Browns reportedly will use Ryan Grigson as a “super scout”
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns added former Indianapolis general manager Ryan Grigson this past week and now we have some clarity on his role with the team.
The Cleveland Browns surprised everyone last week with the news that they had hired Ryan Grigson as a senior personnel executive.
Grigson was the general manager of the Indianapolis Colts from 2012 to 2016 and did a less than stellar job with the Colts. He is probably most famous for trading a first-round draft pick to the Browns for running back Trent Richardson. (You can read more about what went wrong in Indianapolis in this article from Stampeded Blue. Warning: it is not for the faint of heart.)
Related: Browns add experience with Ryan Grigson
The news left Browns fans to wonder, with some degree of good cause, just what Grigson will be doing with the Browns, who have been working hard the past two offseasons to clean up the Grigson-like mess left behind by the likes of Joe Banner, Mike Lombardi and Ray Farmer, who turned the pick from Indianapolis into Johnny Manziel.
We now have some clarity on Grigson’s role, courtesy of Terry Pluto at cleveland.com, who asked around and found out that:
"The Browns plan to use Grigson almost like a super scout. He will look at pro and college players. He will even visit some colleges to research prospects. He spent his first 14 years in the NFL as a scout, and the Browns believe that is his strength."
That is certainly good news and not all that surprising. The Browns already have capable people in place at the top of the personnel chart in executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and Andrew Berry, the team’s player personnel director. So utilizing Grigson’s experience as a scout is a smart move.
Grigson has considerable experience in the scouting game, having worked with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2004 to 2011, starting as a regional scout and ultimately being the team’s director of player personnel. He also served five years with the St. Louis Rams, working as both a national scout and an area scout.
Next: It is OK for Brock Osweiler to be confident
It sounds like the right fit for Grigson and the Browns, one that makes a lot of sense.
Which makes us wonder why the Browns just didn’t tell everyone that in the first place?