Mike Holmgren & Tom Heckert Press Conference
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http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/cleveland_browns_mike_holmgren_12.html
BEREA -- Browns legal counsel Fred Nance, a senior advisor to the president, slips into the back of the room to take in the show.
Browns President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert enter the packed media room three minutes after 11. They are smiling. Holmgren in silk black shirt and Heckert in Browns warmup.
Holmgren announces the club is giving a game ball to play-by-play announcer Jim Donovan for persevering through a tough season for him after undergoing a bone marrow transplant in June.
* * *
Holmgren says he and Heckert can't answer many of the expected questions regarding personnel, draft, etc.
"We have a lot of questions moving forward as an organization," he says.
He throws a bone to the media for "doing a good job" with coach Pat Shurmur in his season-ending press conference.
Time for Q&As:
On McCoy's future: Holmgren says "he can be (the guy), but I'm not ready to say that yet. He played young at times. Was I pleased? Yeah, at a lot of the stuff he did. My opinion of Colt has not changed. He has a lot of the intangibles. Ultimately though the quarterback is judged on how well your team did. I'm not ready to anoint Colt yet. Do I love him? Yes I do. We have three good quarterbacks on our team now."
* * *
Holmgren backtracks on previous comments about not wanting a quarterback competition. "Sometimes circumstances dictate that," he said. "Last year the job was his. Competition will take place, but the decision I think probably will come earlier."
Have to get better?
"It's hard to judge this season because our offense just wasn't good enough. The quarterback's a big piece of it, but, shoot, you've got to throw it to somebody, they have to block. The quarterback is only part of it."
"I believe in the players we have. One way or the other, whoever's playing quarterback for us, we're gonna coach the heck out of him and I expect him to get help."
Need a new quarterback?
"We'll probably bring in a new quarterback every year. This year will be no different."
Heckert is asked about a QB in free agency?
"That's probably not the way we'll go about it. You never know. There are a few guys in the league who have started and will be free agents. We're going to look at them. We'll evaluate all of them."
* * *
Holmgren is asked indirectly about Matt Flynn.
"I think when you go into your second start and you break (a Packers) record, yeah, that's a little unusual. But we can't comment on players with other teams."
Holmgren, on free agency: "We have a philosophy of how to build the team. Our record was poor. So the natural reaction is go crazy and spend millions of dollars. If that was the right thing to do in our opinion, we will do that. But that's not our philosophy for how to build this for the long term. You see teams do that every year. Does it guarantee anything? Absolutely not. So how do you build the team?
"I've got a lot of faith in (Heckert). He's good at what he does. We have a good coach and a good coaching staff and good young players. We are not opposed to doing anything, but we are going to stay the course."
* * *
Holmgren is asked about "business as usual" after another 4-12 season.
"First of all, our fans are phenomenal. But Cleveland Browns fans are going to be fans of the Browns forever and ever. They can be upset. Just know, so are we.
Holmgren keeps saying this is actually the first year (with Shurmur) and not really the second year of him and Heckert. So he's not blowing it up after one year.
"The difference is we're going to stay the course and do it a certain way. I have an owner who supports us to do it this way. The growing pains are difficult. I understand that."
He then talks about how good the defense came around.
* * *
On the organization's failure to effectively evaluate the wide receivers:
Holmgren said they absolutely dropped too many passes. "But I think we saw some things we can build on. Greg Little, I believe you can build on. Do we have to make the pile bigger? I would say there isn't an offensive area we won't look at and try to do that to, and the receivers are part of that, too."
Heckert talks up the defense, too, and agrees "on offense we need to upgrade all over the place."
On Peyton Hillis' future Holmgren hedges, like everyone else
"That was a tough one for a new head coach. You think you have a lot to worry about but one isn't who's going to be my starting halfback. Then Peyton gets hurt. Then Montario Hardesty gets hurt.
"As far as the future with any of our potential free agents, we're not going to talk about that today."
* * *
Holmgren talks about Shurmur and admits rookie mistakes and says those type of things -- clock management, game management, etc. -- "I expect to be better next year."
Does he wish Shurmur had a coordinator his first season?
"We interviewed a couple guys. That's the way we were trying to go. As the process went on, I told him if you don't get the guy you want, do it yourself and use your staff to kind of fill in where you need to fill in. So he actually took my suggestion. Now we've learned a lot about what it takes. Right now, we're going to look at hiring an offensive coordinator."
* * *
Holmgren is asked about building around the present QB.
Heckert says, "We're going to get the best players we can at any position. If we do it early in the draft, that guy's probably going to be the head guy for us."
Heckert dodges a question about securing D'Qwell Jackson to long-term deal.
Heckert says of McCoy, "We're still (evluating him). I think he played in a lot of games. He's a young quarterback. We think he has enough talent to be a player for us. Can he get better? We think he can and will get better."
* * *
In answer to Shurmur's status in 2012, Holmgren supports him and says, "No one's on the heat seat. I believe Pat will get it done."
Holmgren goes into anecdotes about how he liked to call games as head coach, too.
What did he think Shurmur did well?
"I thought he kind of emerged (under adversity). He went through some stuff now that I know I didn't have to go through my first year. It's never easy your first year. There was some stuff going on that was a little unusual.
"Does he need to take a vacation? Absolutely. Is he the same guy I hired? Yes. He's wired the right way, he cares, he's smart and he's going to do the right things for this football team. He did a lot of good things in somewhat of a tough situation, I thought.
* * *
Holmgren talks about how "all of a sudden" the light goes on for a QB in the West Coast offense. He mentions Steve Young, Jeff Kemp, Steve Bono. "It's a good system, it's a proven system."
What other factors weigh in Hillis' future?
Holmgren: "Please respect our decision not to talk about that today."
How far away from winning Super Bowl?
Holmgren: "It's like trying to find a ceiling of a player, how good can a player be? In Green Bay it took us five years, but we found the quarterback in the first yeear. In Seattle, we were in the Super Bowl in seven years and didn't find the quarterback until Year 3."
* * *
Holmgren says once you get to the playoffs, then you can get a better gauge on the timetable for winning a Super Bowl.
In what area would you be willing to deviate from your plan?
Holmgren: "We believe you build a team through a smart, solid draft. You can see it in (Heckert's) first two drafts. We have some ammunition in this draft if you want to play around. Also, selective, key free agents -- we'll go after if we think we neeed to do that."
Heckert: "We don't want to go out and sign 10 free agents, but if there's a guy we definitely like we will go after him."
Holmgren's informed of poor record in the AFC North division.
"I know. I know. I thought this year we were much more competitive against those teams. Fine football teams and they've built them and been good for a long time. Both Pittsburgh games, we were in those games without being able to score a lot of points. Both Cincinnati games, I thought, were competitive. One of the Baltimore games, we were in it, the other one they got us pretty good. So I thought we closed the gap this year. Now the record is what it is."
* * *
The guys are asked about the funky offenses in college and how difficult it is to evaluate quarterbacks.
Heckert: "It's difficult, but it's the way it is. Everybody you see, especially in the Southeast Conference, is playing wide spread. It's something you have to evaluate. It's mostly shotgun and 4 wide receivers."
* * *
Should Shurmur be graded now on just wins and losses?
Holmgren: "I think that's how we all look at it. If we're 4-12 next year, I won't be a very happy camper. We must improve. The head coach is judged on his record. I expect us to win."
Holmgren is asked about getting a bigger, more physical quarterback.
He talks around it, says, "It sure helps," but ultimately says he thinks his guys are big enough to win.
* * *
About combining picks to trade up for "the guy," Holmgren says philosophically "we'd like to use our picks," but that would not prevent them "from wheeling and dealing in the draft. But we need the picks to fill in our roster."
Heckert says, "That's the reason we made the trade (last year) -- to get players. We'd like to add nine good football players and hopefully more if we get some compensatory picks."
Neither of you guys have had 3 picks in top 37 before.
Heckert: "I like it. We obviously have to hit on them. But we always have to. We're sitting at four right now. It's going to be tough to screw that one up."
"Write that down," Holmgren interjects.
* * *
Holmgren is asked again about the physical stature of Browns QBs. Too short, too light?
"We take it (physique) into consideration. There are a lot of people in this room that wish they were taller. So you got the guys you got. If you have a quarterback that isn't 6-4, he has to show you the ability to get seams and see (the field). Steve Young did that. Drew Brees does that.
"The other thing, you see tall guys but they become shorter guys (on the field). So, we look at it. I think every position you have a guideline of what you like. I will say this: our offensive system -- I'm asking for a step of faith -- allows a player who is not 6-4, 240 pounds to be good. It does. Colt can do that. Seneca can do that. You've seen it."
* * *
Heckert says, "I think it's obvious we have to help our offense. I can't sit here and lie."
Heckert on injured players ... Brandon Jackson is ready to go, passed his physical, think he'll be fine. Eric Steinbach getting close, a week or two. Marcus Benard is doing alright. Scott Fujita's fine.
Was Holmgren satisfied with the league's reaction to McCoy incident?
"I think they settled on something we talked about in our meetings. I think it's a good thing to have one more set of eyes, gives the doctors more information they can use in the evaluation process."
* * *
Another question on wide receiver.
Heckert: "It depends on who's available. You want a big, fast guy who's got great hands. We do have to address playmakers all around -- running backs, receivers. If there's a guy in free agency or a guy picking at No. 4. It's a little early to say who's available and at what price.
"I think Greg (Little's) a good football player. He had too many drops. At Philadelphia, only one year, with T.O. (Terrell Owens) did we have a No. 1 receiver. We spread it around."
Holmgren: "I don't know when it started, but I never did it (calling a No. 1 receiver, a No. 2, etc.) That's not a good way to go."
Heckert on Montario Hardesty: "Running backs get hurt in this league. Guys have missed full seasons, 10 games. We like him. We know we needed more than one back. They all got hurt. We're going to try to address that."
Did the team underachieve v. your expectations?
Holmgren: "I had hoped to get up near .500. Evaluating the season, I felt with a couple things here and there, we could have come close to that. Our record could have been better. What does that mean? I think that's an indicator of progress, but really, it's the first year with this group and your record is what it is. So I am disappointed."
* * *
Why isn't everybody on the hot seat, you included?
Holmgren: "I don't agree with it. You start any season and you read these coaches are on the hot seat before they play a game? I'm opposed to that. You are judged on what you do. Everybody is too impatient. You see franchises that don't do it that way (fire) and you make the team better and you watch him (the head coach) grow. And that's how you do it, in my opinion.
"Now, is there pressure to do well and do your best and catch the ball and block and throw that pass? Absolutely. As a coach, you don't need anyone else to put pressure on you. To answer, everybody, there is pressure to do better -- pressure on Tom, pressure on me, on everybody. That's the nature of this business."
* * *
Regarding season ticket renewals?
Holmgren: "We're hanging in there, from a business side.
"the people in this area, this state, Browns backers all over the country, love this football team. They've been through a lot already. To wait another yeear or two, they'll hang in there. I meet people all over the city and they have no qualms about coming up to me and talking Browns. I have no doubt they're with us. They're not leaving. I suspect our fans are going to be there for us.
"That last game was something, considering the season we've had. I've said it before, we've laid out how we're trying to build this. I came here to build a football team and came to this city because of the tradition of the team. It reminded me so much of where I coached before. And the commitment by Randy Lerner. So I suspect the fans will keep hanging with us. And I so want to enjoy this at the end and we'll get there."
* * *
Holmgren is asked about what record he hopes for next year?
"I'm not going to predict a won-loss record. Based on the games we were in this year, I thought we could come close to being a .500 team. Is that good enough? It's not good enough. Our expectations are much higher than that."
After questions, Holmgren thanks the media for "the job you do." He says he wants us to understand the commitment he, Heckert and owner Randy Lerner have "to get this done."
"I think it's important to say. The fans here have been a little long-suffering. So, we are driven. We put pressure on ourselves to do the right things and get this thing turned in the right direction. I think the next couple years are very important in determining how this is going to go. I'm a little upset with our record, but I'm not discouraged. There's a lot of hope."
Happy New Year, and we are done.
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ehhh...
BACK It UP, you bastard.
two things that concern me:
- not likely getting any significant FA's.
- Steve Bono? Really?
other than that a lot of hopeful BS.
Just get it done, boys.
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I take that as everything is an option during this off season. From a QB at #4 to free agents to trades and what not... Call it blowing smoke up our A$$es, fine, but what do you want him to say. He was dissapointed about this year, who wouldn't be. Do we think he is going to fire himself?
People said, "We need a football guy in here to run this team"... Well here ya go, here is your football guy, now shut up and let him do his job. 5 Years from now, and we have only 20 wins under our belt... off he goes.. but let's have some patience.
I do like that fact that everyone is being evaluated for the most part this year and that I believe they are going to try their best to put the best product on the field.
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"I think it's important to say. The fans here have been a little long-suffering"
Understatement, thy name is The Walrus.
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mikeyP72 said:
I don't know what to say anymore.
I don't enjoy losing. The team was on its way under Mangini and he set the team back years because of his arrogance and belief in Shurmur and the WCO.
No they sucked more than ever under mangina
"We are Americans. We don't quit doing something because it's wrong. We just keep doing the wrong thing till it turns out right." Browns maybe the most American Football team ever. -
KOOOL AID ..... GET YOUR FREE KOOL AID RIGHT HERE
But I dont blame him ... there is nothing else that you can say .. Atleast he didnt go Rex Ryan on the media
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mikeyP72 said:
I don't know what to say anymore.
I don't enjoy losing. The team was on its way under Mangini and he set the team back years because of his arrogance and belief in Shurmur and the WCO.
On it's way where? They were no better (1 game) 2 years in a row. Get over mangini he's gone. What's all this BS about arrogance? How should he act "aaahhh... I'm not sure guys I don't know if I'm right or not what do you think?
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ehhh...
BACK It UP, you bastard.
two things that concern me:
- not likely getting any significant FA's.
- Steve Bono? Really?
other than that a lot of hopeful BS.
Just get it done, boys.
ehhh...
BACK It UP, you bastard.
two things that concern me:
- not likely getting any significant FA's.
- Steve Bono? Really?
other than that a lot of hopeful BS.
Just get it done, boys.
The Jets spent allot in FA they'll win as many playoff games as the Browns will.
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I thought Holmgren sounded a little rattled. Was harsh on Shurmur and Colt. I don't know what will happen in this offseason. Even Heckert has to be a little worried.
I thought Holmgren sounded a little rattled. Was harsh on Shurmur and Colt. I don't know what will happen in this offseason. Even Heckert has to be a little worried.
What press conference were you watching? Holmgren spent the whole press conference supporting Shurmur, Colt, and Heckert. Shurmur and Heckert will be in Cleveland for at least a few more years. And only after the 2012 season Colt is a question mark..
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Reporter: How far away from winning Super Bowl?
Holmgren: "It's like trying to find a ceiling of a player, how good can a player be? In Green Bay it took us five years, but we found the quarterback in the first year. In Seattle, we were in the Super Bowl in seven years and didn't find the quarterback until Year 3."
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In my opinion, that just screams, "We're drafting a quarterback to replace Colt McCoy."
Also, I still can't believe there are people who think we must focus on the defense, first. Can we finally put that baby in the toilet, after these comments from Holmgren boasting about our defense and then stating we need serious help on offense?
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Colt sounds like he's nothing more than a backup.
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I thought Holmgren sounded a little rattled. Was harsh on Shurmur and Colt. I don't know what will happen in this offseason. Even Heckert has to be a little worried.
What press conference were you watching? Holmgren spent the whole press conference supporting Shurmur, Colt, and Heckert. Shurmur and Heckert will be in Cleveland for at least a few more years. And only after the 2012 season Colt is a question mark..
What press conference were you watching? Holmgren spent the whole press conference supporting Shurmur, Colt, and Heckert. Shurmur and Heckert will be in Cleveland for at least a few more years. And only after the 2012 season Colt is a question mark..
If that is support, I wouldn't want to see dismay. He was pissed at Shurmur for his blunders and talked about liking a "big bodied" QB. That was a huge indication IMO.
I think Colt's body's already giving out. The way he plays the pocket, it is no surprise.
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Nothing unexpected there, the biggest problem this franchise has had is lerner hiring the wrong people ending in a 1- 3 year turnover rate of regime, coach and QB..
Second biggest problem has been piss poor drafting/talent evaluation/management all combined with a farm team like fire sale of talent with every single change in regime..
Lerner is behind and fully supports holmgren's plan which remains "unspecified to the fans", I am going to chill for now and look at it like this, we have something we have not had since 1996 and that is a solid regime that is in place and not going to blow anything up again. and that is a start.
We know tom heckert is a very capable GM and jauron is a very solid DC..
As for shurmur the guy had the deck stacked against him from the beginning sure he didnt help himself or colt by making some bad decisions and a predictable playbook but i still like him better than mangini whom had 3 years as an HC and still coached like a newbie for 2 more years before being shown the door, not to mention mangini's newbie draft combined with 4 years of savage drafts are largely responsible for todays mess ..
Time will tell but for now it looks like things are better than they appear to us and should look even more promising after the draft..
There is no quick fix that builds a consistently competitive team it has to start at ground zero first and be build up to the point that the "quick fix" can be successfully applied and then hopefully propel the team into a championship season and beyond..
Quick fixes are like energy drinks, some of them work but they are expensive and they dont last to long before you need another..
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What press conference were you watching? Holmgren spent the whole press conference supporting Shurmur, Colt, and Heckert. Shurmur and Heckert will be in Cleveland for at least a few more years. And only after the 2012 season Colt is a question mark..
If that is support, I wouldn't want to see dismay. He was pissed at Shurmur for his blunders and talked about liking a "big bodied" QB. That was a huge indication IMO.
I think Colt's body's already giving out. The way he plays the pocket, it is no surprise.
If that is support, I wouldn't want to see dismay. He was pissed at Shurmur for his blunders and talked about liking a "big bodied" QB. That was a huge indication IMO.
I think Colt's body's already giving out. The way he plays the pocket, it is no surprise.
He never said anything about being "angry" or "pissed." You made that up. All he said was that a 4-12 record was disappointing and he will not be satisfied unless the Browns do better. He again stated that Shurmur "will be here for a long time."
And he was asked about "big bodied" QBs. He didn't bring it up himself. He said that big bodied QBs can usually withstand more hits but that he felt our QBs were big enough.
You are taking what Holmgren said and twisting it to what you want it to be. Holmgren specifically said that he wants to have 4 QBs to fight for the starting job at the beginning of training camp, but that his "opinion of McCoy has not changed." So Holmgren and Heckert will either draft RG3 or will wait to draft a QB in the later rounds (3-7). I still think that we will trade our #4 overall pick to let someone else grab RG3 in exchange for another 1st and 2nd rounder. But I trust whatever they end up doing will be the best decision for the Browns.
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If that is support, I wouldn't want to see dismay. He was pissed at Shurmur for his blunders and talked about liking a "big bodied" QB. That was a huge indication IMO.
I think Colt's body's already giving out. The way he plays the pocket, it is no surprise.
He never said anything about being "angry" or "pissed." You made that up. All he said was that a 4-12 record was disappointing and he will not be satisfied unless the Browns do better. He again stated that Shurmur "will be here for a long time."
And he was asked about "big bodied" QBs. He didn't bring it up himself. He said that big bodied QBs can usually withstand more hits but that he felt our QBs were big enough.
You are taking what Holmgren said and twisting it to what you want it to be. Holmgren specifically said that he wants to have 4 QBs to fight for the starting job at the beginning of training camp, but that his "opinion of McCoy has not changed." So Holmgren and Heckert will either draft RG3 or will wait to draft a QB in the later rounds (3-7). I still think that we will trade our #4 overall pick to let someone else grab RG3 in exchange for another 1st and 2nd rounder. But I trust whatever they end up doing will be the best decision for the Browns.
He never said anything about being "angry" or "pissed." You made that up. All he said was that a 4-12 record was disappointing and he will not be satisfied unless the Browns do better. He again stated that Shurmur "will be here for a long time."
If Patsy goes 4-12 again next year, he won't.
I also think Holmgren is seriously underestimating the level of discontent with the fanbase, and he's going to find out when the season ticket renewal letters go out. Yeah, us lifers will re-up, but my bet is plenty of guys in the cheap seats are going to say we're outta here, until you put a product on the field worth watching.
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He never said anything about being "angry" or "pissed." You made that up. All he said was that a 4-12 record was disappointing and he will not be satisfied unless the Browns do better. He again stated that Shurmur "will be here for a long time."
If Patsy goes 4-12 again next year, he won't.
I also think Holmgren is seriously underestimating the level of discontent with the fanbase, and he's going to find out when the season ticket renewal letters go out. Yeah, us lifers will re-up, but my bet is plenty of guys in the cheap seats are going to say we're outta here, until you put a product on the field worth watching.
If Patsy goes 4-12 again next year, he won't.
I also think Holmgren is seriously underestimating the level of discontent with the fanbase, and he's going to find out when the season ticket renewal letters go out. Yeah, us lifers will re-up, but my bet is plenty of guys in the cheap seats are going to say we're outta here, until you put a product on the field worth watching.
I agree.
In looking at the vid of the PC, is Heck a poor speaker or what??
LOL...the guy is always fidgeting around...grabbing his wrists, scratching his ears. Looks like he wasn't comfortable.
I suppose I understand why, considering he is the guy who is putting this mess together, but still, I'd make him go to Tri-C in the off season to take a few public speaking courses or make him join Toastmasters.
It's painful to watch him talk. You don't really listen to what he is saying because you are paying attention to all of his body quirks and facial contortions.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. -
What press conference were you watching? Holmgren spent the whole press conference supporting Shurmur, Colt, and Heckert. Shurmur and Heckert will be in Cleveland for at least a few more years. And only after the 2012 season Colt is a question mark..
If that is support, I wouldn't want to see dismay. He was pissed at Shurmur for his blunders and talked about liking a "big bodied" QB. That was a huge indication IMO.
I think Colt's body's already giving out. The way he plays the pocket, it is no surprise.
If that is support, I wouldn't want to see dismay. He was pissed at Shurmur for his blunders and talked about liking a "big bodied" QB. That was a huge indication IMO.
I think Colt's body's already giving out. The way he plays the pocket, it is no surprise.
If Holmgren is talking about a "big body QB", then that apparently rules out the Browns taking RGIII who is literally the same height and weight as McCoy. Both are listed at 6'2". Colt is listed at 216 pounds, Griffin at 220.
And by the way: Barkley of USC is no bigger.
(I, however, am not convinced that a "big body QB" is necessary. When did Holmgren ever have a "big body QB"?
Brett Favre was 6'2" 222.
Joe Montana 6'2, 205
Steve Young 6'2" 215
Matt Hassebeck at 6'4" 225 pounds was the biggest QB he had success with.
"Bigger body QBs that may be availabe in the draft:
Ryan Tannehill Texas A&M 6'4" 219
Nick Foles, Arizona 6'5" 235
Geno Smith, WVa, 6'3" 215
Kirk Cousins, Mich St. 6'3" 202
Brandon Weeden, Ok.St. 6'4" 220 (maybe they pick him up in the late round to go with the 1st pick...also from Ok St. Justin Blackmon?
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