Daily Dawg Tags: Cleveland Browns starting over again
Spanning the virtual globe to bring you the latest news about the Cleveland Browns and the NFL – these are your Daily Dawg Tags for Monday, Jan. 4.
Cleveland Browns:
Cleveland Browns fire head coach Mike Pettine
"Pettine finishes his two years in Cleveland with a record of 10-22, which is the third-best mark by a Brown coach since the team returned to the NFL in 1999. Pettine’s tenure reached its peak following a Week 12 win in 2014 over the Atlanta Falcons that put the Browns in first place of the AFC North Division with a record of 7-4."
Cleveland Browns fire general manager Ray Farmer
"Farmer’s two years as the Browns general manager were a mixed bag, but one that ultimately contributed to the team’s 10-22 record during his tenure. He becomes the third general manager fired by Haslam since Haslam purchased the team in 2012. Farmer stood firm in his commitment that the Browns could get by without playmakers at the wide receiver position, and squandered first-round draft picks on cornerback Justin Gilbert and quarterback Johnny Manziel."
Cleveland Browns lose to Pittsburgh Steelers, 28-12
"Pittsburgh Steelers fans armed with Terrible Towels were out in full force Sunday as the Steelers traveled to Cleveland for the 2015 season finale against the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh came in with a record of 9-6, vying for a playoff spot, needing a win and a New York Jets loss to secure a postseason birth. Both of those stipulations were met as the Jets fell to the Bills 22-17, and Pittsburgh dominated Cleveland 28-12."
Jimmy Haslam confident of building a winning football organization
"In the wake of the firing of general manager Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, along with his wife, Dee, released an open letter to Browns fans. In the letter, the Haslams, as they have done with each coaching change since buying the team in 2012, reiterated that they want to build a winning franchise in Cleveland and promised that this time they will get it right."
Peter King: Johnny Manziel missed Sunday morning meeting
"A 3-13 season is bad enough. Add in the firing of both Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer and the Cleveland Browns are going in reverse. The loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers seems like an afterthought at this point. The latest news concerning the Browns is about the team’s most infamous player. Make that ex-player. No one knew where Johnny Manziel was Saturday night. Reports came that he was in Las Vegas, while Manziel claimed he was at home in Avon, Ohio. Looks like he fooled us all."
Browns may be at breaking point with Johnny Manziel (ESPN)
"Johnny Manziel might finally have pushed the Cleveland Browns to the edge. Manziel’s second season ended much the way his first did — with uncertainty and questions. Where was Manziel on Saturday night? Was he in Las Vegas, as USA Today reported?"
Jimmy Haslam will hire Cleveland Browns coach first then GM (cleveland.com)
"Browns owner Jimmy Haslam came armed and ready with the answer to why he blew things up when he said in August he wouldn’t, firing coach Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer after Sunday’s 28-12 loss to to the Steelers. “I don’t think any of us anticipated going 3-13,” said Haslam. “I certainly didn’t and I don’t think anybody in our building did. Mike and Ray understand. They understand it’s a bottom-line business and you’re paid to win games and losing 18 of 21 is not acceptable.”"
Cleveland Browns: Who is new top football exec Sashi Brown? (Factory of Sadness)
"Sashi Brown never thought he would be the top personnel man for an NFL team. He started off as a young associate at Washington D.C. based law firm. But now, at 38, Brown will have final say on the 53-man roster, as well as the last word on whom the Browns should pick on draft day. He’s skilled in the art of negotiation, and has been the key player in hammering out Browns’ contracts. Brown’s also regarded as a salary cap guru, much like Joe Banner was when he started working with the Browns in January of 2013."
NFL News:
San Francisco 49ers fire coach Jim Tomsula (NFL.com)
"The 49ers learned in 2015 that life without Jim Harbaugh wasn’t so easy. They started 2016 by changing head coaches again.San Francisco announced Sunday night that Jim Tomsula was fired after only one season at the helm of the team. The 49ers won 19-16 in overtime against the Rams on Sunday to finish 5-11."
NFL Rumors: Philadelphia Eagles interested in Sean Payton if available (FanSided)
"The NFL head coaching carousel is off and running with the Cleveland Browns and thePhiladelphia Eagles looking for head coaches already before we hit “Black Monday.” Where might the Eagles look for a head coach? Could they be looking at someone who isn’t even available quite yet?Paul Domotowich of Philly.com is reporting that the Eagles will have interest in New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton if he were to become available."
Tom Coughlin mum on future with Giants after loss to Eagles (ESPN)
"Tom Coughlin did not answer questions about his future as the New York Giants’ coach on Sunday, saying “there will be a time for that.” Coughlin addressed the media after Sunday’s 35-30 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, a loss that punctuated his third consecutive losing season in New York. “You’ve got your questions prepared for what direction I’m going to go,” said Coughlin, who finished his 12th season as the Giants’ coach. “I’m not going to answer anything about that. The season just ended. There’ll be time for that. We will get into that discussion.”"