Pitchers and Catchers Report! Wahoo!
February 11, 2014Michael Brantley’s Contract Extension: A Good Man is Hard to Find
February 11, 2014The fun never stops in Berea. Just weeks after the Cleveland Browns hired Mike Pettine as their new head coach, and the media was chastised for painting the team in an ill light, the front office has beeen shaken up in drastic fashion.
On Tuesday, the team announced that they have promoted Ray Farmer to General Manager and with Joe Banner stepping down in the next two months as he transitions out of his role as CEO. Farmer, who has spearheaded scouting through the offseason, will immediately take the over the teamâs football operations and lead the Browns during free agency and the draft. Additionally, the team announced that General Manager Michael Lombardi is departing the organization. President Alec Scheiner will continue in charge of the organizationâs business operations. Owner Jimmy Haslam made the announcement.
âFirst of all, we wanted to capitalize on the knowledge, experience and character weâre fortunate to have in Ray Farmer. Ray has a tremendous football IQ, heâs compelling, and he understands the types of players we need to acquire and develop in order to win in Cleveland. He embraces his partnership with Mike Pettine, which is critical in helping build the right team. Ray will provide excellent leadership in our front office.
âWe appreciate Joeâs contributions to the Cleveland Browns, especially in helping us as new owners. He was committed to creating a successful organization and bringing in talented individuals. We thank him for his work and dedication. We wish him and his family the best.
âAlec will continue in his role as President of this team. I think heâs one of the most intelligent and innovative young executives in the NFL.
âWeâre also grateful for Mike Lombardiâs efforts and commitment since rejoining our organization. He is an experienced and creative NFL executive with a unique ability to see the big picture. He has tremendous instincts and I know heâll be a valuable addition to any NFL organization. We simply wanted to give Ray this opportunity that heâs earned. We wanted to move forward under his leadership and capabilities.
âThe purpose of these moves is to unify our team with one, unequivocal goal: Provide our fans with the winning organization they have long deserved.â
When the Browns fired Rob Chudzinski following his first year on the job, the front office, led by Banner, was asked whether or not the team was being run by the “Three Stooges.” Throughout the team’s search for a head coach, there was considerable grumbling surrounding consternation amongst decision makers and overall team vision. Just a week ago, it was Banner who spoke highly of the situation in Berea, calling it one of the most desireable locations in the NFL.
And Banner’s parting words?
“It is bittersweet leaving the Browns organization. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Jimmy Haslam and helping him set the infrastructure for this franchise. I am proud of the talented individuals we brought in to help lead this team and feel that the Cleveland Browns are in good hands moving forward.â
That this news was not broken by any plugged-in reporter throughout the league speaks volumes.
221 Comments
Works for Ozzie. He decides who stays, but may be saddled to Flacco into salary cap hell.
Here is the bottom line:
A brand new, hungry, confident head coach who by all regards is well respected around the league.
A brand new, hungry, confident GM who by all regards is well respected around the league.
I can get on board with it, and what a great combo to pull the Browns off the mat.
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue…
It needs a huge argument between several posters… you better drum up some controversy G_O!
Don’t let Sham fool you, he’s a Pats fan through and through (including this Pat… Sham’s my #1 fan). The Browns can and will do no right in his eyes. There is only buffoonery.
O’Doyl Rules!!!
I just don’t understand the allure of that place. Their success is phenomenal, and hopefully it continues, but I guess I’m just not their huckleberry
this is nothing but good news, at least for now. Revel in the fact that at the very least there has been addition by subtraction. We don’t get much to enjoy, and it may not last long, so make hay while the sun shines
Nothing to argue there! I think it’s pretty obvious that in spite of their entire family going down, they were some amazing specimens.
(CB, I am taking the liberty of re-posting something you wrote 20 days ago. It was hilarious then, and it was prophetic. And it’s hilarious today)
. . . I’ll take a stab at The 3 stooges spoof:
Fade in…
We see Banner giving a Powerpoint projection to Jimmy on the NFL Road Tested.
Close in on Jimmy, a white haired, Neanderthal of a man with
virtually no comprehension of football decisions–and no ability to
control his emotions. As he hears words which he can’t comprehend, his
face reddens, smoke billows out of flaring nostrils.
Lombardi: (noticing the anger, tapping Banner on the arm): Um, Joey.
Banner, a little weasel like man with conniving twitchy eyes,
persists: Not now! I’m talking. And onto my explanation of our 6th
round pick…
Jimmy, face seething with anger, ready to boil over, lunges across the table.
Jimmy: Jimmy no like little man talk! Argh! (claws at a frightened
Banner who cries out like a 12 year old girl). Jimmy going to get tricky
little man! Argh!
And scene!
It’s a working draft so go easy.
have you had the War Pig? if you haven’t, then you have yet to live.
have you had the War Pig? if you haven’t, then you have yet to live.
Haslam trimmed the fat it’s a good thing I was speaking to the dysfunction that is the organization the one Haslam refused to acknowledge. The dysfunction that has them on another HC another GM and the rest.
Haslam trimmed the fat it’s a good thing I was speaking to the dysfunction that is the organization the one Haslam refused to acknowledge. The dysfunction that has them on another HC another GM and the rest.
Who does this?
Who does this?
Dear Diary:
Foiled again, just when I thought I had everything covered. How did this happen… I’m smart, I’m from the East, and I lose to a southerner in the midwest? Lombardi was my perfect stooge, totally desperate and in full on obsequient mode. Then the locals start screaming about him non-stop until I have to put him so deep in witness protection that Rocky Top makes me hire Farmer. Why did I go along, why didn’t I just have Mike the Weasel plant a rumor? He lives for that stuff. I thought at worst I’d give up Mike, and so what, there’s lots of Mikes.
OK, think, think. You’re a wordsmith Joseph, let’s spin this in and figure out the stop. Next stop I’ll be in a freaking Pope Mobile, no one will lay a hand on me … screw it, I don’t have to half lose my lunch telling the local rubes how much I love their passion.
Dear Diary:
Foiled again, just when I thought I had everything covered. How did this happen… I’m smart, I’m from the East, and I lose to a southerner in the midwest? Lombardi was my perfect stooge, totally desperate and in full on obsequient mode. Then the locals start screaming about him non-stop until I have to put him so deep in witness protection that Rocky Top makes me hire Farmer. Why did I go along, why didn’t I just have Mike the Weasel plant a rumor? He lives for that stuff. I thought at worst I’d give up Mike, and so what, there’s lots of Mikes.
OK, think, think. You’re a wordsmith Joseph, let’s spin this in and figure out the stop. Next stop I’ll be in a freaking Pope Mobile, no one will lay a hand on me … screw it, I don’t have to half lose my lunch telling the local rubes how much I love their passion.
no question. but, there is the other faction of people who proclaim:
Knib High School Football Rules!!!
no question. but, there is the other faction of people who proclaim:
Knib High School Football Rules!!!
Don’t want too much quantum mechanics.
OY VEY!
You spin me right round right round like a record baby right round round round!!!
The appearance of dysfunction–fine, let’s be real, the actual dysfunction–present in Berea is ultimately worth it if it finally sets the franchise on a course to on-field success. We certainly won’t know that until, you know, games are actually played. But I am genuinely excited/heartened by this development, as I believe the situation to be better now than it was yesterday. And that’s a start, regardless of how it appears from the outside.
Thank G-d! As a long suffering Browns season ticket holder, I feel, for the first time in a long time, that the skies have opened up and sunlight is finally shining down on us! The shotgun marriage that the NFL forced upon us is getting dissolved and we can go forward without the toxicity and smug arrogance of Banner/Lombardi. Jury still out on Haslam but big fan of Sheiner skillset (Thanks WFNY reporting) and potential of Ray Farmer.
Very encouraging going forward!
OY VEY! SMH ROTFL ROTFLMAO
(Did I miss any?)
anything Dan Gilbert can do, I can do better…..
haha so ridiculous yet so prophetic! I think we just have to work on the title
Step in when it’s time to write the checks not choose personnel.
NICE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTDK8KQ1BBM
We won’t know if it’s worse until they actually play games but I think Haslam trimmed some serious fat today. The problem for Haslam is he continues to hire and fire over and over so Dan Snyder Junior is warranted.
I need confirmation here: is there a gleam?
Whoa hold on all I read on here was people telling me about assumptions now you want me to believe Goodell saddled Haslam? Goodell/NFL introduced Banner to Haslam they didn’t hire him.
Where was that attitude a few years ago… đ
He looks right into you. Right into your eyes. You know the thing about a Haslam, he’s got… lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eye. When he comes at ya, doesn’t seem to be livin’. Until he bites ya and those black eyes roll over white. And then, ah then you hear that terrible high pitch screamin’ and the ocean turns red and spite of all the poundin’ and the hollerin’ they all come in and rip you to pieces.
Pettine…”Anything Mike Brown can do, I can do better…” (nervously…)
What’s the actual record? Didn’t we break 300 on some Browns thing earlier?
Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish Ladies…
I want to say the actual record is over 1,000, but I don’t think it was a terribly recent article… any chance that is true?
During Jimmy’s press conference, he didn’t say “candidly” once. Nor did he say “That’s a good question.” (The latter is so condescending when he overdoes it.)
So Jimmy either (1) listened to his media coach and stopped regurgitating hackneyed phrases or (2) he didn’t feel like being candid and he didn’t think any of the questions were good.
And I gotta side with him on the latter. God, some of the questions these people ask are just moronic. For example, about two minutes after Haslam said he wasn’t going to talk about the PFJ investigation, some dolt asked him about the PFJ investigation. And then there were several variations on the “The Browns are dysfunctional” theme. Even Ray Farmer was asked about that. It’s hard to listen to these press conferences.
BTW, whenever I see or hear “PFJ” it reminds me of The Life of Brian and the People’s Front of Judea.
you can saddle yourself to a bucket of crap and come out smelling rosy if you win 2 Super Bowls.
Just two? đ
That’s a great point about Mobile. Good detective work, son.
In all seriousness…this move by Haslam makes me even more convinced that Gilbert will follow suit at season’s end with Mike Brown.
Really. Just look at that picture. Is that a guy you want to follow?
I’m doubtful but hopeful.
How is that different than usual?
I picture this is how Banner is explaining today to his friends. Well, friend. OK, the guy who ends up getting stuck sitting next to him on the shuttle over to Hopkins.
Has to be better than the view of his front anyway