Jimmy Haslam Learns Fast

Will Burge of the Bleacher Report wrote a nice piece on the possibility that the Browns could be turning things around after the latest coaching and front office moves.

He's right about the national perception of the organization to date: a mess.

But a number of the guys on NFL Radio (Bill Polian, Pat Kirwan, Gil Brandt et al) have been more positive recently, as have other objective experts who've taken the time to actually do any homework.

I need to point out something that's been missed elsewhere: Jimmy Haslam only bought the team one season ago.  He's not Randy Lerner. 

Despite Ross Tucker's opinion to the contrary, Banner was fixed up with him by the league, and Mike Lombardi was Banner's choice.  Will Burge is wrong in repeating that Banner was reviled throughout the league.  He was highly respected as a negotiator and cap guy.

His baggage came as the result of his conflict with Andy Reid, as Banner did what he did with Chud and monkeyed around with the roster.

But no, Jimmy didn't know him and didn't seek him out.  He accepted the league's best advice and took on a team of what he felt were professionals.

After what Reid did in KC (substantially with Ray Farmer's people, by the way) and the internal issues with Banner here...after his first season as an NFL owner...after consulting people like Bill Parcells and others...he decided he'd made a mistake and didn't screw around about correcting it.

That's not dysfunctional on his part.  That's a guy who learns and adapts quickly, isn't afraid to admit he was wrong, and doesn't waste time fixing it once he is sure it needs fixing.

I don't care about the timing of it.  He hadn't made up his mind yet.  He needed to be certain he was not about to make a second mistake.  HE was in on the Pettine interviews, and I believe that he is the one who said "The hell with the other guys.  Hire him."

And Pettine himself was right about Haslam's inquiry into Harbaugh.  For a second rounder are you kidding me?  Where do I sign?  What part of that is dysfunctional are you out of your damn mind?

I really like Pettine. because he gets that and doesn't let his ego get in the way of his thinking.

I think many NFL free agents and their agents are smart enough to see the positives of this front office and team going forward.  Unfortunately, the shallow national perception of the team gives them leverage, and they will use it to demand some additional premium to come here.  That's just business.

Joe Banner wouldn't pay it.  Haslam knew it.  Alex Mack was on his way out.  Jimmy knew that too.

Firing Banner was just business too.