In the wake of the news that the Browns fired G.M. George Kokinis, rumors were rampant that former Browns and Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi has been and/or will be consulting with Browns owner Randy Lerner.
On Tuesday, Accorsi told Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that such rumors and reports are false.
But now some are wondering whether Accorsi has been completely forthcoming regarding his recent relationship with the Browns.
Regarding Grossi's report that Accorsi's top recommendation for G.M. was Dave Gettleman of the Giants, one league source believes that Accorsi is engaged in spin control.
"That's just Accorsi distancing himself from Kokinis after the fact," the source opined. "Too bad he can't erase all those quotes from January where he talks about George. So much for friendship and loyalty. This is a shitty business."
Grossi also reported that Accorsi said he has not had recent conversations with Lerner. But one of the two fans who met with Lerner on Tuesday told the Canton Repository that during the meeting Lerner said he has been in contact with Accorsi.
Our best semi-educated guess/hunch? We think Accorsi recently gave Lerner advice that Lerner chose not to follow (possibly, "don't fire Kokinis with cause"), Lerner ignored it, and now Accorsi is trying to back away from the entire situation as gracefully as he possibly can.
Accorsi's statements draw scrutiny in league circles
Posted by Mike Florio on November 4, 2009 2:42 PM ET
Permalink
8 Comments 
Latest stories in: Cleveland Browns, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Cleveland Browns, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
kokinis was bangin the help
Or he gave him advice to fire Kokinis and now does not want to look like a rat
Maybe Acorsi has recently been consulting another NFL team and doesen't want to appear as though he is helping two clubs at once. I am not a "rules" guru like Florio but Acorsi said he has recently consulted 4 NFL teams. I'm sure the rules don't allow for one person to simultaneously consult multiple teams.
Accorsi is not under contract to another team, what is there to examine ? Whether his comments / recommendations were made as a consultant, friend or acquaintance I don't see how the league has anything there it can review.
PFT blew a golden opportunity by underutilizing the "Mankok" monniker, and now it's too late. Shame.
# bluestree says: November 4, 2009 4:16 PM
"PFT blew a golden opportunity by underutilizing the "Mankok" monniker, and now it's too late. Shame."
We'll just have to cross our fingers and hope that they hire a woman with the first name of Gina.
Maybe Accorsi just wants to be left alone and is simply giving advice.
Whether he gave it out or not is is easier to deny everything and limit questions to that.
If he is not under contract than he doesn't have to admit to anything.
Mike Brown should jump on Kokonis right now. He can pass carrying the torch for when PB was tragically "escorted out of the building" in Clevelend by Art #### to him. If it ends up that the Browns have to pay part or all of GK's salary going forward then Mikey might just unexpectedly bite the bullet and relinquish personnel control to someone outside the family?