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Browns don't deny making an offer to Holmgren

Amid reports that the Browns have made an offer to former Packers and Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that team spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz has not denied that an offer has been made.

“We had a productive meeting over the course of a couple days,” Bonsiewicz told Grossi.  “We agreed to communicate again in the coming days.  I can tell you the one thing we have not discussed at this point is money.”

That last sentence could be interpreted as meaning that the Browns have not extended a firm financial offer to Holmgren.  It also could mean that the team has made an offer, but that Holmgren has not responded — and thus that there have been no “discussions” about money.

Either way, Grossi says that “signs point” to Holmgren accepting the position, contingent on working out an acceptable contract.

Grossi also points out the the Browns must comply with the Rooney Rule before hiring Holmgren.  We’ve been hearing for weeks, however, that the Browns have been quietly interviewing multiple candidates.  Thus, if the Redskins were smart enough to satisfy the requirement that at least one minority candidate be interviewed before there even was a vacancy, the Browns surely have done so in the many weeks that a “help wanted needed” sign has been hanging in the front window.

Then again, we’re talking about a team that hired a head coach before hiring a G.M. in January, so it probably wouldn’t be prudent to assume anything at this point.

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19 Responses to “Browns don't deny making an offer to Holmgren”
  1. TheGooch says: Dec 18, 2009 10:02 AM

    Holmgren is going to fire Mangini and hire one of his proteges in Gruden who in turn is going to turn Brady Quinn in to a pro bowler .
    What ? it could happen lol

  2. mike428 says: Dec 18, 2009 10:16 AM

    I can see how this is going to pan out.
    Lerner: “Mr. Holmgren, thank you for accepting this job.”
    Holmgren: “No, thank YOU. Mr. Mangini, see that door to your right?”
    Mangini: “I sure do, boss.”
    Holmgren: “Walk through it, keep on walking and try to keep the door from hitting you in the ass on the way out. But first, leave the 3 dollar bottle of water on the table.”
    (Mangini exits, sad Charlie Brown theme music plays)

  3. Dixon29 says: Dec 18, 2009 10:30 AM

    Mike Holmgren will turn the Browns around. Green Bay and Seattle weren’t exactly tearing up the NFL before he went to those teams.
    From what I have read, Mangini and Holmgren spoke at some length when Holmgren was in town, so I wouldn’t completely rule out a Mangini return.
    The problem is Holmgren favors a 4-3 defense, whereas Mangini likes the 3-4. If you look at the current Browns roster, they are more suited to play with 4 down lineman. Either way, the best part of the year for us Browns fans is the off-season!
    Go Browns!

  4. DemocratsAreStupid says: Dec 18, 2009 10:31 AM

    Tony Grossi=Overrated “journalist.” Cleveland deserves better writers.

  5. manginiwithcheese says: Dec 18, 2009 10:31 AM

    Please don’t bring Zorn to Cleveland!

  6. PFTiswhatitis says: Dec 18, 2009 10:46 AM

    The NFL ought to consider waiving the Rooney rule in cases where teams have had a minority HC or GM in the last x years. As it stands the Rooney rule makes little sense.
    I think Holmgren is holding out for an offer from a more promising franchise ala Washington.

  7. Philly is Full of Fags aka ErieRat says: Dec 18, 2009 10:51 AM

    Grossi is a fool who has been shut out by the current coaching staff, and thus only reports negative columns. Skank Mary Kay does the same. So if you don’t outright ASK “have you made an offer” how does someone thus deny it? To put in the headline “Browns don’t deny making an offer” would mean you asked them “Have you made an offer to Homgren?” at which point the Browns would say either:
    “No” – meaning they deny making one
    “Yes” – they made one
    “No Comment” – they don’t denying making one
    “We don’t deny we made one” – just as it sounds.
    So to say they “don’t deny” it, is pure speculation on the reporter’s part.

  8. The Dubya says: Dec 18, 2009 11:12 AM

    I sure hope someone can make Brady a pro bowler because he made need a Plan B if he can’t make it as a pro quarterback.

  9. brownsfn says: Dec 18, 2009 11:12 AM

    Just fire Mangini please….please…

  10. kupski says: Dec 18, 2009 11:16 AM

    Mangini is NOT going to get axed after just one season, thats totally absurd ! You speak as though your some Steelers fan. Make sense man, make sense !!!!!!!

  11. question8 says: Dec 18, 2009 11:16 AM

    Maybe the steelers should contact the browns about loaning them the help needed sign. They could sure use it after losing 5 straight, including a loss to the browns Mike Florio!

  12. GiantsDefenseRules says: Dec 18, 2009 11:20 AM

    I don’t think it will be Chucky….just a hunch that he is set on ESPN for another year or so.
    No idea for a head coach? Maybe Mariucci or Mornhinweg – both from the Holmgren lineage.
    Zorn as OC?
    I would think he could retain Ryan as the DC since their Defense has shown some life at the end of the season.

  13. Hap says: Dec 18, 2009 11:28 AM

    mikle428, too funny.
    Holmgren’s holding out until he sees Danielle Schneidley’s offer to him or Shanny.

  14. WashingtonRedOookies says: Dec 18, 2009 11:49 AM

    Hap is probably correct, unfortunately.

  15. olskool711 says: Dec 18, 2009 11:53 AM

    Dear Mr. Florio
    You are right once again it is just plain stupid to hire a coach before a GM. What kind of loser franchise would do that?
    sincerely,
    all the teams that watched the 49′rs lift the Super Bowl trophy 4 times after hiring Bill Walsh long before a GM.
    ps.
    I’m sure that espn money will prevent chucky from ever thinking about thinking about talking to Randy Lerner. Who wants to meet with a billionaire with the deepest pockets in the NFL when you can sit next to Mike Torico and Jaws?

  16. TigerS Boy ToY says: Dec 18, 2009 1:14 PM

    WHO ARE THE BROWNS?

  17. NoHomeTeam says: Dec 18, 2009 2:31 PM

    olskool711 says: “. . . talking to Randy Lerner. Who wants to meet with a billionaire with the deepest pockets in the NFL . . . ”
    Deepest pockets in the NFL?
    Really? I’m not going to take the time to sort through financials here, but I would guess that there are at least 5 or 6 owners with a greater net wealth than Lerner. Paul Allen comes to mind, for one. The new Dolphins owner, too.

  18. trickbunny says: Dec 18, 2009 3:10 PM

    NoHomeTeam says:
    December 18, 2009 2:31 PM
    olskool711 says: “. . . talking to Randy Lerner. Who wants to meet with a billionaire with the deepest pockets in the NFL . . . ”
    Deepest pockets in the NFL?
    Really? I’m not going to take the time to sort through financials here, but I would guess that there are at least 5 or 6 owners with a greater net wealth than Lerner. Paul Allen comes to mind, for one. The new Dolphins owner, too.
    ———————————————————————–
    I’m pretty sure this list is more than a year old, but I doubt much has changed in a year, so here goes…
    1. Paul Allen, Seattle Seahawks
    Net worth: $16.8 billion
    2. Malcolm Glazer, Tampa Bay Bucs
    Net worth: $2.5 billion
    3. Wayne Huizenga, Miami Dolphins
    Net Worth: $2.5 billion
    4. Randolph Lerner, Cleveland Browns
    Net Worth: $1.6 billion
    5. Robert McNair, Houston Texans
    Net Worth: $1.5 billion
    6. Arthur Blank, Atlanta Falcons
    Net Worth: $1.5 billion
    7. Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys
    Net Worth: $1.5 billion
    8. Robert Kraft, New England Patriots
    Net Worth: $1.4 billion
    9. Steve Bisciotti, Baltimore Ravens
    Net Worth: $1.3 billion
    10. Daniel Snyder , Washington Redskins
    Net Worth: $1 billion

  19. trickbunny says: Dec 18, 2009 3:19 PM

    ok, so the list is from last year and stephen ross owns the fins now…

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