvy business man.

What I do know is this. Not even the guys who matter like Heckert or even Holmgren truly know what to expect once the transfer of ownership is finalized. I think that it has already been stated by Tom Heckert when he addressed his scouting staff on the issue.

It's all speculation at this point and that includes those who say that we shouldn't worry about a blow up.

It's probably not probable,. but it's plausible, because they do have the power to do that too.

The truth is nobody really knows at this point. Anyone that speaks differently as if they know what will become, is full of hot air imo.


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This is just an opinion but my guess is that Holmgren is the only one that goes (his idea or not, they'll make it sound as if it is) if Banner comes in. Banner is gonna want the top role (pres). He won't want to assume the role of VP Operations and Finance. He's been there and done that and Wiediman (sp) is way more than qualified to continue in that role.

I mean, unless they just don't like each other,, then yeah,, he could be gone also.

I think Heckert is safe which would probably mean his immediate staff is as well.

And let's be honest here, players and coaches are safe if they win. if they don't, they aren't.

If the team turns it around and shows real promise, Haslam and Banner would be idiots to mess with what's working. If they don't improve enough, then really, nobody is safe and that's pretty much as it should be.


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The rebuild of the front office is done and appears to be operating as well as any owner could ask.


That...is certainly open to interpretation...


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Tom Heckert: No one's sure what will happen after sale

Posted by Josh Alper on August 1, 2012, 12:38 PM EDT

There’s been a lot of speculation about what the impending sale of the Browns to Jimmy Haslem III will mean for team president Mike Holmgren, but he’s not the only person whose future with the organization will be impacted by new ownership.

General Manager Tom Heckert is one of those people. Heckert told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he has no idea what will happen under a new owner and doesn’t expect to have any more clarity until there’s actually a new owner.

“Until we sit down with the new owner, no one’s really sure what’s going to happen,” said Heckert. “I’ve told the guys on my staff and some of the players to just keep doing what they’re doing. From a football standpoint, there’s not a whole that can be changed at this point, so it’s got to be business as usual.”

One thing that will surely affect all these fronts is the question of whether or not former Eagles president Joe Banner is involved in the ownership group. Heckert told Cabot that he doesn’t know if his former boss with the Eagles is involved, but his previous relationship with Banner would surely come into play if Banner is in fact coming to Cleveland.

Head coach Pat Shurmur and offensive coordinator Brad Childress also worked for the Eagles while Banner was in their front office, which would at least mean they wouldn’t be dealing with someone they’ve never met before. Personal relationships are important, but the best argument any of the Browns personnel can make for remaining Browns personnel will come from better results on the field. Per Cabot, no big decisions will be made until after the 2012 season plays out so the current regime should have plenty of chances to make their case.

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I honestly believe that this team needs to win 10 Games and a playoff game inorder to feel "safe".

But I still see Holmgren leaving because he is about to lose a lot of his power in Cleveland.

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Holmgren is more than likely gone but they'll have to buy him out of his contract, so he'll be paid for his 5 years. I really doubt he's going to mind that much. Heckert, if we show progress this season is probably as safe as he wants to be. I think if he goes its of his own choosing.


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There’s been a lot of speculation about what the impending sale of the Browns to Jimmy Haslem III will mean for team president Mike Holmgren, but he’s not the only person whose future with the organization will be impacted by new ownership.

General Manager Tom Heckert is one of those people. Heckert told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he has no idea what will happen under a new owner and doesn’t expect to have any more clarity until there’s actually a new owner.

“Until we sit down with the new owner, no one’s really sure what’s going to happen,” said Heckert. “I’ve told the guys on my staff and some of the players to just keep doing what they’re doing. From a football standpoint, there’s not a whole that can be changed at this point, so it’s got to be business as usual.”






Great example of what "change" or even the threat of change in the Browns case, does to a football organization. Everyone is walking on egg shells wondering about their future with the Browns...and that is not good for a franchise in the middle of a 5 year rebuilding plan.

If Haslam is the great manager of people that some claim, he would recognize the detrimental effect of the uncertainty his proposed purchase of the Browns is causing for folks like Heckert and put their minds at ease...

...all Haslam has to do is say is something like...should the sale of the Browns be approved, there will be no personnel moves during the 2012 season.

With the 2012 camp started, it is too late to begin making major moves now. Clearly the uncertainty is beginning to take a toll...Haslam could do something about that or he could simply let those working for him, continue to twist in the wind.


Quote:

Per Cabot, no big decisions will be made until after the 2012 season plays out so the current regime should have plenty of chances to make their case.




Per Cabot?...

Where is the new owner?

This is an opportunity for Haslam to show some leadership, even if he releases a statement via Lerner.

Haslam should not be letting a reporter speak for him...this is his first opportunity to step forward manage the people that will be working for him in 2012.


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i'm not sure the NFL wants a prospective new owner speaking/acting as an owner before everything is approved. pretty sure they have told him to keep quiet at this point.


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Him speaking for the team is the same as Cabot speaking for the team at this point.


Once the sale is complete, then he can speak.


If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.

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nolo...Haslam could release a statement via Lerner, which would be proper considering the situation...sale pending.

But to allow Cabot, the Plain Dealer beat writer to comment for the new owner is a missed opportunity by the new owner to make an impression upon those working for him.

It is obvious from the article, not only Heckert is unsure of the immediate future, but so are the people who work for him as well as some of the players.

Uncertainty and change are the enemies of the Cleveland Browns and this is an excellent opportunity for Haslam to show some leadership, even if it comes from Lerner.

Haslam can either let everyone "twist in wind", wondering if they have a future beyond today or calm everyone nerves and create a positive working environment for the 2012 season...

...Haslam's choice !!!


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Agree, however he doesn't have to speak to the press at all, he should/could just go to his 'future' employees, via Lerner or a direct call/face-to-face, and tell them the same. The press doesn't have to be involved at all, unless the NFL has rules prohibiting him from speaking to other Americans.


What he shouldn't say is; 'you are all auditioning for your jobs this year, good luck'. That would put undo pressure on all of them.

Something more along the lines of; 'I like what you have been doing, no decision(s) have been made, and I do not intend to upset the whole thing you have started here, at this time'. While also a 'you are auditing for your jobs, its also a concession that all the work you have done so far isn't being, nor will it be overlooked. (Or something to that effect)





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The uncertainty and the negative impact upon the team goes beyond this one article.

If you listen to the media (radio), they are reporting that major changes are coming as soon as Haslam's signature is on the bottom line. They are sighting NFL sources of which I have never heard of...the friend of a friend who is a relative of someone who knows.

Grossi was on WKNR yesterday, clearly grinding his axe yet again, claiming major changes are coming very soon after the sale is completed. Those working within the organization hear this stuff and it creates an unproductive environment for them to work in.

The players hear people like Grossi talk on the radio and in the vacuum and silence from ownership only fuels the speculation.

The atmosphere being created by the uncertainty and silence are already having a negative impact on the team. The pending sale of the Browns could not have come at a worse time for the Browns, who have invested heavily on the offensive side of the ball, with new coaches and a roster of young players who have never been through this sort of change.

Again, it is an opportunity to show leadership by Haslam.

Letting the players, coaches and office personnel twist in the wind shows a lack of management skills or concern for those working for Haslam.

A negative working environment is the last thing this team needed...


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Quote:

Where is the new owner?

This is an opportunity for Haslam to show some leadership, even if he releases a statement via Lerner.

Haslam should not be letting a reporter speak for him...this is his first opportunity to step forward manage the people that will be working for him in 2012.




First , he's not the new owner yet so as it should be, he's keeping a low profile..

second, Not having a deal finalized means he's not the new owner and doesn't need to show any leadership at this point. he doesn't own the team

Third.., he's not letting anyone speak for him., Cabot is reporting what she and others within the orgainzation are saying. Haslam doesn't have anything to do with it.

When he becomes the official owner, he'll have things to say.

The man isn't the owner yet and already you are beating on him

Last edited by Damanshot; 08/02/12 08:52 AM.

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I understand what you and Mac are saying, but at this point it isn't his place to say anything about the Cleveland Browns.
All of that will be done once a sale is negotiated and approved.

I don't think this is much of a distraction for the players and coaches. They are smart enough to know nothing will happen this year as far as they are concerned. It's way late for that. Next year?? Well, they were playing for that anyway, so nothing about this sale impacts them all that much.

This is more about the press and the fans. We are worried about the direction and if the team is moving, so the press keeps hammering on the points trying to gain some information.

By all accounts this process is going to be swift. Swift by NFL terms of selling a team. At that point Haslam is going to come in, and I will bet nothing changes for this year. He's not going to come in and start making changes day one in so far as the front office.

This off season, well, we may see changes, but that is 5-6 months away. And like I said, we may have been in line for changes anyway. I am confident that everybody in the building has this season to put their best foot forward and demonstrate why they should be a part of the Browns organization moving forward.

Haslam, Banner, Holmgren, and Heckert have all season to sit in the owners box to discuss the future of the Browns.


If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.

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I see what Mac is saying as well, but if Haslam makes a statement - either on his own or through Lerner- and the deal falls through, then what? He really doesn't have a right to say anything until the deal is completed.


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I don't think this is much of a distraction for the players and coaches. They are smart enough to know nothing will happen this year as far as they are concerned. It's way late for that. Next year?? Well, they were playing for that anyway, so nothing about this sale impacts them all that much.

This is more about the press and the fans. We are worried about the direction and if the team is moving, so the press keeps hammering on the points trying to gain some information.





Agree, again.

I was just saying he (Haslam) doesn't owe the press or us a comment at this time, would be nice to end the wild radio and print media speculation, thus worrying the fans, etc. However, if he wanted to, and maybe he has, he could go to the front office and make a statement to them, to alleviate some of their concerns.

It has a trickle down effect; if the top brass are worried and running around unsure, it can bleed into the coaches and players. I believe people are more perceptive, whether they realize it or not, about body language, and if the top brass is puckered up, eventually the others will get that way. Now if the coaches, and even leaders among the players sense this and can nip-it-in-the-bud then that can go a long way in keeping players loose and the team on the field playing better.

What the press, and by extension, we get as far as comments from the potential new owner is irrelevant in my book at this time. Keeping the front office and staff (coaches and players) in the dark isn't the best way, but not the worst either

This is all still new, so eventually we will know, but it will probably take that 4/5 months and then all will be revealed.
(imho).




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Why do I care what the owner of another team has to say about the Browns?



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Quote:

However, if he wanted to, and maybe he has, he could go to the front office and make a statement to them, to alleviate some of their concerns.



I'm not sure I want a minority owner of the Steelers talking directly to my front office personnel.

Quote:

It has a trickle down effect; if the top brass are worried and running around unsure, it can bleed into the coaches and players. I believe people are more perceptive, whether they realize it or not, about body language, and if the top brass is puckered up, eventually the others will get that way.



Why would the top brass be nervous? They are all fairly rich and have very good reputations around football and would all have other jobs in 60 days if they wanted them... Plus based on their contracts, most of them would probably get paid for a couple more years anyway.


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Quote:

i'm not sure the NFL wants a prospective new owner speaking/acting as an owner before everything is approved. pretty sure they have told him to keep quiet at this point.


Exactly.

Too many folks are wanting to jump at every word which revolves around this sale. Gotta let the damned process play itself out.


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Quote:

Quote:

However, if he wanted to, and maybe he has, he could go to the front office and make a statement to them, to alleviate some of their concerns.



I'm not sure I want a minority owner of the Steelers talking directly to my front office personnel.


True, but I believe he has to sell those minority shares; can't own parts of two teams per NFL bylaws (iirc). I know you can't own two different sporting franchises (American sports leagues) unless they are in the same city.

I'm not saying he should go in there and start directing them to do 'this and that', but rather just dispel (or confirm) any rumors.


Quote:

It has a trickle down effect; if the top brass are worried and running around unsure, it can bleed into the coaches and players. I believe people are more perceptive, whether they realize it or not, about body language, and if the top brass is puckered up, eventually the others will get that way.



Why would the top brass be nervous? They are all fairly rich and have very good reputations around football and would all have other jobs in 60 days if they wanted them... Plus based on their contracts, most of them would probably get paid for a couple more years anyway.




Top brass might be nervous because they have established themselves in the city, they have kids in school, they like where they are and what they are doing and do not want to uproot again, if they can avoid it.

Not all the people in the front office have contracts, in fact very few, and they don't all make millions. MH yes, he is fine and the money is not as much a concern. However the middle, upper, and even some executive management folks are not as flush as MH, and this would/could be unsettling to them. Sure they can get another job somewhere else,( the economy is just that good [/purple] ), but they are more middle class than the top 1% like MH, and those are the people I was speaking about more so than MH. Plus a lot of them are not 'football' people, rather business related and just going to another city isn't very likely, since those other teams have people doing those jobs already.


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