May 20, 2013

Banner on Heckert: “we have the same priorities”

November 8, 2012 by 38 Comments

Scott Petrak got a sit-down with new Browns CEO Joe Banner that is a must-read for Browns fans. You know you have the time with the bye week this week. In the article, Banner is quoted pretty warmly with regard to Tom Heckert and their past working relationship despite some of the rumor and innuendo to the contrary.

“There’s nothing in our relationship that would be anything other than a positive in working together,” Banner said. “We like each other, we respect each other, we’re both driven, we have the same priorities. So whatever the decision is, pro or con, will not have anything to do with anything other than a very good and constructive relationship.”

Banner also went on to tell Petrak that he left Philly for a reclamation project because those get his “blood pumping.” Here’s hoping he’s able to maintain even and proper blood pressure with his challenges here in Cleveland.

[Related: WFNY Podcast - 2012-11-08]

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  • Kildawg

    Good read. I think Heckert stays and Shurmur is gone. Chilly and Jauron likely stay on as coordinators, either could also be named HC. Should be a fun offseason.

  • Garry_Owen

    I deeply, sincerely, vigorously hope that these “same priorities” include Sean Payton. That’s all I want for Christmas.

  • NamedMyKidPrice

    That would be nice but he isnt leaving NO for anything but Dallas.

  • JK

    Failed HCs doing fairly well as coordinators, lets hire one of them to be our head coach, ITLL PROBABLY WORK THIS TIME.

  • Harv 21

    Now hold on there, babalooey.

    - Heckert came here with the promise of final say on the roster. Banner comes 3 years later with the same promise. Ruh-ro. Everyone is concentrating on whether Banner digs Heckert. If Heck’s roster control is in his contract (v. a verbal promise from Lerner or a private informal understanding with Holmgren) he may be able to walk, and may want to walk, if another GM position opens up. Heck may also not want to work with Banner any more.

    - Nice to hear Banner say he’s seeing some ways of doing things he thinks are better than his old ways. Means he’s not just an ego looking to make the Browns in his image, good or bad.

    - If Heckert, not Holms, was the “driving force” behind the Shurmur hire, that stench falls on Heck. But, way more importantly, it debunks our holy irrefutable truth that Holmgren svengali Bob Lamonte controls Berea. And I’ve grown so attached to that vision of one low-powered coach’s agent controlling Berea, and all the hilarious PD columnist jokes that go with it, that it must not – not – be debunked. So I say Pat was Lamonte’s pick.

  • Garry_Owen

    I know that’s what ESPN wants everyone to think, but I’m not buying it.
    I really do think that the Browns can make an attractive pitch. Regardless of any other factors, I do think that with Haslam as owner and having a team as young as ours, the opportunities presented to any coach could be very appealing.
    This opportunity is to me what Robert Griffin The Third (Merciful and Mighty) was for so many others. Indeed, I think it’s much bigger.

  • mgbode

    I don’t think Payton goes anywhere he doesn’t believe in the QB solution on hand.

    So, possible landing spots:

    NO – obviously the most likely

    Washington – despite his Dallas ties, does anyone think he’s more apt to consider Romo over RGIII? And, what has Shanahan done there to endear himself?

    Dallas – if he believes in Romo or that he can “save” Romo.

    KC – if he likes whichever QB ends up being considered the best of this draft (Geno, Barkley, Murray, Bray, Wilson). I doubt it though they have alot of talent elsewhere on the team.

    Tenn – if he believes in Locker. I’m not a big fan though.

    Cinci – actually, would make a ton of sense if Mike Brown wasn’t the owner. they have the talent on-hand for the offense he likes and enough on defense to be formidable. Will not happen (I expect at some point for Marvin to step down and for them to promote Jay Gruden).

    NYJ – if he’s a Tebowite (just kidding. trying to see if you are paying attention this far down).

    ———————————————

    I would probably put us on even footing with KC of the above. We have the better QB solution presently (even if they get the best of 2013 draft), but they may have better skill positions (debateable when they lose Bowe).

  • Garry_Owen

    Tebow! Tebow! (Yes, I was paying attention.)

    Here’s my thinking: It comes down to owners as well as QBs. Obviously, NO is the favorite, as you say. With WAS, you get Dan Snyder. Maybe Payton’s okay with that, I’m not so sure. With Dallas, you get The Jerry. If I was a successful head coach that knows what I’m doing and believes strongly in it (maybe you can confirm, since you ARE), that would be a nightmare. I think Haslam is a “hands down” better option than those two – if only because we have no idea what he’ll actually be like.
    Accepting this “owner” analysis and your rundown, which I think is very good as always, my conclusion is that it’s really between NO, KC, and Cleveland. It will be very tough to pry him from NO and Drew Brees, but if he’s looking for a fresh start, I believe that Cleveland beats KC – and I’d have Scott Fujita wearing out Payton’s phone, election campaign-style. Of course, we’re living in a pure fantasy world, but that’s all I’ve got left – and maybe, just maybe, fantasy becomes reality this one time.

  • Garry_Owen

    Furthermore, continuing to build off of my fantasy in this now out-of-control thread hijack, imagine what Payton can do with both Weeden and McCoy (so very “Brees-like” is so many ways). I have been ruminating on this notion that the Browns’ design could
    have McCoy growing into Weeden’s successor. If, as everyone assumes, Weeden is done after 5-6 years, McCoy could in theory take over at about the same age as Weeden did when he started, thus ensuring 10-12 years of veteran continuity. 5-6 years on the bench is a long time for McCoy, but it could also be 5-6 years of extremely valuable tutelage under a coach like Payton.
    Dreaming is fun.

  • NamedMyKidPrice

    I hope you are right because I think (along with most everyone else) that this team is a coach away from being really good. After going through that filmroom just now I see that Weeden needs a true QB guy to fully develop. Sean Payton would be my number 1 choice for sure. Still a pipe dream but im all in.

  • mgbode

    now that is a dream. of course, add in that Heckert is supplying Payton with a pipeline of great draft picks for this run to keep us on course.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Holmgren had his paws all over day to day operations I never bought the team president act. You had proof of this a month or so ago here when there was discussion that Holmgren was the one who wanted Weeden drafted when he was and not Heckert.

    For the record I was with Heckert.
    In any event I’d keep Heckert any day of the week but not Shurmur, he needs to go as does his staff.

  • mgbode

    you mean Fujita would provide the Browns with something positive? now you have delved off the fantasy path and are in fairytale land :)

    owners are important as are GMs and FO structure. Dallas obviously has MAJOR issues there. Washington seemed to clean those up the past few seasons (yes, they still spend too much on FAs who then provide them with little benefit).

    i like the path you have blazed above. the question then is what does the FO/GM structure look like in KC & Cleveland? Pioli isn’t on strong footing afterall.

    sadly, I think this all goes back to demonstrate what a huge favorite NO really is in this race.

  • Garry_Owen

    For sure. That’s why I’d be playing up this “fresh start” theme if I was Haslam, Banner, and Fujita (our Special Assistant to the President in Charge of Coaching Acquisition). After everything that’s happened in NO over the last 12 months, there HAS to be some draw to this.

  • Jaker

    Wow wow wow. Mind blown. Unfortunately Browns fans get lumpy coal in the shape of Shurmur for Christmas. Bah humbug, pass to Marecic

  • Harv 21

    I dig this thread, the way it careens from Payton might want to leave NO to which other place he will be next year and why to what he’ll do with Colt. Kind of like a 7th grade boy fantasizing about his future with the school’s new uber-hot music teacher.

  • Garry_Owen

    And I haven’t even mentioned yet where I think he’ll live and the color of the drapes that we’ll . . . . er . . . . I mean, he and his family, will have.
    [Whew! Am I glad I didn't actually type that!]

  • mgbode

    “He sought a true reclamation project because that’s what gets his blood pumping.”

    Banner is sowing the seeds.

  • mgbode

    the music teacher’s drapes match the carpet?

    good thing she hired an interior decorator to take care of such things (wait, what were you thinking?)

  • Garry_Owen

    Yes! “Reclamation” next becomes “redemption.”

  • Harv 21

    “Before You Comment”!

  • Garry_Owen

    Your avatar betrays you! We were just having an innocent conversation about home decor . . .

  • mgbode

    yeah, we’re only in 7th grade here. geesh!

  • Garry_Owen

    I hate when the grown-ups show up.

  • mgbode

    especially when they don’t bring snacks. where are my cookies and juice?

  • Roosevelt

    Actually ESPN (not that they are credible, but still) had a piece a couple years ago about the best coaching candidates being otherwise qualified assistants who had failed once as head coaches. If I remember correctly, it was based on empirical data, and it kind of makes sense in theory as well.

  • ScottM

    Chip Kelly HC. Keep Jauron.

  • Harv 21

    GOT to make myself check on that high school opening. No more goofy giggles and zits and peachy mustaches, it’s like working at the zoo’s primate house.

  • The_Matt_Of_Akron

    and the pipeline of draft picks is why he won’t go to WAS.

  • dwhit110

    Well, since Jauron failed twice (Chicago, Buffalo) that should make him a doubly good candidate, right!?

  • Garry_Owen

    Not to mention the nascent, yet overpowering, body odor and the fact that we still haven’t quite learned to “shower” every morning and “change clothes” after gym class.

  • Roosevelt

    Yeah, I also think the article was written before the series of recent first time hires who were hits, like the Harbaugh brothers.

  • mgbode

    “No more goofy giggles and zits and peachy mustaches”

    you went to a much different HS than I did.

  • porckchopexpress

    He’s divorced, you can still pick out the drapes, and I do think Warden Goodel is allowing him conjugal visits while he’s on lockdown. Make your move, serenade him

    “Well you send my life a whirling – Sean Payton – when your hands are twirling, on the sidelines.”

  • porckchopexpress

    That was no fantasy, it would have worked out! I never should have lied to her about how many pairs of ZCavaricci’s I had. Leading off the mix tape I made her with “Life in a Northern Town”, probably didn’t help, but I sat by the radio all day waiting for “When I See You Smile”, and that stupid Jeff Kinzbach* wouldn’t play it.
    *Had to look that one up, I loved me some Buzzard radio in the 80s but I drew a complete blank on the personalities

  • Garry_Owen

    “And who cares about New Orleans? What else is New Orleans, but another way?”

  • Harv 21

    man, did this thing go off the rails, even for us. Carpets and drapes? Jeff freakin Kinzbach?

    Hey young Banner flunkies, we know you’re monitoring the fandom. You tell Big Man what you saw here, he better bring his A-game to this job. Tell him.

  • Harv 21

    “cookies and juice”
    Your 7th grade was much different than mine