When trying to decipher trade talk, one man's "shop" can of course be another man's earnest discussion.
So when George Kokinis said at the NFL's Annual Meetings that he has not "shopped" QB Brady Quinn or WR Braylon Edwards in trade talks, there is a lot of room for interpretation. Of course, the first interpretation might just be that Kokinis is being honest and truthful and he is sincere when he says he's not trying to trade Quinn or Edwards. Perhaps it simply is what it is. Imagine that.
Kokinis even offered this definition of "shop" when discussing the trade rumors: "Specific player, can I have a 'two' for him?" As in, asking for a second-round draft choice for a player.
He added: "I don't think we've done that at all."
So what's going on with the rumors? It could be part of the usual flurry of pre-draft rumors and scuttlebutt, or it could be that anyone with a computer can float a rumor and have it be fact. Or it could be that the scuttlebutt from the NFL that the Browns are open to any trade of any player this side of Joe Thomas.
Scuttlebutt from league types at the meetings is that when another GM calls Kokinis to ask about a player, he willingly listens. That has led to offers — and rumors that the Browns might trade Quinn. But when presented a specific report of the Giants offering the Browns second- and fifth-round draft choices for Edwards, Kokinis scoffed that discussions never reached that level of specifics.
He also said that trade discussions are normal when a new GM or coach take over.
"I don't think (it's that you go) out and say, 'Hey it's an open market and take whoever you want,'" he said. "I look at somebody else's roster. They look at our roster. That coach is going to look at the roster. He has familiarity with this player, he's coached this player down the line. I think exchanges occur. I don't think it's active with 'shop.'"
What conclusions do I draw from this morning sit down with him? The first is that some of this is fluid, and things can change from day to day. The second is that it's dangerous to draw conclusions from one sit-down.
But here are five thoughts I have after hearing the Browns GM for the first time since his initial news conference:
1) It sounds like the Browns will not trade Quinn or Derek Anderson. It sounds like they will bring both to camp and let the one who masters the new offense quicker be the starter. Kokinis talked about competition for the quarterback spot being "healthy" and said he thought both Quinn and Anderson could bring something to the team. He also admitted that Charlie Weis ran a system at Notre Dame not far different from the one that Brian Daboll will run in Cleveland, which might give Quinn an advantage. Based on Kokinis' body language and his words, it does not seem like Quinn is going anywhere.
2) Edwards probably will return as well, mainly because of his abilities. The Browns simply lack no other threat to compare with him — if he is playing with his head on straight. That's a big if. But Kokinis seems to recognize that talent alone warrants Edwards coming back. Too, there seems to be nothing imminent right now regarding a trade of Edwards.
3) Shaun Rogers is still pretty miffed at the team, but the team is trying to smoothe things over. Rogers did not appreciate not being greeted by Eric Mangini in the team's weight room and at an awards banquet in February. Kokinis called it a miscommunication, said Mangini will continue to talk to Rogers and they expect him back. But … he said Rogers would only report for the things he was required to report for as stated in his contract. That means a minicamp (or two if Mangini chooses to hold two). Offseason workouts are voluntary. It was a relief to hear Kokinis say the team did not mandate Rogers lose weight. "Whatever weight he played at last year is fine by me," Kokinis said.
4) Clearly Kokinis and Mangini thought the Browns lacked veteran leaders. Seven of the 10 free agents added will be 31 by opening day. But the new regime clearly felt the roster needed veteran help, and it felt adding veterans familiar with the new systems was better still. Kokinis said he pushed for some of the ex-Jets that were signed. "We didn't have to go out and just get every single player on the market," he said. "I think we had to get the right type of player. … It was a modest approach, which I'm comfortable in saying, and so far I'm happy with what we've done."
5) This would indicate to me that the Browns new leadership feels the team is closer to the team that struggled in 2008 than the one that almost made the playoffs in 2007. Kokinis didn't say that of course. How can he? But it's pretty clear that given the number of veteran additions, Kokinis and Mangini felt the team was missing veteran depth and veteran leadership, and that adding a big-name, high-money guy would have make minimal difference.
Tuesday's schedule includes a 45-minute breakfast — and interview — with Mangini.
{ 6 comments }
Sorry, I realize that we can't replace his athleticism, but Braylon must go……for a lot of reasons beyond dropped balls. A less-talented player with a winner's mentality is the answer!
i'm not trading edwards if i'm koko the monkey. let's see if staypuft mangini is truly from the parcells/belichick mold. parcells and belichick take players with bad reputations and make them work in the system. if koko dumps edwards then he must not have faith in staypuft.
With respect to your fourth thought, please. All that tells me is if they spend the next two seasons deep in the loss column, it is only a matter of time before there is a massive power struggle which will summarily dwarf the Savage-Collins power struggle. I give Mangini the upper edge, as he's the one most built like a sumo wrestler.
Speaking of which, glad you added the details for breakfast. Mangini's 45-minute time requirement sounds about right.
Hey Pat, do yourself a favor and have dinner at Fatburger while you're out here. There's one in San Clemente, about 10 minutes south of the St Regis. Do the Double-Kingburger with a fried egg…
Doesn't want to be in Cleveland; doesn't understand our fans and our history; his head too big for his helmet; not a winner and would refuse any help to become one; lack of concentration results in dropped passes; poor in the clubhouse; no leadership qualities………….he's gone! I'm sure he'll be magnificent for the Giants and he'll be sure to tell the Cleveland fans through the NY media that we are all idiots, but this team is better off without him. I know where Terje is coming from and usually I would agree about keeping a major talent, but this guy must go. My stomach turns when he talks on camera. Factor in his contract demands next year, and there's no way he stays. The Giants are hot for him, as they should be…..so let's make it a win-win and pick their pockets. A couple picks and a pass rusher or WR. It makes way too much sense.
No entity moreso missed the consequence of lost vet leadership to injuries than did the media, the conduit to the fans. Beat reporters, analysts and commentators should've led the acknowledgement. But too many did not. So fans remained under-informed and failed to alter their mistaken sense of expectation for the 2008 Browns. This caused needless torment, hostility and venomous venting against the remaining personalities—particularly the head coach and the QB, though the duo admittedly did little to help themselves.
It should've been totally predictable to anyone knowledgeable what would result once Jurevicius, Tucker, Robaire, Peek and Holly were lost early, especially since several others began the season impaired—DA, Edwards, Cribbs, Stallworth, Steinbach, Corey Williams, Jones, et al.
So, the perceived urgency to add veteran influences should not surprise anyone, particularly given the releases of JJ and Peek, Tucker's diminished role and the departures of McGinest and Davis. The failure of too many in Cleveland to recognize the impact such personalities have upon a squad's viability was one of the greater disappointments of last season. It contributed to a shameful deterioration that might otherwise have been somewhat mitigated.
Here is hoping the media will henceforth do a better job of providing realism, perspective and accuracy when assessing local professional teams. It has never been their job to sell tickets or generate enthusiasm anyway, but to objectively assess and possibly counsel temperance and restraint.
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