Haslam Blows Up Browns Front Office... Again...

Cleveland Browns over Jimmy Haslam blew things up again...

Browns CEO, Joe Banner and General Manager, Michael Lombardi, are out.
Ray Farmer now takes over... and, according to the owner everyone reports to Haslam now and, once Banner leaves in the next few months, there will be no replacement for that position...

Angry Browns Fan felt this way at Christmas


Haslam released this statement:

"First of all, we wanted to capitalize on the knowledge, experience and character we're fortunate to have in Ray Farmer. Ray has a tremendous football IQ, he's compelling, and he understands the types of players we need to acquire and develop in order to win in Cleveland. He embraces his partnership with Mike Pettine, which is critical in helping build the right team. Ray will provide excellent leadership in our front office.

"We appreciate Joe's contributions to the Cleveland Browns, especially in helping us as new owners. He was committed to creating a successful organization and bringing in talented individuals. We thank him for his work and dedication. We wish him and his family the best.

"Alec will continue in his role as President of this team. I think he's one of the most intelligent and innovative young executives in the NFL.

"We're also grateful for Mike Lombardi's efforts and commitment since rejoining our organization. He is an experienced and creative NFL executive with a unique ability to see the big picture. He has tremendous instincts and I know he'll be a valuable addition to any NFL organization. We simply wanted to give Ray this opportunity that he's earned. We wanted to move forward under his leadership and capabilities.

"The purpose of these moves is to unify our team with one, unequivocal goal: Provide our fans with the winning organization they have long deserved."

Joe Banner released the appropriate statement:

"It is bittersweet leaving the Browns organization. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Jimmy Haslam and helping him set the infrastructure for this franchise. I am proud of the talented individuals we brought in to help lead this team and feel that the Cleveland Browns are in good hands moving forward."

McLovin offers his suggestions to fix the franchise
((HT: Dan Patrick Show))


And, remember, Mike Yearling's idea...

Browns Find a Coach: Mike Pettine Takes Cleveland Job

((ht: cleveland.com/cabot))

So, it appears the Cleveland Browns finally convinced someone to take their head coaching job the last available NFL head coaching job.

That someone would be now former Buffalo Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine

So says well connected Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot:

#Browns have reached a deal with Pettine, source tells http://t.co/o11vJT6fp2
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 23, 2014

Pettine, who's been an NFL coordinator for a couple of teams in his 5-year career would be the 3rd Browns head coach in the past 3-years. The team dumped Rob Chudzinski after one season that they claimed would be a "rebuilding" year.

Since then, the team and owner Jimmy Haslam, tried hard to convince New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and  several others to take the job. None have been interested.

The Browns have struggled to find success over the past several years. It will be interesting to see how Pettine, a coach lacking head coaching experience fares....

Browns Owner Jimmy Haslem Grilled By Cleveland News Reporter

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslem faced the media Monday in the aftermath of firing head coach Rob Chudzinski after only one season.

Haslem was visibly uncomfortable when WOIO-TV news reporter Dan DeRoos read a statement from a Browns fan and asking if he [Haslem] can assure that the Three Stooges aren't running the Browns.

Thanks WOIO-TV

19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports

Judge Approves Pilot Flying J Settlements, More Lawsuits Still Planned

((HT: WBIR-TV))

Pilot Flying J Truck Stops, owned by Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, wants to settle outside court with 8 trucking companies that are filing suit against the company. The company made the motion to settle in an Arkansas federal court. Pilot Flying J wants to resolve the civil suits ahead of the criminal case that awaits them.

Here's what Haslam is offering:

Completely reimbursing the trucking companies
Audit all accounts of trucking companies who received any rebates from the year 2008 on
Promise to pay all customers 100 percent of any money owed- with 6 percent interest
Pay all legal and associated fees and
Allow an independent accountant to go over the company's internal audit

Customers can also opt out if they want

Haslam released a statement today saying in part: "I commend all of these individuals for their hard work and dedication to ensuring our customers are paid back quickly and fairly for any potential discrepancies found in their accounts."

The same federal judge overseeing the case will give the yay or nay in November.

Here's the latest from Knoxville...
Here's the settlement motion, thanks to our friends at WVLT-TV
The eight firms looking to settle are:

National Trucking Financial Reclamation Services, LLC.
Bruce Taylor
Edis Trucking
Jerry Floyd
Mike Campbell
Paul Otto
Townes Trucking, Inc.
R&R Transportation, Inc.

Pilot Flying J is not admitting any wrongdoing or include any punitive damages, and Pilot Flying J says they won't do any more shenanigans with their rebate policy. And it's because the company is not admitting any wrongdoing that some lawyers attached to the class action suit are looking to opt out and file separately...

The HQ is thinking that this is just getting warmed up...

Haslam Announces Pilot Flying J Changes, Not Taking Questions...

((HT: WBIR-TV))

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam decided to give a rather lengthy statement addressing accusations with his truck stop corporation- Pilot/Flying J...

He took no questions and maintains that the actions involving the federal investigation in Knoxville will not effect his activity as the new owner of the Cleveland Browns.

Here's the presser/reading/recounting of the last week of Haslam's life...

The key for Haslam and Pilot/Flying J is to figure out how to address the issues in and around VP/Sales John Freeman- who was heard on tape saying that Haslam knew about the rebate scam that he is accused of holding back from the independent and smaller trucking companies involved in the complaint.

DEVELOPING: Jimmy Haslam Might Be In Big Trouble

((HT: WBIR-TV/Cleveland Plain Dealer, Caniglia))

Business may have picked up for Pilot/Flying J truck stop and Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam- and not in a good way.

Documents filed in federal court maintain that Haslam knew about fraud committed by sales reps who targeted trucking companies through their rebate program. The documents also say that Haslam was present for discussions. Confidential informants were used to gather information against the company starting in 2011.

The 120-page affidavit led to Monday's search warrant on Pilot/Flying J's headquarters. The reps reportedly withheld the rebates to improve the company's bottom line and give the sales department higher commissions.

From Caniglia:

The affidavit makes clear what Haslam knew: "(A confidential informant) further advised that the rebate fraud has occurred with the knowledge of Pilot's current President Mark Hazelwood and Pilot's Chief Executive Officer James A. "Jimmy" Haslam III due to the fact that the rebate fraud-related activities have been discussed during sales meetings in Knoxville, Tenn., in which Hazelwood and Haslam have been present."

Here was the party line from Pilot/Flying J

Browns Owner Haslam Has Flying J Under Investigation

((HT: WBIR-TV))

Pilot/Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam addressed the recent federal investigation into his company this afternoon as the IRS and FBI swirl around his Knoxville headquarters.

Haslam said this has never happened to Pilot/Flying J before and thinks the investigation doesn't involve tax issues. During the press conference, Haslam said his employees "run a tight ship," and the company is conducting its own internal investigation.

He thinks the investigation centers around unpaid rebates- a point Pilot/Flying J disputes...

Eastern District US Attorney Bill Killian confirmed that a total of four search warrants were issued and served to Pilot Flying J, but a spokesperson says it's only two.

Pilot Flying J claims not to know why the investigation continues...

Here's the Haslam presser from this afternoon...

More Reaction From Black Monday: Philly, Cleveland, And Arizona

Here's Jeffrey Lurie's announcement on the dismissal on Andy Reid...
((HT: CSNPhilly))


Sources close to OSG Sports are telling us that the Eagles are interviewing all three coordinators for the Atlanta Falcons- OC Dirk Koetter, DC Mike Nolan, and Special Teams Coordinator Keith Armstrong. Armstrong's interview satsifies the Rooney Rule...

The Cleveland Browns blew it all up- insert conspiracy theories about Tuscaloosa here- and want to take the Steelers mentality that new owner Jimmy Haslam III saw as a minority owner there and install it in Cleveland...
((HT: Newsnet5.com))
Cardinals Team President Michael Bidwill addressed the issue of his team before Week 17 and, finally, answered his own question... ((HT: KTVK-TV)) According to Adam Schefter, Chicago and Arizona are asking for permission to talk to Denver Broncos OC Mike McCoy- and received it.

Stage One Underway For Saban To Browns...? Shurmur and Heckert Going...?

((HT: Cleveland Plain Dealer/ESPN))

There has been talk for the past few weeks that Alabama head coach Nick Saban may have been laying the ground work for his return to the National Football League...

In no order...

In an interview with Dan LeBatard on his radio show in Miami on 790AM The Ticket as recounted by the Sun-Sentinel's Michael Casagrande, Saban apologized for his exit:

Saban acknowledged his conversation with owner Wayne Huizenga in which he said he was leaving was among the hardest he’s ever had.

“That’s always been a thing with me that I’ve never ever really felt good about,” he told LeBatard.

The interview, from the 17th of December, is hyah...

Then, back on the 11th, Coach Saban's wife, Terry (or "Miss Terry" as the coach refers to her) told Kevin Scarbinsky in an interview on 97.3FM in Birmingham:

"A victory does not feel quite as happy, as joyous. It's just relief and let's get ready for the next game. And that's unfortunate...The expectations are at the point now that everyone expects you to win and expects you to win it all."

In the same interview, she endorsed Kirby Smart as a "great fit" to be head coach at Alabama.

So, dear reader... taking those elements into whatever context you want...

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper and the always-plugged in Mary Kay Cabot, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur and GM Tom Heckart are gone as soon as "Black Monday" or "Black Tuesday" next week after the season-ender with the Steelers.

Conventional wisdom has been that new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam III wants "his guys" and "his stamp" on the team. Mike Holmgren's departure was the first part of this transition. Shurmur and Heckart's removal would seem to be Part II.

From Cabot's piece when she got in touch with Shurmur:

"Listen, I get this, and my concerns are for my team and making sure that we do all the right things during the game to give our guys the best chance to win. That's where I'm at. We have not won enough football games, and I know that's the way this thing works, but in our situation I see improvement and I'll leave it at that."

NFL Network insider Mike Lombardi is the focus of chatter as Heckart's replacement, and he would in turn bring in one of his bestest buddies to be the new head coach- Saban. Saban would also get a monster salary and, possibly, a piece of the team.

Saban has always been about challenges and the idea of building something from the ground up could be that next "big challenge."

As your flashback, here is the Saban Welcome Presser in Tuscaloosa to remind us all about how he got to where he is today...
((HT: NBC6/youtube))

Gruden not going To Tennessee: Nobody but Vol fans shocked

((ht: @jimmyhyams))

We've purposely tried to stay away from talking too much about coaching rumors, partially because they are mostly not true.

But we wanted to mention this.

Reports from UT Radio Reporter Jimmy Hyams now say that Jon Gruden told Tennessee officials last week he is NOT a candidate for a job there and has NEVER been offered a contract.

Shocked?

Only if you are a UT fan.

This comes on the heels of yet another stray, "sources say" report from Chattanooga that Gruden was "Mulling" an offer from the school and the only hold-up was paying his assistants what he thought they were worth.

Read the Times-Free-Press story RIGHT HERE

Bwahahaha! We are laughing, but at the same time, we'd really like to know who puts this stuff out there. Is it the "Pipe Dream" faction? Is it delusional alumni? Or is it reporters trying to scoop each other?

Of course there was the even more bizarre story from Glenn Carver of WREG-TV in Memphis. You'll recall Mr. Carver saying that Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam offered Gruden a share of the team in addition to what UT would pay him.

Of course everyone involved denied it. Immediately.

You can read it RIGHT HERE

For a better perspective, read OUR story earlier this week about Stupid Coaching rumors RIGHT HERE

To summarize all of this: We believe that either Tennessee AD Dave Hart or an emissary of the school reached out to Gruden and asked if he's interested. And Gruden thought about it for a bit. And decided smartly, that it wasn't a good idea.

But it is just mind boggling to us the rumors that continue to fly about Gruden and others. It appears the reporters, alumni and others just can't help themselves.

Heck, we saw the original tweet about Les Miles too, but didn't report it, because we knew it would turn out to either be not true or a ploy for a pay raise. And that's exactly what it was.

Anyway, we'll get off our horses and unfortunately you'll be on your own to decide what is true and what isn't because the sports reporters giving you the information may or may not be correct.