Looks like holmgren might be going to cleveland

[ace63]

BEREA, Ohio -- Mike Holmgren looked for houses during his recent trip to Cleveland, which may soon be his new NFL home.

Terming a chance to assume control of the struggling but tradition-rich Browns as "very, very appealing," Holmgren said Friday that he's weighing owner Randy Lerner's job offer and intends to give Cleveland a decision on his future "sooner than later."

La Canfora: End for Mangini
NFL Network insider
Jason La Canfora writes that Mike Holmgren's arrival in Cleveland likely would mean the end of coach
Eric Mangini's brief Browns tenure. More ...

» More: La Canfora's blog As for Seattle, Holmgren may have finally said goodbye.

The Super Bowl-winning coach, who spent two days meeting with Lerner earlier this week, said during his radio show on Seattle's KJR that he liked everything he learned about the Browns during a two-day "fact-finding" visit. The former coach of the Seahawks and Green Bay Packers sounded as if he's leaning toward accepting a chance to rebuild the Browns, who have been devoid of anyone of Holmgren's clout since returning to the league in 1999.

Holmgren praised Lerner and the Browns' organization. He complimented embattled coach Eric Mangini. He said he hasn't had much time to study quarterback Brady Quinn, but would be eager to.

About the only thing Holmgren didn't say about the Browns was: I accept.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for anybody," Holmgren said. "It's about as good a job situation as you could ask for in this business."

The 61-year-old Holmgren did not rule out a return to coaching. When asked if a potential job in Cleveland would encompass team president, general manager or coaching, he said, "it would be any and all, I would say."

"Exactly how the setup will be regarding me, that's something I'm still thinking about," said Holmgren, who won a title with the Packers and led the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl appearance. "It's my obligation to let the Browns know when I'm thinking that way. There is a bit of a timetable we're working on right now. I wanted time to come back and think about it, talk to some people about it, and that's where we are right now.

Let's make a deal
Josh Cribbs is confident
that he will receive a new contract because he says the Browns told him they want an agreement by the end of the season.
More ... Holmgren gave no indication when he'll give the Browns his decision, and said he is not using the team to get a job elsewhere.

"I'm not trying to leverage anybody or do anything like that," he said.

Holmgren wants to talk to the Seahawks about returning to the team he coached for 10 years. But to this point, Seattle is not showing the same interest.

He said he has not been contacted by anyone from the organization since GM Tim Ruskell resigned Dec. 3. Holmgren said he has been approached by at least one other team, but it wasn't the Seahawks, the team he led to its greatest successes in a 10-year span.

Seattle has yet to begin its formal search to replace Ruskell. The club has not told Holmgren he is not in their plans, and he indicated they may be running out of time.

"I'm very sure that the organization wants to go through a thorough process. That's been made pretty clear," he said. "But there is a little bit of a time crunch here with Cleveland and with some other folks."

Holmgren has been criticized for campaigning to return to the Seahawks, a charge he finds amusing.

"When you say campaign it denotes I made posters, had people walking around," he said. "Look, I don't think it's a big secret that I would like to be considered for a position with the Seahawks. I devoted 10 years of my life to try to make the team good. My family is in Seattle and Seattle is my home. There would be something special (in coming back), but I'm a big boy. Organizations make decisions. You've got to live with them."

Holmgren toured Cleveland and even found time to do some house hunting. Although he was accompanied by agent Bob LaMonte, Holmgren said the sides did not discuss money -- perhaps the only thing left to finalize a deal.

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"This was getting to know me a little bit better and them getting to know me a little bit better," Holmgren said from his Arizona home.

Holmgren was vague about his desire to coach again. Also, he would not speculate on Mangini's future. As a former coach, Holmgren said he understands the difficulty in turning a team around in one year. The Browns are just 2-11 in a turbulent first season under Mangini.

"It would really be unfair for me to talk too much about that, other than the fact I like Eric Mangini," he said. "He's a good coach. He's a bright guy. He works very, very hard in his job. Anytime you go in and are responsible for who that person is, in fairness to everybody, you'd better give everyone a chance.

"This is his first year in Cleveland. There has been a situation, Bill Parcells in Miami made a coaching change (firing Cam Cameron) after one year, but having been a coach for so many years, I would be the first one to tell you that's not very fair. But those types of decisions sometimes, the tough decisions, aren't fair. I would do everything in my power to make sure that's the right one and everyone gets a chance to prove themselves."

Holmgren acknowledged there is a lot of work to be done with the Browns, but he seems ready for it.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

[BBallin fool]

Hell they need all help they can get.

[OZZIEOHIO]

And we would prefer to get it sooner than later.

[91raider97bobcat]

He turned Seattle down today...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4757967

[ace63]

espn said they heard they offered holmgren , 10 year contract worth 50 million dollars . WOW !!!!

[OZZIEOHIO]

50 million I hope not. for that kind of money im sure they could get someone better.

[farmer]

Holmgren has the job now will he keep Mangini? Mangini's personality would have to change since he would not be able to control Holmgren. Would Holmgren want to coach? He did not have enough time to do both before. Both are fulltime jobs. He would be better off running the team and helping to get players in and not coaching. He could offer his help and knowledge. Also to evaluate the QB position before the draft.

[farmer]

Some people think just because someone as a player or coach won the Super Bowl they are really great. To prove that somewaht is that some of the MVP's of the Super Bowl that was the best game the ever played and never did much after that like Timmy Smith RB of the Redskins.

Holmgren has made the comment about there not be layers between him and the owner like it was before. So maybe he was not the one completely in charge of the draft. some of the players drafted were good in college and never did anything. Also some it seemed like they were trying to find a bargin. Some of his last few years he had a lot of injuries. The WR's the one year all were injured. Branch they got from the Pats coast them a lot of draft picks with limited production. At the time he was one of the better receivers in the NFL. One thing the Browns do not need is bad luck and bad breaks.

Time will tell if this is a good move. Some people on tv are saying that Mangini is making progress with the team. Just because they beat the Steelers when the defense played great but not throwing for over 100 yards. Then beating KC with 2 KO returns even though your running back broke team records running the ball. Without the Cribbs they would have lost both games. Spme of those people on tv are more of bandwagon people and not able to look at what all has gone on. Mangini is an assistant coach only should not be a head coach.

Holmgren will make sure they at least throw the ball downfield over 10 yards during the game.

[dazed&confused]

Pardon me if I'm not ordering my season tickets on this news but I'm too jaded. Heard this too many times before. I'll believe in the latest greatest when they deliver.

[farmer]

Holmgren says he does not want to coach. Which is good. The fans get tired of wait until next year. They need to bring in playersgood players without the me first attitude of Edwards and Winslow who they got rid of.

[ace63]

No one knows what will happen now. But you have to give him time. You cant call for someones head every year.
This is not a quick fix. Will the fans give it time ????

[dazed&confused]

No one knows what will happen now. But you have to give him time. You cant call for someones head every year.
This is not a quick fix. Will the fans give it time ????

Along those lines, will Holmgren give Mangini another chance? John Clayton of ESPN says Mangenious is as good as gone.

[LICKING COUNTY FAN]

He will not make that big of a difference .

[dazed&confused]

Mangini will be swept out with the tide!

[BBallin fool]

LOL!!!

[ace63]

Lake Erie doesnt have a tide......that's propwash from boats driven by drunks who cant see the rocks on the shoreline!

And those boaters are bringing mussels from lake erie to the ohio river where i boat . Stop the maddness.

[dazed&confused]

Lake Erie doesnt have a tide......that's propwash from boats driven by drunks who cant see the rocks on the shoreline!

And those boaters are bringing mussels from lake erie to the ohio river where i boat . Stop the maddness.

HA ha ha. Hey' it's a football thread, not boating. Holmgren likes the 4-3 defense. We won't get Suh but I like the idea of bolstering our D-line if we must go 4-3 and getting a shut-down corner. Go get Flynn (QB) from Green Bay to run his West Coast offense and sign Cribbs and Harrison to long-term contracts.