Bernie Kosar wants to make it clear he's not an employee of the Browns. He's "been in the building a lot," but he's just a consultant. When asked on ESPN Cleveland this week what that means exactly, Kosar was vague.
"I don't know. It's evolving," Kosar said. "People think that I've got a master plan and 'Bernie's being secretive.'
Sometimes in life, there are things that go beyond football. There's personal
issues that evolve. Things happen to people that are beyond football. . . . There's
other things going on with people, their own personal health, and their families
that override football. You have to be really, really, be careful about what you
say."
Kosar joked that he recently learned how to tie a tie as part of his evolving role. His comments on the thought process behind G.M. George Kokinis' firing were the most revealing of his 15 minute interview. Kosar describes a situation where coach Eric Mangini and owner Randy Lerner remain in step.
"[Lerner] and coach Eric have been on the same page in terms of - [Lerner] hasn't
undermined Eric's authority, he hasn't undermined the coach's power.
This is a decision with the general manager that both of them was the
best of the team," Kosar said. "Players, if they aren't doing their job, and they
aren't getting their job done, they get cut. It's got to be the same
in the personnel department."
That may be true, but it's fair to wonder whether a possible "football czar" will cut Mangini.
The coach seems safe for the rest of the 2009 season, so he has to decide what to do at the quarterback position. Kosar said that he doesn't see a rift between Mangini and Brady Quinn, but that Mangini hasn't decided who will start at quarterback after Cleveland's bye.
Kosar knows all about quarterback drama in Cleveland. 16 years ago today, Kosar started his final game as a Brown. Bill Belichick cut him shortly thereafter in a wildly controversial move and is still not a favorite among Browns fans because of it. Belichick and Mangini have that much in common.
Kosar discusses his role with the Browns
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 7, 2009 6:30 PM ET
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20 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
Kosar is doing more behind the scenes than people think.
You can trust me on that.
What exactly has Mangini done? He took one Jets team to the playoffs, but he inherited those players. Anything else?
He's made curious decisions. He's alienated players. He's alienated many others.
His career as a head coach should come to an end soon.
It's obvious that Kosar is being groomed to become the new Browns GM by none other than Ernie Accorsi, who drafted Kosar way back in 1985. It appears Bernie has a brighter future for Randy Lerner's team than Mangenius.
One thing you can be absolutely sure of...Bernie Kosar loves the Cleveland Browns and wants the organization to succeed.
i love bernie but i'd hate to see him as a GM. he could be a great PR guy and consultant but the GM job should go to a personal guy who has had some success (like accorsi)
Mangini blose. Fire him.
I'm sure if asked Kosar would state emphatically that Mangnini's popularity wasn't waning... it's just that his accomplishments are being appreciateed by a more selective audience.
I told you two weeks ago that Kosar was
"the consultant".
He probably would suck at GM....probably better as a coach. Kinda more like Larry Byrd...rather than Jim Zorn.
Hockey Guys do a lot better. Mario Lemieux owns the team though. But Bernie is definitely not a GM type. Who knows.
I know no one responds to questions here, so this is a test.
Has any player ever really succeeded as GM?
Please answer if you know.....anybody includes our blog hosts.
Bernie owes the Browns over $1 million, personally. He went B.K. and is helping Lerner out. Do your homework. Thats the reason he is there. He really doesn't know what he's doing for the team. Dawg Pounders, get your head out of your ass, this isn't a Bernie comeback or anything. Ease Up.
Basic Instinct says:
"Has any player ever really succeeded as GM?
Please answer if you know.....anybody includes our blog hosts."
I would say that Ozzie Newsome's had a decent run in Baltimore.
Larry Byrd??? Larry BYRD?????
Are you friggin' kidding me???
Geezus H. Crimmony, the man is Larry Freakin' Legend, get his name straight!!!
BasicInstinct, I give you Ozzie Newsome, HOF player, and the GM for the Baltimore Ravens since 2002. You would have to say he's had a fair amount of success, no? And, how coincidental that he has spent his entire career with the former Browns/current Ravens.
BasicInstinct says: Has any player ever really succeeded as GM? ANSWER: OZZIE NEWSOME
@BasicInstinct - Right off the top of my head I can tell you Ozzie Newsome. Browns player, and followed the Browns to Baltimore where he was named GM in 2002. I'm not even a Browns fan and I remember that guy.
We all know Matt Millen didn't succeed. Look how much better Detroit is just a year or so after he left...
I can now see why the Baltimore Ravens left the city of Cleveland. The fans are not crazy!
They are clueless! Some things never change.
Bernie Kosar seems like a good guy who ran
into some problems divorce, bankruptcy etc...
It can happen to anyone. However the owner
Randy Lerner's football Czar hiring and firing
can not be excused. Lerner is similar to Wayne
Huizenga, former majority owner of the Miami
Dolphins before hiring current Czar Parcells.
He probably would suck at GM....probably better as a coach. Kinda more like Larry Byrd...rather than Jim Zorn.
Larry Byrd ? That's pathetic. You just lost all credibility as a sports fan.
It has already been mentioned, but it bears repeating: as a Browns fan it is a thorn in my side that Browns great Ozzie "Wizard of Oz" Newsome is and has been the GM for the Ravens. I don't blame the guy -- he was tight with Art Modell, and got involved behind the scenes after his playing days. He moved with the organization to Baltimore, and he rose to the top.
I think Kosar should stick with Mangini as both coach and GM.
Just look at what he's done at QB alone.
He's got both players on track and playing with complete confidence, and their trade value has never been higher.
Yes, Ozzie Newsome is a good example. Is he the only one? If so, why so few? There hasn't been many. Very few end up as GM or coach for that matter.
Clarification about my Larry Byrd comment for those that missed it....
Context of my comments is what former great professional player succeeded as a GM?
What defines a great GM? A few great draft picks? A few great free agent signings? A few good trades? Luck?
The ability to drive to the airport to pick up a new quarterback?
The leading question worth considering in light of recent developments is, "Could Bernie Kosar function well as a GM?"
Or, is he capable of coaching?
Could he do worse than what is now in place?