Change or no change Cleveland Browns head to fresh start – NFL Feature
Almost all Cleveland Browns officials, including head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert, were reluctant to accept or even discuss that their days in the town possibly were numbered. This was their state of their mind that they would strongly
rebuff any question from the media that brought their prospects with or without the Browns into question.
In reality all knew this was the situation ahead of them, or at least admittedly before chief executive officer (CEO) Joe Banner who arrived in the town particularly tasked with the team’s rebuilding a month ago. He had then clarified in clear terms that
he was there to make some choices and take some decisions, no matter how harsh they could come on some officials.
President Mike Holmgren was first one to leave Cleveland under reign of new owner Jimmy Haslam. He was not sacked but relieved himself immediately after his contract with the team expired.
Next officials in the line, as per discussions within the league lobby or the media, were GM Heckert and coach Shurmur. They in fact were hired by Holmgren, and almost all commentators agreed they could go within days, although coach Shurmur was very allergic
to such talks that would question his future with the Browns. He said to be worried about doing his job, not saving it.
This was the time when the Browns somehow went on to pull off three games straight, and the wins had some impact on performance of the second-year coach. This might not have been enough to convince Haslam to grant an extension to the coach’s tenure.
Also, before ninth loss of the season, the Browns had an outright chance for the playoffs. There was all of sudden an excitement among the fans that they might make the playoffs. All those optimists went home jabbing and booing the team officials and players
when they conveniently lost to the Washington Redskins.
That also brought the future of all the officials into discussions again, irrespective of the fact they were still not willing to be a part of the process. While Shurmur managed to keep media away from asking direct queries about his future, GM Heckert threw
a new line in the air, and it was that he thought he deserved another chance for the sake of the Browns.
According to Heckert’s view, which independent analysts also agree to an extent, he had brought fresh and quality talent in the Browns. He credited himself to rebuilding them from scratch. Although it is true to some commentators, it is again no surety that
the new owner who himself is making a new beginning in the field is convinced of his talent.
This can be reflective in the example of president Holmgren. He is one of the most talented league officials, and has led some teams to Super Bowl title while serving them in a capacity of a head coach. Yet the new management has not even hinted at retaining
his services, and by sensing the situation soon after arrival of the new CEO, he withdrew himself from such contentions.
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