Has Kokinis Been Fired? (Update: Yes.)
ProFootballTalk is reporting that Browns’ GM George Kokinis might have been escorted out of the building in Berea. It is apparently a rumor at this point and Mike Florio doesn’t feel strongly enough about the details to officially report it. Florio is usually very careful in his wording and with his research even as he sometimes reports rumors or rumblings that he hears from around the league. Still, when Florio hears something with his connections, it is certainly worthy of looking for smoke. So, the eyes are on Berea.
I am sure we will know soon enough if Kokinis has been relieved of whatever duties it is that he seemingly had for the Browns. It is an interesting development as Florio also reports that some around the league whispered that Mangini might throw Kokinis under the bus to save his own job. To me that is kind of funny. No matter how good or bad Kokinis has been at his job, it would be laughable to put the blame on him for all those trades that have taken place between the Browns and the Jets since Mangini came on board. We can all pretty well see who has their finger prints all over those deals. Other than those trades with the Jets, what could Kokinis be held responsible for? The Browns are reportedly in outstanding shape cap-wise after trading Braylon Edwards and trading Kellen Winslow who wanted to be the top paid tight end in the NFL.
If Kokinis has been fired it would obviously clear the way for changes over Mangini’s head and potentially a new and improved top-down structure. Still, would the new top guy be more or less willing to keep Eric Mangini around after Mangini’s hand-picked second banana was fired a mere half season into his first gig as a GM? Also, I am a little bit unsettled if this rumor turns out to be true. Does that mean that Bernie Kosar is going to be named GM or interim GM? I know Bernie had a heck of a year for a season in the arena league, but that isn’t nearly the same thing. Last year we always knew that we wanted Romeo Crennel to be fired, but without a good replacement on staff it is a silly proposition to fire a guy mid-year. Is that also the case with NFL GMs?
Well, stay tuned here and the rest of the Internets for more (or less) as this rumor makes its way around. Should be an interesting bye week in Cleveland.
Updates: The OBR is reporting that Kokinis is gone, but they are being more careful with the details of whether he was fired or quit. The Cleveland Leader is reporting the firing as a fact. I followed up with them on Twitter and they are saying it is confirmed. Now WKYC is also confirming the news via their Twitter account.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Jim Donovan on his “Point After” show has confirmed that Kokinis has been fired, don’t know if that opens the door to Parcells, Casserly or some other genius to rebuild this busted franchise. After the expert has been chosen, get rid of Mangini next.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Confirmed by Donovan on the Point After. Could we be more dysfunctional?
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I think in light of these events, it would be appropriate for everyone to tell their favorite Kokinis story. For me it was Don Carey in the sixth round. What a splash that was. My friends and I still talk about it to this very day.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Good luck finding someone to take the GM job here. Seriously, what has Kokinis done thats worthy of being fired? We don’t know how his draft picks will pan out, if they were even his draft picks
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:21 pm
wow. if anyone were going to get fired midseason, i thought it would’ve been mangina.
i can’t remember a single new development this season that didn’t embarrass me a little, as a fan…
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Who?
/arrested development joke
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Wake up, observe. If you didn’t get it before, get it NOW. Kokinis was beyond a joke, and this is a DIRECT reflection of and on Mangini. It’s time to cut the sheeple nonsense. Mankinis was a package deal, floated over Lerner’s head. It’s about frickin’ time that the fraud GM was THROWN out of Berea-understand where the spotlight is.
Are you gonna open your eyes and OBSERVE?
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Ricky……….wake up dude. Do you really think Kokinis was GM? Cmon man, observe.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
I love your comment Biff. I have no idea what to say about this. Is Bernie going to take the role? What GM in their right mind would come into this situation and keep Mangini after he was basically calling his own shots for the last 6 months? I have no idea what this means for the organization and team.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:34 pm
I think to shake things up, Mangini should be stripped of play calling duties. Then, Zorn can all the plays for the Browns and Mangini can call the plays for the Skins. Just switch headsets.
Can’t be any worse than where these teams are now anyway.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:34 pm
@Biff….that killed me…..still laughing….
Has there ever been a GM of a Cleveland sports team that the fans knew/cared less about than this guy? Wow…..Lerner really must have been as mad as the reports said!!
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Isis… I get it. I understand it. But take it the next step. If they were a package deal, what happened? Why weren’t they both fired? Did Eric Mangini have to accept some virtual organization that Randy Lerner is now going to build? Did Mangini have to accept Bernie coming in to be the GM? If it isn’t Bernie, what GM in their right mind would come in and be willing to do business with Mangini now after he threw his chosen pick, Kokinis, under the bus?
There are more questions than answers right now.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:36 pm
“It’s time to cut the sheeple nonsense.”
Thank you. I assume this means that you will discontinue it.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
OBSERVE! OBserVE? obSERve. ObSeRvE,
Its the word of the week!
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
This season is so fun!
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
for what it’s worth, Schefter’s twitter says still unconfirmed…
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Bernie Kosar time!!!
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Once Jim Donovan said it on TV, I am buying it. It isn’t April 1st thankfully.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
this news means mangini _has_ to be fired imminently.
it’s going to be entertaining to hear the players talk about the hell they were living under… certainly more entertaining than watching them on the field.
@11 — i don’t want kosar for gm either. much prefer pagel or danielson or strock…
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
My question is this: if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around…
Isis is half-right. How will this affect anything at all? Can any one of us point to one thing and say, “George Kokinis did that, and now [x] will be severely affected by his firing.”
I sure can’t.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I may be wrong here but my thought is this:
If you fire Mangini you HAVE to fire Kokinis since he was Mangini’s pick; ff you fire Kokinis you leave it up to the replacement to fire Mangini or not.
Maybe this is a way for Lerner to save a bit of face and not fire two but one… thinking in the back of his head odds are #2 will go with the new addition?
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Schottenheimer as Parcells-type running the whole show? *not* coach, of course…
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
This is just confusing. If anyone was getting fired this week I was hoping it would be Daboll…
Im nervous, because I really like Ryan, and I want him to stay here in Cleveland, but if they start cleaning house, whats gonna happen with him?
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
@#9, while I hope that Mangini isn’t calling the offensive plays for the Browns (not that he could be worse at it than Daboll is), you touch on an interesting point.
Is Lerner pulling a Dan Snyder and trying to force Mangini to quit? Think about it. Isn’t that basically what the Skins are doing by bringing in Sherm Lewis? Trying to make Zorn quit so they don’t have to fire him? MAYBE RANDY’S A BETTER BUSINESSMAN THAN WE THOUGHT.
That’s what this smells like, by my observation.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:47 pm
@19
That’s kind of how I feel and what I meant by my post; I mean what can you REALLY pin-point on Kokinis and say he did wrong?
I really think that by firing Kokinis you are basically telling Mangini if you don’t like it tough; you are my employee. If you bring in a new GM/president/whatever then you leave it up to that employee to decide Mangini’s fate. If you fire Mangini you pretty much have to fire Kokinis since he is his guy and you have no loyalty to him.
I really think in some fashion this is Lerner being smart and believing that whomever he brings in will probably fire Mangini at some point.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
@23
Again I agree with you 100% LOL. I think this is EXACTLY what Lerner is trying to do.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:50 pm
@Mortimer: Marty wanted no part of this back when Club Romeo was shut down. Unless Lerner is now offering some serious cashish out of panic/frustration, how has the position become any more attractive than it was then?
The next act of this dramatragecomedy will be the most interesting yet
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Credit where it’s due… Lerner is taking some kind of action.
We don’t know what it is, or what the justification is here (who’s this Kokinis fellow? Was Mangini’s drycleaning not picked up on time? Not enough cream in his coffee?)
Craig is absolutely right… more questions than answers right now. But I’ll take the new questions over the old answers.
And I’m encouraged to see Lerner shaking things up–even indirectly, if this was Mangini’s action throwing his friend under the bus. Something’s happening. At the very least, there’s comedic value in the whole situation.
Lerner’s “glowering” and nonsensical emails to the ABJ don’t mean squat to me. This at least is something to makes us take note.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Does Bernie become the next GM , nope. but the QB position is open.
By all accounts of the media and others that have spoken regarding the firing of Kokinis he was endorsed by Mangini as was Dabol. Maybe we can get a package deal for Dabol & Mangini, for the Jets 6th round pick.
I wonder if the fans that are meeting with Lerner tomorrow will suggest bringing in a winning coach instead of the train wreck that is running this team and fan base into the abyss.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:52 pm
@26 B-Bo – “how has the position become any more attractive than it was then?”
I can think of three distinct ways:
1. Some tough housecleaning chores have been done. Mangini’s at least taken the trash out (Edwards, Winslow.)
2. Leading to an improved salary cap position.
3. Eleven draft picks this year.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Mangini has not been fired yet because the Browns are working with Ryan to be interim head coach
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
@27 – “i’ll take the new questions over the old answers.”
STATEMENT OF THE DAY! that is exactly how i feel!
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 pm
“If you fire Mangini you HAVE to fire Kokinis since he was Mangini’s pick; ff you fire Kokinis you leave it up to the replacement to fire Mangini or not”
One caveat: we don’t know the language in Mangini’s contract. Since he got his hand-picked lackey for GM, Mangini’s status in the organization may be codified in his contract. If it says he reports directly to Lerner as we were told, then the very act of restructuring the organization to make Mangini subordinate to a GM or football exec (remember, we already have a team president. Bonus points if you can name him!) could be a breach.
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 pm
this is lerner trying to humiliate mangini into resigning so he won’t have to pay him, right? that we lerner won’t have to honor the contract, right?
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Mike Holmgren supposed mercenary take over as a GM/coach. I think it’s dumb and wouldn’t mind Bernie having some role in the club.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I agree, while Kolkinis did nothing and so his immediate firing does not fix any of the Browns’ problems, it *does* mean that hopefully someone will be brought in above Mangini that will be able to put the screws to the genius.
Now…what poor sap will Lerner convince to do that job?
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
well done, phred–good points all. And I’m with you on being encouraged with Lerner stepping up, even if it is later than one would hope. I’ve read multiple times and in multiple places that he really does care about the team and its success–perhaps now actions will match words.
Regardless of when (right or wrong, it’s hard to say IF any longer) Mangini is let go, my only hope is no Gruden. Having lived in Tampa for almost six years now, I watched the guy utterly fail in the player development department with the Bucs. Unless we bring Tony Dungy in for a few years to assemble the talent, I want no part of Chuckie in Cleveland.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
How about we fire Daboll and get an experienced OC in here?
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Kokinis’ parting words to Lerner: “Let’s hug it out”
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Mangisar? Komangi? Kosangi? I’m stumped.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
@26 B-Bo – understood, and I’m not a blind Marty fan, but in addition to phred’s comments, Lerner seems to realize that he needs someone to run the organization who’s not also the coach.
My guess would be that Lerner would see that move as being popular with the fan base as well – whether true or not I don’t know…
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Enough of this Bernie worship. The guy’s personal and professional life is a mess. In a job that requires lots of focus and organization a guy like Bernie would never be able to adequately handle his crazy wife, daughter, in-laws, and all the various hangers-on that he has accumulated over the years (not to mention his failing business interests) all the while remaking the Browns. And I’m not sure if I want his current punchdrunk, slurring persona recently on display at press avails to become the voice of this once proud team.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Maybe Ryan is taking over since Lerner has now effectively cut off the legs of Mangini by firing his “assistant” and his recommended hire of Kokinis. Maybe Lerner shows Mangini the door, although I can’t even tell you what the GM actually did for this team except give Mangini free reign to trade with the Jets
and take the trash that they don’t want or need.
This next draft can not be screwed up, we deseprately need direction from a proven leader, congrats to Lerner for having some backbone to start the process early.
Now we wait to see the next move, hopefully Mangini sees the writing on the wall, while he said he has Lerners support, that’s what all owners tell their coaches before they are canned. Meanwhile Lerner is working behind closed doors to find a solution to the problems that he created for himself.
Get it right this time, from what has been written on several websites is that Cowher has said no to the Browns in 2009 when Lerner went to NY to discuss the Browns headcoach position and reportedly said can you wait a year. Let’s see if this rumor is true or not.
Has the countdown clock begun on the end for Mangini?
Time will tell
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Abe-enough with the Bernie bashing, he was one of the smartest QB’s this team has ever had. While he has had personal issues in his life that has no bearing on the conversation for the direction of this team.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Lerner goes to Kokinis and informs him that he is in process of talking money with Ryan to be interim HC for remainder of season.
Kokinis flips out.
Lerner has Kokinis escorted out of the building.
Word slowly trickles to press that Kokinis is gone.
Everything hits the fan on Tuesday.
Who am I kidding…this is awesome!!
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Johnny dom–No one was a bigger fan of BK than yours truly. But being a great player on the field certainly does not necessarily transfer to the front office. See Michael Jordan, Isaiah Thomas, Matt Millen. Let’s get some proven talent for once.
Bernie’s off the field issues are certainly fair game for consideration if you’re thinking about handing over the reins of the Browns to him. Not sold on his stability at present.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:29 pm
@39
Berngini
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I for one want to lead the Marty for President bandwagon.
Votes for Mansar
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Abe- point well made, I agree that Bernie is not ready for prime time yet, but congrats to Lerner for bringing him in and helping the fanbase at the very least re-connect with a hero from past winning seasons. He may not be the answer at any executive position but he is capable of being in the building and another set of eyes and ears in any team meetings.
Still think it was a great move by Lerner maybe he is listening to the fans.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:50 pm
As much as this pains me to say this, but Isis you were right. BTW I am saying this with a huge plate of crow in front of me. Here is the thing with my stance on things. I said it when Mangini was hired, that I didn’t like it. The thing about it is, I am a Browns fan that wants nothing more than to see this team get turned around. I want whoever is the Coach to succeed. That is why I drank the Kool-aid. It is a personality trait I must work on, but as critical as I was about Lerner it seems that he is admitting he was wrong. Lets hope he does things the right way.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:51 pm
For all the crap Lerner has gotten from fans over the last few years (rightly), if he turns this thing around we will absolutely love him.
Bring in a proven guy, Randy. This is your chance. You’ve shown us you’re willing to spend (a lot) to get this right, and we appreciate that as fans. Just please, you have to knock this one out of the park.
Also, I love that Kosar has an increased role with the team, no matter what it is.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:20 pm
OBSERVE! (that i don’t understand a **** thing that’s going on w/ this franchise)
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
In all honesty, I actually feel bad for Kokinis. Dude had absolutely NO shot here to do what a real ‘GM’ would do. It speaks to the absolute power Mangini has had since he arrived. It really doesn’t surprise me that he wouldn’t know Edwards was traded until he saw it on TV.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Phew… I was really worried about the coaching staff…. at least we can rest easy that Daboll isn’t going anywhere!
[Cleveland.com]
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Seriously? We’re trusting the entire offense to the guy who’s helped drive such immense improvement in our QBs?
/slits wrists
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
“In all honesty, I actually feel bad for Kokinis. Dude had absolutely NO shot here to do what a real ‘GM’ would do. It speaks to the absolute power Mangini has had since he arrived.”
As a general rule, I don’t feel sorry for people making those kinds of bucks, especially for having a career most of us see as a hobby. Dude has, what, four years of guaranteed payments coming compliments of Lerner? Nothing to feel sorry for.
As for the position he was put in, I can’t feel sorry for him for that either. If he thought Mangini brought him in to be a “real GM”, then he’s a moron. He knew from day one that he was nothing but a figurehead/glorified scout occupying his seat at Mangini’s pleasure.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I agree DJ, he’s a fall guy if I ever saw one… How much must ESPN be loving all of this with the MNF game coming up? I bet you they’ll play up the “empty stadium” thing all next week to entice people to watch. …Wow, how sad is that? ESPN has to use threats of a Cleveland fan revolt to get people to watch a Monday night game.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I miss Art Modell.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Firing Mangini right now accomplishes nothing. This is an obvious power grab away from mangini, he will be fired at the end of the season. Let him finish out the season, then bring in a real gm, let him hire the coach, and geta fresh start the right way.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:10 pm
ESPN and Chris Mortensen are saying Lerner has asked Ernie Accorsi to come in as a consultant to the team. If true, this is the smartest thing Lerner has done in some time. Accorsi is smart and most importantly, knows how to build a team! An experienced front office man.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:26 pm
@Mark – apparently (allegedly) Accorsi gave Lerner his blessing on Mangini/Kokinis so not sure I’m real comforted by his elevated role. Still, at least he is an established GM w/ a track record of mostly success. It feels good to have the tectonic plates moving in Berea but good lord some stability would be nice
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:34 pm
More self-loathing: Cliff is pitching another gem and has a 5 run lead right now. Ugh.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Lerner continues to lack the ability to see the true problems with this organization.
Whats the point in waiting to fire Mangini? Its not like we are going to get any better with him next year.
The sooner we get new people in here the better.
If I had a MNF ticket I would sit outside the stadium for the full game with torches and pitchforks for effect.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
It isn’t a complete dismantling I guess….more like a Bob Vila workaround.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:04 pm
@56 – It’s being reported (rumored) that Kokinis was fired with cause, meaning he won’t be receiving a paycheck. That does seem to make sense. I’m sure it’d be painful to have to pay Savage AND Kokinis, and whoever replaces him.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Mangini is probably the next one out the door. I’m sure he’ll finish the season, but when/if Lerner or his soon to be hired head honcho either becomes the GM himself or hires one, he’ll want to hire his own coach. Mangini will be gone in the off-season.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
@#64 – source?
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I have one request of Lerner, and it would make everything all better for me:
If he fires Mangini, he needs to have Austin Carr in his office.
“Eric, I called you in here because we have to let you go.”
“GET THAT WEAK STUFF OUTTA HERE!”
“I wanted to give you more time, but it just hasn’t been working out. The team has regressed, your offensive coordinator looks overmatched, and handling of the quarterback situation could not have been worse.”
“RANDY LERNER… THROWS… tha HAMMER DOWN.”
Then Blake Costanzo could walk in and say, “Now THAT GUY got FIRED.”
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Bring Marty Back!!!
A Marty-Bernie connect-i-on
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Trying to say something positive about Kokinis, WFNYCraig writes:
“The Browns are reportedly in outstanding shape cap-wise.”
Since next year is likely to be uncapped, this is sort of a mixed bag as far as measurable accomplishments go.
Kokinis wasn’t the problem, but I saw no evidence that he was capable of contributing to a solution, either.
I’m just waiting for Mangini to go. If I have to wait until the offseason, I suppose I can wait that long.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Accorsi
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:43 pm
@#66 DP Diesel
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4616312
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 pm
@66
This may be what browntown was referring to below from an ESPN article:
“Dialogue between the two sides actually occurred for the past week before Sunday’s 30-6 loss to the Bears sent the Browns reeling into the bye week with a 1-7 record. For the past month, Lerner has independently investigated professional and personal conduct by Kokinis, head coach Eric Mangini and director of football operations Erin O’Brien, who left the organization within the past few days, sources said. Mangini said Monday he had spoken with Lerner and was told his job was safe for now.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4616312
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:53 pm
This is also from the same article:
“A source told the Plain Dealer “Kokinis is a great guy who does not deserve this. He is taking the fall for the team’s problems and it’s not right.”
The Plain Dealer reported that Lerner had tried to get Kokinis to take a more visible role as the team’s GM, encouraging him to be interviewed recently by Sports Illustrated.
Kokinis, who had 18 years worth of NFL experience, was the final voice on the Browns’ 53-man roster.
Mangini’s job security was not a topic in Cleveland’s locker room, which was mostly vacant Monday.”
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:24 am
News Hearld is reporting Accorsi is the new Browns GM – http://news-herald.com/articles/2009/11/02/sports/nh1647108.txt
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:02 am
Hell, according to Wikipedia Accorsi is the new GM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Accorsi
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:34 am
@ 67 – I LOVE IT
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:49 am
Time to rejoice… Being role model citizens doesn’t win football game… Hopefully Mangini realizes that pretty soon.. Is it too late to trade for another player from the Jets.. they HAVE to have somebody on the roster who was an Academic All American.. I’m sure of it!
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:02 am
Once they bring in a new GM, Mangini’s time with the Browns is only as long as his current contract unless he does a complete 180. I don’t think Mangini has that ability to alter his mindset.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:50 am
Maybe Lerner just wanted a couple of lame ducks to sit as Head Coach and GM while the unpopular moves (K2 and Braylon) were made. Now those moves won’t reflect on the new set of guys.
Perhaps that was his idea all along??
Nah.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 am
I’m 7-1 in my fantasy league. I was going to throw my name in the hat for the new Gm role, but radio and internet sources are stating ol’ Ernie’s back in town.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:00 am
In what has become a disastrous season for which the front office has created total embarrassment for browns fans, i think we might as well take this emabarrassment to another level and stage a “brown out” where the fans will not show up for the first few minutes of the monday night game against baltimore…. o wait, folks are already planning to do that. The day is always darkest just b4 the light…Go Browns!!!
Wait till next year….
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:07 am
Really Big Show via News Herald – Jeff Shudel – reporting Ernie Accorsi named as GM….
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:23 am
Oops, upon reading the other posts, I am a little late to the party.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:46 am
Well who knows what is going on now.. Grossi is now reporting the Accorsi hiring is false:
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2009/11/reports_of_cleveland_browns_hi.html
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:05 am
[...] it is now apparent that said “soul searching” did not take too long as we caught wind of rumors that team general manager (at least on paper) George Kokinis had been escorted out of the team [...]