MDS pointed out on Twitter on Sunday that people bemoan the Raiders' state as a team too often, when there are far worse franchises out there. Case in point: the Cleveland Browns, who reportedly escorted GM George Kokinis off of the team premises and have now fired him.Update: The Browns have issued a statement saying that Kokinis is no longer an "active member of the organization" but are denying the reports that Kokinis was escorted from the building. I stand behind my final two paragraphs below.
The Plain Dealer first reported that Kokinis was removed from the premises by Browns' human resources personnel, although it could not confirm that he had been fired. TheOBR.com, Scout's Browns site, reported later Monday evening that Kokinis was indeed axed (and Jay Glazer has cited sources that believe Kokinis was fired as well).
However, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio received an e-mail from Browns' PR Director Neal Gulkis that said, "I have not heard anything."
So, yeah, there's a touch of confusion as to what's happening in Cleveland from the media/media relations side of things.
But here's what's abundantly clear: Kokinis wasn't doing a great job of turning the Browns around, nor was he doing an effective job of managing the guy who hired him, Eric Mangini (which should be a pretty good indication of his status, no?), as made evident by Mangini's failure to decide between Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn.
Remember, too, that owner Randy Lerner gave Mangini the dreaded vote of confidence earlier Monday.
And if the team managed to escort its GM off the premises, while also somehow allowing the media to find out about the firing before the Browns made an announcement, it becomes even more apparent that the Browns are a trainwreck of a franchise with little hope for a future turnaround.
And really, if Kokinis somehow isn't fired, well, it might be even worse than even the most pessimistic person could imagine.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-02-2009 @ 10:40PM
wmjasmith6 said...
Eric Mangini made a bone headed move Sunday by putting Brady Quinn into the game with 3 min. left in the ball game. Stupid move. If the Brown fired Kokinis they should just fire Eric Mangini as well what a looser, Mangini couldn't coach a CYO football team.
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11-02-2009 @ 11:19PM
nate said...
At this point (being that I am 1-7) I would start playing and thinking outside of the box and place players where they are most Valuable. The only coaches I have been happy with in the past 5 years are Rob Ryan and ex-offensive coord "Chud". The following thoughts I hope have crossed the current Cleveland coaching staffs' minds.
1. I am 1-7 maybe this is a good time to experiment, Cribbs sure does show some Talent and the most **HEART**. He is same size as Adrian Petersen exactly, ran the 40yd dash at competitive if not better than AD. Take him off KR/PR to rest give him 25-30 RB touches a game, what you got to lose? at least see what you got. What good is someone as KR/PR when your offense can't execute? Any avg Joe can get you decent KR results (30 yd line). Cribbs would be more valuable as a RB not a WR. Possibly some direct snaps.
2. I am impressed with the D, might consider changing to 4-3 but I like Rob Ryan (passionate smart man, you need that)
3. Get Quinn back in there. I am an admitting DA-bot, give Quinn the rest of the season see what he's made of, you got to see more. Can't be any worse unless your trying to save the 11 Mil bonus. Trade DA save there.
4. My top priority in the Draft is getting a RG and RT or from Free Agency, use my high draft pick on a seriously good WR or RB or both.
5. No sense in playing conservative anymore, experiment with what I got this year for the sake of 2010.
puppetmaster77@gmail.com
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11-03-2009 @ 12:51AM
wongtpa said...
The Browns are the worst team in the NFL by far. They are totally inept with no clue how to win a game. Buffalo was a mistake and the Browns should be winless. They have no plan and no hope. The Ravens are the real Browns. See that game in Baltimore yesterday. The Ravens are a winner and will make the playoffs. The Browns are assured of the first draft choice and will waste it as usual on a player with hype and no talent.
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