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Ex-GM Floyd Reese would welcome call from Browns owner
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Dec 11, 2008
While recent reports have characterized the return to the Browns of Bill Cowher and Marty Schottenheimer as unlikely, former Tennessee Titans General Manager Floyd Reese would openly welcome a call from Browns owner Randy Lerner.
In a telephone interview Wednesday, Reese said ''you'd have to'' consider the Browns if Lerner decides to fire General Manager Phil Savage or insist that Savage accept a reduced role. Presumably, coach Romeo Crennel would be the first to go.
Currently an NFL analyst for ESPN, Reese has been out of the league since stepping down from his Titans post in January 2007. Reese has more than 30 years of NFL experience, including 13 as the Titans' GM.
''When I look at organizations and potential jobs, you always look at do they have what it takes to win. That's an owner willing to invest, the facility, the stadium, the fan base,'' Reese said. ''Cleveland's got all of that.
''Have they won the way they wanted to since their rebirth? No, they haven't. Is that something that can be fixed? All you've got to do is look at the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins to say, 'Yeah, it can be fixed.' ''
After finishing 10-6 and one game shy of the playoffs in 2007, the Browns are 4-9 going into the game Monday night against the Eagles (7-5-1) in Philadelphia. Since the franchise returned in 1999, the Browns are
54-103 with one playoff appearance (in 2002).
Earlier this year, Reese expressed interest in the Detroit Lions' job after General Manager Matt Millen was fired, telling the Detroit Free Press, ''If I had William Clay Ford's number, you'd be hearing a dial tone right now.''
Reese said he would evaluate the state of any franchise that approaches him.
''You have to evaluate everything from top to bottom,'' he said. ''My impression and from the league's perception, Cleveland is probably one of the classier organizations. At least as an outsider looking in, they're trying to do everything right. They do everything first class.''
Reese wondered if the Browns are as bad as their record, especially after offseason trades brought high-priced defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, quarterback Derek Anderson was given a new contract and free-agent receiver Donte' Stallworth was signed to a deal that included $10 million guaranteed.
''They made a large investment in the offseason to try to get better. Did that pay off? I'm not sure it did. You have to evaluate why,'' Reese said. ''You won 10 games, you have a Pro Bowl quarterback and receivers, now you're looked at differently than an expansion club. The schedule gets harder, draft choices are not as good, your opportunity to pick up players off the waiver wire is not as good.
''There's a point the players have to understand that you have to notch it up one more notch.''
Reese also looks at the Browns' 2-0 record on Monday night, especially their 35-14 victory over the New York Giants (11-2).
''That's frustrating. A team that can beat the New York Giants, then the Giants run off seven in a row. You've got to say, 'Wait a minute, what happened to that team that played on Monday night?' '' Reese said.
No matter how he assesses the Browns overall, Reese thinks that the team has major assets in Anderson and Brady Quinn, both on injured reserve.
''It's hard to get one quarterback you consider a franchise quarterback,'' Reese said. ''At least when you look at the contract they gave D.A. and the drafting of Brady Quinn in the first round, you're saying to the world you think they're both franchise quarterbacks. That's indeed a luxury. Where you go with it is another issue. But at least at the most important position in professional sports they appear to be loaded.''
An All-America defensive lineman at UCLA, Reese entered the NFL in 1975, serving as an assistant in Detroit, San Francisco and Minnesota before joining the Houston Oilers in 1986. After he became general manager in 1984, Reese's teams went 111-102 and reached the Super Bowl in 1999.
Reese is eager to return and was not soured by how his career with the Titans ended, reportedly in a power struggle with coach Jeff Fisher.
''I was in the league 32 years. I started when I was 23 or 24,'' he said. ''It's really the only thing I know in my adult life. I understand and feel comfortable with it. I'd like to think after all that experience I can help somebody win a game someplace.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
While recent reports have characterized the return to the Browns of Bill Cowher and Marty Schottenheimer as unlikely, former Tennessee Titans General Manager Floyd Reese would openly welcome a call from Browns owner Randy Lerner.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Naples, FL
Posted 05:52 AM, 12/11/2008
To make a long story short, let me summarize what Mr. Reese stated. "It's on the coach, the talent is there, RAC needs to go"
Akron, OH
Posted 07:32 AM, 12/11/2008
Romeo is too hard-headed about this head coach thing. Just go make that assistant coach money, and be happy. You tried, and it didn't work out.
Posted 08:16 AM, 12/11/2008
Floyd Reese would be great for the Browns.
Posted 10:17 AM, 12/11/2008
This much seems reasonably clear: Not only will change occur, but seasoned, proven, established NFL vets will be interested in coming aboard to resolve things. Inexperienced first-timers need not be hired. That, by itself, is a favorable development.
San Diego, CA
Posted 10:54 AM, 12/11/2008
Do you think the Brownies could pry Ozzie Newsome away from the Ravens? Seems like he knows talent. That appears to be a major problem with the Browns since they've come back. Whatever the case, I hope they get some defensive backs that can tackle.
Posted 12:16 PM, 12/11/2008
If you want him you can have him. He was pretty lousy here with the Titans, he's responsible for the Vince Young and Pacman Jones debacles. He also believes that teams have to go into salary cap jail to be good.
I don't know if he's an upgrade over Savage, but he's throwing his name out there for every job that is or might be open so he's desperate to get back in the league.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 03:53 PM, 12/11/2008
Cowher and Schottenheimer are the only qualified applicants, and anything possible should be done to secure one of those two. The fans here deserve it. Nothing against the rest of the field, but it's time Cleveland stop trying to train their own coaches.
Posted 09:55 AM, 12/12/2008
I've looked into my crystal ball and here's what I see for the Browns:
1. Crennel is fired within about 48 hours after the last game of the season.
2. GM Phil Savage is not fired.
3. There is much talk about Bill Cowher being the next coach.
4. Cowher says privately to Browns he is not interested in coaching.
5. 2 weeks go by and the names of Schottenheimer, Billick and various offensive/defensive coordinators surface.
6. Brian Billick is named next head coach for the Browns.
Posted 11:34 AM, 12/12/2008
Exactly Michael. Brian Billick will be the next coach of the Browns. Schotty might become GM as well when Phil is reassigned to Head Scout (which he will want to reject but has no other options). Then we'll have to go after Marvin Lewis to coach the defense.
I know, it's a long shot but Randy Lerner wants to prove he wants a winner and he has the money to do it.
