Browns need to hire right ‘czar’

BEREA - There are plenty of reasons to be a contrarian when looking at the Browns' pursuit of Mike Holmgren.

For starters, when have the Browns made any decision that turned out well? Carmen Policy bringing in Dwight Clark to direct football operations in 1999? You get the point.

Randy Lerner hasn't put down an impressive track record in his short tenure as the owner. The fact that former general manager Phil Savage is currently the radio color analyst for University of Alabama football doesn't say much about Lerner's gut feel for hiring decisions.

Now comes the wining and dining of Holmgren, who wants to return to the NFL after a one-year hiatus following his departure as coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Holmgren spent the better part of two days talking to team executives this week, but he went home without a contract and perhaps waiting for other suitors.

"We had a productive meeting over the course of a couple days," said Bill Bonsiewicz, Browns vice-president of communications. "We agreed to communicate again in the coming days. I can tell you the one thing we have not discussed to this point is money."

On the surface the courtship might excite fans who want a credible, strong person leading the way, but no one should get carried away with excitement. The Browns have been known to hire people that other teams didn't want, or they were forced to hire someone that wasn't on the top of their most-wanted list.

When the search began for the coach to lead the expansion Browns into the 1999 season, Chris Palmer, who eventually got the job, was far down on the list. Holmgren's name was mentioned at the time. Steve Mariucci was considered to be a prime target because of his affiliation with Policy in San Francisco.

Brian Billick interviewed for the job, but he wisely decided that the Baltimore Ravens were a better alternative. It might have had something to do with linebacker Ray Lewis and offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden being part of a team that was destined to win a Super Bowl.

When Butch Davis left as the all-powerful coach in 2004, Lerner wanted to hire Tim Ruskell as general manager. Ruskell saw better times ahead in Seattle and accepted a post with the Seahawks.

Shortly after Savage was fired by the Browns earlier this year, Lerner's first interview was with Scott Pioli, who was a hot commodity from his long association with Bill Belichick. Lerner then interviewed Eric Mangini for the coaching opening, which caused Pioli to split the scene and accept a post with the Kansas City Chiefs.

A lot has happened in recent weeks to give legitimate pause to a giddy pursuit of Holmgren. In case no one has noticed, the Washington Redskins sent general manager Vinny Cerrato packing on Thursday, and then hired Bruce Allen the same day.

There was conjecture that Holmgren might get an interview with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, but that never came close to happening.

Numerous NFL analysts have speculated that Holmgren will return to the Seahawks, who recently parted ways with Ruskell. The problem is that the Seahawks don't seem to be in a hurry to give Holmgren the $8 to $10 million a year that he reportedly commands.

By all indications, the Browns are Holmgren's only serious option at this time. Does it mean that they are again getting the second or third best in the line of "czars," evoking memories of the coaching search that led to Palmer's arrival.

It's not a certainty that Holmgren will get the job. The Browns have to adhere to the Rooney Rule, which states that teams must interview at least one minority candidate when searching for a coach or high-level executive.

"We're aware of the Rooney Rule and have been in contact with the league office about it," Bonsiewicz said.

Holmgren might very well be the right man at the right time for a franchise that's done very little right since 1999. He coached the Green Bay Packers and Seahawks to the Super Bowl, taking home the Lombardi Trophy in the 1996 season with the Packers.

Holmgren's track record as a general manager is less appealing. He tasted the explosive cocktail of handling GM and coaching duties with the Seahawks, but it didn't work well. Management eventually forced him to give up the GM role and concentrate exclusively on coaching.

You'd have to think that Holmgren's wealth of football knowledge would surface when handling a singular role with the Browns. Then again, considering what's transpired in the past with the organization, it's only fair to be wary.

Jump on board the Holmgren train if you want, but fasten your seat belt. There are no assurances that the ride will be smooth.

mmclain@tribtoday.com