Over these four games, keep an eye on these four people, whose futures are definitely in question:
1. Pettine: The consensus around town is that Pettine should be let go. A drop from 7 wins to 2 is definitely a fireable offense in these parts. However, go back to two years ago when the Browns hired Pettine. That joke of a coaching search, which resulted in both CEO Joe Banner and GM Mike Lombardi being fired, had many names linked to the job, but none actually wanting it. Josh McDaniels, who grew up in Canton, turned the job down three different times. Adam Gase, who was in the process of coaching the Denver Broncos’ offense in the Super Bowl, told the Browns they shouldn’t bother waiting for him.
It got to the point where it seemed Banner, Lombardi and Haslam were all working independently of one another to try to bring in the next head coach. Pettine seemed to be the only one who wanted the job, and even he told the Browns if they didn’t make up their minds in 24 hours to take him out of consideration. You have to believe that McDaniels – who believes he’ll be Belichick’s heir apparent in New England – and Gase haven’t changed their minds from two years ago. Urban Meyer, who a rumor-mongering Web site proclaimed had been approached, said that he wasn’t planning on leaving Ohio State any time soon.
And the Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden rumors are tiring after many, many years. The fans won’t accept firing a Rob Chudzinski and hiring a Mike Pettine this time around. Haslam better have something up his sleeve, or else this could get ugly if he decides to pull the plug.
2. Farmer: I could see a scenario where Farmer goes and Pettine stays, but I can’t see one where Pettine goes and Farmer stays. It can be said that it was a forced marriage and Farmer never had the chance to hire his own coach, but what leads anyone to believe that he’s the man to lead this search?
His draft classes speak for themselves, as do his free agent signings. Josh McCown was his best signing in two years, which is saying something. If the Browns wind up with the No. 1 pick, do you want the guy who took Justin Gilbert over Odell Beckham and Johnny Manziel over Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr making that pick? I sure don’t. If Haslam restructures the organization again and brings in a head of football operations to run things, Farmer is as good as gone.
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