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Let me get this out of the way. What follows is my opinion. It is not the opinion of all the writers at WFNY I am sure.
I said yesterday that we needed to allow time before passing judgment on Jim Tressel and this incident. The University, specifically President Gee and AD Gene Smith have now spoken. So has Jim Tressel. Self-imposed sanctions have been offered.
In what the media has deemed the “new era of the Cleveland Browns,” general manager Tom Heckert was introduced along side president Mike Holmgren, head coach Eric Mangini and newly hired executive vice president of business administration Bryan Wiedmeier.
“Being with the Browns is special,” said Heckert. “My first NFL experience was here with my dad. Hopefully my last experience is here, too.”
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“Finally – FINALLY! – after 11 long years of the long-suffering expansion era, these new Browns have someone who is able to espouse a message, is allowed to do so, is willing to do so, and is very, very good at it. Forget, for a moment, the need for the Browns to find a quarterback, a go-to veteran wide receiver, a shutdown cornerback to go along with Eric Wright, and a big-time tight end who can play at least a little bit like Ozzie Newsome and be a good citizen like him as well. All that is for down the road.
But right now – right now – the Browns have something more important than that in the big picture in new team president Mike Holmgren. He speaks English. He’s not condescending. He doesn’t mumble. He doesn’t give an answer to a question that wasn’t asked. He smiles. He jokes. He laughs. He speaks loud enough for those of us with hearing problems to be able to understand. He has a personality. He’s honest and forthright.
Can we clone this guy?” [Steve King/The OBR (S/R)]
On what was an off day for both Cleveland in-season teams, the big news of Monday was the conference call with newly crowned President of Football Operations Mike Holmgren and the media members that will be following his every move for the next five years. In what was approximately 30 minutes of questions and answers, Holmgren discussed everything from the top down. But did he?
The general consensus following yesterday’s press conference resides more on the side of, “Holmgren spoke, but didn’t say anything.” This is mostly due to open-ended answers that should have been anticipated by all given that the season still has one week left. However, when Randy Lerner and Holmgren agreed to terms on week 14, the team was at least aware that getting Holmgren in front of the media – albeit via an informal medium – was the best thing to do. [Read more...]
This surely wasn’t your father’s press conference.
From the second that the seven-footer walked in to the gym, you could tell that this was not going to be your typical introduction. Not only was it standing room only, there was just an aura that there were going to be some pretty good takeaways regardless of context. And it is pretty safe to say that no one left Cleveland Clinic Courts let down.
Seated exactly two rows behind Shauie O’Neal, I awaited the arrival of her husband – and one of the newest members of the Cleveland Cavaliers – Shaquille. St. Martin de Porres Family Center was kind enough to send their summer camp kids to the press conference, and his entrance was one of immediate fan fair as he high-fived every one of the children down a line, making his way to the stage.
The Plain Dealer has a great shot of the entrance here. And this was only the tip of the image (and soundbite) iceberg. [Read more...]
Well, we had the live blog here. It didn’t go as well as planned due to some firewall-based technical issues. Then we put up a quick poll here to get a gauge for what your off-the-cuff feelings were following the conference. And now, I take it upon myself to grade the approximately 40 minutes of questions and answers that we saw come from today’s introduction of our new general manager.
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.
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