Coach Pat Shurmur, GM Tom Heckert, others await what owner Jimmy Haslam offers them – NFL News
Coach Pat Shurmur was out with a long and emotional address to Cleveland Browns following their ousting of the 2012 season on Sunday (Dec. 30) when they lost their final game of the season to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The onlookers who saw Shurmur – many of them his players – conceded the coach was almost in tears. They said to be rather understanding to nature of the business, but obviously might not have felt the days of officials like Shumur are numbered in Cleveland
– the way he himself had been feeling.
It was the same Shurmur who had refused to discuss the question of his future with or without Browns earlier. General Manager Tom Heckert proved to be an even more optimist, saying he should be allowed to come back with the team in 2013 and beyond. He credited
himself with building the team from scratch.
Some commentators agree that Heckert has been able to attract quality of talent into Cleveland, but a concern is that the talent has yet to pay-off. The Browns have been ending almost each one of last half a dozen years with four or five wins. This year
they have managed five and a year before they had four victories.
It is to note that the Browns have ended the last two seasons at the combined record of 9-23 with Shurmur as a head coach. Just like the GM, the coach has a confidence in what he has done for the team in last two years. His main assertion is that he has
inspired players to improve, and sees a great hope that the team can be a consistent winner on the field in future.
What both officials have in common is that they were hired by former President Mike Holmgren. He has already parted ways with the team, the first official to go with chief executive officer (CEO) Joe Banner in control of the team’s affairs. It is to be seen
now if his hired officials survive.
It now depends on new owner Jimmy Haslam if he is convinced with what Shurmur and Heckert have said or have to say as far as reflection of the team’s performance or rebuilding is concerned. A positive nod from him can certainly brighten up their prospects.
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