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Giants' Interest In John Dorsey Contributed To Browns' Quick Move To Hire Him

The Browns were "aware of the Giants' interest" in John Dorsey for the GM role, and it "contributed to their decision to act when they did Thursday," firing Exec VP/Football Operations Sashi Brown and hiring Dorsey to a four-year contract on the same day, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Sources said that Dorsey was "scheduled to fly" to N.Y. this week to interview with the Giants tomorrow (ESPN.com, 12/10). In N.Y., Gary Myers wrote Dorsey was "second on the Giants’ list" for their open GM position, but he knew former Panthers GM Dave Gettleman "was first." Dorsey "took the sure thing and the Browns knew he was their guy." Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam "admitted they acted now to avoid competing with the Giants" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/10). Fox Sports' Peter Schrager said the Browns over the last several weeks had been "vetting" Dorsey while Brown was "still on the job." Schrager: "It's a systematic issue here that it goes up from the top. ... All while this is happening, Brown was still in the building, and he was the last person to know. Not a good look for Cleveland" ("Fox NFL Kickoff," 12/10).

HEAD START: THE ATHLETIC's Tom Reed wrote by hiring Dorsey now it "affords him a massive head start in cleaning up another organizational oil spill." During his introductory news conference, Dorsey said, "It is an evaluation period that is going to take a little bit of (time) to put a plan together. The draft is 4 1/2 months away and free agency is like three months away. We have ample time to make a plan here." That is "usually not the case for the Browns or most NFL teams, who must wait until after Jan. 1 to speak with coaches and executives." The fact Dorsey was fired in June after helping the Chiefs reach the playoffs three times in his four-year tenure "enabled the Browns to speed up the hiring process." Haslam "began speaking with Dorsey more than a month ago to gauge his interest in the job and comfort level in teaming" with coach Hue Jackson. Among the "few advantages to keeping Jackson is continuity and plying him with players who fit his system." Reed: "Does it ensure harmony between two football lifers? Of course not." Dorsey said, "We are all in this thing together. Not one guy is the answer, but if we do this together collectively, this thing can work." The Browns have heard "similar statements at introductory news conferences for nearly two decades," and there is "no guarantee the Dorsey era ends differently." But Dorsey has been "given the gift of time" (THEATHLETIC.com, 12/9).

WILL THINGS CHANGE? In Boston, Ben Volin wrote Dorsey "did a good job" with the Chiefs and "gives the Browns credibility." But until Haslam "proves otherwise, this is just yet another reshuffling of the deck chairs on the Titanic." He gave "full power to Brown to undergo a thorough rebuild, yet once again didn’t have the patience to see it through." Volin: "What makes this time any different?" Pairing Dorsey with Jackson also "seems odd," as the two have "never crossed paths" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/10). CBS Sports Net's Jason La Canfora said the Browns can "never get coaching and personnel on the same page," which is "why people are concerned now." If Dorsey was "given full authority, would his inclination have been to stick with" Jackson? La Canfora: "Probably not" ("That Other Pregame Show," CBSSN, 12/10). In Cleveland, Jeff Darcy wrote firing Brown is "far less disruptive to the continuity of the team than firing of the coach." The Browns would be "set back even further if the players would have to yet again adjust to yet another new coaching staff with new offensive and defensive systems" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 12/10). The Cleveland PLAIN DEALER's Ted Crow in an editorial cartoon depicts Haslam welcoming Dorsey on board a boat with Jackson. The boat is stuck on a rock, and Haslam says to Dorsey, "Welcome aboard John, we're expecting a high tide in late April, 2018..."

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