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Ex-Jaguars executive will interview today for general manager
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Jan 15, 2009
While Browns coach Eric Mangini announced the hiring of his coordinators Wednesday, a new name emerged in the team's search for a general manager.
Owner Randy Lerner will interview former Jacksonville Jaguars Vice President of Player Personnel James Harris today in New York, WKYC Channel 3 reported.
Harris, 61, resigned Dec. 23 after serving nearly six years as GM of the Jaguars.
The Browns' other known general manager candidate, George Kokinis, succeeded Harris as the Baltimore Ravens director of pro personnel in 2003. Lerner interviewed Kokinis, a close friend of Mangini, on Sunday and a source said they plan to talk again next week.
In Jacksonville, Harris took the blame for the acquisition of two underperforming free agents — wide receiver Jerry Porter of the Oakland Raiders and cornerback Drayton Florence of the San Diego Chargers — who cost a reported $23 million. Harris also brought in receiver Troy Williamson from the Minnesota Vikings and moved up in the draft to select Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey, who managed just four sacks as a rookie.
A playoff team in 2007, the Jaguars went 5-11 and lost eight of their last 10 games.
Harris has won numerous awards, including twice being named one of the 50 most influential minorities by Sports Illus
trated. After playing for legendary coach Eddie Robinson at Grambling, Harris was drafted in the eighth round by the Buffalo Bills and became the first African-American in NFL history to open the season as a starting quarterback.
He spent 12 years in the NFL with the Bills (1969-71), Los Angeles Rams (1973-76) and Chargers (1977-81) before moving into personnel. Harris scouted for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for five years, then was hired as assistant general manager of the New York Jets (1993-96).
The building of Mangini's staff began with the hiring of Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator, Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator and Brad Seely as assistant head coach/special teams coordinator.
Daboll was the Jets' quarterbacks coach, Ryan served as the Raiders' defensive coordinator and Seely spent the past 10 years as special teams coach of the New England Patriots.
''All three are very experienced, talented and dedicated coaches who share the same team-first vision and are passionate towards our goal of bringing an NFL championship to Cleveland,'' Mangini said in a statement.
The four spent four years together with the Patriots from 2000-03. Mangini coached defensive backs, Ryan linebackers and Daboll was a defensive assistant.
Daboll, 33, a native of Welland, Ontario, has spent nine years in the NFL with the Jets and Patriots (2000-06), five coaching the Patriots' wide receivers. He also worked as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban at Michigan State.
Ryan, 46, is the son of NFL defensive coaching legend Buddy Ryan and twin brother of Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. Rob Ryan started in the NFL in 1994-95 with the Arizona Cardinals under his father, then went to Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College (1996) and Oklahoma State (1997-99), where he was defensive coordinator. He joined the Patriots in 2000, the Raiders in 2004.
Seely, 52, brings 20 years of NFL experience, also working with the Indianapolis Colts (1989-93), Jets (1994) and Carolina Panthers (1995-98).
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
While Browns coach Eric Mangini announced the hiring of his coordinators Wednesday, a new name emerged in the team's search for a general manager.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Naples, FL
Posted 06:29 AM, 01/15/2009
Once again we have a HC who's experience is on the defensive side of the ball who names an O-coordinator who has never held that position before. Seely and Ryan seem like good hires and maybe Daboll will be a good choice as well but there were experienced guys out there available. Let's hope for the best. Sigh!
Akron, OH
Posted 10:18 AM, 01/15/2009
"Wait 'til next year!" x infinity.
*sigh*
San Antonio, TX
Posted 11:42 AM, 01/15/2009
Let's face it. We do need a DC as a Head Coach. Well,one that will get involved in the process and give direction of what he wants,what he expects and what sort of performance is exspected. Also,some one who can make adjustments as the game progresses and get into the players grill and demand excellence. Some one who can get or develop excellent performers that have a passion for the game. I saw very little of that from our DL or LB's except for Rogers. I still feel the DB's and safety are getting a bad rap--the pass rush is the key to success. With out the rush the DB's are chasing and not covering receivers.
San Antonio Bill
Posted 11:45 AM, 01/15/2009
Same tune. Different band.
Sigh...
Posted 11:51 AM, 01/15/2009
I like that Mangini has a plan and knows who he wants to help him implement it. I am more and more impressed with him and think he is going to do an outstanding job.
barberton, oh
Posted 12:32 PM, 01/15/2009
I'm lovin it. Manginious has a plan and he's gonna make things happen in Cleveland. Most people want 2 say, same ol, same ol. I don't see that at all. I see a man that wants 2 bring a winner 2 himself and his fans here in Cleveland. Go ahead and B naysayers. I'm jumpin on the Manginious Bus....
Posted 02:08 PM, 01/15/2009
I'm very worried about Daboll but I can't believe we grabed Ryan before someone else could land him. The Raiders are my second most favorite team and have been for years. Rob Ryan was held back in Oakland due to the "Al Davis" factor. If we get him a 2 more LBs to pair up with Jackson and Wimbley (yes I said Wimbley) the defense will be very respectful. The 3-4 defense has two requirements, solid up he middle (Rodgers, Jackson and drafting Malauga) and pressure from the outside (Wimbley and a player to be determined).
Wimbley will come around with the proper coaching.
Posted 06:02 PM, 01/15/2009
What in the world is Mangini thinking?All his assistants are coming from the defensive side of the ball.I would think that he would want someone who has run a Offense before.Lets face it,thats where we need the most help.Maybe I'm wrong,maybe Daboll will do a good job.I hope they are the ones who will finally bring us Browns Fans a winner.Go Browns!!!!!!!!!
Posted 12:09 AM, 01/16/2009
Phil Savage is available.
San Diego, CA
Posted 02:07 AM, 01/16/2009
Hey San Antonio Bill: Those DB's can't tackle worth a darn.
WADSWORTH, OH
Posted 04:33 AM, 01/16/2009
Im with ya LowRider-things dont look so flipping bleak after-all-Ryan will PUSH the D-a little true-grit from our age group finally.
Posted 07:19 AM, 01/16/2009
I hope Harris is not in the picture. He absolutely did not do well here in Jacksonville. Why bring a certified loser aboard? Let's start fresh.
Akrom, Oh
Posted 07:26 PM, 01/17/2009
I wish we would draft that receiver from Texas Tech, then we could get rid of Braylon "whoops I dropped it" Edwards. Also look for another tight end and dump Winslow too. There should be some top quality players still around at number 5!!
