This is an interesting, multi-faceted question that definitely has been asked amongst Browns fans everywhere. Many have their own opinions and ideas which makes this such an interesting segment. I’m sure A.J. and I will agree and disagree in a few different areas. But first, let us start at the top with Team President Mike Holmgren.

 Mike Holmgren 

Former coach and current Browns President Mike Holmgren had done both positive, and negative things as the “top dog” of the Browns so far. First let me say I am glad to have someone who knows football in the position that Holmgren is in. He not only is Team President, but with owner Randy Lerner essentially a “hands off” owner Holmgren as served as the team’s mouthpiece in league and owner decisions. This has been missing since the passing of Randy’s father Al who was the one that brought the team back into the NFL. This was his father’s dream, not his, so having Holmgren’s presence in that capacity is nothing but a benefit.

As Team President I think he is much more visible than he should be. This may be a different answer than most, but I believe in the General Manager and Coaching staff should take on the front line known as the media, not the Team President. So in this capacity I feel Holmgren is “overstepped” his job description just a touch. How many other league Team Presidents do we hear from on a regular basis more than Holmgren? The answer is none.

As to his actual role I feel that Holmgren is the right man at the right time. He has turned around the front office and has shown in his previous places of employment like Seattle and Green Bay (although a head coach and pseudo GM) he has the necessary experience to accomplish what we want to here in Cleveland. He has made mistakes such as the whole “Colt McCoy debacle” that we have seen this offseason along with the premature firing of coach Eric Mangini, but on the whole, I do feel the organization is moving in the right direction.

As for General Manager Tom Heckert is concerned, I think of him as nothing less than a genius. If you look at his draft history overall, but especially here in Cleveland Heckert has had very few misses and quite a few late round and undrafted victories. As far as the top of his Drafting strategy here in Cleveland (Although it may drive some crazy) He has hit the nail on the head every time. It may be too early to tell if these selections are Hall of Fame or Pro Bowl bound, but I am satisfied with their performance and progress. Basically if I had to fire all but one person in the Browns front office I would keep Tom Heckert.

 Then you come to Head Coach Pat Shurmur. I have not been kind to him overall in stating that the man is not what I would call “entertaining”. He appears to be rather dull and “at times” lost. To put it this way, if Pat Shurmur was President of the United States, his Secret Service code name would be “Pat Shurmur”. But we all know why he is here. He is the handpicked successor of Team President Mike Holmgren. He will do what Holmgren wants as far as offensive philosophy and will not rock the boat within in the building. The jury is still out for me on whether he can be the head coach we want or need, but previous success he has had in the league suggest he is capable, aware, and well trained. The question is can that translate into a great head coach? I don’t have an answer……..yet.

Very mixed feelings here. The excitement when Holmgren came to Cleveland was intense as we finally had that "football man" to lead the Browns out of the bargain basement of the NFL. This new found hope was based on Holmgrens past, that past being a well respected and effective "coach", not a GM or team president. Throw in a dash of the "quarterback guru" and it is easy to understand the excitement felt by the Cleveland fan base--finally someone to "coach" this team to victory and mold our quarterback of the future. The problem--Holmgren is not the head coach, nor is he on the field grooming Clevelands newest QB. Holmgren has hand picked his head coach, assistants and without a doubt has had input in the draft, he now needs to sit back and allow his chosen to "do their jobs"--to many cooks spoil the meal. Holmgren said he had a plan, surely that plan included competent coaches to mold this team into something other than the dysfunctional examples of the past. If there is such a plan he needs to let this plan unfold and we as fans need to give it the time to do so.

Holmgrens time in Cleveland will be judged by the win/loss column, however it should be judged based on those he chose to improve the win/loss column.

If there is anyone in the Browns brain trust that I feel has improved the status of the Browns  it is General Manager Tom Heckert. Regardless of the criticism Heckert receives from so-called Draft Gurus he has performed very well. Heckert reminds me of that "stone faced" poker player you see so often in those old westerns--the one that doesn't even smile when he takes your money! Naturraly the performance of these rookie draft picks remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain. Heckert, via the draft has added a ton of hope to a starving fanbase. I actually look forward to the draft--just to see what "pokerface Tom" is going to do next!

I truly hope that I am wrong about Shurmur, so wrong that in years to come I receive tons of comments letting me know I was wrong. I like Shurmur, he is probably a swell guy with a huge heart, however I think he is the weak link in the Holmgren chain!

We've heard all the excuses, no off-season, new this and new that and on and on, excuses that every team faced. Holmgren handpicked Shurmur, a former Offensive Coordinator to be head coach. Shurmur, as Michael Youngman puts it "seems lost"--so lost that he (former OC and present HC) does not know his fullback is injured and not in the game. Unfair? How about the ultra conservative play-calling and of course the Browns defense playing "patty-cake" while the Bengals launch an air attack--no off-season caused that? Colt McCoy horizontal four feet off the ground like a busted pinata and no-one saw it? No--the performance of the team on the field is a reflection of the head coach and that reflection at this point in time suggests--dysfunctional!

I truly hope I have to eat my words concerning Shurmur, however at this point I see Shurmur as little more than the "fall guy" if Holmgrens 5 year plan collapses!