As Peter King first reported on Saturday, Browns owner Randy Lerner is looking to hire a “football czar” who would help turn around the franchise.
But with former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar already wedging a foot in the door, the football czar will have to find a way to navigate Kosar’s expectations.
Though Kosar’s expectations remain to be seen, he seems to be interested in being the General Manager of the team.
“Part of me wants to do it,” Kosar told Tony Rizzo of ESPN 850 in Cleveland, ”but you have to see who you are working with and what say and what amount of organization and control and decision-making abilities you are going to be able to have.”
Frankly, Kosar should have none. Though some former players have become highly competent executives (including former Browns tight end and current Ravens G.M. Ozzie Newsome), a guy doesn’t just show up and become an expert in running a football team — especially when that guy’s personal finances are in shambles.
So just like the “football czar” will be relied upon to help Lerner extricate himself from a bad situation with coach Eric Mangini, Lerner also might need said czar to find a way to keep Kosar from getting his fingerprints all over the franchise.
if i just went bankrupt i would be interested in that high paying gig too.
Kosar has done such an outstanding job of “GM-ing” his own life.
Oh please PLEASE let the Browns sign Bernie Kosar!
Isn’t he unable to think or something due to massive head trauma over his career?
Hire Jeremy Green.
Bernie is interested in anything with a paycheck. LOL
Seriously the Browns could do worse. maybe asst. GM would be a better role for a few years. I think Bernie could provide good insight into drafting players as well as help develop an identity to this pathetic example of a football team.
Does Kosar have ANY experience whatsoever? And didn’t he just find himself in a shit ton of financial trouble?
He actually sounds like the perfect candidate, to be honest.
Although it’s pretty damn funny that he just walked in off the street, looked around and said “I guess I’ll be GM….depending on who I gotta work with.”
“Part of me wants to do it,” – if you are looking to half a$$ it, sign him up!!!!
-a Bengals fan
Kosar may or may not be able to be an effective GM, but another way to look at it, he certainly cannot do any worse than what has already gone on.
Just because you Lord Florio have failed at multiple jobs doesn’t mean others will as well. You should keep that in mind in the future!
Sorry, as soon as Matt Millen was hired to take over the Detroit Lions based on a resume of being a color commentator, all minium requirements to be a NFL GM went out the window.
Because of the Ford family, EVERYONE is eligible now, and there’s no turning back. Thanks a lot Lions.
Lerner should hire Beth Stern as GM.
She would be amazzzzzzing!
@Twiz
Be extremely careful with that line of thought. I’ll bet people said the same thing about Millen in Detroit.
Cleveland is an absolute mess, and should not consider someone without front office experience (and should potentially constrain the candidate search to former GMs).
That said, I’m not a Cleveland fan. Cleveland is more than welcome to hire Bernie.
I like Bernie. He is often on the radio in South Florida and is a very amusing drunk – or maybe that slurred speech is from too many hits? To the head, that is.
That said, he is very likable and really would be a great addition to the Browns front office – as a PR frontman. Lerner would do well to bring in one of the most popular guys ever to play in Cleveland if only to help ease the rift between fans and the organization. That and firing Mangina would be an excellent start.
I know his ex wife wants him to get the job. He’s blown all his money from his playing days and is bankrupt.
Yep. He’s an excellent business manager. Great with relationships too.
Yep. He’s the answer Randy.
Kozar is a very smart individual who has always found success in whatever project he became a part of. Like many smart and wealthy individuals who investment in too many different projects, the economic crisis really hurt him. Heck, Donald Trump had similar problems many years back (although not bankrupcy, but you can argue the economic time was not as bad as it has been for the past several years). I have no doubt that if Kozar was to focus on one thing, he would be incredible successfull and given his knowledge and love of football, I believe he would do very well. The question is what would be the best position for him to begin with, and I am not sure if being at the top is the best option for him or the team. I hope they bring in a proven Tzar and hope Kozar gets the opportunity to work with him and learn for a couple of years before he is in a position to run everything himself.
Peter Ramis
There are plenty of experienced candidates if Lerner is really serious about saving this sinking ship. Kosar is not one of them.
Parcells is looking to leave after this season, and has people he has chosen in-house to succeed him. Holmgren is out there and wants to come back. These guys have actual track records of turning things around, and in more than one place. Clearly, Parcells is the most talented but he will not come cheaply.
For the Brownies’ sake, let’s hope that Lerner is not an armchair owner like Daniel Snyder. Browns fans can’t take much more of this. It’s amazing how Snyder’s meddling and Lerner’s apathy have contributed to their teams’ situations. All they have to do is field competitive teams and the games are a lock to sellout in these markets.
Lerner deserves the benefit of the doubt. He’s finally come out his hermit crab mode. Somebody needs to find a shell for Snyder. He’s Al Davis Part 2.
Good, maybe the first thing he can do is fire Mangini.
I dont believe Bernie should be G.M., however, I do believe that the Browns need to re-connect with the history of the team. After all the fans fought so hard to keep the records and the colors, yet the team hasn’t even tried to embrace it. Bernie was part of the most recent sustained success the franchise had, so why not try to groom him for a role in the organization. Also all of you who are laughing about the man’s financial status, let’s not forget a huge part of his problem is an ugly divorce. Like it or not, browns fans love this guy, and the franchise needs to connect with the fans on some level again.
That quote was taken a little out of context. The question leading in was whether he was interested in the job or not, but Rizzo also prefaced Kosar’s response by saying it’s obvious that there would be a grooming process involved.
That being said, Bernie’s response did come across as though it was his job if he wants it.
Rizzo also asked if he could confirm the Browns’ interest in Mike Holmgren. There was a full three-second pause before Kosar finally dodged the question in a wishy-washy fashion.
(cough)Millen(cough)
In all honesty, what are Kosar’s qualifications to be a GM/”czar”?
None.
Hires like this – while popular with fans – are always a disaster. Matt Millen, anyone?
Lerner would be foolish to give this more than a passing thought, which is precisely why it will probably happen, and cause Browns fans even more heartache in the end.
“pramis123 says:
November 9, 2009 6:46 PM
Kozar is a very smart individual who has always found success in whatever project he became a part of. Like many smart and wealthy individuals who investment in too many different projects, the economic crisis really hurt him. Heck, Donald Trump had similar problems many years back (although not bankrupcy, but you can argue the economic time was not as bad as it has been for the past several years). I have no doubt that if Kozar was to focus on one thing, he would be incredible successfull and given his knowledge and love of football, I believe he would do very well. The question is what would be the best position for him to begin with, and I am not sure if being at the top is the best option for him or the team. I hope they bring in a proven Tzar and hope Kozar gets the opportunity to work with him and learn for a couple of years before he is in a position to run everything himself.
Peter Ramis”
Wow Peetar Rambis….you sure know a lot about Bennie Kozar.
I love Bernie Kosar but I dont think he is nearly qualified enough to run an NFL team. I’d have no issue if he were to become an assistant or something like that for the “football czar” and then maybe in several years once he has years of learning from someone who is good at the job under his belt maybe you could roll him into that position. But as of right now, I gotta say he isn’t ready for such a venture.
Apparently per your article only part of Kosar is interested in being the Browns GM. Also FRANKLY, I’m sure most Browns fans don’t care if you think he should or shouldn’t have the power. Where did Ozzie Newsome get his experience that was considered to be enough be a GM? Kosars finances are the way they are largely due to a divorce and too much generosity. I get your concerns, but I can tell you his love for the Browns and respect for the fans would prohibit him from allowing someone like Mangini to rip the organization apart. That said, I agree there are more qualified people for the position (whatever that is). Browns fans love Bernie Kosar and it’s way past time the owner gets him working with the team in some capacity.
here’s a thought florio since you are such an expert in all things football and not to mention what things people should say and do why not apply for the job?
@CYGNUS X-1 . . . .
i’m smart enough to know i’m not qualified for the job. but i can assure you that i am more qualified for the job than bernie kosar.
“urbusted says:
November 9, 2009 8:30 PM
Where did Ozzie Newsome get his experience that was considered to be enough be a GM?”
Ozzie has been in front office positions since 1991.
“His initial nonplayer position came as an assignment scout in 1991. Two years later, he was promoted to a very comprehensive assignment – assistant to the head coach/offense/pro personnel.”
“In 1994, Newsome was named the Browns’ director of pro personnel.”
Did you think he just walked into the office one day and took over as General Manager?
They already missed the boat when they failed to fire Mangini last week. They could have promoted Ryan to head coach, just to see what he could do, just in case no big name coaches agree to come here. That move would have allowed him two weeks to prepare for Baltimore. They could have then fired Daboll, and put the offense into Bernie’s hands for the rest of the season. That’s a role that suits him best. And I would have also benched Anderson and announced Quinn as the starter from here on out. And lastly, tear up Cribbs’ contract and pay the man what he’s worth. He’s proven that he knows he made a mistake by firing his agent. That being said, if you refuse to pay your best player what he’s worth, how do you expect to get any big name free agents to come to this team?
I agree with you Florio, no way, just say no to Kosar, as a Browns fan, they would be in even deeper do do than they are now. Kosar doesnt have a clue.
Jim Brown, Charlie Brown, Doo Doo Brown, Nino Brown, and Downtown Julie Brown would all be better suited to be the GM.
Sometimes I think I’m not alive, that a football team can stay so bad for so very long. Maybe this is what hell is like, Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Diego, all places where teams aren’t supposed to win the Superbowl.
If Otto Graham isn’t in this conversation, it ain’t legit. Ernest Byner is on line 1.
Okay, you guys crapped all over me for bringing up the Bernie Kosar GM talk, but the fact is, the guy knows a lot about football.
He also was screwed by Bill Bellicheat, like a hundred other guys. So if he wanted the job in order to get back at Bill, then I’d say let’s give it a go.
But,
The #1 job of GM is negotiating….and cutting guys.
This is not a good job for a clubhouse and fan favorite. And, I really doubt that Kosar is gutless enough to be effective at GM…. his money skills seem in doubt, although I would tend to blame that more on poor mating skills. Which is a form of Drafting.
This is a good job for a guy like Florio who would dump his wife and his mother for a chance at GM. Trade Two washed up players for a good paying job?
Where do you sign, eh Florio?
Bernie as G.M………..how appropriate for this organization…….that should fix it!
Bernie as G.M………..how appropriate for this organization…….that should fix it!
Bernie should go with the part of him that says take the job of ballboy, just like mangini. At the same time, he could work off the $1.5M he owes the browns.
Hey buttbutter, I said there were more guys qualified for the job. Relax. Nice job with the google though.
“BasicInstinct says:
November 9, 2009 10:10 PM
He also was screwed by Bill Bellicheat, like a hundred other guys.”
If that were the case, why is it no one else saw fit to sign him as a starting QB after Bill finally got tired of him?
1994 saw Billy Joe Tolliver, Craig Erickson, Chris Miller, Dave Brown, Steve Walsh, Stan Humphries, and Scott Mitchell as as starting QBs.
Is Kosar wasn’t done, why is it he wasn’t signed to challenge one of those awful QBs, and in fact, was never a starting QB again in the NFL?
Belichick didn’t screw Bernie over. Bernie couldn’t cut it, and the rest of the NFL agreed. Bill has always known when it’s time to cut bait.
“urbusted says:
November 9, 2009 10:34 PM
Hey buttbutter, I said there were more guys qualified for the job. Relax. Nice job with the google though.”
You suggested Ozzie Newsome had no experience. He had 11 years of front office experience when he was made GM.
Bernie was a decent QB and might make a good GM someday. The truth is the Browns cannot afford to gamble on it. Lerner needs to make a bold move soon and hire a reputable figure who can make this team competitive again. We fans are tired of Belicheck wanna-bes and former Ravens castoffs. ManTeleTubby and his fellow buffoons should have been fired at the beginning of the bye week.
Does Bernie have MS?
This team needs to clean house (again) and install an actual plan… and then… imagine this… stick to it.
I doubt that Bernie is the answer, but the truth is no one… not even Matt Millen… could do worse.
Truthfully, the best person they could hire for GM would probably be Mike Holmgren, but only as GM, not as GM/Coach.
Kosar does have GM experience. He was GM for his own arena bowl team “Cleveland Gladiators” and brought them all the way to the National Conference Championship game.
That being said…I’d still rather have someone with a little more NFL experience. Cowher, Parcells, Shannahan or Holmgren would give Cleveland fans something to get excited about again…at least until they start losing.
Bernie could be a good motivator for the players because he was once a winner.
But not GM.
This is gut check time for Mr. Lerner. There are qualified, experienced top knotched GM candidates available.
Will he open his checkbook and pay them or will he fold?
The GM/Coach combo of Parcells and Shanahan or Holmgren would be somewhat of a dream team for the Browns. Again, Mr. Lerner has to have the “heart” to make it happen.