Well … you drive back from Chicago and walk into a firestorm of phone calls about the status of Browns GM George Kokinis. Then you spend the next several hours on the phone …
The Browns released a statement at 10:45 p.m. stating that Kokinis "is no longer actively involved" with the team. Here is where I say: What does THAT mean?
Let's just say that Kokinis' tenure with the Browns is over. And it didn't last long.
Why it happened Monday is not known, though the Browns denied Kokinis was escorted from the building, as many reports stated. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that the Browns want Kokinis to say he resigned so the sides can work out a settlement. Kokinis, Mortensen reported, is not obliging.
Perhaps they can just say he "was resigned."
Meanwhile, the situation seems fluid in Berea. Ernie Accorsi's name should be kept in mind as a possible addition ("Ernie Accorsi is the current General Manager of the Cleveland Browns" was the way Accorsi's entry in Wikipedia began Monday at 10:37 p.m.– and no, that's not the source of my information!)
To speculate on what might or might not happen seems silly. Nor will I guess the deep and dark reasons why Kokinis is no longer with the Browns and why it happened so suddenly. Guessing with some of the rumors flying around is not fair to anyone, least of all the 100,000 loyal readers of this blog.
The developments also seem to really muddle the situation with coach Eric Mangini. Is his job more secure? Less secure? Or does his fate rest on the rest of the season? Clearly, if it rested on the first half he would not have a job.
If he survives, it'll be the greatest Houdini act in NFL coaching history.
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
I was watching the Falcons-Saints game tonight, feeling quite depressed about the Browns and taking some solace in how quickly these two teams appeared to have turned things around from the turmoil they were in a couple of years ago when I saw the scroll at the bottom of the screen that Kokinis was gone. I've been wondering myself where George had been lately; we readers haven't heard from him in a very long time. If Mangini's hand-picked selection as GM is dismissed in mid-season, I can't imagine that he's too far behind. Eric, it's time to put your house up for sale.
C'mon Pat, I'm a more credible source than Wikipedia.
Hey Brian … I just read the comments after I posted. No kidding. But I salute you … and yes, you are a much better source than Wikipedia!
Thanks Pat…I'm no Alan or Terje…but I try.
Can you confirm that Kokinis heard about the Braylon trade from a TV report?
And there was a a report that Lew Merletti was in the parking lot when Kokinis eas dismissed.
Mangini's hand picked GM is gone… That must make his job less secure, no?
Heck, my dad is a much better source than Wikipedia, and he's been dead for 11 years.
Regardles, I always had a rooting interest in Accorsi even when he was screwing up royally with the real Browns, simply because he's a Jewish guy. That's the way my people think when it comes to pro sports. We root for the rare Jewish guy. Really. That's why toupee-head Danny Schayes had fans during his 18 years of NBA ball. Yep, he wore a rug during games, just like Andre Agassi.
Although, I must admit I wouldn't mind it if that unscrupulous schmuck Joe Lieberman would convert to whatever religion Cat Stevens converted to. In fact, I strongly encourage it. But he's not in professional sports, so it doesn't bother me.
But God, keep Kosar away from the Browns. I know his first name sounds Jewish, and I know he looks Jewish, but his brain is anything but Jewish. Pat, for all that is holy, I implore you to devote an entire column to the 6,000 reasons Kosar should stay confined to his Miami cabana. What's next, making Zydrunas Ilgauskas the strength coach?
I'm not suggesting the Browns hire him, but I predict Pete Carmichael, Jr., the Saint's Offensive Coordinator, will be an outstanding head coach one day. I know that Sean Payton is the architect and play caller of the Saints, but Carmichael has been an integral part of the offensive system.
And he was the tight ends and offensive assistant coach for the Browns in 2000.
And will Charlie Manuel's decision not to start Cliff Lee in games 4 and 7 cost the Phillies the Series, or will he be proven to be some sort of baseball savant?
Does it really matter anymore?
I read today that 60 newspapers pay for their baseball beat writers to go on road trips. However, this year 29 of those 60 newspapers sent absolutely nobody to cover the World Series. That's why dying newspapers are all about. Two of those 29? The Beacon Journal and the Plain Dealer. Pathetic.
And yet, they still pay for Marla Ridenour? For what??? This was lunchtime news for any good reporter that has a source, let alone a clue. So I have a suggestion: Give Marla the Kokinis, escort her out the door, and give Pat her salary in addition to what the Irish dude is already making. Couldn't hurt. Certainly couldn't be any worse than the Beacon Journal's Browns beat coverage is now.
Will Marla's salary cover the cost of Pat's gas to drive to the east coast to report on the WS?
I'm intending to loan Pat my Prius, so that shouldn't be an issue.
I personally get a kick out of the fact they're going to try to pull an Al Davis, and attempt to screw him out of his salary for alleging that he was fired "with cause." I mean, just how dysfunctional can one organization get. The Raiders and the Warriors are definitely #1(a) and #1(b), no question, but the Browns have to be an easy #2, light-years worse than the Redskins and even the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes. Al Lerner was a slick shrewd slimy snake when it came to business, but his son is just a Pete Rose, Jr. that's tripping in each and every one of his father's footsteps.
Maybe from now on, the Browns will offer their coaches and GM's one-year contracts, kind of a put-up or shut-up policy?
This was a meaningless, pointless firing.
Good for George for sticking to his guns.
I'm sure Bill Cowher would jump all over a one year deal.
"And will Charlie Manuel's decision not to start Cliff Lee in games 4 and 7 cost the Phillies the Series, or will he be proven to be some sort of baseball savant?"
i think that's the decision that costs the phillies. i was pretty shocked when charlie passed on cliff. i hope i'm wrong.
here's an excerpt from grossi's article:
"According to league sources, both men became disenchanted with the other early on. In training camp, Mangini and Kokinis were seldom seen talking on the field. Rumors intensified over the past month that Kokinis could be fired."
rumors that went completely UNREPORTED by anyone in cleveland or nationally. ridiculous. is this some sort of attempt to stay credible by grossi?
also, from the way grossi writes this it appears that mangini strengthened his position within the organization. i'm not sure what to believe but browns beat writers and the browns organization look like jokers.
Eliz is on the right track; shorter-term deals to start with, prove yourself, then we'll extend you. Why in the world are teams giving coaches and GMs multi-milliion dollar contracts when they've proven nothing? It's equally (if not more) insane to give these college draft picks the enormous money. It all sickens me to no end.
RE: Cliff Lee. I'm sure it was stubborn Cliff's decision to not go in Game 4. He's like that. Yeah, he's pitched a lot of innings, but it's World Series time, dude. Time to man-up. I really can't blame Charlie; I'm sure he wanted Lee.
RE: Grossi. I've heard absolutely NOTHING regarding Kokinis's possible firing until it happened. What "rumors" are you talking about?
P.S. & Furthermore: All of this means nothing, if Mangini is not shown the door next, along with his band of worthless coaches.
What's interesting here is that we were told that Kokinis had a direct reporting relationship to Lerner, just like ManStupid. If Kokinis was being bullied by ManStupid and kept out of decision making, why didn't Lerner know? Or, was his hiring with "full authority" a sham to hire him away from the Ravens?
From Mortensen's ESPN article:
"For the past month, Lerner has independently investigated professional and personal conduct by Kokinis, head coach Eric Mangini and director of football operations Erin O'Brien, who left the organization within the past few days, sources said."
And Grossi's work:
""According to league sources, both men became disenchanted with the other early on. In training camp, Mangini and Kokinis were seldom seen talking on the field. Rumors intensified over the past month that Kokinis could be fired."
This one's easy. Mangini brought his girlfriend O'Brien with him from NY, and Kokinis started hitting it so they had a falling out. Happens all the time. LOL
a. brown, the sad thing is that you could be right.
looks like no accorsi, and apparently he hasnt even spoken with lerner.
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2009/11/reports_of_cleveland_browns_hi.html
Tony Grossi is reporting that he talked to Accorsi and he denies that he has consulted with Lerner and that he will not be GM. He says that Accorsi recommended Dave Gettleman, Giants director of pro personnel, back in January. Lerner went with Mangini's preference, Kokinis.
(YAWN) I am to the point where I don't want them to become credible, I am winning waaaaaay too much money betting against them. Heck, my smalltime guy is inflating the Browns lines by 5-7 points over Vegas, and I just laugh and bet more on the opponent.
I implore you Randy Lerner, I need a new living room set, stop getting involved!
Actually, maybe I want him to get involved! And therein lies the rub of gambling.
I think Grossi is just mad that he was scooped by Pat's blog about Accorsi. I stick by my story that Accorsi will have an active role with the Browns.
kokonis-highly recommended by hall of famer, super bowl champion general manager, former brown ozzie newsome
mangini-despised by all, recommended by nobody, known rat
what does that say about randy lerner that he picked mangini to keep?
how does randy lerner show his face in cleveland without browns fans looking to rip it off his head?
terry pluto is still gauging wind speed and direction, reading tea leaves and polling neighbors before he publishes his article on the topic.
C'mon Terje, I know you and Alan have an axe to grind with Pluto, but whether he had scheduled time off or is tending to personal issues, I don't think you need to go there. He didn't have his usual post game article yesterday either, so obviously there is a reason he has not commented.
brian, terry's been doing this hiding routine for quite a while. this isn't his first, second or even twentieth time waiting for the "all clear" sign.
My question is why Marla Ridenour is always the last to post updated info. All the other beat writers have posted updates this morning, but nothing from Marla. Nevermind, I already know the answer.
Whats this going to change on Sundays play quality?/ Nothing!
Smoke and mirrors
Or better yet Smoke and errors
Dennis, Dawn aponte just told Billy Cundiff he was being released. There's your change!
Hate to break it to you guys, but Terry Pluto is on vacation in South Dakota. And he chooses remote locations (with bad cell reception and skimpy internet access), so he can't spend the week working, no matter what happens (Wyoming, New Mexico, the Keys).
Since the Browns had the bye week, the Indians had a new manager but couldn't make any player moves until after the World Series and the Cavs were playing the Wizards, Bulls and Knicks, this week seemed as good as it'd get.
ok geoff, i forgive terry for this one but i'm going to need a doctor's note for the other 35 times he's ducked the bill.
tough day for me……I actually understand and agree with Alan! And, boys, put two and two together: firing the chick last week and Kokinis this week? There IS a connection!
geoff, your boy terry did it again. came out when given the "safe' sign.