Randy Lerner Drops Ball (Must’ve Learned It From Braylon)
Eric Mangini was introduced today as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. He wasn’t introduced by owner Randy Lerner however. He was introduced by club president Mike Keenan. In fact, Randy Lerner did not speak at all in front of the camera or microphone. The local media was told that he would be available for questions later as did not attend the press conference. As far as I’m concerned, that is unacceptable.
Randy Lerner can hide behind a GM 99 percent of the time. This was that one percent of the time that he needed to speak. First of all, he needed to back his choice. Mangini deserved that. Eric deserved to stand behind the owner while good things were said about him. More importantly, Browns fans deserved to know what in the world is going on with the team. Lerner’s ‘product’ is not as attractive as it once was, and his ‘customers’ are getting left in the dark.
Name another owner in the league that would have pulled this stunt today? Not all of them are ego maniacs like Jerry Jones or Al Davis. Not all of them like the attention and cameras in their faces, but I can’t think of a single one that would have been in the building but NOT EVEN IN THE ROOM when the new coach was introduced. I get that big business owners aren’t always in the public eye, but we are talking about the entertainment industry here. We’re talking about the most visible league in the country, and one of the biggest fan bases in that league. Bad form, Randy.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Surely you’re not surprised, Rick?!
That’s our Randolph!
January 8th, 2009 at 11:38 am
According to ESPN.com, Heckert has withdrawn his name. Guess we’re stuck with Savage, the Sequel.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Agree 1,000%. He doesn’t care about Cleveland, and the Browns are just a moneymaker for him. Please let someone who cares buy the team from this turd.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:42 am
I am surprised actually mj, I thought that Lerner would step up and do the right thing here. I thought he would defend his decisions a little. Silly me expecting something like that.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I was hoping Brady would introduce him…
January 8th, 2009 at 11:47 am
I don’t think I agree with you on this one. The truth will be told in the next day or two regarding Lerner’s statements. I think it is justifiable to get out of the way of this presser to let Mangini talk about football and his experiences and what he is going to try and do. I feel this way ESPECIALLY given the assault that Lerner has been under over the last few months.
I think if Lerner had been there, it would have been a distraction from the point of the press conference.
I will hold out hope that Randy’s statements through channels over the next couple days take care of the rest.
I don’t expect anyone to agree with me by the way. Then again, I also wrote the article “In defense of Randy Lerner” this year. You might think I was related to him or something. I don’t know why I am not more angry with him. I just am not.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Randy is probably afraid of being on camera to accept the Vince Lombardi Trophy, so his solution is to have a team that will never win a Super Bowl.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I lowered my expectations a long time ago, Rick.
Even with Modell bumbling around, this was still a respectable franchise. I’m astounded how Randolph could be so oblivious to what his club has devolved into. It appears he’s content to have taken up residence next to the Al Davises and Mike Browns of the leagues (in terms of “not getting it”, I know he’s not a meddling owner like them, but he’s just as inept.)
As someone who is eager to see ownership of the team change hands, it’s difficult… I want to see the Browns do well, and I can see how Mangini could be a good hire…. but it will be in spite of Randolph’s mismanagement, and not because he’s doing things right. He’s shown no indication that he learns from his mistakes, and any success from a Mangini regime is likely to just extend our pain and suffering as Browns fans, even if that time is punctuated by a playoff appearance here or there.
I’m exasperated. God help us…
January 8th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Assistant Coach/Coordinator Candidates:
-Rob Ryan: commander of one of the NFL’s perennial worst defenses (check the stats)
-Brian Daboll: Rookie Coordinator (again), VERY young and inexperiences
-plenty of ex New England flunkies on the way
GM Candidate:
-George Kokunis: Rookie GM/lack of real direct correlative experience/never had this complexity of responsibilities.
-Personal/close friends with coach/coach effectively selects GM
Organization:
-No President/Chief Executive
-No Infratstructure established, aks Steelers (STILL)
-Randy Lerner makes HC decison……..doomed to fail.
-Seemingly very poor PR capabilities in new “leaders” (they better win…..)
Not acceptable, not this time. Terrible missed opportunities
to do this right. I’ll keep my PSL, sell my seats until such time (and it won’t be long……I can guarantee that with the same absolute certainty I guaranteed the failure of both Savage/Crennel WHEN they were hired) that Randy Lerner moves the team, which is now an inevitability. It’s just a matter of time, and probably a few short years. The NEW owner will clean this mess up……AKA Dan Gilbert when he bought the CAVS.
PS-Mangini should lighten up on the pasta and remove the deer from his headlights. This is an abysmal failure of epic proportion.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:59 am
PS #2:
Name me another team that would have somone come out and introduce themselves as the President of the team and acknowledge that most of you have never seen nor heard him before.
This is ALL on Randy Lerner……why anyone here can feel confident given who has the gumption to make this decision is placing their loyalties blindly this time. This will fail, and Lerner will be forced personally and professionally to move this team (like he did with MBNA).
January 8th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Randy, what stats do you speak of in the Rob Ryan thoughts. I actually think Oakland’s D was pretty decent given what the team had to work with. They did an awful lot with one LB and one DB.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
As fans, we cant fire the owner can we?
I say we encourage Gilbert to buy the Browns after he wins a title with the cavs…
January 8th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Craig, the man sent out two second year players (Quinn and Thomas) to handle questions from the media regarding the Romeo/Savage firings, for crying out loud. Next to Al Davis’ overhead projector earlier this year, it’s the most ridiculous PR move I can recall seeing from a professional sports franchise. His inability and unwillingness to deal with the media makes the organization look unprofessional at best, and in many cases, laughable. With all the dysfunction of the organization on display to the public, it makes it harder to attract quality talent in all positions. If Randolph doesn’t want to deal with it, then there needs to be somebody in a president-level position to lead… not a Keenan who has to introduce himself to the press because they’ve never been addressed by him before! If anyone can point out to me one single winning organization that handles things the way the way Randolph’s Browns do, I’ll back off this criticism. But until then, I’ll keep pointing out that as long as this continues it is going to be an impediment to our team’s success.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
This raises the possibility that he just picked Mangini because it was easy.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I’m glad I haven’t paid for tickets to a game since 2003. I really regret buying that “Believeland” t-shirt during the 49ers game last season.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I understand that he should have been there and its the principle and whatever, but lets be real, if Mangini ends up being a great hire nobody will care whether or not Lerner was at the press conference.
Oaklands pass defense is usually pretty good, but the talent isn’t there on that defense. Still, one wonders if a more accomplished D-Coordinator was available
January 8th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Scott….here you go:
Here’s some Rob Ryan magic in Oakland.
team– total def –yds pg— rushing rank —rushing yds pg
cle ‘06 –27 —–344.8 ——29 ———–142.2
oak ‘06 –3—— 284.8 ——25———– 134
cle ‘07 –30 —–359.6—— 27———— 129.5
oak ‘07 -22 ——341.6 —–31———— 145.9
cle ‘08 –26 —–356.5—– 28———— 151.9
oak ‘08 -27—– 360.9 ——31———– 159.7
Keep in mind that Ryan inherited the players/schematics his first year, it’s been absurdly downhill from there.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
@Craig. I don’t think it’s sound to argue that Lerner’s presence would have been a distraction. On the contrary, the fact that he wasn’t at the press conference has become an even *bigger* distraction b/c now Browns fans are preoccupied with trying to understand his inscrutable motives.
Point blank: The Browns are a money-maker for Lerner; Aston Villa is his passion. Forgive me if I’m tired of people treating Cleveland like a second class (sports) town, including the owner of our football team. Something is just structurally wrong w/ this organization right now. Winning will ameliorate it, of course, but we’re going to have to win big and win consistently to erase suspicions and distrust about Lerner.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Mr. Mangini, will you be flexible enough to evaluate your talent before determining whether you will be a 34 or 43 defense?
Mangini: NO
January 8th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I wholeheartedly agree, Rick. I like the fact Lerner is not an egomaniac like some other owners, but there are times he needs to be in the forefront and today is a no-brainer.
Regardless, I think he made the right decision with Mangini. Something tells me this is going to work out. (Of course, that could just be my blind hope and desire that the Browns will be a consistent winner again.)
January 8th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I guess I’m the only one ok with this hiring. Chalk it up to being a Browns fan….*sigh*
January 8th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Wow, talk about crazy. Bill Rhoden tries to make the case that Mangini’s move to the Browns was orchestrated:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/sports/football/08rhoden.html?_r=1
@Jay – no, you’re absolutely not the only one who’s OK with this hiring. It’s just that a lot of us are concerned with the systemic problems with the organization. Mangini may work, but he does nothing to address the deeper problems… it’s akin to treating cancer with a bandaid.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
give me a freaking break. If he was in front of the camera all the time you would be bitching that he’s turning into the next Al Davis or Jerry Jones. I could care less if i see him or not. To say he doesn’t care and this is only a money maker just because he doesn’t wanna be involved in press conferences is being a bit short sited if you ask me.
nitpick more.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I am okay with the Browns running a 3-4 since it is the defense that Mangini knows very well. Having him try and set up a 4-3 woud be the whole square peg, round hole issue.
Oakland can’t stop the run, but look at what Al Davis has provided them. Who do they have on the d-line? That’s not Ryan’s fault.
People need to calm down and give things a chance. The season doesn’t even start for 7 months. No sense in getting your blood pressure all out of whack now over it.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I am not surprised he didn’t speak, or even introduce Mangini…but to not even attend, smile and waive?
ESPECIALLY because this was his hand-picked guy…
January 8th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
mj-thank you, well put!
January 8th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
#24, “…woud be the whole square peg, round hole issue.”
As opposed to, say, trying to run a defense for which you simply don’t have the personnel??
To me, a good head coach schemes and gameplans to his strengths. The LBs are NOT a strength of this defense, and that is what a 3-4 is predicated upon.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Further, you don’t rise to the level of a d-coordinator in the NFL without some cursory understanding of the 4-3 defense. I mean, it’s only THE BASE DEFENSE IN FOOTBALL. You’re telling me he can’t figure out how to scheme a 4-3??
I will go on record right now: this is going to fail. I will be happy to be proven wrong, but to me this is like breaking up with your girlfriend only to then ask out her twin sister. It’s the same crap over and over again. Why would you expect different results??
January 8th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
As Browns fans, I am pretty sure we are all delusional. Randy is much more interested in his futbol team than his football team. There is no way in the world things are going to change anytime soon. He made the wrong call by not showing up to the press conference. That’s inexcusable, especially since this was his call. As a business owner, you need to sometime explain you actions to your investors, this is no different here. He is not the guy to own this football team.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
@DP – I recall hearing an interview with Sam Rutigliano, and he was asked why some years he ran a 4-3 and other years it was a 3-4.
His answer was he ran the scheme which fit his personnel at the time.
Still seems like the right answer to me. Like you, I’m perplexed…
January 8th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
DP-well said, thank you!
January 8th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Yes. It must have been an exhaustive ONE WEEK…
January 8th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
You know, being a Browns fan on the west coast, I’ve seen enough Raiders games on local TV here to know Rob Ryan is a horrible coordinator. Watching them play, their late game meltdowns at the beginning of the year was due to Rob Ryan, who was calling the defensive plays under orders from Al Davis. If the Browns hire him in any capacity, I’d guarantee they’d be lucky to achieve 6-10. However, I could be proven wrong.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
We dont have the personnel for a 4-3 either. In fact, I would say we are closer to having a 3-4 at this point. All we need is 1 or 2 good LB’s from free agency or the draft. For the 4-3 we need a 2 DE’s a MLB and maybe an OLB. Our current LB’s are undersized for the 4-3.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Here’s one thing I’m willing to hold off judgment on:
One of the biggest problems I had with Romeo’s tenure was the LACK OF DEVELOPMENT of young players, be it from an unwillingness to play them (Harrison, et al), or a lack of physical and mental progression (Wimbley). If this is something that Mangini can bring to the table, it would be a most welcome addition. Here’s hoping he can sit down at Wimbley’s locker and say something like, “You know, Kam, if you learned a simple inside spin move, your speed rush would be twice as effective.”
Anyone have the free time to look at the Jets’ drafts under Mangini and how those players have fared?
January 8th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I would just like to ask anyone what is the strength of our defense if not the LBs? I know they arent good, but the only linemen that did anything this year was shaun, and he seems to work the 3-4 well. I think the first draft pick will change the strength, because it will either be a DE, making the browns run a 4-3, or a LB where obviously they would go 3-4. I personally think the 3-4 is more versatile when you have the right schemes that we didnt have under romeo and tucker. As for Mangini, I agree with whoever said this may work out but for all the wrong reasons. I wouldnt have a problem if they went through and got a front office and hired Mangini, you know take some time. but the rushing into the hiring isnt right, and Kokinis essentially gets the job off of word from Mangini.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
If Randy was such a Browns fan like he claims, he would sell the team to someone who knows what they’re doing.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
@ DP – I too would like to see the 4-3, but Mangini didn’t rule out showing 4-3 looks, he just is going to operate a 3-4 base defense. I you look at the Jets last year they do run defensive looks w/ 4 down lineman.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Boomhauer:
Mr. Lerner’s ego got in the way…hard to imagine from a guy who won’t appear in front of a camera……but, make no mistake-Lerner’s stubborn stance on making this selection himself without NFL consultation shows just how large his cranium is. He thinks he’s doing the right thing and that he’ll prove it to you.
He’s a beancounter. Anyone ever see what happens when a beancounter mixes strategy and PR with process? Hard to see it now, but he’s too arrogant and his ego too outsized to build a real NFL organization and work the process from the inside out. Book it-this seals his eventual fate and he will be forced out of town in a matter of a few short years.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Heckert pulled out? Is anyone else slightly concerned that every legitimate GM prospect has nixed coming to the Browns? I like how Mangini said in his press conference he “hope we’re able to land Kokinis” for GM. We haven’t even interviewed the guy yet and he already has the job, because NO ONE ELSE WANTS IT!!!! Crap was Mangini the only one who wanted to coach here? Cowher:no. Marty:no. Shanahan:no. Spags:no. anyone? ANYONE?? I think that’s the best way of evaluating Randy Lerner as an owner. Who wants to work for the guy? The list seems short, and getting shorter.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I like the choice of Mangini. However as stated numerous times, here by me – “The Randolph” is completely out of his league.
If you were the CEO of a close to $600 MILLION company, wouldn’t you explain the choice of your new president to the board and shareholders? Of course, just not Randy. Nor would you as a board ever hire Randy to operate a Rite Aid store, let alone a major company.
Success by the Browns and Mangini will be in spite of “The Randolph”, not because of him.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Randy Lerner, born on 3rd base, thinks he got a triple.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
@DP: Well, two of his last three picks have been top six (Ferguson, Gholston) who have relatively flopped. I like Revis, for the most part but they traded a pick to Carolina which ended up being Jon Beason – very Browns-like considering Ngata…
Kellen Clemens, Anthony Schlaegel… Guh.
David Harris is solid. But he’s from Michigan
January 8th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
@DP-
It isn’t pretty as far as the draft picks goes.
Best- Nick Mangold 1st round in ‘06 and Darelle Revis 1st round ‘07
D-Brickshaw Furguson was the top choice in ‘06, and he hasn’t been much more than mediocre since coming into the league.
Here are the top 4 picks from each year-
‘06 Ferguson, Mangold, Kellen Clemens (bust) and Anthony Schlegel (bust)
‘07 Revis, David Harris, Jacob Bender, Chansi Stuckey
‘08 Vernon Gholston (approaching bust status) Dustin Keller, Dwight Lowery, Erik Ainge
Of those 12 picks, 3 are starters for the Jets.
January 8th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I happen to love Leon Washington (he is one of the hardest workers and most explosive players in the NFL) and his recent comments on Mangini give me hope:
“I am really happy for Coach Mangini,” Washington said in the e-mail. “I learned so much from him while he had his tenure with the Jets. His hardworking, selfless and competitive approach really helped me. … The Browns got themselves a really good coach.”
January 8th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
As far as owner models, i thought Dick Jacobs was great: put the right people in place, terrorize them from behind the scenes when necessary but never undermine them in public, write the big checks and give an interview once a year so the fans don’t think you are some sort of Howard Hughes weirdo. Somehow I think Lerner wants to be that guy, and I think that’s whet his father also aspired to be. But to be that guy you have to FIRST HAVE THE ORGANIZATION IN PLACE. Jacobs hired Hank Peters, who tutored Hart, who became the guy overseeing the manager, assuring us that the manager was the right guy, the players were right, the new stadium was coming, etc. When the owner hires the coach first, we fans- waiting to throw more of our precious money, time and love at this stupid team- suspect that Lerner, with zero football knowledge, hired the first guy who gave him a good interview and he wants this whole public thing to just go away and for people to leave him alone already. If the president is a business guy, and Mangini picks the GM, who will be watching Mangini? Lerner. Which means he’ll look up again if/when he hears fans screaming from across the pond. As he did with Savage, Lerner is tossing the keys to the whole operation over to another thirty-something with no one watching him or guiding him. If it works, we will have been lucky, but this is not a recipe for organizational success.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I’m a fan and defender of Randy Lerner, but not showing up for this presser was pretty dumb. I agree 1000% that there is only one single time where we as paying fans need to see Randy, and that’s when he hires a new coach or GM.
Does he have some kind of speech impediment or something? A flesh eating virus maybe? It’s just weird.
Anyways, looks like most of you guys are pretty pissed at the Magnini hire. Let’s see what the guy’s about first?
January 8th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I’m definately not pissed about the Mangini hire, I think the guy is one of the better available coaching options out there, I am definately pissed about the coach before GM hire. Mangini is basically picking his own boss in Kikonis. How many times do you think he’s going to disagree with Mangini when he owes his job to him? It’s basically a Butch Davis type situation all over again. No discussion about anything, Mangini’s word is law, execute or be executed because he’s the owners darling boy. Thats why no GM wants to interview here, because they basically know they’re just a lame duck, kind of like being coach of the Raiders. You’re there only because Al Davis isn’t on the field directly. It’s just ridiculous that this organization can’t hire a couple of people with some actual football knowledge who can sit around, talk, debate, and figure out whats best for the team collectively. And just to bring it up, who the hell is going to run the draft?!? Is Mangini going to tell Kokinis who he wants drafted? Kokinis never ran a college draft, is Mangini a college scout? It just seems bad, it really seems like the organization is not set up how a real winning organization is. We have all of our eggs in Mangini’s basket, and I think thats too much responcibility for him. I’d rather have someone thats his equal checking and balancing the system, instead of the dictator type regime thats being set up.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
The Randolph wasn’t there… no Browns GM there…
But the Indians GM was there! (just heard on WTAM.) Does that count for anything? =-)
(NOT a slam on Shapiro, I’m a huge fan. And yes, I am aware they are brothers-in-law.)
January 8th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I can probably guess why Randy wasn’t there. Along with the Browns he owns Aston Villa F.C. of the Barclays Premier League in England, this season they have been in good form and I feel that he has shifter the majority of his interest towards the soccer team. If he wishes to do so, that’s entirely in his power, but if the Browns aren’t his number one priority then he should sell the club.
January 8th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Did you guys forget, he inherited this team! The man does not like to speak to the Media, because the way the media portrayed his father and now him. DO YOU BLAME HIM!
January 8th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Lerner was on the radio defending his hiring, according to profootballtalk.com. The link to that story is here:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/01/08/lerner-talks-about-mangini-hire/
Here is one of the most confusing quotes ever from ced interview:
Lerner also explained the decision to hire a head coach before hiring a G.M. as follows: “Typically, if you have a long-standing head coach that has been part of the continuity of an organization . . . that guy would take a leadership role in hiring,” Lerner said. “In our situation, we don’t have that person.”
What a complete idiot… no one in their right mind will be our gm now. I wonder what the browns players think of this situation??
January 8th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
@Jeremy – what are you suggesting about how the media portrayed he and his father? I think you are creating a phantom grudge – the media has been far from harsh on both Lerners. And even if it were true that the media *had* been unfavorable towards he and his father, why would you carry out a vendetta against the media by avoiding talking to your fans? Please don’t try to excuse Lerner’s behavior, which is more likely the result of a confluence of nepotism, disinterest, distractedness, lack of business savvy, and lack of passion.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Here’s where I’m at on the whole situation: Mangini took a worthless team and made them a 10 win team in one season. Two of his 3 seasons yielded winning records. He began his career in Cleveland. He really seems adamant (sp?) about wanting to turn this franchise around, and the city’s feelings for the franchise as well. I’m going on record as being Pro-Mangini. (Feel free to ridicule me in 3 years when we fire him and start this whole process over again-lol.)
January 8th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
A phantom grudge hmm? The topic of this article is about Randy dropping the ball. If you remember it was the media that played on the fact that Al Lerner helped Art Modell rip the team from Cleveland and in a little article on the last page mentioned that he was the person that lobbied the NFL and the owners to keep the name and team in Cleveland. Also by listening to KNR about Randy talking to the media, he stated that he doesn’t feel comfortable talking in front of the media. Just because he is an owner of Browns doesn’t mean that he owe us some imaginary courtesy. Business savy is probably one of his best attributes, when is the last time any of us sold our shares and walked away with $2.2 Billion dollars.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Talk about selective memory, Jeremy.
Regarding Lerner’s role in helping Modell move, that wasn’t a media creation, it’s just what happened, and the media reported it. And Al was heralded and praised when he returned to own the new Browns. I don’t recall any grudge by the media against him.
As for Randy’s business savvy… I’d remind you that Al’s first job was working in a furniture store. Al built the largest credit card company in the country from the ground up. The only thing The Randolph did was inherit the MBNA shares, along with the Browns. Not how I would define savvy, but whatever you say…
January 8th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Just to add, Jeremy, Randolph talking to the media isn’t a courtesy, and it’s not owed. It’s called public relations, and the Browns, under The Randolph, suck at it. If he recognizes that it doesn’t suit him, it is in the best interests of his business to hire somebody who is good at it. That would indicate business savvy… not being fortunate enough to be an heir.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
While Randy was born into a great position, he is a very intelligent and well school man who was very involved in the success of MBNA. Actually Randy was a chairman with MBNA and a chief member of the board. Al was a very smart business man that help grow the company with a $100 thousand dollar investment, but the company was in business before Al, it was a division of Maryland Bank National Association. It was actually Charles Cawley that ran MBNA and help make it what it was. As far as public relations, the browns have a PR department, the nightmares we experienced this year were taken care of by Randy when he let Romeo and Phil go and since they came back the only nightmares we focus on now are the most recent! Call it bad luck or what every you want the Browns have had bad PR before Randy and most likely after Randy as well, it’s just not right to blame Randy for everything just because he chooses not to talk to the media as much as we fans want.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Just to add, mj. “Mangini was introduced by team President Mike Keenan” and Last Time I checked Randy did sign his paychecks.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Come on, now. Keenan had to *introduce* himself to the press because he’d never had any interaction with them before. Another symptom of their PR problem.
Randy signs Brady Quinn’s and Joe Thomas’ paychecks too. Maybe one of them should have introduced Mangini today? I mean, they were sent out to field questions from the media as to Romeo’s firing last week. Brilliant PR move that was… maybe the janitor was out sick?
As for Al’s history with MBNA, I glossed over it, yes, but there was that whole thing with Equitable Bancorp, which he merged with MBNA (or was it it still MNC at that time? My memory is fuzzy) and got him the chairman’s seat, while Cawley stayed on as president, IIRC. Randolph was “savvy” enough to be his son, and like you point out, did well in school and got a great education. He may have gotten a seat on the board without his dad, or accumulated all those shares without his dad’s maneuverings in the ’80s, maybe he’d have even bought an NFL team on his own… but I’ll maintain his dad was the savvy one, and Randolph got the spoils.
And for the record, I don’t blame Randolph for “not talking to the media as much as we fans want.” I blame him for making poor decisions, not learning from them, refusing to recognize his deficiencies and thus not addressing them, and basically running a joke of an organization that would hardly make his father proud. His poor PR skills are just one small symptom of much deeper problem.
Obviously we don’t see it the same way… but until Randolph does something right with this organization, I’ll continue to call it like I see it, and right now I see something that would embarrass his father.
January 9th, 2009 at 7:08 am
M-right on……I’d love to buy you a beverage!
January 9th, 2009 at 7:09 am
I mean MJ!!
January 9th, 2009 at 9:54 am
@ Jeremy
“Randy was a chairman with MBNA and a chief member of the board. Al was a very smart business man that help grow the company with a $100 thousand dollar investment”
Randy’s only success at MBNA was selling it to Bank of America at a premium. His impact was minor as he was only a board member with no impact on day-to-day operations.
His father invested and helped the spin-off into sole-standing MBNA. He encouraged the hiring of key personnel who turned it into a hugely successful business. I don’t recall any media grudge against Mr. Lerner. In fact, I think he played the media, not the other way around, using the city’s thirst for a football team to sidestep a few initial errors in establishing the Browns.
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
[...] President Mike Keenan – now famous from the Eric Mangini press conference – had the following to say: “It was a very challenging day for the Browns organization and [...]