Bernie Kosar should be the Cleveland Browns general manager

The very thought of Bernie Kosar in the general manager spot for the Cleveland Browns makes me giddy with excitement. Kosar has long made himself available to the Browns in many capacities, from advisory roles and to volunteering his time, mostly without a sniff from the Browns management.

Kosar’s health issues have been chronicled in many articles and radio/TV discussions, mostly with the idea that he is a “drunk.” True, his speech is slurred and he sweats profusely under the lights of TV, but to his credit, he has engaged in extensive therapy for the repeated concussions he suffered as the quarterback of the Browns in the 1980s. Even still, his mind is incredibly sharp.

Related: Bernie Kosar is back with his miracle elixir to cure the Browns

All of that is old news, but even now, when you listen to Kosar, or watch him diagram a play, as he does weekly on the Cleveland-area Tailgate 19 program, you can’t help but notice his keen insight and incredible knowledge of the proper way the game should be played. Roll a piece of film for him and he immediately and properly identifies the defense, the coverage, the offensive set and, based on these things, exactly where the ball should go for the play to be successful.

Of course it is also true that any coach worth his salt can do those things, but Kosar can probe deeper and sees things that most people  miss.

Kosar also has the ability to evaluate players that is general manager worthy.

Listen to him speak on players coming up in the draft, or about an upcoming opponent, and he sees characteristics and elements of truth that are rarely wrong. He tirelessly watches film, the mechanics of players (especially quarterbacks), and can read a draft prospect as well or better than anyone. He has an innate ability to correctly qualify a potential draft pick, whether or not he would fit with the Browns, and more importantly, does the player “want it.” Will that player come here to succeed , or just to collect a check. In short, is the kid a winner?

That is much harder to do than one might think. Draft prospects are told for years that they are great, some since Pee Wee ball, but do they burn inside to make the Browns a champion? Kosar knows, and when you listen to him talk draft, he is right much more than not. It is a rarity that he misreads a kid.

Mostly though, Kosar is passionate. Passionate about Cleveland, passionate about the Browns and passionate about winning. His utter disgust after a loss is palpable. He feels the same way we do as fans, because he remembers and lived the days when the Browns were good. To watch this team fail year after year after year just kills him.

Sound familiar Browns fan? He’s one of us! The difference is, while we all sit and scream at our TVs , given the opportunity Kosar could, and would, change all of the losing.

On Sunday’s Tailgate 19, Kosar said that the issue with the Browns is neither the players or coaches, but a “systemic dysfunction of the organization.” He further pointed out that quarterbacks like Tim Couch, Jeff Garcia and Brady Quinn were “led to slaughter.” His point is that with everything surrounding those quarterbacks, it didn’t matter if the Browns had Joe Montana or Aaron Rogers under center, they would have failed as well.

Kosar also added that he has what it takes to fix the Browns, saying that, “I want to do this, OK? I’ll fire myself if we are not a competitive team in a year or two.”

Until the attitude and culture of losing are completely eradicated, this team will not win. As long as the roster of this team is filled with “never has beens,” “past his prime” and guys playing only for a paycheck, the Browns will continue to be the doormat of the NFL. Why not give Kosar a shot?

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The primary reason Kosar is not already on the Browns staff or, in fact, leading the team from the general manager’s chair, is because his status in this town is legendary, and there is a fear hat he would overshadow head coach Mike Pettine (giant ego) and owner Jimmy Haslam  (giant ego). It is the same reason that Jim Brown is left essentially outside the Browns decision-making hallways. He’s a bigger presence than those surrounding him and jealousy abounds.

But, much like the John Elway-led Denver Broncos, Kosar would only be a conduit of knowledge, supplying exactly the right players for the needs of this team. Kosar would stay out of the coaches way unless asked for his input because, like the fans who love this team, he just wants to win again!

Mr. Haslam, you’ve spent millions on untried and untested coaches. You’ve tried “veteran” coaches, you’ve hired the “hottest” names available to you, and what has it gotten you? Loss after loss after loss. More importantly, your elite status as an NFL owner is tarnished at best. Kosar would come in not caring about anyone or anything but the Cleveland Browns.

Hire him now!