From Patriots own site

"In recognition of his achievements, Pioli was awarded The Sporting News' George Young NFL Executive of the Year award (voted on by NFL executives) following the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He is one of just three NFL executives, along with Bill Polian and Bobby Beathard, to win the award in consecutive years. Pioli is the youngest executive to win the award."

Hmmmm.... So BB quitely didn't want credit (that would seem out of character) or wanted every other NFL exec to think Pioli was pulling some of the strings.

"Pioli was honored with Executive of the Year honors from national media outlets following the 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2007 seasons."

Hmmmm.... So BB quitely didn't want credit (that would seem out of character) or wanted news outlets think Pioli was pulling some of the strings.

"Two seasons later, following Super Bowl XXXVIII, he earned Executive of the Year honors from Pro Football Weekly (voted on by the media), The Sporting News (voted on by NFL executives) and Sports Illustrated"

Hmmmm.... So BB quitely didn't want credit (that would seem out of character) or wanted news outlets think Pioli was pulling some of the strings.

"In 2004, Pioli's accolades included the NFLPA's Award for Executive Achievement and NFL Executive of the Year awards from The Sporting News, USA Today, the San Francisco Chronicle and SI.com."

Hmmmm.... So BB quitely didn't want credit (that would seem out of character) or wanted news outlets think Pioli was pulling some of the strings.

"In 2007, Pioli again earned Executive of the Year honors from Pro Football Weekly, the Dallas Morning News and the San Francisco Chronicle."

Hmmmm.... So BB quitely didn't want credit (that would seem out of character) or wanted news outlets think Pioli was pulling some of the strings.

@ytownbrownsbacker said:

Lerner has now asked permission to talk to Pioli. Pioli is already a Vice President in New England and if the owner (who is a friend of Lerner's) says no, then Cleveland may be required to compensate New England for Pioli.

Actually, if Lerner gave Pioli more power, as in control over personnel, which he currently does not have, then NE cannot stop him from talking to the Browns, and the Browns do not have to compensate the Pats. Only when its a strict lateral move is permission and compensation involved.

Aloysius said:

xxxx Cowher. I hope he does take the Jets and fails miserably!

@atenears said:

That is the word that I heard.

@chicopee-john said:

Never in the cards - only in the fan's minds. Those same fans who used to ridicule him while he was in Pittspuke.

He'd have to be crazy to leave his TV gig for the Cleveland position. He now lives in NC and, maybe, would take a position like Carolina - WHEN he is ready to come out of the TV booth.

Words of great Wisdom from Johnny B.

This franchise blows, it really does. Lerner is about to recruit another coffee fetcher. Oh wow, another Bill Belichik bitch.

@the-italian-dawgpound said:

I still consider him a good option as HC but I don't rate him good enough to run the Browns.

Yeah, he would crack under the pressure of trying to keep up with Phil Sewage.

It is going to really be hard to follow in the footsteps of what Lerner has built.

Do you realize that it is going to take 5 wins per year to be considered an improvement? You are right, Cowher is too dumb for that. He doens't know the first thing about mentoring.

@calfoxwc said:

My Browns coaching staff dream team:

******************************************

Pioli would be a great move as GM, I still like Russ Grimm as Head Coach, and Josh McDaniels as assistant HC/OC.

Then the Browns should hire Beans as quarterback coach, and Stan as DC, Flugels as oline coach, Zombo as dback coach,

and the rest of the board as their assistants...

Rich can be waterboy.

Thanks Cal, thats is what I am and want to be the waterboy........cause without water you eventually die..........and I been bringing water and hope for so long it is a miracle I kept the thing together this long........never underestimate de WATER BOY..........again tanks Cal.........I am having a boat load of fun and chuckles now listening to the obvious experts here on whom should be the new GM when they these experts nearly universally wanted praised the great Sewage for his masterful job and wanted me to be castrated because of repeatedly saying he needed fired even in year ONE............and until November it was nearly universal by the experts that Sewage really upgraded the team............this is too funny...........I like the almost universal modcium until a few weeks ago..........IN SAVAGE WE TRUST!.........laughing my ass off..........thanks all....except for Ghollie that jamoke was wit me all along...........

@bob806 said:

The biggest non-surprise of the year. Why, in heaven's name, would Cowher come out or retirement to join an organization like this?

Never in the cards - only in the fan's minds. Those same fans who used to ridicule him while he was in Pittspuke.

He'd have to be crazy to leave his TV gig for the Cleveland position. He now lives in NC and, maybe, would take a position like Carolina - WHEN he is ready to come out of the TV booth.

@rocky20 said:

Personally, never wanted him. I have been saying that since the entire Cowher stuff started. So while a few here and outside of this board will be disappointed, the majority of us are not stung at all.

We were elated to get Savage and Crennell from winning organizations then we crucified them when they couldn't perform a miracle.

Remember that neither The Crows nor Pats fell apart when these guys left and neither have the Squeelers without Cowher.

WSS

Lerner has now asked permission to talk to Pioli. Pioli is already a Vice President in New England and if the owner (who is a friend of Lerner's) says no, then Cleveland may be required to compensate New England for Pioli.

@calfoxwc said:

My Browns coaching staff dream team:

******************************************

Pioli would be a great move as GM, I still like Russ Grimm as Head Coach, and Josh McDaniels as assistant HC/OC.

Then the Browns should hire Beans as quarterback coach, and Stan as DC, Flugels as oline coach, Zombo as dback coach,

and the rest of the board as their assistants...

Rich can be waterboy.

...and Ghoolie can chase malcontents with a top of the line whipping belt. Braylon, you're first in line!

I was wondering when Grimm's name would be mentioned. Boy, did he ever fall off the map. He was my choice in 2004, but I haven't heard his name since, except for when Whisenhunt dragged him to Arizona.

-Al

@bob806 said:

Even though I hate Cowher, I have respect for him now, he wanted to remain loyal to the Rooneys. You don't see too much loyalty anymore from players, coaches or management, so I have to admit, turning down $9 million or so to remain loyal is very impressive....something guys like Nick Saban and Rich Rodriguez could learn.

Actually i think cowhers choice really does have more to do with lifestyle and having visions of a ditka style heart attack on the football field then loyalty he really likes being called coach without the anquish of being one...lol

Cowhers a great guy i have always had respect for him though i hated him at the same time...

Even though I hate Cowher, I have respect for him now, he wanted to remain loyal to the Rooneys. You don't see too much loyalty anymore from players, coaches or management, so I have to admit, turning down $9 million or so to remain loyal is very impressive....something guys like Nick Saban and Rich Rodriguez could learn.

Aloysius said:

I'm betting that the rumors about Pioli wanting the Browns GM job are true.

With lerner stating cowher wasnt his first choice to begin with and seeking permission to set up an interview with pioli leaves me with little doubt pioli is lerners prime target as gm for the better or for another belichick zombie like crennel remains to be seen he couldnt possibly be any worse than savage..

But piolis choice for HC and assistants will tell us that if he chooses to come to cleveland..

And if he doesnt and the tuna refuses we are in lerners less than capable hands of bringing us a unknown genius or the bottom of the nfl barrel i think we know what we get eh?

Each regime has been proven progressively worse so the next regime will be a great one or will leave us as bad off as detroit..time will tell.

Pioli stacks up on paper and mcdaniels is a promising HC prospect if he comes with pioli..but the only guy in NE thats a truly proven winner is billyboy he does everything there he is a walking nfl encyclopedia that makes krafts ownership and the whole front office look awesome so i do have some doubts and concerns about taking anyone from the patriots except billyboy himself...

My Browns coaching staff dream team:

******************************************

Pioli would be a great move as GM, I still like Russ Grimm as Head Coach, and Josh McDaniels as assistant HC/OC.

Then the Browns should hire Beans as quarterback coach, and Stan as DC, Flugels as oline coach, Zombo as dback coach,

and the rest of the board as their assistants...

Rich can be waterboy.

@pumpkin-eater said:

Thats a valid point!