DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns' Mess Starts with Haslem

Therefore you are blaming Haslam because you "THINK" he knew about it?

But you don't "KNOW" he knew about it.

FYI, in that recent interview Haslam said that Farmer and he talked about it when it was revealed and that Haslam is sticking with Farmer. You may be right, but you don't have enough evidence to be sure.

by the way, I agree, Haslam knew. I'm sure of it. I just can't prove it, thus I'm not going to do as some and start calling him names.

They'll be plenty of time for that later.

You don't have to prove it to me, I actually agree with you that he knew.

But, in order to condemn the man, in order to start the name calling, yeah, you do have to prove it.

LOL Love it.. Very good.

I can't speak to all the dysfunction in Berea, I was referring strictly to Textgate. On that topic, neither LaConfora, Kosar or Shea were in the room.

Jimmy Haslam felt 'sucker-punched' by report the Cleveland Browns are toxic and dysfunctional


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Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer and owner Jimmy Haslam chat before the game against the Baltimore Ravens. (Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer)
Plain Dealer photography staff
Print Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group By Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group
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on February 12, 2015 at 5:38 PM,

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was out of town last week when a national report surfaced that his team was toxic, dysfunctional and that anyone who could flee was fleeing.

The report, by Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports, hit the same day that Northeast Ohio Media Group reported that Browns general manager Ray Farmer was facing a suspension, and the Browns a fine and loss of a draft pick for Farmer's impermissible texting during games. It also came just days after Johnny Manziel checked himself into rehab and Josh Gordon's minimum year-long ban became official.

Despite the tumultuous week, Haslam had been feeling good about the team's outlook since taking his top aides on a three-day team-building and strategic planning session. The group included Mike Pettine, Farmer, team president Alec Scheiner and general counsel Sashi Brown.

"I feel very good directionally about where we're headed,'' Haslam said Wednesday in a 50-minute session with Browns beat reporters. "That's why (the article) was like getting sucker-punched when it kind of came out of left field - 'whoa, that's not what we're seeing.'

"Now, I also accept that until we win and win consistently which we have not done - they didn't do before we got here - and we haven't done, we don't have any credibility. We don't have any equity with y'all. We accept that. We have to prove we can win and win consistently and we accept that."

Haslam revealed that what bothered him most about LaCanfora's story, which blamed the team's woes on its meddlesome owner, was the depiction of the Browns as "dysfunctional, that people want out of here, that we don't work well together. Because that couldn't be further from the truth. I don't know everybody that works here, but the key people I promise you like coming to work, are here early, work late and work well together. It does not at all, and I want to say at all, depict how things go here."

Haslam, in fact, felt better than ever after working out some of the kinks in the three-day getaway, some of which had surfaced during Kyle Shanahan's messy departure.

"We came back from there and I actually felt that since our family bought the Browns, it's the best week we've had,'' he said. "Very productive, clarification of roles, strategy, where we wanted to go, how we were going to get there. A great two or three days together and unfortunately some people who as far as I know have not been in this building, depicted a far different situation than certainly we feel every day when we come here and come to work.''

Haslam, who plans to stick with Farmer in the wake of Text-gate, disputed reports of friction between Farmer and Pettine and that Scheiner, head of the business side, had become divisive in the building as a result of wanting more say in football matters.

"I was in a meeting Monday, the scouts and the coaches and I feel great about what we've assembled on both sides as well as how well they work together,'' said Haslam. "I think Ray and Mike work together extremely well. I also think it's important to remember that today is Feb. 11, obviously a year ago is when we made some pretty substantial changes (firing CEO Joe Banner and GM Mike Lombardi) and it takes a little bit of time to put things together. I think we did a reasonably good job the first year and I think we'll be a lot better the second year and better than that the third year."

He addressed the report about Scheiner watching film with Pettine and Farmer on Monday mornings.

"Yeah, Alec and Ray watch film,'' said Haslam. "Unlike what was reported, Alec and Ray watch films after games from. It starts at 6, I don't know how long it lasts, I don't watch film with them. I think it was reported that Ray, Alec and I watch film together and that's not accurate. There were a lot of inaccuracies in there and that was certainly one of them and everybody says, 'Well, why is the business guy watching film?' And let me ask you, if you had an opportunity to watch film with Ray on Monday morning, would you do it?

"Alec is a smart guy and one of the most competent guys in pro sports, not just the NFL and he wants to learn more so he sits in there and he's not critiquing Ray, he's listening to Ray's comments.''

Asked if Scheiner had become divisive, Haslam said, "Absolutely not. Absolutely not. ...That's not the case. It was very unfair to Alec, very unfair. We work extremely well together."

Haslam, who also believes it's too early to give up on Manziel, admitted he's still learning the ins and outs of ownership.

"Yes, we had an association with the Steelers, but we weren't there in the building every day so it's been a steep learning curve and hopefully we will do a better job leading the organization than we have in the past,'' he said. "But here's how I see my role is set the goals for the organization, put the right people in the right place, provide them with the resources they need to do their job and then hold them accountable.''

Haslam, who's had Farmer, Pettine and Scheiner reporting to him since he fired Banner last year, said he now spends about half of his working hours with the Browns and half with Pilot Flying J, which is still under investigation for rebate fraud.

Still, Haslam sees no need to add a football czar to oversee the whole operation, although some in the league have told NEOMG they think he might be holding that spot open for his good buddy Peyton Manning when he retires.

"We're comfortable the way we're set up,'' he said. "I like having the direct dealing with Mike, with Ray and with Alec and we're comfortable with the structure. I think we've grown a tremendous amount in this last year and we have more growth to do. I get it that we have to win to convince (the media) and the fans. (But) we're solely committed to winning."

He re-iterated that Farmer made the call on drafting Manziel and that Farmer will always have final say in any personnel debate between the two.

"Let me say, I have never watched tape,'' he said. "That's not my skillset. I'm supposed to get the right people in the right place and I think in Ray Farmer we have the right person and (personnel executives) Bill Kuharich and Morocco Brown and all of the other scouts, I think we've got the right people in the right places, so Ray has all of those final calls.''

He disputed the notion that the business side clamored for the drafting of Manziel to drive merchandise sales.

"That's crazy,'' Haslam said. "Alec can tell you this better than I can because he's so much better at the business side of football than I am, but everybody thinks he's going to sell a lot more jerseys. You put what you make on merchandise into a pool and divide it by 32. In the scheme of things in NFL dollars it's this big (holding his fingers and inch apart). It's not this big (hands a foot apart)."

Haslam was asked by a reporter why Shanahan bolted if everything in Berea is hunky-dory.

"I don't at all want people to think we think everything is great, okay?'' he said. "We don't. What I want you to understand is we do work together. It's not dysfunctional. We understand that in the last five years that our division rivals have been sixth, seventh, eighth in wins and we've been in the high 20s. So we're not at all satisfied and it's not hunky-dory. All I want to convey is we do get along, we do work well together and we've got a common goal. But we understand -- it's really important -- we have a lot of work to do to have the kind of football team we want to have. So please understand that. I want to make sure that's not misstated. We're not at all satisfied with where we are."

He addressed reports that some in the building fear that he'll wipe out the staff after next season. According to CBS Sports, the Browns have the ninth toughest schedule in 2015, with opponents possessing a 138-116-2 win-loss record (.543). What's more, they have no idea who their quarterback will be.

"Listen, I encouraged Ray last year before his first draft to be aggressive in the draft, not be afraid to take chances, that we're in this for the long haul,'' he said. "I know that will get a lot of rolling of the eyes because of all the changes we've made and I accept that, but I think we've put together a really good team that can turn this franchise into a consistent winner - something that's not been - and I feel really good about the people we've put in place.''

Haslam was asked about Farmer picking Gilbert instead of Giants receiver Odell Beckham, who went on to win NFL Rookie of the Year honors.

"Organizationally we decided cornerback was a big need the way Mike likes to play defense, so we made the decision to pick Justin,'' he said. "I can assure you we do a tremendous amount of post-audit on our drafts because one of my responsibilities [is to] hold people accountable. Pretty soon, you go in our draft room, we'll have the last three or four drafts up there, and I think that's a reminder, good and bad, for how we've done. So we'll continue.''

On a mission to find a winning quarterback, he insisted he has the right people in the building to accomplish it.

"Between our scouts and our coaches, we have the expertise to get a good quarterback, and we're going to work relentlessly until we get that person,'' he said. "And here again, I'm not saying that person's not on our roster. But we're going to continue to work and evaluate."

Throughout the turmoil of the past few months, Haslam said Pettine has been rock-solid.

"He was exactly what we thought he was when we hired him,'' said Haslam. "He's a smart guy, he's tough. I think he relates to the players well. Of all the people in the building, he was the least rattled by the events of last week. That's Mike. That's a true virtue.''

Haslam said he wasn't about to let the controversial week and scathing national report splinter his organization.

"Let's start with Johnny,'' he said. "We're proud of him raising his hand, That was very positive news. Disappointed in Josh, but with the track record certainly not surprised. The text stuff was pretty well out there. I think the rumors of the decision and what the penalty will be, at least as I understand it, nobody knows yet.

"You just have to fight through it. Do I wish there was no news? Of course I do. My main concern last week was I was out of town and I called all the main people up here and said, 'listen, just stay focused.' There's a tendency to get emotional, you want to flail out. We're not going to do that. Just stay focused on your job and if you do that, things will work out." link

Good for Jimmy. Nice read. Hope he stays true to his word. Maybe they all learned a lil about themselves. Move over Jimmy and let the people do their jobs.

You should listen to his first few press conferences.

What a liar.

Total PR spin.

Yea it is total chaos in berea everyone is running out the door in a panic according to LaConfora. Since shanny left we had all those people that quit, like umm hmm, and what his name, i know there was one, hmm, well i am sure someone is thinking about quitting anyway dammit , LaCanfora said so. lol

well all i know is thank goodness for UFAs or we wouldnt be able to field a team next year.

Make fun all you want, but I wonder if you guys will be laughing at our record next year?

I am making fun of Lacanfora, not rishuz as he is one of the people i truly respect most on this board.

You know Lacanfora did report that guys couldnt get out of the building fast enough but we havent seen anyone leave other than Shanny who NO ONE thought would stay more than 1 or 2 years max. We kept our best coaches.

I just dont see the chaos that is being reported by the media. Pettine wanted Flip last year, Banner brought in Shanny. Banner gone, shanny gone and they have now reunited in Atlanta. Pettine hires the guys he wanted.

I think the only person that really wants out in is Cameron and he wants to join the Vikings to be with Norv. Hoyer Farmer doesnt want back. thats pretty much it.

AS for our record, if we get decent QB play we are a playoff team and if we dont we will be last again. We have a solid team and another draft to add to it will help. The big thing is to get some of our taken care of like gipson.

Terry's Talkin' about Johnny Manziel, Kyle Shanahan and the 'toxic' Cleveland Browns -- Terry Pluto (photos)

Print Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer
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on February 14, 2015 at 9:33 AM, updated February 14, 2015 at 10:36 AM



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In the middle of my recent interview with Jimmy Haslam, I realized there was not much he could say that would change anything.

He understands that fans don't trust the Browns because of all the losing and turmoil. He is correct to think that the departure of Kyle Shanahan is overblown in terms of being the final verdict on how the Browns do business.

But as Haslam said, "I know that until you begin to win consistently, you have no credibility -- but I really believe we are headed in the right direction."

The Browns finished 7-9, their best record since 2014. The tough part was finishing with five losses in a row.

I'm from the Bill Parcells school that "your record is your record." Sixteen games tells a story. Just as when the Browns finished the 2009 with four straight wins, they still were a 5-11 team.

I like the roster better now than after 2013. I say that knowing the same questions linger -- starting at quarterback. There also is a huge hole on the defensive line. Other than Desmond Bryant (and sometimes Billy Winn), no one stopped the run or delivered much pressure on the quarterback.

Once again they need receivers.

In the end, the Browns were 7-9. But they are "toxic," according to several media reports. "Toxic" is the new label, that no one would want to touch it.

You know when the Browns were last "toxic"? About 13 months ago when Rob Chudzinski was fired and they were searching for a replacement. Not only were the Browns "toxic," they were "radioactive."

That came from this tweet by Albert Breer of the NFL network: "You get the increasing feeling, talking to people around that league, that the Browns job is seen as radioactive."

Apparently Mike Pettine was willing to deal with the radiation. He was either the fourth choice, the sixth choice ... or the 864th choice. I can't remember. I do think he ended up a pretty good choice.

Former CEO Joe Banner was criticized for the coaching search, but he found a good man. Banner and General Manager Mike Lombardi were not fired until Feb. 11, with Ray Farmer promoted to general manager.

Remember how the Browns coaching search was being conducted "by the Three Stooges," according to one local television newsman?

That also was last year. Stooges. Toxic. Radioactive.

Sigh...

The name-calling wears me out because there often isn't much thought behind it.

I'm disturbed that a veteran NFL man such as Farmer did something so ridiculous as send texts during games to coaches in the press box. Regardless of the content, it's a violation of NFL rules and everyone in the league knows it. That embarrassed the franchise. But I'm pleased that Haslam is sticking with Farmer. Now is not the time to have a fourth GM in four years running the draft.

I didn't like the selection Manziel on draft day, and now he's in rehab for alcohol problems. No surprise that Josh Gordon submarined his own career ... again.

I thought Farmer was far too stubborn in a near disdain of receivers. But I'm also not willing to accept that the franchise is about to collapse. Truth is, Browns fans have seen much worse.

But the only thing that will change this storyline is a strong draft, some wise free agent signings, and a winning record at the end of the year.

ABOUT JOHNNY MANZIEL

If Haslam wants to say positive things about Manziel as the quarterback tries to put his life back together, that makes some sense. The stakes are huge for Manziel, who was destroying his life with one party to another. The most encouraging news is that I keep hearing that it was Manziel who made the decision to enter rehab.

The Browns owner said he recently asked his football people if Manziel can be a starter in the NFL -- and Haslam said, "The answer is consistently yes. I don't have the ability to judge that. I don't have that kind of technical expertise. Now, he's got to get himself straightened out and he has to do that on the field, but yes."

That's yes, as in Manziel can become a starter. That's Haslam's opinion, and that of some of his football people.

I'm not going to dwell on all the obvious problems that Manziel had on and off the field. Fans know the story. I will say the Browns are spending a lot of time studying free-agent quarterbacks, and some who may be available via trade. I don't believe Haslam or anyone else in Berea is counting on Manziel to start this season. They really don't know what -- if anything -- they can expect.

Haslam told me that it was "too early" to write off Manziel. He didn't say it, but he knows a key to success in rehab is for a person to have a future in mind -- a dream worth working towards. It's why he kept saying the Browns would support the troubled Gordon, until there was a third suspension in two years. The latest covers all of 2015.

I sense the Browns may bring in several quarterbacks. I'm sure they'll see what it would take to trade for Marcus Mariota.

I do think all of us in the media are tempted to write for impact at times, and we can forget about consistency.
But the first six teams in the draft are Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Oakland, Washington and the New York Jets. The Bucs, Titans and Jets definitely need a quarterback. Maybe Washington does, too, given the erratic Robert Griffin III. Hard to imagine the Browns having enough trade ammunition to jump over so many teams.

With Manziel in rehab and Brian Hoyer entering free agency, Connor Shaw is the only viable QB on the roster. You will hear a lot of players connected to the Browns between now and free agency (March 10, when it opens) and then the draft in late April.

ABOUT KYLE SHANAHAN

I recently ran across an article in CBS Sports about Shanahan. It was written in December of 2013 during his final weeks as Washington's offensive coordinator. He was working for his father, head coach Mike Shanahan.

Here are some key points from the story written by Jason La Canfora. He's also the author of the recent rip on the Browns front office for how it handled Shanahan and other factors.

1. "Kyle Shanahan (is seen) as someone who was empowered and enabled by his father, spending an abundance of time in his father's office, given a wide swath of power, and rubbing many people -- players, fellow coaches and members of football operations -- the wrong way."

2. "Shanahan has been the most heavily rewarded of the team's assistant coaches, as team sources said the two-year extension Shanahan earned following the playoff run in 2012 will pay him $1.5M in 2014 alone. That's money he's almost certain to collect away from the team, with this regime widely expected to be fired after this season."

3. "Kyle is the head coach, it's just that no one knows he is," said one member of the organization. "He gets whatever he wants. And he has no relationship at all with (quarterback Robert Griffin III). So how could it work?"

4. "As a former member of the organization puts it: "Kyle bitches about everything, and then his father has to fix it. He bitches about the food in the cafeteria. He bitches about the field. He bitches about the equipment. He complains and then Mike takes care of it. Kyle is a big problem there. He is not well liked."

5. "Several members of the organization said Kyle Shanahan was a cause of internal strife, surrounding himself with young coaches with inferior experience, and allowing for no checks and balances of outside voices in the offensive coaching rooms."

Here's what La Canfora wrote in his recent article on the Browns:

1. "At season's end Shanahan, the lone bright spot on offense, perhaps, presented Mike Pettine with a 32-point presentation on why he wanted to get out of his contract, sources said."

2. "After much deliberation among lawyers and negotiation, in a bizarre precedent, a statement was crafted and Shanahan was a free man. He would end up in Atlanta, a coveted job."

3. "Allowing Shanahan to walk sent shockwaves through the building, with such a talented coach allowed to go at a time when the Browns desperately needed to develop a quarterback and with a quarter of the teams in the NFL needing a new offensive coordinator."

Quick thoughts:

1. The same author wrote both stories about the same Kyle Shanahan -- about 14 months apart.

2. I don't think Shanahan was a bad as portrayed by La Canfora in the first story, nor is he the tremendous loss as characterized in the second.

3. I do think all of us in the media are tempted to write for impact at times, and we can forget about consistency. As a reader, you can call up the links to both stories and draw your own conclusions.

Here's what I heard about Shanahan:

1. He is talented but difficult. He and Pettine agreed on the general offensive approach -- the strong running game and zone blocking schemes. But they really didn't know each other before Shanahan was hired last January.

2. Pettine was hired Jan. 23, 2014. By then, many of the top available assistants had been hired by other teams. He was scrambling to fill his staff, especially on offense. Shanahan's reputation took a big hit in Washington with the collapse of Griffin III in 2013. So he needed a job, and Pettine (a defensive coach) needed an experienced offensive coordinator.

3. A year ago, Pettine really liked John DeFilippo, Oakland's quarterback coach. He was tempted to hire DeFilippo as coordinator, but believed it was wiser to go with the more experienced Shanahan.

4. When Shanahan wanted out of his contract because he was reasonably sure that he could get a job in Atlanta as the coordinator for quarterback Matt Ryan, Pettine didn't push hard for him to stay. The head coach believes it's hard enough to win when coaches want to be with a team. When they want out, it makes no sense forcing them to stay.

5. Pettine also was sure he could hire DeFilippo, with whom he had a comfort level. They worked together on the Jets staff in 2009, and have stayed close ever since. Will it work? Who knows? But let's also not turn Shanahan into a saint in his departure. Like many of us, he saw a better opportunity and went after it. LINK

Like I said, LaCanfora is trolling Browns fans and takes great joy in it. And Browns fans, the most negative and gullible in all of sports, just lap it up. He knows that you will so he will continue to do it.

I would love to see LaCanfora interviewed and asked about the two articles. Terry took him to task. It's about time someone did.

I'm on the fence on this one. I totally get having Shanahan is probably the best OC since Daboll. I was never comfortable with Turner, but I can buy Norv is better. I also get Shanahan was only a stop gap until he found greener pastures.

I think Shanahan wanted out when he knew QB was going to take awhile to develop. Both Hoyer and JFF need work. Shanahan wants to be a head coach. Atlanta is a lot more ready than the Browns.

Browns needs someone who wants to evolve building something. Is Flippo a better option? On paper, no f'n way. O'Neil, DeFlippo, and Pettine seem equal in character football guys. Both coordinators, at least what I'm seeing today, don't look like guys wanting to be HCs. They appear they want to build something that wants to win football games.

Is that something that sounds reassuring Browns are headed in the right direction? No. In the end it really doesn't matter who the coordinators are, it really boils down to does Haslam have the patience to build a competitor. It is going to take time to get this sheet turned around. Farmer took a baby step last year. He needs to take a bigger step this year.

Quite a revelation...not!!! Read slowly and take those words to heart.

Best summation of the situation - and I don't mind admitting that I think that because I agree with virtually everything in the article. I think it highlights a couple things:

1. Haslam knows it doesn't matter what he says or does until the team wins - damned if he does, damned if he doesn't - the only thing that won't get criticized is if the team wins. Bottom line. Period. I think that's true.

2. They aren't giving up on JM - but they absolutely are not relying on him in any way shape or form. Good. I can't see JM even being a starter in the NFL - but I will continue to hope, because if he is a franchise QB in the making and he is already on our roster, then we are in a better place even if its hard to see right now.

3. Lovely summation on Canfora's junkie, two faced piece of journalism. Anyone arguing Canfora is fair and balanced has an agenda. Canfora is a shock jock journalist, period.

yea. guess no one on this board ever changed there mind about something. guess it couldnt be that he didnt like the hire but then shanny proved him wrong by doing a good job with what was on the roster.

Starting to be some rumblings about the texts questioning why are we throwing the ball . No idea if true or not and we may never know but if true and the text came from Farmer, Shanny has every right to be ticked. I may agree with Farmer but you dont do that, not his place to do so especially during the game.

Side note:

If I am a Falcons fan....I am Like ..."Banner and Shanny, wtf? We are patterning ourselves after the Browns"?

Actually, I think that is a magnificent duo and I predict the Falcons will be more successful moving forward. I would take Banner and Shanny over Farmer and Flip any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Not asking you to agree, but that is just how I see it.

Now, we can watch and see how each team improves this coming year. Cleveland beat ATL on the road last year. They won one more game than the Falcons. So, it is safe to assume that the Browns were a better team than the Falcons.

I am betting that the Falcons have a better record next year. Any takers?

LOL.........save your personal attacks and don't make it about ME. Make it about the facts.

Cleveland beat Atlanta in Atlanta last year despite 3 picks.

Cleveland had a better record than Atlanta last year.

The terrible Shanny is gone. The god-awful Banner is now paired w/Shanny in Atlanta. They must be doomed, according to the logic [sic] of you guys.

We'll see.

Falcons were 12th in scoring averaged 24 pts a game. The big issue they had was the defense giving up to many pts that and the run blocking was horrid. He should be able to help the run game but there isnt a lot to improve on the offensive side of the ball.

The Browns were 27th in scoring at 18 a game, I liked Shanny but it will be hard for the Browns not to improve.

Not sure what your argument is????

Are you denying that the Browns beat Atlanta in Atlanta?

Are you denying that the Browns had a better record than Atlanta?

Are you denying that the Browns played in a tougher division than Atlanta?

LOL...........y'all are in a bad spot, bro. I love you, Mourg............but you are going to back yourself into a corner. I don't wanna nail you. If it was Memphis........well, that would be another story. LOL.

Just let it go, bro.

My argument is, dont be surprised if flip's offense doesnt out produce what Shanny did last year and also I would not be surprised if Atlanta's offense doesn't slide a bit even if Julio does make it back 100%.

We beat atlanta because we have a good defense and atlanta does not. Their division is based on offense where our's is about defense but still, the only way Atlanta's offense improves is if Shanny has a top 10 offense. If we have a top 20 it is a big improvement. Plus their line is really soft in atlanta, I dont know how much Shanny or anyone can get out of that group.

We will see.

His argument is that the Falcons had a better offense and a worse defense than the Browns.

Now part of that may have been the division they played in, that could be a valid point, but the fact is that, even though we beat them, we did so largely because of the defense, and a last second FG drive.

That is the game where Hoyer threw 3 INT. We gave up a 57 yard TD drive, a 50 yard TD drive, an 80 yards TD drive, and a 2o yard FG drive. Our offense out our defense in a bad position during the game.

Last year, Atlanta averaged 23.8 PPG. (12th in the NFL) We averaged 18.7. (27th in the NFL) We allowed 21.1 PPG last year. (which was good for 9th in the NFL) Atlanta allowed 26.1 POG, good for 27th.

We beat Atlanta, yes, but it was on the strength of our defense overall.

So, if the falcons have a better record than the Browns, it will be because of the ultra famous football man, JOE FREAKING BANNER...right?

Oh lord, give me the strength...

wouldnt surprise me. the pats hired lombardi and won the super bowl.

And hear I thought the Pats won because of a stupid play call on the 1 yard line. Silly me...

As far as I know, Banner is not on the Falcons staff. He was retained as a consultant for stadium issues. Clearly Banner has significant experience as he renovated both Philadelphia and Cleveland stadiums successfully.

It looks like he may have had input on coaches as well....e.g Shanahan.

The Falcons have a QB.