Dorsey (c) became the latest in a long line of Browns execs to be let go by the Haslamsgetty images
Browns co-Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam are the ones who have "kept the circus going" with the franchise in their seven years of ownership, the latest example coming as they "parted ways" with GM John Dorsey after just two seasons, according to Marla Ridenour of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL. Since taking over the team in '12, the Haslams have "proved to be as incapable of making a decision on their own as vilified former owner Art Modell." The Haslams "listen to many other voices and are easily swayed," and after letting Dorsey go on Tuesday, are "virtually starting over from square one again." They are "building on an unstable foundation -- themselves," having "fired nearly as many football men as they have coaches" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/1). In Cleveland, Dan Labbe wrote Dorsey's ouster "speaks to how flavor-of-the-month" the Haslams' approach has been, "particularly in the last four years -- or really, since taking ownership." Front-office structures and coaching "evolve in the NFL, but it doesn't mean every organization needs to embark on seismic change to keep up." The last four years are the "defining era of the Haslams' time as owners" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/1).
ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE: THE ATHLETIC's Pat McManamon wrote the Haslams are the "one constant in all these changes that have taken place" since they bought the team (THEATHLETIC.com, 12/31). In Cleveland, Ellis Williams wrote January now "usually means Browns ownership embarks on a rebuilding mission" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/1). THE ATHLETIC's Zac Jackson wrote the "ever-changing" Browns are "embarrassingly dysfunctional." Inside the organization, "no one's ever been on the same page." Under the Haslams' ownership, "everything changes but the on-field results" (THEATHLETIC.com, 12/31). In Ohio, Jeff Schudel wrote Jimmy Haslam was "clueless about owning a football team when he began his purchase of the Browns" in '12, and he "still is." He has "turned the franchise into an embarrassment to the 'rich Browns legacy' he uses as a selling point to a blindly loyal fan base." Haslam is "unqualified to own an NFL team, and the Browns fans continue to suffer for it" (Willoughby NEWS-HERALD, 1/1). THE ATHLETIC's Joe Posnanski wrote under the header, "The Consistency Of Chaos In Cleveland." There are "not too many things you can count on" with the Browns, but there is "one way they never let you down: Things are ALWAYS worse than they appear" (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/1). However, in Cleveland, Doug Lesmerises wrote Dorsey "had it all" as the Browns' GM, and he "blew it." That is "on him, and no one else." The Haslams "invested in him, and that wasn't wrong," which is "why this time, another round of clearing house doesn't fall on ownership." The "reflex will be to blame the Haslams again," but this was "Dorsey's show" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/1).
REASON FOR LATEST DEPARTURE: In Cleveland, Mary Kay Cabot cited a source as saying that Dorsey was let go after "refusing to take a giant reduction in his role." The source said that Dorsey was "asked to take a back seat to the new head of the football department, who will pair with the new head coach." The source added Dorsey "would've been more of a talent evaluator," such as a VP/Player Personnel. A source said that Browns Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta "will not take over as head of the football department." Dorsey this week "became the fifth head of football" let go by the Haslams "since they took over" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/1). The PLAIN DEALER's Terry Pluto noted no top football executive has "survived more than Dorsey's 25 months" since the Haslams bought the Browns. They "have never stuck with much of anything for very long" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/1).
BACK ON THE HUNT: The PLAIN DEALER's Cabot cites a source as saying that Browns ownership is "leading the coaching search this time around," though DePodesta is "running the process." DePodesta, who lives in San Diego and comes in a few days a week, "has no plans to be in Cleveland full-time at this time" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/2). In Akron, Nate Ulrich cited a source as saying that the coaching search is "being guided by a search committee led by the Haslams." Signs of Dorsey's exit had "been emerging since this past weekend," ahead of Tuesday's official announcement. With questions "continuing to rise about his job security, the Browns postponed a news conference Dorsey had been tentatively scheduled to hold" at the team HQ on Tuesday (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/1). ESPN.com's Jake Trotter wrote "arranged marriages between coach and GM have plagued" the Browns since '12. Trotter: "The pressing question now is, will the Haslams let the new GM hire the coach? Or will they recruit a coach by letting him pick the GM?" (ESPN.com, 1/1).
