Browns News

Browns' search for general manager hits snag
"An apparent fast track to hire former New York Jets coach Eric Mangini and his suggested choice for general manager hit a snag today when the Browns learned they must wait to interview George Kokinis. A league source said the Baltimore Ravens deemed Sunday as the first opportunity to talk to Kokinis, their director of pro personnel and a close friend of Mangini's. The Ravens face a short week of preparation for their playoff game Saturday against the Tennessee Titans after defeating the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The same window will apply for Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, also drawing interest from at least two teams in their coaching search. Should the Ravens lose to the Titans, ..."
Browns must wait until Sunday for Kokinis
"The Browns won't be able to interview Baltimore director of pro personnel George Kokinis until Sunday at the earliest, said a source with knowledge of the situation. Kokinis is involved in preparations for the Ravens' divisional playoff game against Tennessee. The game will be played on Saturday. The Ravens don't want anything to interfere with their game preparations. If the Ravens win and advance to the AFC Championship Game, they have set aside Sunday as an available date for interviews. Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan would also be able to interview for various head coach jobs at that time."
Butler Hopes Victory Gets the Ball Rolling
"It was just one win, but Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler said he hopes that the 80-77 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday could be "the win" to finally get the team moving in the right direction. Butler said he hasn't ruled out the possibility of turning around this miserable campaign. "To get a game like this, you hope that it gives you a little momentum, shows us that we have what it takes in this locker room in order to stay scrappy," Butler said. "Hopefully, we go to Orlando and get a quality win down there. That's our goal, you know? Every three-game segment to go 2-1 and that will put us at .500 eventually at the end of the season and hopefully, Gilbert Arenas ..."
Browns need a proven winner as next head coach
"Retiring Cleveland Browns linebacker Willie McGinest had this to say on an NFL Network show over the weekend: "Whatever coach comes into that system is going to have to crack the whip and get them organized. There's a lot of talent on that team, you just have to put it all together." It's the most scathing indictment yet of fired head coach Romeo Crennel (who should not, by the way, be invited back as defensive coordinator under any circumstances). And this from a guy who always seemed to have Crennel's back, someone handpicked by the coach to provide veteran leadership. McGinest confirms what we suspected: Crennel would make a nice neighbor, but in finding the right buttons to push on an ..."
Cleveland Browns receive permission to interview Baltimore Ravens director of pro personnel George Kokinis for GM vacancy
"In the next step toward hiring Eric Mangini as their head coach, the Browns have received permission to interview his close friend, George Kokinis, the Ravens' director of pro personnel, a league source told The Plain Dealer on Sunday. The interview will take place as soon as possible, the source said. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins, 27-9, on Sunday and will face the Titans on Saturday in Tennessee in the divisional round of the playoffs. Kokinis, who began his NFL career in Cleveland after serving an internship in the team's operations department in 1991, is Mangini's No. 1 choice to run the personnel department, a source said. Mangini, The Plain Dealer reported Friday, is the ..."
Browns cancel interview with Titans assistant
"The Browns canceled their interview Saturday with Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The Titans granted the Browns permission to talk to Schwartz, but a scheduling conflict kept the meeting from taking place. Schwartz was also scheduled to meet with the Detroit Lions about their head coaching position this weekend. The Browns could still interview Schwartz after the Titans are out of the playoffs or if they reach the Super Bowl, but because of NFL rules they won't be able to interview him now until the season is over. There were reports Saturday that fired Jets Coach Eric Mangini had emerged as the favorite to get the head coaching job in Cleveland."
Interviews set for McDaniels and Pioli
"Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for their head coaching vacancy Friday, is scheduled to interview with the Denver Broncos for their head coaching position today in Providence. Meanwhile, Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli, who interviewed with the Browns Wednesday to run their football operation, is also scheduled to interview with the Kansas City Chiefs for a similar position."
Cleveland dreaming of 'Gini
"Eric Mangini may not have to wait long to get back on the sideline. ESPN reported yesterday that the fired Jets coach has become the leading candidate to become the next head coach of the Browns. Citing anonymous league and team sources, ESPN said Browns owner Randy Lerner is "fascinated" with Mangini and the two had a "compelling" interview this week. Jets fans might find that hard to believe after watching the 37-year-old stand stoically on the sideline chomping his gum. But Lerner seems to be intrigued by Mangini, who got his coaching start in Cleveland under Bill Belichick. His competition for the Browns job is Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo - who interviewed with the ..."