Browns almost traded for Harbaugh

[LatinMind]

Sources: Browns nearly traded with 49ers for Jim Harbaugh
Posted by Mike Florio on February 21, 2014, 4:28 PM EST

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The Browns’ unpredictable head-coaching search nearly finished with what would have been the most unpredictable outcome of any head-coaching search since Jon Gruden was traded from the Raiders to the Buccaneers a dozen years ago.

Per multiple league sources, the Cleveland Browns nearly pulled off a trade with the 49ers for the rights to coach Jim Harbaugh.

A deal that would have sent multiple draft picks to San Francisco was in place between the teams. But Harbaugh ultimately decided not to leave the 49ers.

The 49ers could not immediately be reached for comment. Efforts to contact the 49ers continue.

The Browns declined to comment specifically on whether an effort was made to acquire Jim Harbaugh. The Browns characterized the search as thorough, and the Browns acknowledged that many options were considered. The Browns emphasized that the team is excited about its new coach Mike Pettine.

A deal would have been stunning, for several reasons. Harbaugh has taken the 49ers to the NFC title game in each of his three years with the team. Also, he would have joined the same division as his brother, Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

Which means they would have been squaring off at least twice per year, and competing directly for division titles and/or wild-card positioning.

 

[LatinMind]

Lol wow the deal was in place, but at the last minute Harbaugh said he wanted to stay. Tells what the niners think of their HC.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

LOL! That's pretty interesting if it's true.

 

[LatinMind]

LOL! That's pretty interesting if it's true.

lol the browns declining to comment clearly says this deal was about to happen before they signed pettine

 

[Risen Star]

Well bleep. Let's get on the phone and get a banquet of picks for Jason Garrett.

 

[MonsterD]

Posted this elsewhere but things changed I guess, when did they reinstate the trade rule?

Did the rules change since this?

Three weeks ago, the Bucs attempted to receive compensation from the Cowboys for the rights to hire Bill Parcells, revealing the two-time Super Bowl-winning coach had signed a four-year contract to coach Tampa Bay a year ago.

The league's new policy is not restricted to head coaches. It prevents draft picks from being used to sign anyone under contract with another team, including assistants, front-office personnel or scouts.

http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/17/Bucs/NFL_nixes_d raft_picks.shtml

 

[WoodysGirl]

Stolen from an article, but lol

 

[Risen Star]

I tend to believe it's false too. It just doesn't make sense.

 

[theSHOW]

"Multiple league sources" tell Profootballtalk the Browns nearly acquired 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh in a trade before hiring Mike Pettine to replace Rob Chudzinski.

That would qualify as a bombshell. The Browns made essentially no effort to deny the report in a team statement. Per PFT, a deal that would have sent "multiple" draft picks to San Francisco was "in place" before Harbaugh decided he wanted to remain with the 49ers. If true, it would be a sign the tension between Harbaugh and GM Trent Baalke is worse than previously reported, and that extension talks have been going far from smoothly. Of course, Cleveland's interest could have been the impetus for the sides to get serious about reaching a new deal. PFT reported last week that the 49ers are hoping to extend Harbs' deal this offseason. He's currently signed through 2015. It's a fittingly-bizarre capper to the Browns' magical mystery tour of a coaching search.

 

[Idgit]

In before we have him rumored to be on a plane to Dallas.

 

[theSHOW]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...ns-almost-traded-for-49ers-coach-jim-harbaugh

just WOW

 

[arglebargle]

Better to leave as a free agent, with your choices open, than to go to Cleveland.

 

[LatinMind]

Niners have a track record of lying. Remember the whole manning fiasco?

 

[RastaRocket]

^Jim Harbaugh's thoughts[/media]

 

[LatinMind]

Mortensen confirms Browns story

Enter Chris Mortensen of ESPN.

“Browns did indeed make a run at Jim Harbaugh that reached a serious stage, sources confirm substance of @ProFootballTalk report,” Mortensen said via Twitter.

Given the sensitive nature of the relationship between the 49ers and Harbaugh — a relationship sufficiently volatile to apparently prompt the 49ers to consider ending it — it’s easy to understand why the 49ers would take the position that the report isn’t true. Since the trade didn’t happen, the 49ers need to work with Harbaugh.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/21/mort-confirms-substance-of-our-harbaugh-report/

 

[LatinMind]

49ers | Head coach did not know about potential trade
Sat, 22 Feb 2014 05:14:48 -0800
San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he knows nothing about a potential trade that would have sent him to the Cleveland Browns. "For the record, I echo Jed York's comment…'isn't true.' I know nothing about a trade with the Cleveland Browns and us involving me," Harbaugh said.

Does this guy have any integrity? He lies too much. Good HC but his word means nothing.

 

[Risen Star]

Mort's confirmation is good enough for me.

Wow. What were the 49ers thinking?

 

[LatinMind]

Mort's confirmation is good enough for me.

Wow. What were the 49ers thinking?

From what ive been reading on this, Niners are really high on DL coach Jim Tomsula. He was the guy who was going to take over if the trade wouldve gone through. And will be the HC if Harbaugh doesnt get an extension

 

[NJ22]

Jerry needs to pick up the phone and right the wrong of not hiring him 3 years ago! He would actually look like an owner who gave a crap about winning if he did that!!

 

[Nirvana]

From what I understand Harbaugh has 2 years left on his current contract, but wants a new deal now with a very nice raise. A possible scenario is that this raise request may have been around the same time the Browns were searching for a HC and having struggles. They may have made a call on Harbaugh, and the 49ers listened. The Browns have a bunch of day 1 and 2 picks to work with. They could give up a 1st and 3rd and still have a pick in those rounds. This could have prompted some 49er discussions in the front office, but ultimately was turned down by Harbaugh via contract demands to the Browns that were too high for their liking (an example would be wanting to be part owner of the team - I mean why not shoot for that if you are Harbaugh and having to go in that jungle.)

If you are the 49ers, I think you take those picks in this deep draft and go for it with the guy you want to promote to HC who you have confidence in. If Switzer could do it...