SI.com tries to shed some light on the departure of George Kokinis.
Don Banks writes that Kokinis felt marginalized within the Browns front office, lacked anything close to the personnel decision-making authority his contract called for, and was ultimately scape-goated by Mangini when the repeated failures by the Browns (1-7) this season intensified the heat on the new coach." Banks says that Kokinis thought he would be working "with" Mangini, only to learn he was working "for" him.
This would technically be a violation of Kokinis' contract, since Kokinis had final authority over player personnel.
The story is filled with disturbing details about the role Mangini played in luring his friend to Cleveland, then ensuring he had no say in things. It's not pretty. Nor does the Browns case to claim Kokinis' dismissal was "for cause" seem too strong.
Peter King writes, though, that he was told "that the Browns will contend that Kokinis never tried to assert that authority, despite repeated attempts from the organization higher-ups urging him to take a stronger role in team affairs. If that's the case, then the team likely has documented his perceived failings."
What an inexplicable mess.
And yes, Randy Lerner spoke with King, but not the local media.
"Dan's comment above requires an answer, and I'd e-mail this to him personally but he didn't leave his accurate e-mail address. Hmmm.
First, Dan says I cover the Browns. Well I don't. Not anymore. I am a columnist. Marla Ridenour is our beat writer. This doesn't mean I can't get information, just that I'm not the beat writer."
Pat, coming from a strong law background in my family, and even doing some uncomfortable prison time in law school myself, with all due respect, may I make a suggestion for your future responses? A person will almost always be left unscathed if he prefaces his or her words with the word "alleged." You probably should have vetted your response. To avoid potential libel in the future when you're snapping at people who appear to not have a clue, please write, "I am a columnist. Marla Ridenour is our *alleged* beat writer." OK? I love you, man.
Here, pick a solar system. It doesn't even need to be our solar system. Watch "Star Trek" some time, whether it's the thousands of their awful TV shows, sequels, spin-offs, movies, or what have you. That very simple word "alleged" has saved hundreds of gazillions of otherwise libelous folks over the vast centuries.
I'm steering totally clear of this terje vs. larry d. pissing match, but just for the sake of clarification: larry, I believe Pat has already made it perfectly clear that Panera Bread is his bakery-cafe of choice, NOT Starbucks.
Carry on.
By the way, terje, what a coincidence, I just saw "The Shawshank Redemption" for the first time last weekend. Got a hold of a blu-ray copy online. Or whatever that newfangled technology is. Not a weak moment in the entire film, outstanding movie. That word "obtuse" really pissed off the warden.
Finally saw Shawshank Redemption? Alan, you need to get off this blog and see a movie every now & then.
Here is a link with some interesting facts about Shawshank and the Mansfield Reformitory.
http://www.mansfieldtourism.com/shawshank/cool-shank-stuff
I took the tour of MRPS a couple of years ago.
And now time for another cartoon break…
More Family Guy takes on….
Yosemite Sam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfQlQjqE8XQ&NR=1
Yogi & Boo Boo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZaYBYVIz1k&NR=1
Bugs and Elmer Fudd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHujwj6RBSM&feature=related
i hate most movies but shawshank is truly one of the greats.
i think i'll just call larry "warden" from now on.
Brian D., actually I had seen very small bits and pieces of it, but it was on basic cable. TNT, I think. Saw about five minutes, by accident following a basketball game. I made a vow decades ago to never watch a movie that's been edited. Never, ever, ever. It's like trying to read or hear any local reporters' piece about Delonte West and just accepting it at face value. You get 15% actual content, 30% Cavaliers commercials, and 55% censored. Now try viewing what should be a great cinematic experience with similar … uh … issues. Not for me. That's why I waited until I finally found an absolutely perfect HD copy online.
i prefer to watch edited versions of most movies because usually they are crap. almost every movie that's come out in the last ten years or so deserves crappy network editing and a quick dvr trigger. something like the shawshank redemption deserves a proper first viewing. to me, it's the last truly great movie that's been made.
What, you guys don't like Episode 85 of The Sopranos?
I know Drennan LOVED that movie, though he hated the politics of Robbins(yes Bruce loved the politics of G.W.Bush) but you gotta wonder what Brucie was thinking the first time he had to shower with his fellow criminals!
Drennan was thinking, "I hope the other guys realize the only reason it's small is because they keep it so darned cold in here."
Pat — thanks for your response to my comment. I appreciate it. To address your points —
Zero — the email address I gave was an old one where the inbox had, unbeknownst to me, reached maximum capacity. That being said, a response in the comment section is more than I expected.
One — I think the relevant point is that you write about the Browns for a professional media outlet, regardless of title.
Two — I, for one, haven't railed against your complaints about a lack of access. I think it's important for you to indicate that you haven't been given access by the team, as you are an intermediary between fans and team.
Three — I believe what I asked about was what Kokinis did, not what he said he did. You've mentioned one task of a GM (or one thing I would think a GM should do) that he failed at — communicating with local media and fans.
Four — your point is a more important point than anything in either SI article, which just struck me as competing gossip. What I would like to know are things like: was Kokinis involved in the discussions with the Jets prior to the Edwards trade? Are the people providing quotes to Don Banks in defense of Kokinis willing to say whether Kokinis negotiated or approved the trade? Did Kokinis speak to the incoming players when they were traded for? (Isn't it customary for the GM to talk to incoming and outgoing players). Savage used to travel to scout college players, if I recall correctly. Did Kokinis?
Now, I realize that Kokinis and others are not going to jump forward at this late date and answer my, or your, questions. But I, for one, would rather hear that they were providing no details about what he's been doing for the last ten months than anonymous quotes about how he feels he was treated unfairly without actually saying, you know, what was done. If the team is going to claim that he wasn't doing his job, why won't they back it up with examples? If he's going to claim that he was shut out, where are his specifics?
I hadn't thought I was ripping you, just asking you to take a position based on your knowledge of the franchise as to which you thought was correct — do you think Kokinis was marginalized, or do you think he failed to assert himself?
And on the subject of cartoons, I prefer Superchicken.
Anyway, thanks again for the response.
One of the best movies I've seen lately is "Taken". One of the worst is "The International".
The wife and I saw "Inglorious Bastards" at the Palace in Canton. The movie was great and the venue beautiful, but someone needs to get the dude playing the Kilgen pipe organ some new threads. Seriously, the audience sees this historical instrument rising up from the orchestra pit before the movie and then there's a guy in sweatpants and tennis shoes…ugh.