Browns fire GM Mike Lombardi/Joe Banner leaving after only 1 year

[WoodysGirl]

 

[WoodysGirl]

Jimmy Haslam: Purpose of moves is to provide fans with winner they deserve
The Browns will hold a press conference at 11:30 am E.T. to discuss the unexpected changes to the front office that they announced on Tuesday morning.

Ray Farmer is replacing Mike Lombardi as the team’s general manager while CEO Joe Banner will be stepping down in the next two months as the organization continues the housecleaning that started with Rob Chudzinski’s ouster as head coach after one season. We’d expect many of the questions at the press conference to be a variation on “What in the world is going on here?” and owner Jimmy Haslam got the ball rolling on explaining the moves in a statement.

“First of all, we wanted to capitalize on the knowledge, experience and character we’re fortunate to have in Ray Farmer,” Haslam said. “Ray has a tremendous football IQ, he’s 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. … [Lombardi] is an experienced and creative NFL executive with a unique ability to see the big picture. He has tremendous instincts and I know he’ll be a valuable addition to any NFL organization. We simply wanted to give Ray this opportunity that he’s earned. We wanted to move forward under his leadership and capabilities. The purpose of these moves is to unify our team with one, unequivocal goal: Provide our fans with the winning organization they have long deserved.”

Read the rest: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-is-to-provide-fans-with-winner-they-deserve/

 

[Hoofbite]

Damn, he should have gotten an extension after swindling Indy.

 

[Alexander]

They actually make Dallas look like a well run organization. I feel for the Browns fans.

 

[WoodysGirl]

 

[WoodysGirl]

 

[BoysFan4ever]

I guess that means Jerry is out of the running for their GM. Well darn.

 

[WoodysGirl]

 

[burmafrd]

Well we should be grateful. Now we clearly are NOT the biggest circus in the NFL

 

[WoodysGirl]

 

[SportsGuru80]

They fired a good coach and the owner probably wasn't thrilled after thinking long and hard about it. I think Chud will be a good HC once given a 2nd chance.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Lombardi and Banner deserved to be fired. They gave Chudzinski one year with him having to work with Brandon Weeden, who wasn't his pick. Neither was Trent Richardson. In the meantime he made Brian Hoyer look like a potential franchise QB before he got injured and made Josh Gordon look All-World. I really can't blame Haslam for trying to retake the reigns after this debacle. Many times those 'football guys' General Managers don't know what they are doing.





YR

 

[WoodysGirl]

Why The Browns Blew Up The Franchise … Again

By
Peter King

· More from Peter·

The Cleveland Browns interviewed Ken Whisenhunt for their head-coaching job in each of the past two Januaries, first after he was fired as Arizona’s head coach, and last month when he was employed as San Diego’s offensive coordinator. When Whisenhunt entered the room this year for the interview, he was one of the hottest commodities on the head-coaching market, and the Browns were very interested in him.

Whisenhunt said, “Why didn’t you guys hire me last year?’’

The Browns’ CEO who was in both interviews, Joe Banner, told Whisenhunt he didn’t think the staff he was putting together at the time was “a championship coaching staff.”

Whisenhunt, one NFL source said, was peeved that a man who had never coached and who’d been involved in football mainly on the business side would sit in judgment of his potential coaches.

“Who are you to tell me what makes up a championship coaching staff?” Whisenhunt said, with an edge in his voice.

That scene, another source told The MMQB, illustrated a big reason why owner Jimmy Haslam made the bombshell announcement he made Tuesday, firing Banner and general manager Mike Lombardi after their first full seasons on the job. Haslam became dubious about Banner’s football acumen and during the coach-search process following the firing of rookie coach Rob Chudzinski saw what a potential roadblock to success Banner would be. Add in Banner’s brusque and sometimes confrontational style that rubbed many around the NFL the wrong way, and you’ve got a good read on why Haslam stunned the NFL with the late-morning announcement.

Read the rest: http://mmqb.si.com/2014/02/12/cleveland-browns-jimmy-haslam-fires-joe-banner/

 

[WoodysGirl]

 

[casmith07]

This is such a better front office than the Dallas Cowboys. I read it on the internet.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Step in the right direction.






YR

 

[BAZ]

This is hilarious, always thought Lombardi was a tool, back to the BS report for him.