NFL Report: Browns also interested in Chiefs’ Ray Farmer
January 5, 2013Box Score: Rockets 112, Cavs 104
January 5, 2013Two hot rumors just hit the Cleveland Twitter-sphere. First, SportsRadio 94 WIP’s Brain Startare out in Philadelphia has a potentially dynamite rumor for Cleveland Browns fans:
https://twitter.com/brianstartare/status/287748074875531264
The Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot just retweeted his rumor about Oregon head coach Chip Kelly closing in on a five-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. As Cabot had just pointed out, the Eagles and Kelly were running late on their scheduled lunch — he had not yet began his dinner appointment out in Arizona with the Browns.
#Browns not meeting with #Oregon's Chip Kelly yet because he's still with the #Eagles.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 6, 2013
Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network remains a must-follow on the case, as he added these new details about the Browns’ continued pursuit of Syracuse coach Doug Marrone:
Source: #Browns met with #Cuse's Doug Marrone again. Yesterday, looked like job was Kelly's. Today Browns trying to figure out their choice
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2013
Asked two sources whether the #Browns like Chip Kelly or Doug Marrone more: "They are deciding." Was told neck-&-neck. #Staytuned
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2013
The #Browns meeting with Doug Marrone happened while #Eagles were meeting with Chip Kelly, I'm told.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2013
Rapoport appeared to be very careful to clarify that the Browns are still deciding who their favorite candidate is.
Eagles report and XM host Adam Caplan added to the story with his tweet, saying that the Eagles appear more confident in their chances of landing Kelly two hours ago, than compared to when their lunch began.
We’ll keep you updated with the latest. But if Startare’s report is true, it could be a heartbreaker for many Cleveland fans. But regardless, Rapoport’s rumor indicates the Browns still aren’t as set on either one of the candidates just yet.
[Related: NFL Rumor: ‘Be ready for something to happen tonight’ with Browns, Chip Kelly]
33 Comments
Not sure what to think or how to feel about this. If Kelly wanted to be with the Browns he wouldn’t have interviewed elsewhere. I think his quick spread would have worked, but at the same time he can’t go and recruit 5’4 guys all day. I liked Arians even though he didn’t have all of the success we wanted to see. I like Whisenhunt for the same reason. I guess we won’t know for a few more days.
Somebody’s looking for leverage with somebody else, that’s what I see. Somehow I suspect Marrone may be being used to get Kelly out of that meeting with Philly. Frankly, I think the Browns’ job is better than the Eagles’ job — that’s a rebuild in a tough division; the Browns are on the verge in a division where the powers are on the downslide. But what do I know?
Not surprising. Every time I get excited the sports world throws the hamma down.
Haslam has one thing going for the browns. Very very very deep pockets. Both rumors are most likely trying to change the ammount of the contract. Still feel Kelly is a lock for CLE
I’m ok with this… I much prefer some other options. I think Haslam should reconsider giving Arians an interview. Does anyone know if they’ve talked to Whisenhunt?
This is a typical cleveland ending. Though Im excited to see what Doug Moron can do. His 500 record at Syracuse speaks for itself. Somewhere Pat Shurmur is laughing at us. I look forward to being terrible for another 3 years until Moron gets fired
I still doubt that we’ll actually hire Marrone. Seems like a power play to get Kelly to talk to us. Even if Kelly does sign with the Eagles, there are much better options out there.
Rappoport is the guy who reported that the Browns were “close” to a deal with Kelly yesterday. That report now sounds completely baseless. Not sure why he is worth following.
Grossi is also useless. He reported Browns were having dinner with Kelly (as did the News Herald) and it turned out Kelly was still with Eagles.
I don’t think anyone really know anything. Personally, I hope Browns can snag Kelly
Cardinal rule of negotiation: nothing’s final until something’s signed. Let’s also not forget Kelly basically works for Nike (you think it’s Oregon?!) and they may have a say in this too …
Really? Already calling names on a coach we haven’t hired? Sheesh.
Is it just me or is this process hideously unfair if the Browns end up with “not Chip Kelly?” Almost the entire fan base seems unified under the idea that we MUST. HAVE. THIS. GUY!!!1!!!11! Whoever “not Chip Kelly” ends up being, the impression I’m getting is anything less than that person being the second coming of Lombardi means we’re ending up with a useless chump of a coach who will be no better than the rest of the chumps of the last 13 years.
I would have preferred a total media blackout this weekend to this. I just spent the last 24 hours convincing myself that Kelly would be a good fit with the Browns. STOP MESSING WITH MY HEAD
what you said
If you believe other rumors, though, Kelly’s first task with the Browns would be to tear them down anyway. So he might as well go to a team that needs tearing down instead of tearing down one that doesn’t.
Of course, one rumor said McCoy would work as a QB with Kelly and another claims Kelly wants a QB. That’s why they’re rumors.
I have the understanding that when a coach is fired, Shurmur, it is because the team is looking for improvement in that area. Why fire a guy if we’re going to be forced with a coach that is worse, Marone?
Great take, IMHO:
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/1/5/3841138/chip-kelly-rumors-browns-eagles-negotiations/in/3582999
Did Nick Swisher sign with the Indians? I mean I don’t want to hear he’s going to play for the Phillies tomorrow??
Browns need to take a lesson from the Indians on how to land your top priority.
On further comment from Chip Kelly: “I’m personally excited to coach through a Deshawn Jackson tantrum,
Am I the only one who’s not liking the direction the Haslam era is heading? More of the same 4-12, 5-11 seasons seem inevitable.
i totally agree. it’s been obvious from the start that Chip Kelly is playing for real. He probably only wants to leave Oregon for a lucrative package and some serious control over the 53. And his agent is doing a masterful job in pulling strings.
The Browns, once again, have hitched their saddles to the wrong pony. Marrone doesn’t strike fear into anyone’s heart. If they wanted leverage, they should have interviewed Lovie, Ken, or Arians – that would have put Kelly on his heels.
Any bets on whether we lose Chip Kelly because we only offered him 4 years? #Cleveland’d
The meeting with the Eagles is over (per the PeeDee and Sirius XM), and Kelly still remains coach of Oregon. He apparently told Philly he’d meet with them again tomorrow as he did the Browns the night before. The game truly is afoot (and, yes, he’s doing the right thing for himself to see what the leverage is and what each team would give him)!
If we actually hire Marrone…I just can’t even contemplate that right now. If Haslam wants him on his terms, all he needs to do is bring more cash to the table. But if Kelly wants to tear it all down first, I say let him walk.
Leverage is one thing, but he risks ticking off Haslam by bumping their meeting. Kelly better be careful. If the Browns walk, he doesn’t have much leverage with anyone anymore. Plus, you have to consider whether you want your relationship wih your new employer to start on positive or negative terms.
What just happened?
Works for me, I want nothing to do with Chip Kelly. Wisenhunt or Lovie Smith please.
I’ve had the flu and been offline since Friday. Have I missed something? It seems to me like the Browns tried to play one side against the other (you better sign, ’cause we like this other guy too) and now that Marrone has agreed with the Bills, they may miss out on both of them?
The more things change…
Bills get Marrone, Kelly probably to Phily. What makes me sad more than not getting these coaches, is the fact that nobody wants to come to Cleveland…
Fire Chip Smelly!!!!!!!!!!!!
They have but he sucks.
Arians wants to come here very badly, but that interest has not been reciprocated by Haslam/Banner.