Browns coaching search: Candidates talking to Chud per Ian Rapoport

Dec 22, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, candidates for Cleveland Browns head coaching job are contacting the recently fired Rob Chudzinski to get a sense of the job.  The assumption is that all of it will be negative and it is reasonable to believe that much of it will be.  Chud was fired and he could have axes to grind if he wants.

It could conceivably cause a candidate or few to change their plans when it comes to the Cleveland Browns, but it may not all be bad.  It can all produce clarity for candidates as to what the organization looks like in Cleveland and how the sausage is made.  In that sense, it could make it easier for a coach to feel comfortable with Cleveland if they know what to expect.

So much of the coaching field is about fit.  The fit with Chud and this front office was poor and that lack of foresight in that respect when it came to hiring him in the first place should be criticized, because that is how the team is ultimately in this same position this year.  If it serves to find the best fit for the Browns, it could be valuable.  Having said that, it is perfectly fair for anyone to be skeptical and for them to assume that anyone talking to Chud is coming away with a negative opinion.