Kokinis has retained the services of Jeffrey Kessler of Dewey & LeBoeuf in New York to represent him. Kessler has represented every major pro sports players association and litigated the landmark case against the NFL that led to the establishment of free agency.

The Browns will go to bat with Fred Nance, the managing partner of Squire Sanders in Cleveland. Nance was the city of Cleveland's point man in its fight against the NFL to secure a future expansion team after Art Modell's move in 1996. He later became one of five finalists to succeed NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

The Browns are trying to construct a case that Kokinis was fired "for cause," which would take them off the hook from paying the last three years of Kokinis' four-year contract. The Kokinis team will argue that the Browns breached their obligation that gave Kokinis full authority over personnel decisions.

"This is a pure power play by [Eric] Mangini," said a source close to Kokinis. "It's been that way from Day One. George was promised in his contract to have full control over all personnel decisions and reporting only to the owner. Mangini has chafed over that from Day One. I guess he thought that because of his friendship George would come in and just be a yes-man."

Kokinis was led out of the Browns facility after being fired on Nov. 9.

"It really came out of the blue to him," the source said. "I'm sure with every week's loss they decided they were going to do something to create some kind of diversion. They were under increasing pressure. If the team had been .500, I don't think this would have come down this way."

There has been some tentative discussion about a settlement to avoid a legal fight. If it goes the distance, Commissioner Roger Goodell may appoint the case to be arbitrated by Jeff Pash, the NFL chief legal counsel.

The Browns have declined to explain the reasons for the Kokinis departure.

berniesipe said:

Bring back Sam Rigitoni.

STFU! I'm so sick of throwing one of our heroes under the bus. It was arena football, no one can be successful at that for very long, because it sucks, and no one wants to pay money for it. News flash, 50 percent of the country is or will be divorced at some point in their attempts at marriage. There is NO proof that he is a drunk. If you talk to any sportscaster or media personality in Cleveland that actually knows the guy, they will tell you time and again that it's a combination of medication and the hits that he took while playing. This is a clear cut example of what is wrong with the Cleveland fan base, now cue the next jackass in line to continue the insistence that the Browns are only this bad because of Romeo/Savage and that the Mangenius is merely cleaning house and that all will be sunshine, rainbows, and superbowl rings by next season.

Bring back Sam Rigitoni.

@beefjerky said:

he is talking about sex.

@ytownbrownsbacker said:

Kokinis was laying the meat to O'Brien. That's why he is gone, didn't have anything to do with the draft and Mangini didn't throw him under the bus. He was asked to resign by the team President and when he refused he was fired and excorted from the building.

He will not be paid the remainder of his contract. He was fired using the standard of conduct clause that is basic in all contracts. Kokinis will have to take the Brown's to court to get anything or agree to a settlement with Lerner.

Lerner had started an investigation into this situation more then a few weeks ago. His computer was confiscated to preserve emails between him and O'Brien. Lew Merletti and his men escorted Kokinis from the building. As you know O'Brien resigned last week when approached. Kokinis refused to resign.

Remember, Lerner doesn't get involved in football matters unless he has to.

what the hell is "laying the meat" ?

Kokinis was laying the meat to O'Brien. That's why he is gone, didn't have anything to do with the draft and Mangini didn't throw him under the bus. He was asked to resign by the team President and when he refused he was fired and excorted from the building.

He will not be paid the remainder of his contract. He was fired using the standard of conduct clause that is basic in all contracts. Kokinis will have to take the Brown's to court to get anything or agree to a settlement with Lerner.

Lerner had started an investigation into this situation more then a few weeks ago. His computer was confiscated to preserve emails between him and O'Brien. Lew Merletti and his men escorted Kokinis from the building. As you know O'Brien resigned last week when approached. Kokinis refused to resign.

Remember, Lerner doesn't get involved in football matters unless he has to.

Dawgfanforever88 said:

Fair enough

What happened?

Much of the trouble with this team stems from a lack of development at the QB position. If it had been handled properly we would still be a developing team but we wouldn't be the laughing stock of the league.

@fan-of-steel-1 said:

Mangini VS Romeo

who the fcuk cares what you did or when you did it.

Plus, now we can't make mankok jokes anymore and we are just left with Mangini-vagina jokes. Let's just hope that our new GM's last name will be Juice or Meat so can say Manjuice and Manmeat.

Maid? Lawnboy? etc. Make them earn it.

Just heard from a scouting friend that George Kokinis has been miserable in Cleveland. He wasn't shocked.

The problem for Kokinis: If you're going to move to be a GM, you need authority. Mangini had it in Cle. Kokinis should have stayed in Balt.

Browns owner Randy Lerner now finds self in unenviable spot of finding a front-office honcho to pair with Mangini. Not exactly a great gig.

I mean, how many more high-paid people can the Browns fire? They still owe PSavage 3.5 years' salary! They owe fired employees over $20m.

http://twitter.com/SI_PeterKing

Beanpot

Im wondering if this was due to the water bottle fine and other BS the players had to deal with other than learning their playbooks.

Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini's trusted confidante Erin O'Brien has been fired, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

It's a negative sign for Mangini's clout and job security.

O'Brien, who came with Mangini from the New York Jets, was in charge of travel arrangements, but botched the transportation for the team's medical workers.

According to the Browns, O'Brien officially resigned for "personal reasons."

However, she apparently had "burned so many bridges" her job was unsavable.

A potential target for Browns owner Randy Lerner is former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher.

here