Talkin about BIG Browns rumors today

As just reported by Tony Grossi of The Plain Dealer (link below):
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/01/reports_mike_holmgren_will_int.html
The Browns have plans to interview current Eagles general manager Tom Heckert sometime today (Monday) Jay Glazer from Fox Sports and Jason La Canfora from the NFL Network are also reporting the same news. Heckert interviewed with the Browns last season, but instead they hired the infamous George Kokinis ...that worked out so well for all parties involved.

Anyway, here's the deal with Heckert: He was promoted to the Eagles' GM position in 2006 after serving as the Vice Pres. of Player Personnel for several years. Heckert's title of "GM" is basically just that...a title. According to stuff I've read about Heckert, he is basically an advisor to Andy Reid, the Eagles head coach and Exec. VP of Football Operations. That means Reid has the final say in everything. In Grossi's report, he says that if Holmgren does hire Heckert, he would most likely need that final authority on personnel decisions to take the job. That seems logical ... if Heckert didn't get that final authority, why would he take the job? Why not stay with the Eagles, one of the best and most respected (and most successful) organizations in the NFL?

So ... the Browns have hired Mike Holmgren. He may be close to hiring a GM. That means Mangini is done, no question. Apparently he is taking his family to DisneyWorld. Good for him, he'll need a vacation because I don't see him getting another head coaching job in the NFL, ever again. He'll most likely end up being a position coach somewhere.

The other juicy news item coming out of Grossi's report is that current Panthers head coach John Fox is the leading candidate to replace Mangini. This is unexpected.
Mangini, Heckert and Fox all have one strong connection to each other, their agent, Bob LaMonte. Often times in pro sports, it seems like people with common agents prefer to work together, if possible. So this also makes this speculation quite logical.
Here's the deal with Fox: Earlier today, the Charlotte Observer posted a story that reported Fox is likely to stick around in Carolina. So that muddles things significantly. Here is the link to that story:
http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2010/01/fox-i-see-myself-being-back.html
Basically, Fox is in the last year of his contract in Carolina, but the Panthers' front office is not looking to extend the contract. They also aren't looking to make a change this offseason, according to the Charlotte Observer. What that says to me is that they want to keep Fox on the sidelines for this year and then look at the coaches available in 2011. So, Fox could be a lame duck.
On a side note, Fox is one of the league's highest paid coaches, bringing in $6 million next season. In eight seasons in Carolina, Fox is 76-60, including the playoffs. That also includes a Super Bowl loss to the Patriots.

This is all very intriguing news for Browns fans. I think the Heckert hire seems very probable, especially if Holmgren is dangling the final authority on player decisions in front of him. The Fox hire ... seems kind of a reach to me. The thing that would entice Fox would be a huge contract, a massive contract, especially he is already is set to make $6 million next season. He would have to get that huge deal, otherwise it's a lateral move, or even a step down for him to leave the Panthers to coach the Browns. I know this about Fox: he is a defensive coach, a good X's and O's guy, but he relies on veterans, sometimes too much, Exhibit A: How Fox stuck with Jake Delhomme this season, when Delhomme was giving footballs away to other defenses like some halftime giveaway. The Panthers should have pulled Delhomme long before he went on IR with a broken finger. Fox is loyal to his veterans, almost to a fault. Exhibit B: Not giving RB Jonathan Stewart a bigger chunk of the carries. DeAngelo Williams is a fine back, but when Stewart has gotten more of the carries, he has produced. Check out the box scores from the Panthers final two games.

Heckert is a vital clog in the Eagles' system, which is a great one. They have more young talent pound-for-pound than almost any team in the league (DeSean Jackson, Lesean McCoy, Brent Celek) and have always made good decisions regarding players (keeping Donovan McNabb around, signing Asante Samuel, investing in the offensive and defensive lines). The system is a proven one and it works. I think this hire would be a huge step in turning around the Browns and making them a legit pro football organization. Like I said, I am not sure on the chances of getting John Fox, but I am sold on a Holmgren/Heckert setup in the front office.  Their first order of business should be to PAY JOSH CRIBBS. As if there was a question.