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Pat Shurmur never really had a chance. After president Mike Holmgren announced that he was stepping down, and new owner Jimmy Haslam brought in Joe Banner as the Browns' CEO, it became painfully obvious to anybody half-paying attention that Shurmur wasn't in the team's long-term plans. On Monday, the inevitable became reality: Shurmur was fired.
CBS Sports' Mike Freeman confirmed the firing; Fox's Jay Glazer was the first to report it. Glazer also is reporting that, as expected, the Browns have fired general manager Tom Heckert.
Shurmur leaves Cleveland with nine victories in two seasons, including a 5-11 record in 2012. After his last game, a 24-10 loss to the Steelers, Shurmur spoke like someone accepting his fate.
"We didn't win enough games," he said. "We really didn't win enough games; we're not competing next week. I was really never worried about [the job]. I really wasn't. I've got no regrets."
There was a report two weeks ago that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would "jump at the chance" to be the Browns' next coach. But if the organization is looking to replace Shurmur quickly, a McDaniels hire could be problematic with New England in the playoffs.
Whoever gets the gig, they'll have a young group of playmakers to work with on both sides of the ball. The biggest question, however, remains. It was the first question that Halsam asked Holmgren back in August: "Can Brandon Weeden play?" That decision will guide the Browns' offseason; if Weeden, the 29-year-old rookie, is considered the future, the front office can focus on filling other needs. If not, it's back to the drawing board to find the next franchise quarterback.
Shurmur, meanwhile, shouldn't be out of work long. On Sunday, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported that he will be in demand as an offensive coordinator. Shurmur sounded a similar tone on Sunday afternoon, even before he was officially given his walking papers.
"I'm looking forward to this team next year if that's the case," he said. "If not, then what I'm going to do is help coach and help inspire a team to win games in some role. I have kids in college, I have mouths to feed -- and this is my profession, and this is what I choose to do. That's it. That is how simple it is in my mind."
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/ey...h-pat-shurmurA
CBS Sports' Mike Freeman confirmed the firing; Fox's Jay Glazer was the first to report it. Glazer also is reporting that, as expected, the Browns have fired general manager Tom Heckert.
Shurmur leaves Cleveland with nine victories in two seasons, including a 5-11 record in 2012. After his last game, a 24-10 loss to the Steelers, Shurmur spoke like someone accepting his fate.
"We didn't win enough games," he said. "We really didn't win enough games; we're not competing next week. I was really never worried about [the job]. I really wasn't. I've got no regrets."
There was a report two weeks ago that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would "jump at the chance" to be the Browns' next coach. But if the organization is looking to replace Shurmur quickly, a McDaniels hire could be problematic with New England in the playoffs.
Whoever gets the gig, they'll have a young group of playmakers to work with on both sides of the ball. The biggest question, however, remains. It was the first question that Halsam asked Holmgren back in August: "Can Brandon Weeden play?" That decision will guide the Browns' offseason; if Weeden, the 29-year-old rookie, is considered the future, the front office can focus on filling other needs. If not, it's back to the drawing board to find the next franchise quarterback.
Shurmur, meanwhile, shouldn't be out of work long. On Sunday, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported that he will be in demand as an offensive coordinator. Shurmur sounded a similar tone on Sunday afternoon, even before he was officially given his walking papers.
"I'm looking forward to this team next year if that's the case," he said. "If not, then what I'm going to do is help coach and help inspire a team to win games in some role. I have kids in college, I have mouths to feed -- and this is my profession, and this is what I choose to do. That's it. That is how simple it is in my mind."
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/ey...h-pat-shurmurA
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