Browns fired Lombardi/Banner, promote Farmer to GM, went after Jim Harbaugh?

nattysez · Feb 13, 2014

Lombardi's returning to Foxboro.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2014/02/patriots_set_to_hire_michael_lombardi.html

"It's essentially a done deal," a league source said.

Lombardi was an influence in the Patriots 2010 through 2012 NFL drafts, which were arguably better than the immediate drafts that preceded those years under Scott Pioli. He had been with the Browns for a little more than a year before being fired Feb. 11 along with Browns CEO Joe Banner.

SeoulSoxFan · Feb 14, 2014

A gif that sums up the Browns situation: https://twitter.com/SBNationGIF/status/434186217647656960

Matt Young's Control · Feb 20, 2014

Lombardi has been formally announced as a member of the "coaching staff," which surprised me. Not the front office?

Shelterdog · Feb 21, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/21/sources-browns-nearly-traded-for-jim-harbaugh/

Why in God's name would the 49ers make that deal?

If the employee wants to go the employee wants to go and it becomes tough to keep him. Why Harbaugh would want to go is another question--more $? Doesn't want to share responsibility with Baalke?

PedroKsBambino · Feb 21, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
I find it very weird that SF let him refuse the deal. If I were SF and I was getting, say, multiple 1st round picks back for a coach don't you have to take that deal? It makes too much sense not to do it.

The deal doesn't work unless Harbaugh wants it to, because he could quit the day after the deal and go back to college, leaving Cleveland out the picks (and filing a grievance, presumably).

Is there an offer that Bob Kraft would say yes to for Belichick? I actually think there isn't, unless Belichick said he wants to leave (not just willing to leave, but affirmatively wants to and will quit otherwise). Would you take 3 number ones for him? I would not.

Super Nomario · Feb 21, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
I find it very weird that SF let him refuse the deal. If I were SF and I was getting, say, multiple 1st round picks back for a coach don't you have to take that deal? It makes too much sense not to do it.

He's a top-5 coach and they already have two 2nds and two 3rds. They've been in the NFCCG three years in a row and nearly won the Super Bowl last year. If you could replace him with a coach of similar quality it would be fine, but that's far from a sure bet and it doesn't make sense to me to take a step backwards now.

PedroKsBambino · Feb 21, 2014

Super Nomario said:
He's a top-5 coach and they already have two 2nds and two 3rds. They've been in the NFCCG three years in a row and nearly won the Super Bowl last year. If you could replace him with a coach of similar quality it would be fine, but that's far from a sure bet and it doesn't make sense to me to take a step backwards now.

PFT report suggest team didn't say no, Harbaugh himself did. EDIT: of course other reports...

Presumably, the Niners had an idea who they were going to hire as part of the decision making process here. Vic Fangio and Greg Roman are the coordinators; Roman would seem a real candidate to be promoted.

And they also have Mangini, not that I think he was next man up....

Super Nomario · Feb 21, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
Greg Roman probably would have been next in line for the job as it would be continuity for the organization. If you had your next head coach in house and could get 2 or 3 1st round picks in the process you'd do it.

We don't know what the offer was and SF's asking price was probably astronomical(thinking RIcky Williams-type compensation).

Would you trade Belichick for 2 or 3 1sts knowing you have McDaniels in-house? I wouldn't ...

BannedbyNYYFans.com · Feb 21, 2014

Chris Gasper said Harbaugh and the GM have a very bad relationship and he thinks Harbaugh might just want out for that reason.

soxhop411 · Feb 21, 2014

mike freeman ‏@mikefreemanNFL 1m
Two sources said the PFT report is essentially accurate. There were "extensive discussions" about Harbaugh to Browns, one said.

https://twitter.com/mikefreemanNFL/status/436998068295065600

Reverend · Feb 21, 2014

Harbaugh being willing to leave SF for Cleveland would seem to be evidence that these guys spend entirely too many hours at work.

rodderick · Feb 21, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
Belichick isn't Harbaugh and I hold Roman in a higher regard than I do McDaniels.

I'd argue Harbaugh has done a better job in the last three years than Belichick, getting the same results in a much tougher division, without a top flight quarterback. I'm not saying he is a better coach, but couple that with the fact that he's way younger and I could see their trade value being pretty similar.

Oh, and I'd entertain 3 first rounders for Belichick, as long as one of them was in the top 10. Actually, my biggest concern would be the fact that I really want him to be here for the post-Brady transition, I think the team would still be a playoff contender under McDaniels, as long as Brady doesn't significantly drop off.

PedroKsBambino · Feb 21, 2014

rodderick said:
I'd argue Harbaugh has done a better job in the last three years than Belichick, getting the same results in a much tougher division, without a top flight quarterback. I'm not saying he is a better coach, but couple that with the fact that he's way younger and I could see their trade value being pretty similar.

Oh, and I'd entertain 3 first rounders for Belichick, as long as one of them was in the top 10. Actually, my biggest concern would be the fact that I really want him to be here for the post-Brady transition, I think the team would still be a playoff contender under McDaniels, as long as Brady doesn't significantly drop off.

Given Harbaugh's track record of leaving jobs relatively quickly, the reality he's not proven as a 'final say' guy (and thus only plays half the role that BB does), and the differences between their overall track records (by which I mean, across all parts of the roster age/payroll cycle) I'd be stunned if a single NFL team viewed it that way. But you are right---it's possible someone would.

kanga12 · Feb 21, 2014

Reverend said:
Harbaugh being willing to leave SF for Cleveland would seem to be evidence that these guys spend entirely too many hours at work.

Or Harbaugh genuinely believes that he can turn that franchise around. Harbaugh has supreme confidence in his abilities and leadership and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he thinks he can turn the debacle that is the Browns from cellar-dweller to contender.

soxhop411 · Feb 21, 2014

Mike Rosenberg ‏@RosenbergMerc 20m
Seems like a good time to mention Jim Harbaugh isn't featured in a single one of the #49ers Levi's Stadium promotional materials.

https://twitter.com/RosenbergMerc/status/436997256382648320

rodderick · Feb 21, 2014

kanga12 said:
Or Harbaugh genuinely believes that he can turn that franchise around. Harbaugh has supreme confidence in his abilities and leadership and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he thinks he can turn the debacle that is the Browns from cellar-dweller to contender.

I think one aspect that really has to interest Harbaugh is the difference between the talent the Browns have on the roster, and the public perception of the franchise. With a mediocre quarterback there's no reason that team couldn't feasibly win 8-10 games. If Harbaugh achieves that, it'll be viewed as a massive success, even if a lot of the pieces were already in place for a campaign like that to come to fruition.

Super Nomario · Feb 21, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
Belichick isn't Harbaugh and I hold Roman in a higher regard than I do McDaniels.

Roman's a great offensive mind, but he's a complete wild card as a head coach. Five years ago he was coaching high school - and he was just an OC there. I think if you're a rebuilding team, you take the draft picks; for a team in SF's position, I want the great coach. They also already have a bunch of draft picks, 11 before compensation picks. They're probably cutting rookies as it is.

And to re-iterate the initial question: would you even think about two or three firsts for Belichick?

PedroKsBambino said:
Given Harbaugh's track record of leaving jobs relatively quickly, the reality he's not proven as a 'final say' guy (and thus only plays half the role that BB does), and the differences between their overall track records (by which I mean, across all parts of the roster age/payroll cycle) I'd be stunned if a single NFL team viewed it that way. But you are right---it's possible someone would.

You make some good points, but I don't think it's fair to impugn Harbaugh for leaving jobs fairly quickly - that's par for the course for young coaches trying to move up the ladder. Belichick coached for four different teams in his first five years in the NFL, for instance. What was Harbaugh supposed to do, still be coaching at SDSU? He went to high school in the Bay Area and has been coaching there since 2007 (and in CA since 2002); I don't think it's unreasonably to imagine he'll be there well after Belichick retires.

PedroKsBambino · Feb 21, 2014

Super Nomario said:
You make some good points, but I don't think it's fair to impugn Harbaugh for leaving jobs fairly quickly - that's par for the course for young coaches trying to move up the ladder. Belichick coached for four different teams in his first five years in the NFL, for instance. What was Harbaugh supposed to do, still be coaching at SDSU? He went to high school in the Bay Area and has been coaching there since 2007 (and in CA since 2002); I don't think it's unreasonably to imagine he'll be there well after Belichick retires.

Agreed, he might be. But Harbaugh has consistently looked for the 'better job' and so we have to consider that he may do it again, too.

Put another way, do you think there are many teams who would select Harbaugh over Belichick right now to rebuild a franchise, even considering age?

Super Nomario · Feb 21, 2014

PedroKsBambino said:
Agreed, he might be. But Harbaugh has consistently looked for the 'better job' and so we have to consider that he may do it again, too.

He consistently looked for the better job when he wasn't at the pinnacle of his profession. Now he is. There's no reason to think there's ever going to be a "better job" than head coach of the 49ers as long as management doesn't piss him off. He's in a great city with a rabid fan base, one he has personal ties to, and one with a rich football history and tradition.

PedroKsBambino said:
Put another way, do you think there are many teams who would select Harbaugh over Belichick right now to rebuild a franchise, even considering age?

He's almost a dozen years younger and Belichick's already on record saying he doesn't want to coach when he's 70. Belichick might coach another 5 years; Harbaugh might coach another 15.

It's a moot point because Belichick's not available. My point is that Harbaugh shouldn't be available either.

PedroKsBambino · Feb 21, 2014

There's no reason to think there's ever going to be a "better job" than head coach of the 49ers as long as management doesn't piss him off.

Clearly, this is not how he feels---Harbaugh either affirmatively sought out the Browns job, or willingly went along with going there for some period while they were negotiating. That is kind of my point.

He's almost a dozen years younger and Belichick's already on record saying he doesn't want to coach when he's 70. Belichick might coach another 5 years; Harbaugh might coach another 15.

He might; then again, he most likely won't. I think he's an excellent coach, one of the best in football. And even so there's absolutely no comparison in value between a coach who also runs personnel and one who does not.

I agree Harbaugh shouldn't be available, though. It's an odd situation

Granite Sox · Feb 21, 2014

Would have been a fascinating transaction, but the media obsession with two HarBowls a year in the AFC North would have been vomit-inducing. There's something really odd about Jim, in a Borderline-Personality-Disorder-kind-of-way. Hard to see him being easy to deal with as a #1 in an NFL organization. Then again, Coach Bill isn't exactly Don Rickles, either.

Tangentially, both Harbaughs are being lined up as replacements for Brady Hoke at Michigan should he tip over this year. So if the relationship between Jimmy and Baalke is toxic, there's an obvious escape route with comparable compensation. (John has apparently suggested whimsical interest in the Michigan job based on the family's history with the school.)

Super Nomario · Feb 21, 2014

PedroKsBambino said:
Clearly, this is not how he feels---Harbaugh either affirmatively sought out the Browns job, or willingly went along with going there for some period while they were negotiating. That is kind of my point.

Possibly. Maybe Harbaugh wasn't involved in the initial negotiation at all, and turned it down as soon as Baalke / whoever came to him. Maybe he initiated the talks as the one Cleveland dude (and, so far, only the one Cleveland dude?) said. And maybe if he was going along, it was only to get more leverage / power in the SF organization. Who knows?

PedroKsBambino said:
He might; then again, he most likely won't. I think he's an excellent coach, one of the best in football. And even so there's absolutely no comparison in value between a coach who also runs personnel and one who does not.

I agree it's a different role. On the other hand, there are probably quite a few teams who'd prefer a coach-only. On the the other other hand, Harbaugh might prefer to be in a situation where he can have more personnel control (and maybe this whole drama was just a way of gaining leverage in that arena).

RedOctober3829 said:
Yes, I'd think about it. Then, I'd call them back and ask them to throw in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame too. My point was that Harbaugh's resume, while very good, isn't Belichick and he doesn't have personnel control to the degree BB has. It's different. SF would have no problem attracting a good candidate and they'd have multiple 1sts to use down the line. It's at least something to consider if Harbaugh had any sort of rift with management.

If there's a rift with management, they need to fix it. I think Baalke's a lot more replaceable than Harbaugh.

bradmahn · Feb 21, 2014

I don't think Greg Roman is as highly esteemed among Niners fans as he appears to be on SOSH, and I tend to agree with the people I come into contact with in SF that he has been very good in crafting a creative running game but the passing game is grossly underwhelming. Obviously, personnel has something to do with that given the talent, bulk and pedigree of the OL (plus Gore), but Kaepernick failed to take a step forward this year and he has an abundance of skill. The fan base would not be happy going from Harbaugh to Roman.

soxfan121 · Feb 21, 2014

Super Nomario said:
If there's a rift with management, they need to fix it. I think Baalke's a lot more replaceable than Harbaugh.

This. Baalke's track record is spotty. Few GMs botch a first round pick as badly as AJ Jenkins was botched and survive.

PedroKsBambino · Feb 21, 2014

Super Nomario said:
Possibly. Maybe Harbaugh wasn't involved in the initial negotiation at all, and turned it down as soon as Baalke / whoever came to him. Maybe he initiated the talks as the one Cleveland dude (and, so far, only the one Cleveland dude?) said. And maybe if he was going along, it was only to get more leverage / power in the SF organization. Who knows?

Anything is possible, but it seems extraordinarily unlikely (and dumb) if wasn't aware and at least somewhat willing initially. I just don't think that's at all likely.

If they don't bring him in early and he hears about it can you imagine his reaction? That's a crazy risk for the Niners. Most importantly, as noted before, there cannot be a deal without him agreeing...this is not like a player, he can simply refuse to go. So there's no point from either team's perspective in talking much about it until you know where he is.

I think it's possible Harbaugh wants personnel control, and possible he doesn't like Baalke or the compensation offers in SF. I think we may find out; there's suddenly a chance he's not there next year, I think.

Super Nomario · Feb 21, 2014

PedroKsBambino said:
Pretty much zero chance Harbaugh wasn't aware and at least somewhat willing initially. If they don't bring him in early and he hears about it can you imagine his reaction? That's a crazy risk for the Niners. Most importantly, as noted before, there cannot be a deal without him agreeing...this is not like a player, he can simply refuse to go. So there's no point from either team's perspective in talking much about it until you know where he is.

All the credible reports I've seen are saying he did refuse to go, ultimately. So all this comes down to "how close did he REALLY come to going?" which only Harbaugh knows for sure and he's not telling.

PedroKsBambino said:
I think it's possible Harbaugh wants personnel control, and possible he doesn't like Baalke or the compensation offers in SF. I think we may find out; there's suddenly a chance he's not there next year, I think.

There's a chance, but I think the 49ers are pretty stupid if they let it come to that.

PedroKsBambino · Feb 21, 2014

Super Nomario said:
All the credible reports I've seen are saying he did refuse to go, ultimately. So all this comes down to "how close did he REALLY come to going?" which only Harbaugh knows for sure and he's not telling.

No, whether or not he was close to going, he almost had to be supportive initially. He might have said "I'd be willing, depends on the situation and package" or "I'd be open to it" or "Not opposed" but if he said, right away, "no chance" then it's really, really, really hard to imagine the thing gets to the 'serious' level that all reports say it did. Whether something changed, or he simply decided not to go in the end, we have to believe that early on he was at least open to it, I think.

Just to bring it back around, this is why I said we know that he's willing to leave the Niners job...because, unless something crazy comes out, he was.

Super Nomario · Feb 22, 2014

PedroKsBambino said:
No, whether or not he was close to going, he almost had to be supportive initially. He might have said "I'd be willing, depends on the situation and package" or "I'd be open to it" or "Not opposed" but if he said, right away, "no chance" then it's really, really, really hard to imagine the thing gets to the 'serious' level that all reports say it did. Whether something changed, or he simply decided not to go in the end, we have to believe that early on he was at least open to it, I think.

Just to bring it back around, this is why I said we know that he's willing to leave the Niners job...because, unless something crazy comes out, he was.

He was willing to leave the job in the abstact sense, but it's hard to know whether he was willing to leave the job in the way almost anyone is willing to leave almost any job (if he got a lot more pay, more power / prestige, dissatisfied with his current boss, etc.) or if he actually wants to leave. Without knowing the particulars, I think it's a stretch to conclude he's a big risk to keep job-hopping a la Parcells.

Infield Infidel · Feb 22, 2014

Super Nomario said:
Roman's a great offensive mind, but he's a complete wild card as a head coach. Five years ago he was coaching high school - and he was just an OC there. I think if you're a rebuilding team, you take the draft picks; for a team in SF's position, I want the great coach. They also already have a bunch of draft picks, 11 before compensation picks. They're probably cutting rookies as it is.

And to re-iterate the initial question: would you even think about two or three firsts for Belichick?

You make some good points, but I don't think it's fair to impugn Harbaugh for leaving jobs fairly quickly - that's par for the course for young coaches trying to move up the ladder. Belichick coached for four different teams in his first five years in the NFL, for instance. What was Harbaugh supposed to do, still be coaching at SDSU? He went to high school in the Bay Area and has been coaching there since 2007 (and in CA since 2002); I don't think it's unreasonably to imagine he'll be there well after Belichick retires.

He didn't coach at SDSU, he was at USD, which is FCS and doesn't even offer scholarships, so it was way down the totem pole. Who wouldn't leave that for an opportunity like Stanford? The jump from USD to Stanford was a massive jump in quality

coremiller · Feb 22, 2014

soxfan121 said:
This. Baalke's track record is spotty. Few GMs botch a first round pick as badly as AJ Jenkins was botched and survive.

This is just flat-out wrong. They blew the Jenkins pick, sure, but in the 2010 and 2011 drafts under Baalke they drafted Anthony Davis, Mike Iupati, Navarro Bowman, Aldon Smith, and Colin Kaepernick -- a franchise QB, an all-pro pass rusher and MLB, and two pro bowl linemen -- in addition to several other role players who have made meaningful contributions (Bruce Miller, Anthony Dixon, Chris Culliver, Kendall Hunter). In the 2013 draft they nailed their first round pick with Eric Reid, who started the whole season as a rookie and made the pro bowl as an alternate, and if the Carradine and Lattimore redshirt picks pan out it will have been a great, rather than merely good, draft.

Reverend · Feb 22, 2014

kanga12 said:
Or Harbaugh genuinely believes that he can turn that franchise around. Harbaugh has supreme confidence in his abilities and leadership and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he thinks he can turn the debacle that is the Browns from cellar-dweller to contender.

I was thinking something similar to this too, but was on mobile and decided to go away with the throw-away line. But yeah, I think there could be something to this. Whereas I'd be of the SuperNomario school of thought and consider myself blessed to have such an awesome situation in SF, if Harbough's really driven and has certain kinds of ego stuff, as many of these guys do (which is a big part of what gets them there), Cleveland offers certain possibilities SF does not. Specifically, if he were to turn Cleveland around and bring them a couple of Super Bowls, he becomes the All-Time ManTM in Cleveland the way Belichick did in NE. In SF, he can at most become part of their story.

Fortune and glory, kid.

PedroKsBambino · Feb 22, 2014

Super Nomario said:
He was willing to leave the job in the abstact sense, but it's hard to know whether he was willing to leave the job in the way almost anyone is willing to leave almost any job (if he got a lot more pay, more power / prestige, dissatisfied with his current boss, etc.) or if he actually wants to leave. Without knowing the particulars, I think it's a stretch to conclude he's a big risk to keep job-hopping a la Parcells.

We don't have clarity, for sure, but it's unquestionably more of a stretch to see that was willing to leave the job (as you acknowledge) and not consider that a factor in evaluating how long he might stay.

I do think we're a long way from Parcells-level job hopping. But the comparison was Belichick, so I think we are already comfortably, and factually, in a place where Harbaugh's interest in job hopping is greater. What drove it, or what might happen going forward, I agree we just don't have enough visibility to know.

soxhop411 · Feb 23, 2014

Jim Harbaugh's relationship with 49ers brass is getting worse

INDIANAPOLIS -- Things are not getting better behind the scenes for the San Francisco 49ers. There was a persistent rumble throughout the combine about the extent of the rift between coach Jim Harbaugh and the team's front office. It doesn't seem like it will go away, and there is increasing buzz that the team might have to decide between Harbaugh or GM Trent Baalke.

The men are barely speaking, I'm told, and almost all communication is through email. Harbaugh also has a strained relationship with team president Paraag Marathe, sources said, and he has clashed with many within the organization. It could prove untenable. If anything, the impression I got this week was that the situation there is actually much worse than how it has been portrayed in the media, and helps explain the delay in giving a new deal to the coach, who has two years left on a contract he has outperformed.
Harbaugh has done nothing but reach, at least, the NFC championship game since coming to San Francisco three years ago, and the longer this goes on, the worse it might get. To almost anyone I posited the question to, the response was pretty much the same -- there is no way they can't extend Harbaugh. But then again, in the NFL, you never know.
I've long expected Dolphins owner Stephen Ross to attempt to trade for Harbaugh, and we all know he already tried to hire him before firing a coach in the past. I'm also not surprised that the Browns made an attempt to land him as well, although, from what I have heard of that situation, Cleveland's approach did not get very far. Still, if other teams sense a vulnerability there, they will continue to explore, and it's hard to imagine Harbaugh coaching out a lame-duck year there in 2015 if he hasn't received an extension by then.
This is a matter that will need attention this offseason, one way or the other. When the 49ers landed Harbaugh, his intensity, personality, potential issues getting along with others, etc., were no secret. Some wondered how long it might be before issues arose, with Baalke also very intense and strong-willed himself. If they did in some way move on from him -- via a trade or whatever -- many believe defensive line coach Jim Tomsula would be positioned to slide in.
Perhaps owner Jed York can find a way to make this situation work long term and retain the many talented people he has assembled. He has proven to be a dynamic leader and a problem solver already.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24455137/jim-harbaughs-relationship-with-49ers-brass-is-getting-worse

This could turn ugly…

Cellar-Door · Feb 23, 2014

Harbaugh is a good coach, but a lot of that team's success has been personnel based. And Roman's defense has also played a big role. I'd trade him for two good picks without any hesitation.

DourDoerr · Feb 23, 2014

I think Harbaugh is more than a good coach - he's the rarest kind of HC - a difference maker. Yes, he's benefitted from the talent collected the last few years in SF, but he was the guy who resurrected (and that word isn't strong enough) the career of Alex Smith. Smith was wrung out after years under the collective genius of Nolan and Singletary.

You couldn't find anyone out here that it wasn't anything but sheer folly to re-sign him for another year, but Harbaugh saw his potential and put him in a position to succeed and Smith had easily his best year with a league-leading Int%. Despite the success the team had with Smith in reaching the NFC championship and in the midst of another strong start the following season, Harbaugh correctly identified Smith's limitations and how he might limit the team and made the extremely gutsy move of replacing Smith with the inexperienced Kaepernick.

I think he's easily worth the haul Oakland got for Gruden as Harbaugh can not only coach a team successfully and at a high level but he couples that with an even rarer ability to develop QB's which is the most crucial position by far. That alone is worth several picks.

Three10toLeft · Feb 24, 2014

I'd actually love to see Harbaugh coach Manziel, the Browns situation would have been interesting.

Partly for the entertainment value of the on field product, and the other part because of the sheer amount of vitriol that would be directed at this combination.

mpx42 · Feb 24, 2014

Ousted Cleveland CEO Joe Banner -- who is transitioning out of his role in Cleveland after being not asked back along with GM Mike Lombardi -- had the new offensive and defensive coordinators reporting directly to him, CBS Sports NFL Insider Pat Kirwan reports.
Kirwan spoke to a league source at the NFL combine in Indianapolis who told him Banner was a bit of a control freak and structured the coaching staff so that the new coordinators would answer directly to him.
That's atypical of an NFL team, to say the least. Generally speaking coordinators answer directly to the head coach, in this case recently hired Mike Pettine.
Pettine was hired after the Browns fired Rob Chudzinski following just one year at the helm. Chud has since latched on with the Colts as a special assistant to the head coach.
To say that the power structure in Cleveland was different would be an understatement. New GM Ray Farmer, who was at the time assistant GM, was not involved in the head coaching search either, Kirwan was told.
Having coordinators circumvent the head coach and GM by reporting to the CEO of the team is just out there. As Kirwan wonders, it's entirely possible that Banner wanted to control what players played and when.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24455925/joe-banner-had-new-browns-coordinators-reporting-directly-to-him

The idea is absolutely absurd to me. It would be like Josh McDaniels/Matt Patricia reporting directly to Jonathan Kraft - completely undermining the head coach's authority or influence. It's no wonder the people being interviewed in Cleveland told Haslam they didn't want to work with Banner.

Shelterdog · Feb 24, 2014

mpx42 said:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24455925/joe-banner-had-new-browns-coordinators-reporting-directly-to-him

The idea is absolutely absurd to me. It would be like Josh McDaniels/Matt Patricia reporting directly to Jonathan Kraft - completely undermining the head coach's authority or influence. It's no wonder the people being interviewed in Cleveland told Haslam they didn't want to work with Banner.

I wonder how the reporting lines work for coordinators in Pittsburgh--Tomlin didn't really have a say in those relationships.

dcmissle · Feb 24, 2014

mpx42 said:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24455925/joe-banner-had-new-browns-coordinators-reporting-directly-to-him

The idea is absolutely absurd to me. It would be like Josh McDaniels/Matt Patricia reporting directly to Jonathan Kraft - completely undermining the head coach's authority or influence. It's no wonder the people being interviewed in Cleveland told Haslam they didn't want to work with Banner.

See preceding page of this thread regarding Whisenhunt interview. Seems like Banner, with no background in coaching, was getting his Jerry Jones on.

mauf · Feb 24, 2014

Shelterdog said:
I wonder how the reporting lines work for coordinators in Pittsburgh--Tomlin didn't really have a say in those relationships.

Big difference between having your coordinators chosen for you, and having them report to your boss. Most leaders in the business world have to deal with something like the former; the latter is a recipe for disaster.

Shelterdog · Feb 25, 2014

maufman said:
Big difference between having your coordinators chosen for you, and having them report to your boss. Most leaders in the business world have to deal with something like the former; the latter is a recipe for disaster.

I agree with all of this but it doesn't answer the question of how things work in Pittsburgh.

J.McG · Feb 25, 2014

Shelterdog said:
I think Lombardi might be "VP of bringing over every piece of paper and information the Cleveland scouting department has".

Cleveland Browns decline to comment on photo of Mike Lombardi with Browns logo on combine notes
By Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group, updated February 25, 2014 at 9:25 PM

Former Browns general manager Mike Lombardi was captured in a screengrab at the NFL Scouting Combine Monday sitting next to his new boss Bill Belichick and perusing a stack of notes with the Browns logo on the front.

Browns spokesman Zak Gilbert said the club is aware of the Tweeted screengrab (below), but declined to comment.

A league source told Northeast Ohio Media Group on Tuesday that Browns general manager Ray Farmer isn't concerned about the situation, because the club followed proper procedures regarding Lombardi's departure from the club.

The Patriots also declined to comment on the matter.

Another league source told NEOMG that Lombardi wasn't escorted out of the Browns facility in Berea in the same way that former Browns general manager George Kokinis was in 2009 and that he was able to gather his belongings and leave the Berea facility on his own.

www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/02/mike_lombardi_cleveland_browns_patriots.html

Browns fired Lombardi/Banner, promote Farmer to GM, went after Jim Harbaugh?

Member

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch

Member

Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

news aggravator

for king and country

Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

news aggravator

Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

JAG

Well-Known Member

Member

Well-Known Member

Member

teaching korea american

Member

for king and country

Well-Known Member

news aggravator

Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

Deflatigator

Anderson Cooper × Mr. Rogers

Well-Known Member

New Member