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How do I know you have too much time on your hands?
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 05:28 p.m. EST, Nov 08, 2009
BEREA: Bernie Kosar did not prove to be the Browns' knight in shining armor in 1986, '87 or '89. Heaven help the moribund team if owner Randy Lerner believes Kosar can save him now.
The beloved former Browns quarterback might be capable of helping find the next franchise leader or deciding whether Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn can be salvaged. Kosar can spot a defensive tone-setter when he sees one, his peripheral vision honed while absorbing 259 sacks during his nine years with the Browns.
There can be a place in the Browns' organization for Kosar's football mind, which excelled at calling his own plays and manipulating his way into the 1985 supplemental draft. Those are skills not seen in Berea since Kosar rode off into the sunset.
But Kosar is not qualified to be the Browns' next general manager.
Let's hope he wasn't the subject of Lerner's reference a Sunday ago in Chicago when Lerner said finding ''a strong, credible, serious leader'' to guide the football operations was a high priority. That was a day before General Manager George Kokinis was relieved of his duties in a top-secret ouster that left Kokinis reportedly battling the Browns to honor his contract.
It appeared that Lerner was taking the first step in correcting his maddening pattern of misplaced hires. So far he's 2-for-2 in oil-and-water partnerships — coach Romeo Crennel and General Manager Phil Savage, coach Eric Mangini and Kokinis.
Now longtime Browns fans can only hope that Lerner recognizes the need for a respected, experienced general manager. Someone with charisma and clout. Someone who can speak for the organization, deftly handle a crisis and rebuild a talentless roster. Someone who can draft the right USC linebacker.
None of those, except perhaps the latter, sound like Kosar.
Has there ever been an NFL GM who enters the room with a ''Hey, bro?'' Who calls a local radio station with tales of scaring away his teenage daughter's boyfriends with a shotgun? Who has never lost his affection for locker-room raunch? Who got out of a limo at the Heisman Trophy ceremony when he was a finalist with a six-pack of beer in a brown paper bag? Who rambled on about his career and his decision to wear tennis shoes at former linebacker Eddie Johnson's funeral, leaving mourners practically covering their eyes in embarrassment?
All that considered, the main reason Kosar should not be hired as general manager is that he disdained past opportunities to work his way up the ladder.
There was a time when he was offered a chance to go to NFL Europe and groom himself for this job, but Kosar turned it down. There were family and business considerations, but if that was Kosar's goal after his playing career ended, he should have found a way to make it work and worked the 12- to 15-hour days to get there.
Instead, with what seems like an overbearing sense of entitlement, he figures ''Why not now?'' He's found a desperate owner with a team in dire straights who might hand him the job he wants.
Anyone remember the Matt Millen fiasco with the Detroit Lions? Or the overmatched Dwight Clark? And Clark spent 10 years in the San Francisco 49ers' organization, four as executive vice president of football operations, before ex-president Carmen Policy hired him to fill the same role with the expansion Browns.
The Browns need to consider some of the candidates they overlooked in January in the wake of the love-at-first-sight hiring of Mangini. Former Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans GM Floyd Reese is a consultant with the New England Patriots. Rich McKay, who never got to his interview with the Browns, remains president of the Atlanta Falcons. Perhaps vice president of football operations Bill Parcells could be pried away from the Miami Dolphins by the reclamation project on Lake Erie.
Former Browns exec Lal Heneghan, now the 49ers' executive vice president of football administration, might be lured back to become the Browns' president, although he was more of a contract negotiator and pro personnel director in his previous stint.
There also have to be young, qualified executives waiting in the wings. The Falcons hired Barberton-born Tom Dimitroff Jr., who followed in his father's footsteps as a Browns scout, away from the Patriots, with whom he had spent the previous six years as director of college scouting.
It might be hard to find a highly qualified candidate who doesn't want to pick his own coach. And Lerner told the Plain Dealer on Wednesday that he expects Mangini to remain in 2010. Lerner already might have decided that's not the case and could be saying what he thinks he needs to say with eight games remaining.
Sticking with Mangini could force Lerner to turn to Kosar, perhaps with a retired former general manager hired as a consultant to tutor him. It would also be a convenient way for Lerner to recoup the $1.5 million Kosar owes the Browns, revealed in his recent bankruptcy filing. Kosar could be paid a below-market salary, and Lerner would use the difference to write off Kosar's debt.
As noble as that sounds financially, it's hard to imagine Kosar working with Mangini, who has shown an aversion to Browns alumni since he took over. Imagine them in a room discussing the prospects for next year's top-five draft pick. Mangini would want smart, tough, hard-nosed football players, while all Kosar would care about is if they can take down Ben Roethlisberger in the open field. On that one, I'd side with Kosar.
Yes, there can be a place for Kosar in the Browns' organization. But considering the depressing state of the offense, I'd rather have Kosar drawing plays in the dirt again.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
BEREA: Bernie Kosar did not prove to be the Browns' knight in shining armor in 1986, '87 or '89. Heaven help the moribund team if owner Randy Lerner believes Kosar can save him now.
The beloved former Browns quarterback might be capable of helping find the next franchise leader or deciding whether Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn can be salvaged. Kosar can spot a defensive tone-setter when he sees one, his peripheral vision honed while absorbing 259 sacks during his nine years with the Browns.
There can be a place in the Browns' organization for Kosar's football mind, which excelled at calling his own plays and manipulating his way into the 1985 supplemental draft. Those are skills not seen in Berea since Kosar rode off into the sunset.
But Kosar is not qualified to be the Browns' next general manager.
Let's hope he wasn't the subject of Lerner's reference a Sunday ago in Chicago when Lerner said finding ''a strong, credible, serious leader'' to guide the football operations was a high priority. That was a day before General Manager George Kokinis was relieved of his duties in a top-secret ouster that left Kokinis reportedly battling the Browns to honor his contract.
It appeared that Lerner was taking the first step in correcting his maddening pattern of misplaced hires. So far he's 2-for-2 in oil-and-water partnerships — coach Romeo Crennel and General Manager Phil Savage, coach Eric Mangini and Kokinis.
Now longtime Browns fans can only hope that Lerner recognizes the need for a respected, experienced general manager. Someone with charisma and clout. Someone who can speak for the organization, deftly handle a crisis and rebuild a talentless roster. Someone who can draft the right USC linebacker.
None of those, except perhaps the latter, sound like Kosar.
Has there ever been an NFL GM who enters the room with a ''Hey, bro?'' Who calls a local radio station with tales of scaring away his teenage daughter's boyfriends with a shotgun? Who has never lost his affection for locker-room raunch? Who got out of a limo at the Heisman Trophy ceremony when he was a finalist with a six-pack of beer in a brown paper bag? Who rambled on about his career and his decision to wear tennis shoes at former linebacker Eddie Johnson's funeral, leaving mourners practically covering their eyes in embarrassment?
All that considered, the main reason Kosar should not be hired as general manager is that he disdained past opportunities to work his way up the ladder.
There was a time when he was offered a chance to go to NFL Europe and groom himself for this job, but Kosar turned it down. There were family and business considerations, but if that was Kosar's goal after his playing career ended, he should have found a way to make it work and worked the 12- to 15-hour days to get there.
Instead, with what seems like an overbearing sense of entitlement, he figures ''Why not now?'' He's found a desperate owner with a team in dire straights who might hand him the job he wants.
Anyone remember the Matt Millen fiasco with the Detroit Lions? Or the overmatched Dwight Clark? And Clark spent 10 years in the San Francisco 49ers' organization, four as executive vice president of football operations, before ex-president Carmen Policy hired him to fill the same role with the expansion Browns.
The Browns need to consider some of the candidates they overlooked in January in the wake of the love-at-first-sight hiring of Mangini. Former Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans GM Floyd Reese is a consultant with the New England Patriots. Rich McKay, who never got to his interview with the Browns, remains president of the Atlanta Falcons. Perhaps vice president of football operations Bill Parcells could be pried away from the Miami Dolphins by the reclamation project on Lake Erie.
Former Browns exec Lal Heneghan, now the 49ers' executive vice president of football administration, might be lured back to become the Browns' president, although he was more of a contract negotiator and pro personnel director in his previous stint.
There also have to be young, qualified executives waiting in the wings. The Falcons hired Barberton-born Tom Dimitroff Jr., who followed in his father's footsteps as a Browns scout, away from the Patriots, with whom he had spent the previous six years as director of college scouting.
It might be hard to find a highly qualified candidate who doesn't want to pick his own coach. And Lerner told the Plain Dealer on Wednesday that he expects Mangini to remain in 2010. Lerner already might have decided that's not the case and could be saying what he thinks he needs to say with eight games remaining.
Sticking with Mangini could force Lerner to turn to Kosar, perhaps with a retired former general manager hired as a consultant to tutor him. It would also be a convenient way for Lerner to recoup the $1.5 million Kosar owes the Browns, revealed in his recent bankruptcy filing. Kosar could be paid a below-market salary, and Lerner would use the difference to write off Kosar's debt.
As noble as that sounds financially, it's hard to imagine Kosar working with Mangini, who has shown an aversion to Browns alumni since he took over. Imagine them in a room discussing the prospects for next year's top-five draft pick. Mangini would want smart, tough, hard-nosed football players, while all Kosar would care about is if they can take down Ben Roethlisberger in the open field. On that one, I'd side with Kosar.
Yes, there can be a place for Kosar in the Browns' organization. But considering the depressing state of the offense, I'd rather have Kosar drawing plays in the dirt again.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 05:41 PM, 11/08/2009
Marla, who do you want ????
Bernie is smart, loves the Browns,played successfully for the Browns as a QB, owned the Cleveland Gladiators( who enjoyed great success in The Arena League), & is from the area . . .WHAT IS NOT TO LIKE ?????????????????????????
lima, ohio
Posted 05:59 PM, 11/08/2009
I absolutely agree with you Marla . Bernie is good to have around but not to run the football side .I think he has an MBA if I am not mistaken .
President of the Eric Mangini Fan Club, .
Posted 06:08 PM, 11/08/2009
Charley Casserly?????
I personally haven't written off Kosar. My crystal ball isn't working as well as Marla's.
President of the Eric Mangini Fan Club, .
Posted 06:12 PM, 11/08/2009
Also, doesn't the Dwight Clark citation sort of undermine your argument about experience as a prerequisite for a GM job? At the end of the day, it's how you MANAGE the front office. It doesn't necessarily mean you are the best judge of talent. It does mean that you hire good people and lean on their work.
akron, oh
Posted 06:25 PM, 11/08/2009
Marla is politely trying to tell us that Bernie is still a drunk. That is his biggest hurdle.
Akron, OH
Posted 06:28 PM, 11/08/2009
MBA: no (I do, though. Hire me!)
What does have is a double major in finance and economics, and he did it in a little over two years.
Akron, OH
Posted 06:31 PM, 11/08/2009
Kosar
Port Saint Lucie, Fl
Posted 06:33 PM, 11/08/2009
Make him offensive coordinator,why not? Or at least QB coach.
painesville, oh
Posted 06:58 PM, 11/08/2009
Bernie Kosar is the absolute worst choice to be the new General Manager of the Browns, aside from my cat. Bernie was a primadonna when he played for the team and he has shown that he doesn't have the professionalism, mental toughness or moral center to be in the running. Randy Lerner would be foolish to consider him. But then again, after all these years of watching the team and this area suffer the indignity of this organization, I wouldn't be surprised if they brought in Bozo the Clown.
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:33 PM, 11/08/2009
Kosar couldnt even manage a steakhouse. I'll love him to death but he's not gm material
President of the Eric Mangini Fan Club, .
Posted 07:44 PM, 11/08/2009
http://www.tv.com/bernie-kosar/person/2824/biography.html
"Bernie Kosar graduated from the University of Miami in Florida. Bernie had a double-major in finance and economics while there and later he earned an MBA...."
barberton, oh
Posted 07:53 PM, 11/08/2009
Bernie had a double at the University of Miami alright and he's probably downing one as we comment. Can we please get this one right for crying out loud, and with NO imput from Mangina.
akron, oh
Posted 08:06 PM, 11/08/2009
he commentates like he is either drunk or had a stroke.maybe he's just in a slump from being broke?
he would not be my choice.
sorry,bernie,love ya, but no.
Columbus, OH
Posted 08:06 PM, 11/08/2009
I agree Kosar is not GM material..but where did you hear that Bernie Kosar say he wanted the job?
You make reference that he feels entitled to it, but yet fail to show us that he ever said he wanted it. Poor reporting on your end Ms.Ridenour.
This is nothing but your opinion, but yet you want readers to see it as facts, you want people to dislike Kosar for some reason or other and see him as an arogant fool. unfortunately you will succeed.
akron, oh
Posted 08:12 PM, 11/08/2009
Bernie has hinted at his desire to be GM in his radio spors at WNCX.
Realityville, OH
Posted 08:13 PM, 11/08/2009
Women have no business writing/reporting about football.
churchview, va
Posted 08:27 PM, 11/08/2009
No Bernie, no Bernie. WOuldnt Rey Maulaluga look good in a BRowns uni right now, a lot better than Alex Mack. Hire Mike Holmgren and let him run the show, hire his own GM and get rid of Manstupid.
Old Faithful, WY
Posted 08:58 PM, 11/08/2009
bernie is BANKRUPT, an alcoholic, and thinks a SAW is the right tool to cut a loaf of bread. sure, he's probably a great guy to b.s. with at the bar but the dude has destroyed his personal life no need to have him help keep the browns in the gutter.
Kendall Park, nj
Posted 08:58 PM, 11/08/2009
I don't think there is anything Bernie could do to hurt this team. Any GM that gets DA outta here has my support.
maysville, nc
Posted 09:01 PM, 11/08/2009
Mike Holmgren, Now were talking. Maybe Bernie is good for this team somewhere doing something, but GM man that's a big bite to take.
Beachwood, OH
Posted 09:30 PM, 11/08/2009
I agree with mistr4d. Bernie is not the right guy. It would be a HUGE mistake. Lerner needs to do a national search.
akron, oh
Posted 09:56 PM, 11/08/2009
Bernie may not be the right guy now, it is not to say he can not become the right guy
barberton, oh
Posted 10:13 PM, 11/08/2009
Shannahan in '10 would satisfy me....anything you bring in mid-year is 2nd rate talent.
South Euclid, OH
Posted 10:56 PM, 11/08/2009
Why is this even a story? Different people respond differently to the adverse circumstances, maybe Bernie can straighten himself out with some minor quiet role in the club. Right now though, He looks messed up. Lerner would have to be insane to give him to give him any kind of high profile position any time soon. I like hearing who the possible choices are from around the league, and would like to have heard more of the possible roles Bernie could fill. There must be some examples to draw on from the NFL's rich past. I sure miss you Hal Lebovitz.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:44 AM, 11/09/2009
Why is there all this bs about Kosar? Who suggested him? . . . some newspaper guy maybe? . . . . . . . . I hope it wasn't Lerner. Kosar is a big talker, that's all. He likes to be in on big things, but he does not have the talent. Sorry, Bernie.
rmk/akron
Posted 02:59 AM, 11/09/2009
Bernie Kosar was a very good football player, a poor businessman, and a bad drunk.
In addition, he acts like his brains are scrambled with regularity. No way. He is a joke of a mature human being. Not to mention a red hot Republican.
Not many ex-players are good in the front office. Michael Jordan made a mess of the Wizards. As mentioned, Matt Millen was a Dunkirk with the Lions.
This fiasco calls to mind the old Browns now playing in Baltimore. If that had not happened, Ozzie Newsome would be the Browns GM. And he has great football acumen. Another tragedy visited on northeastern Ohio, indirectly, by Arthur B. Modell.
akron, OH
Posted 05:00 AM, 11/09/2009
Well, he certainly cannot call a football game 'cause everyone is and every play is " FANTASTIC "......Great....I think he would be a " FANTASTIC GM>>>>>ERRRRRRR...I"M with Holmgren,he could be fantastic, but than again, schotenheimer could be fantastic, no wait, Parcels could really be fantastic,Naw....cowers is the really fantastic one.....Fantastic!
Greenville, SC
Posted 06:14 AM, 11/09/2009
Let me guess, Danny Ferry was the best player to ever play for the Cleveland Cavaliers and that's why he has the GM job....mmm...mhmmm.
Posted 08:10 AM, 11/09/2009
why not bernie? he would be a perfect representative for all Browns fans and the organization......oh my god you people crack me up around her!!! I wouldn't let Bernie mow my lawn.
Posted 08:28 AM, 11/09/2009
What's a big deal about mentioning Bernie Kosar to run the Browns? If that rich kid from New York has the brain to own this team should hire a right person for GM job in the first place, we should have been a successful franchise. Randy Lerner had made a couple of bad choices already. He should ask other owners from NFL for their advices. It costs a lot of money for Browns to attend these games for nothing. Enough said!
Posted 08:49 AM, 11/09/2009
Bernie as OC. That's about all he's qualified for right now.
Posted 09:44 AM, 11/09/2009
"Has there ever been an NFL GM who enters the room with a ''Hey, bro?'' Who calls a local radio station with tales of scaring away his teenage daughter's boyfriends with a shotgun? Who has never lost his affection for locker-room raunch? Who got out of a limo at the Heisman Trophy ceremony when he was a finalist with a six-pack of beer in a brown paper bag? Who rambled on about his career and his decision to wear tennis shoes at former linebacker Eddie Johnson's funeral, leaving mourners practically covering their eyes in embarrassment?"
What the hell does any of this have to do with whether or not BK has the football acumen to run the Browns? If BK could somehow be the next Parcells, or Ozzie, or McKay, then none of this matters a bit. There's no need to practically run your argument into the ditch just to take a few gratuitous shots at Kosar. You think his personal life leaves a lot to be desired. We get it. It's best to leave that for another article.
The real question is does Lerner REALLY want to take a chance on another unknown/unproven? You're right in that regard - he has no experience and thus, should be eliminated from consideration immediately. It's really just that simple IMHO.
Leesburg, Fl
Posted 11:05 AM, 11/09/2009
Here's an idea:
Holmgren as GM, Marty as head of football operations and Ozzie Newsome as President of the organization.
Three smart footballers to get the organization back on it's feet. It'll never happen though.
akron, oh
Posted 12:00 PM, 11/09/2009
Bernie did a poor job as the Brown's quarterback. He must need something to do. Lerner has enough problems, after hiring Mangini.
fostoria, oh
Posted 12:04 PM, 11/09/2009
why not use bernie as oc or quarterback coach to mentor our quarterbacks ? the past two years they were mentored by ken dorsey, i think we should have a proven quarterback come in and help both anderson and quinn.
Stow, Oh
Posted 12:10 PM, 11/09/2009
It sure seems like a lot of you are pointing a judgemental finger at Bernie Kosar. And none of you have skeletons ?? We all have made mistakes, haven't we ? Bernie has an incredible knack for reading defenses and might just fit into this role. What the heck do we have to lose ? I say, give him a chance. Lerner took a chance with Mangini, and look what has happened.It can't be any worse, can it ?
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:13 PM, 11/09/2009
MaryAnn....seriously...he was the best QB the browns have had in 35 years. Do you even watch football? As far as GM....right this second I would have to say no. But what about grooming him for the job? He is undeniably intelligent. He clearly knows football, he has credibility here. I say bring him in to the Brown's front office and start him on a career plan that lands him at GM.
Farmington, NM
Posted 01:18 PM, 11/09/2009
BILL COWHER FOR GM AND COACH!!!!
Fairfield, CT
Posted 01:29 PM, 11/09/2009
Whay bother reading the story when the very first sentence is false.
"Bernie Kosar did not prove to be the Browns' knight in shining armor in 1986, '87 or '89."
Marla may know that the Browns finished 12-4 in 1986, 10-5 in 1987 and 9-6-1 in 1989 - advancing to the AFC Championship Game all 3 years. Those were the best 3 finishes since the AFL-NFL merger.
Sure - would hate to have that kind of success again.
akron, oh
Posted 02:10 PM, 11/09/2009
Could Bernie really do any worse then these 2 former Jets? I say he would be better in either job.
Posted 03:02 PM, 11/09/2009
Lerner should sell the team to billionaires Rod Stiffinton and Jack Meoffer.
After which they should hire Adam Baum as Vice President, Chuck Waggon as GM, Dan Druff as head coach, Gil Fish as offensive coordinator, Hugh Jass as defensive coordinator, Jay Walker as special teams coach, Lou Pole as D-Line coach, Manny Kin as O-Line coach, Matt Tress as Defensive backs coach, and Rick Shaw as Quarterbacks coach.
akron, oh
Posted 03:17 PM, 11/09/2009
@Steve: You MUST be a Howard Stern fan. You are the funniest guy on this post.
Posted 03:23 PM, 11/09/2009
Listen to Howard everyday. Plus I am really bored today.
Roscoe, IL
Posted 03:27 PM, 11/09/2009
Though you might be correct, who the heck are you to say Mr. Kozar isn't capable? With your vast experience in the being involved in an NFL organization i guess you know.
Roscoe, IL
Posted 03:29 PM, 11/09/2009
Oh I'm sorry Marla i missed that you are a Beacon Journal staff writer with years of experience working in the NFL.
Posted 03:30 PM, 11/09/2009
Marla Kay Cabat is so awesome..
Posted 03:53 PM, 11/09/2009
I meant Mary Kay Ridnour...
Posted 04:04 PM, 11/09/2009
Meanwhile the Browns continue to work hard at practice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCkOrTPHDiU
everywhere, oh
Posted 05:37 PM, 11/09/2009
Bernie has all the attributes to be the coach and general manager of these browns...
HE DRINKS!
Posted 05:45 PM, 11/09/2009
And he drinks alot. Like a college boy just gaining his freedom from his parents..Whats not to like? As a GM he will trade our 1st pick for a case of Blatz.
Akron, , OH
Posted 06:32 PM, 11/09/2009
Bernie or Marla
I think Bernie would get the nod every time!!!
Akron, OH
Posted 06:35 PM, 11/09/2009
I hear James Traficant is looking for work.
Posted 07:43 PM, 11/09/2009
James definently has the hair for the job
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Posted 02:38 PM, 11/13/2009
Bernie can not even run his own business and he wants to run the Browns! Commn On Man!
How about coach Sam. At least he knows how to Win!
