The Holmgren Situation

So far this week we’ve had the Shurmur situation, the Hillis situation, and the Cribbs situation.  Now we’ve got the Holmgren situation.

Just to get you up to speed if you missed it:

Mike Holmgren broke his silence today as he spoke to Mitch in the Morning on KJR 950 in Seattle.  Here’s what he said…

Mitch: How long you going to do this?  In 10 years are you going to be the President of the Cleveland Browns?

Holmgren: Well, you know it’s hard to tell for sure.  I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be 10 years.  We still have our home in Seattle.  The kids are there.  The grandkids are there.  I don’t think they’re going to be moving anytime soon.  Our vision is to get back into that area at some point.  Exactly when that is?  I’d like to see improvement here and lay the foundation here so that they can feel good about their team again before I make any changes.

Source:  http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/2011/10/holmgren-speaks-to-seattle-radio-station/

Holmgren’s choice of pronouns, specifically his use of “they/them”,  has caused some folks heads to explode.  Some fans now feel that Holmgren insulted them by not pledging his allegiance through the use of “we” and “our” team.

This is further fueled by a Cleveland media that is angry because Holmgren threw a bone to a Seattle station after claiming to be unavailable to the local media.  This coupled with the pronoun thing makes them feel that Holmgren is just collecting a paycheck and has no investment in the team.

NEWSFLASH:  MIKE HOLMGREN IS GETTING PAID A SALARY TO DO A JOB.  HE IS COLLECTING A PAYCHECK.  HE IS ALSO DOING A GOOD JOB.

Mike Holmgren is not from Cleveland.  As much as you’d love to have him bleed orange and brown, he’s not going to do it.  But does it matter?

As much of a mess this team is now, the team is making progress.  Look at the number of players that are under 3 years experience that are playing and making an impact.

I don’t understand what people want from Mike Holmgren.  It sounds from the airwaves that they expected him to be like them,  a die-hard fan.  Well, if you haven’t noticed, die-hard fans do not often make very good general managers.  That’s why they don’t take a public vote on what to do.  Fans make irrational and reactionary decisions.  General Managers and Team Presidents do not.  Front office people do whatever is in the best interest of the team not what is most popular.

Look at Dan Gilbert.  He’s passionate about his team and sent  out a reactionary letter and got crucified for it.  I’ve heard people refer to him as TMLP (the meddling little prick).  When an owner is passionate, they say they don’t want that.  But with the Browns, they do?

Mike Holmgren is a hired gun.  You didn’t see him volunteer for the job.  He’s not being paid in gum.  He is well compensated ($10 mil/yr) to right the franchise.  If you feel he is not doing that, grill him for that.  Don’t grill him because he is over 60 years old and doesn’t know if he’ll be here for another 10 years and would like to eventually return to Seattle where is family and friends are.  Holmgren said that he wanted to get this thing on the right track before he stepped down.  He previously said that he would stay until the job is done.  He’s not backing off, he’s reaffirming that he wants to leave the Browns in a better position than when he got here.

The other problem is people are taking what he said out of context.  The very next response is a “we/us” response.  He is not a fan, but he is a member of this team.  As such, he wants to succeed and that is all you can expect.  This is a business and a career for the folks at the Browns.  They don’t do it for free.  They come to work and try to accomplish their goals.  At the end of the day, they go home and spend time with their families.

People need to cut the guy some slack.  He is here.  He has the most functional and organized front office since before 1999.  There are a ton of questions about where exactly we are on the path to winning a Super Bowl, but at least I feel confident that the team is at least on the right path.  Pat Shurmur is an unknown through FIVE games but the last two drafts are the best since….the 80’s?

Finally, don’t think that I’m giving the front office a pass because I am not.  As I said, plenty of questions remain and there are plenty of chances for this thing to go off track.  All I am saying is that to crucify a guy who doesn’t include himself in the fanbase is a bit overboard.

QUICK HITTERS:

On Josh Cribbs – He wants to be more involved on special teams.  Great.  Go for it.  Just don’t get hurt.  I understand your frustration.  If your coach/quarterback did more to get you involved on offense, maybe you’d be less inclined to go back to that role.  But since they’re not doing that, have at it.

On the Trade Deadline – Very few trades happen in the NFL.  The ones that do are generally lopsided (see e.g. Oakland-Cincinnati) or don’t work (see e.g. Detroit-Philadelphia).  Don’t get upset that the Browns stood pat.  The only argument I would listen to for even a second would be that if the Browns had no interest in resigning Hillis, why not move him?  Three answers: (1) who else is going to run the ball if Hardesty gets hurt? (2) Would you be satisfied with a 6th or 7th rounder for him? (3) Nobody wanted him.  Get over it.

On the Palmer trade – My friends in Cincinnati are going crazy.  They think they won the lottery by trading a fading/aging Carson Palmer for a 1st and a 1st (or 2nd) round picks.  Congratulations.  Now you’ve got two more picks to screw up.

On the Cavs – They’re still locked out?  I didn’t notice…  Actually, I do have to say that I really do care and wish they would get this thing started.  Not because I miss the games, because I really don’t, but instead because of all the folks in downtown Cleveland that make a living off people attending Cavs games.  I originally had a cavalier attitude (ha ha) towards the whole thing but after thinking about those poor folks losing jobs and money I’ve changed my tune.  If you’re keeping score at home, I’m voting for the owner’s in this lockout too.