Lombardi and Banner gone, Farmer new GM
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Not really - what's the alternative? Demand that all execs are fired the instant ownership changes and a guy who knows nothing about the business begins to sign the checks?
Granted: It's a terrible situation. But firing Banner wouldn't have gotten us anywhere different. The counterfactual would be what, that Haslam's first day on the job he is now "responsible" for hiring a GM? Haslam wouldn't have the experience to make a good decision.
In all C-suite transitions, the new CEO keeps the old people in place at least for some time to learn the ropes.
Lomblowhardi simply isn't enough of a manipulator to pull something off like running the Browns draft thru Farmer. He's just an idiot - in order to pull off something that controlling, he'd have to be more shrewd than he has been.
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They have a really, really interesting take on the situation.
Source: http://dawgpoundnation.com/2014/02/11/firing-mike-lombardi-and-joe-banner-what-really-happened/
Emphasis mine
We reported on February 4th that Mike Lombardi was rumored to be on his way out as Browns GM, we ran into a lot of flak and rebuttals. Truth be told, I had heard these rumors starting back around the same time Chud was fired, but didn’t have enough evidence or multiple sources to confirm, so we let it simmer for a while. Patiently, we let the evidence build and more sources leak out and confirm what we had been hearing.
Today, obviously, it came to a head, as in a bombshell (to those who don’t follow us, anyhow) Jimmy Haslam announced the firing of Michael Lombardi and the gradual withdrawal from operations of Joe Banner. Additionally, he announced that Ray Farmer was being promoted as the new GM, something else we mentioned as a very real probability. While it might seem sudden and dishevelled to many, this has been in the works for a long, long time. Let’s take a walk through the past then, and see how we got here.
The groundwork for all of this actually happened as part of the deal that allowed Jimmy Haslam to purchase the Cleveland Browns. As part of the deal (a non-public part of the deal, mind you), Jimmy was required by the NFL to take on Joe Banner as CEO of the franchise. This was presented by the League as a way to help Haslam transition into ownership, and give the League a voice in the Browns consistently struggling front office. Banner actually saw to the inclusion and eventual hiring of Lombardi before Chud was hired, though Lombardi was announced after Chud, to ideally help lessen the inevitable criticism over bringing Lombardi back to the Browns. Sources close to the situation then told us that Haslam was not thrilled about having Banner and Lombardi essentially forced on him, but not wanting to make enemies out of friends, he accepted the deal and bought the team.
Shortly after the purchase was announced, as you all remember, Jimmy H ran into his still on-going legal issues. This left most of the power and day to day control of the organization in the hands of Banner and Lombardi. Which, from sources in Berea, they ran a very secretive, power centric office. They alienated workers, created a borderline hostile environment, and shucked accountability for mistakes, such as the failure in last years draft and free agency. They played fast and loose with Chud, one day accusing him of failing to support players, other days demanding that he cut players (Greg Little, Shawn Laovao) to set an example. The longer this went on, the more the rumors started to leak of trouble in Berea. The Banner/Lombardi regime, however, continued to sell the story of a friendly, excited work place to the likes of Mary Kay and other beat reporters, who gladly gobbled up the stories of hope and happiness. The truth, however, would not stay hidden forever.
As the season went on, it became more and more clear that Lombardi had failed utterly in free agency and the draft the previous year, and we began to see a gradual shift where Ray Farmer had more and more sway in the personnel department. Eventually, before season’s end, Haslam had set Farmer up as the de facto head of personnel, as we saw with Farmer being the sole Browns executive present at any collegiate games and major events toward the end of the regular season and after. After Chud was fired, we heard that Lombardi was next to go. The longer the situation in Berea dragged on, the less Lombardi was included in areas where you’d normally expect to see a GM. This withdrawal was sold as Lombardi not being the face of the franchise, but investigative fans were already looking beneath the surface to see why Lombardi had suddenly vanished from the public’s eye.
The “straw that broke the camel’s back”, I’m told, was the push that Lombardi made for Josh McDaniels. We reported early that McDaniels was all but hired as the Browns next head coach, as our source close to Lombardi said that Lombardi had worked out the particulars behind the scenes before Chud was even fired. When McDaniels turned the job down, it was the last black eye that Jimmy Haslam was prepared to take due to his CEO and GM. Haslam took over the head coach search himself, and was extremely impressed by Mike Pettine. As we know, Pettine was later hired by Haslam.
That takes us up to last week, when we first reported what we could from our investigation into the rumors around Lombardi, as our source (per Shawn) said a move was likely to happen before the draft, and another independent source from Concede put the “Firing Timeline” as before the Combine. We called out that this article written by the often wrong Mary Kay Cabot was conveniently posted the day after we broke the rumors. At this point, Haslam had already maneuvered a replacement for Lombardi (in Ray Farmer) and hand-picked his own head coach (Pettine). It was at this point that Haslam decided to liquidate Joe Banner’s position, and restructure the Browns so that the GM and Coach both had a direct line to his office, and so that he would personally oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization.
In probably the most Godfather/Game of Thrones narrative you could imagine for a football franchise, you can see how this entire tale of backdoor dealings, power struggles and behind the scenes maneuvers has led us to today, when Haslam gave the word and seized complete control of his organization. Where will this all end up? Too early to say, and I’d be lying if I said I had some clairvoyance to that end. But, I can’t help but feel like the good guys won this round.
This is fucked up. And it just goes to show you how shitty Mary Kay Cabot is as a beat reporter. Trying to say that everything is okay when clearly there's a hurricane building inside.
They have a really, really interesting take on the situation.
Source: http://dawgpoundnation.com/2014/02/11/firing-mike-lombardi-and-joe-banner-what-really-happened/
Emphasis mine
This is fucked up. And it just goes to show you how shitty Mary Kay Cabot is as a beat reporter. Trying to say that everything is okay when clearly there's a hurricane building inside.
In case anyone forgets, MKC called Jason Campbell an elite quarterback. Nuff said.
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The tinfoil in my head whispers that Farmer will be in cahoots with Lobotomy. In his presser he mentioned Lombardi as a very close and good friend. Farmer later he says that he'll get input on players from some bright, smart and creative people that can help him. Part of me thinks Farmer is to be the figurehead that Lombardi refused to be but he'll still have his hand in the jar. Farmer is a good talker and Haslam knows perception is reality. So by appearing to cast off Banner and Lombardi and putting Farmer, who is a good talker, he's changing the perception...
People can form their own opinions on the conspiracy but that may just prove to be my paranoia. The TRUE concerning point of the whole situation is this:
When Pet took the head coaching job he made a statement that was along the lines of- You never fit players to your scheme. You change your scheme to fit your players. But, here's the kicker... Farmer CLEARLY states that he needs to find the PLAYERS to fit the scheme that they want to run...
For two guys that are supposed to work so greatly together, doesn't it seem funny that they would have this fundamental clash?
Now another tinfoil moment- Okay a coach says that he will fit his system to match the players he has. The GM says that he'll get the players to match the scheme. What comes first the chicken or the egg? ...It's feels kinda like almost to good to be true, like the red and blue pills in the Matrix... fuck it, bottoms up! Lombardi Is gone, and with him the Curse!!
The tinfoil in my head whispers that Farmer will be in cahoots with Lobotomy. In his presser he mentioned Lombardi as a very close and good friend. Farmer later he says that he'll get input on players from some bright, smart and creative people that can help him. Part of me thinks Farmer is to be the figurehead that Lombardi refused to be but he'll still have his hand in the jar. Farmer is a good talker and Haslam knows perception is reality. So by appearing to cast off Banner and Lombardi and putting Farmer, who is a good talker, he's changing the perception...
People can form their own opinions on the conspiracy but that may just prove to be my paranoia. The TRUE concerning point of the whole situation is this:
When Pet took the head coaching job he made a statement that was along the lines of- You never fit players to your scheme. You change your scheme to fit your players. But, here's the kicker... Farmer CLEARLY states that he needs to find the PLAYERS to fit the scheme that they want to run...
For two guys that are supposed to work so greatly together, doesn't it seem funny that they would have this fundamental clash?
Now another tinfoil moment- Okay a coach says that he will fit his system to match the players he has. The GM says that he'll get the players to match the scheme. What comes first the chicken or the egg? ...
It's feels kinda like almost to good to be true, like the red and blue pills in the Matrix... fuck it, bottoms up! Lombardi Is gone, and with him the Curse!!
I don't think the two statements are a conflict at all. Farmer's statement is based in the future of the club and Pettine's is in the here and now. Of course Pettine WANTS the right guys to run his system, but he understands that he can't just blink his eyes and have the perfect personnel in place. He knows that he's going to have to build the scheme around the talent that is already in place while farmer finds the guys that fit his system. Coaches need to be able to adapt to what they have at their disposal, and until the right personnel is in place he'll have to figure out how to make due.
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Absolutely excited about the firing but it kinda pisses me off too. At the expense little experiment we lost a pretty good GM in Tom Heckert. Who was responsible for bringing in 4 out of our 6 probowlers. Wonder who he'd draft this year??
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Absolutely excited about the firing but it kinda pisses me off too. At the expense little experiment we lost a pretty good GM in Tom Heckert. Who was responsible for bringing in 4 out of our 6 probowlers. Wonder who he'd draft this year??
Heckert did a decent job for sure. Sans 2012 which we could potentially blame on holmgren who seemed to take credit for weeden and trent.Absolutely excited about the firing but it kinda pisses me off too. At the expense little experiment we lost a pretty good GM in Tom Heckert. Who was responsible for bringing in 4 out of our 6 probowlers. Wonder who he'd draft this year??
But you gotta expect a new owner to bring in his own guys. Took him a little while to find the guys he wants and doesn't want to work with though.
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Watched some of the Press Conference and something caught me.
Farmer said he found out about the promotion last night.
In Haslams presser, he mentioned that he was having dinner with Pettine (if I got that right) . . . pretty sure the new GM topic came up.
Think this was a good move keeping your new HC in the loop and is a class act.
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And Farmer hints towards his draft decision. "I'm taking the best athlete in the draft." Hmmm. Sounds like Sammy Watkins to me.
And Farmer hints towards his draft decision. "I'm taking the best athlete in the draft." Hmmm. Sounds like Sammy Watkins to me.
Clowney is by and large the best athlete and it's really not even close.
Brilliant analysis, yet again.
I'm awesome, and I fuck dolphins. Ghoolie 12/2/2012: I have absolutely no skills, training or pride -
Zombo said:
Pettine in his 40's, both of our OC's and our GM in their 30's.
But more importantly, real football people in place, with accountability and answering directly to the owner.
Now leave it alone for 4-5 years Jimmy, and you just might be surprised to find out that you bought an NFL teamin the best football city in the USA.
Zombo
what's that bring the running tab on people that haslam has fired? these guys must be walking away with a pocket full of scratch.
what's that bring the running tab on people that haslam has fired? these guys must be walking away with a pocket full of scratch.
LOL, I hope Lombardi's buyout involves pumping gas at Pilot stations & cleaning out the restrooms.
XxDaBuckeyexX said:
Does Neo= Shane Falco?
I never saw that movie- I want the Matrix qb that can hold up his hand and stop Suh in his tracks.
I agree completely. If the national media would ask any local fan/media person he would be told the same thing...but all they see is that the Browns are getting another operation....not that we have just removed the tumor.
the great carbuncle of doom has been lanced.
I'm not liking anyone because someone thinks they look like some black guy from some shitty movie.
To each their own- "The Matrix" is one of my favorites. And by all accounts Farmer's daily crap exudes more football intelligence than Lombardi has.
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I'm 8 pages late into this discussion, but let me say that this was needed, and I applaud Haslam for pulling the trigger getting rid of these two guys.
I asked the question several weeks ago as too how Haslam decided on Banner and how the relationship was started between the two. You wonder if Haslam had enough time to evaluate Banner, and get a well rounded opinion of those in the league. Sure, Goodell might have something good to say, but what about the rest of the league?
The phrase "Perception is reality" rings very true. Banner maybe completely competent to run a team. But if perception (even though can be skewed and manipulated) is not where it should be, then you have to change that perception. In this case, that meant that Banner needed to go and along with him Lombardi.
Now, Haslam, let's get this ship in the right direction. For those about to Rock, We Salute You. -
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/02/12/cleveland-browns-jimmy-haslam-fires-joe-banner/
Banner and Lombardi lambasted ......
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Yeah yeah glad to see these guys gone but let's not get too proud of Jimmy Haslam guts fortitude and business acumen. Somebody put this entire shit train on the tracks over a year ago... I am cautiously optimistic but what's see what happens now.
WSS
www.westsidesteve.com www.myspace.com/westsidestevemusic www.cdbaby.com/artist/westsidestevesimmons -
Regardless of who did what, when or why, from the FO on down the Browns are being built in the mold of the 9ers and the Hawks. This is not an accident or knee jerk.
Aside from that, getting Clowney would be a 'SCORE'!
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Yeah yeah glad to see these guys gone but let's not get too proud of Jimmy Haslam guts fortitude and business acumen. Somebody put this entire shit train on the tracks over a year ago... I am cautiously optimistic but what's see what happens now.
WSS
Yeah yeah glad to see these guys gone but let's not get too proud of Jimmy Haslam guts fortitude and business acumen. Somebody put this entire shit train on the tracks over a year ago... I am cautiously optimistic but what's see what happens now.
WSS
Haslam was/is a Rookie Owner.
From what I've seen, to me it looks like he really does want a winning Team.
So far it appears that he's actually making some good moves to improve things, so at least for now I'm willing to give him some slack.
Time will tell, but I'm hoping for the best for our Teams' sake.
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Agree with clowney discussion
Would rather get our future QB later- in the 3rd or 4th. Here's what it does ...
Tells Hoyer - you da man- go kick some butt
Makes our defensive line top tier of the league, if not the best- Flacco, Rothinstien, Daulton- your jobs just got more difficult
Ummm , we just hired a D-line specialist- who we are told can develop young talent.
Best part - nobody expects it.
DE, WR, QB, OT, RB, DB/S (depending on Ward on roster)...FA- go get another WR and the best LB we can find
Screw Johnny football...would rather trade out- if he falls to us
Bermeck (get 3 starters and stockpile for 2015... 8-8, here we come)
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http://mmqb.si.com/2014/02/12/cleveland-browns-jimmy-haslam-fires-joe-banner/
Banner and Lombardi lambasted ......
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/02/12/cleveland-browns-jimmy-haslam-fires-joe-banner/
Banner and Lombardi lambasted ......
What ticks me off are these comments that there is a "moat" or black cloud statements about the Browns. Yes, I understand it, but that is exactly what Haslam is trying to remove, that seems to be forgotten by the media. The big picture is what is important here, not the immediate knee jerk reactions by the media. And also, the Browns fans are alive and frickin' kicking. We are not numb, we are waiting for this ship to turn and I think it's happening.
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http://mmqb.si.com/2014/02/12/cleveland-browns-jimmy-haslam-fires-joe-banner/
Banner and Lombardi lambasted ......
What ticks me off are these comments that there is a "moat" or black cloud statements about the Browns. Yes, I understand it, but that is exactly what Haslam is trying to remove, that seems to be forgotten by the media. The big picture is what is important here, not the immediate knee jerk reactions by the media. And also, the Browns fans are alive and frickin' kicking. We are not numb, we are waiting for this ship to turn and I think it's happening.
What ticks me off are these comments that there is a "moat" or black cloud statements about the Browns. Yes, I understand it, but that is exactly what Haslam is trying to remove, that seems to be forgotten by the media. The big picture is what is important here, not the immediate knee jerk reactions by the media. And also, the Browns fans are alive and frickin' kicking. We are not numb, we are waiting for this ship to turn and I think it's happening.
The continuity thing annoys me. Yes we'd all love that but it only works if you have the right people to begin with.
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Agree with clowney discussion
Would rather get our future QB later- in the 3rd or 4th. Here's what it does ...
Tells Hoyer - you da man- go kick some butt
Makes our defensive line top tier of the league, if not the best- Flacco, Rothinstien, Daulton- your jobs just got more difficult
Ummm , we just hired a D-line specialist- who we are told can develop young talent.
Best part - nobody expects it.
DE, WR, QB, OT, RB, DB/S (depending on Ward on roster)...FA- go get another WR and the best LB we can find
Screw Johnny football...would rather trade out- if he falls to us
Bermeck (get 3 starters and stockpile for 2015... 8-8, here we come)
Agree with clowney discussion
Would rather get our future QB later- in the 3rd or 4th. Here's what it does ...
Tells Hoyer - you da man- go kick some butt
Makes our defensive line top tier of the league, if not the best- Flacco, Rothinstien, Daulton- your jobs just got more difficult
Ummm , we just hired a D-line specialist- who we are told can develop young talent.
Best part - nobody expects it.
DE, WR, QB, OT, RB, DB/S (depending on Ward on roster)...FA- go get another WR and the best LB we can find
Screw Johnny football...would rather trade out- if he falls to us
Bermeck (get 3 starters and stockpile for 2015... 8-8, here we come)
From watching the Farmer presser, there are indications that Farmer may trade out picks from this year for picks next year, so with that bit of info there's no telling what to expect in the Draft this year.
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What ticks me off are these comments that there is a "moat" or black cloud statements about the Browns. Yes, I understand it, but that is exactly what Haslam is trying to remove, that seems to be forgotten by the media. The big picture is what is important here, not the immediate knee jerk reactions by the media. And also, the Browns fans are alive and frickin' kicking. We are not numb, we are waiting for this ship to turn and I think it's happening.
The continuity thing annoys me. Yes we'd all love that but it only works if you have the right people to begin with.
The continuity thing annoys me. Yes we'd all love that but it only works if you have the right people to begin with.
Are you talking about FO continuity?
Don't forget, Farmer was here last year as Asst GM, and he was the one scouting at the Senior Bowl this year - Lombardi was MIA.
Essentially, scouting and player evaluations have been handled by Farmer - that's why I was really concerned with him possibly going to Miami as GM, we'd be screwed big time.
Also the Scouting department is the same, so no loss there.
Combine is next week, and it looks like the guy Farmer is trying to pull in to assist has some serious talent evaluation skills (Kuharich), though I still wonder why he's not been in the NFL for several years.
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This is interesting: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000325306/article/joe-banner-jimmy-haslam-had-major-rift-with-browns
Basically says nobody wanted to work with the Banner/Lombardi dynamic. And says Banner insulted Wisenhunt, and Banner wanted nothing to do with Schiano before even interviewing him.
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This is interesting: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000325306/article/joe-banner-jimmy-haslam-had-major-rift-with-browns
Basically says nobody wanted to work with the Banner/Lombardi dynamic. And says Banner insulted Wisenhunt, and Banner wanted nothing to do with Schiano before even interviewing him.
This is interesting: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000325306/article/joe-banner-jimmy-haslam-had-major-rift-with-browns
Basically says nobody wanted to work with the Banner/Lombardi dynamic. And says Banner insulted Wisenhunt, and Banner wanted nothing to do with Schiano before even interviewing him.
For some reason that article is not coming up.
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