Forget about it Browns fans, Bill Cowher isn’t coming to Cleveland in any capacity.
Which brings me to another possible candidate to become the team’s director of football operations: Marty Schottenheimer.
There was speculation that owner Randy Lerner was considering bringing in the former Browns head coach for an interview to take over that same title. Lerner decided to clean house and fire the general manager and head coach and start over.
The Miami Dolphins hired Bill Parcells to take over its football operations and he infused a mass of talent that went 11-5 and won the AFC East last season.
Schottenheimer essentially built the current San Diego roster, drafting players such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers, Vincent Jackson and Shawne Merriman. He has a past relationship with Bernie Kosar, who is now a team consultant.
He obviously can evaluate talent and he is the type of figure who would draw immediate respect within the Browns’ organization.
One aspect of bringing in Schottenheimer is the way he handled the Chargers’ quarterback situation back in 2006. The team had Drew Brees as its starting quarterback for two seasons.
The team decided to part ways with Brees and let their former first-round pick take over. Since 2006, Rivers has thrown 88 touchdown passes and over 12,000 yards.
He committed to a quarterback and the team rallied around Rivers after Brees solidified himself as a more-than-capable starting quarterback.
The past Browns’ regime mishandled the quarterback situation and now both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn seem lost.
Schottenhemer built a solid line through the draft, bringing in players such as Marcus McNeil and Nick Hardwick.
The Browns already has a solid foundation with Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach and Alex Mack.
Schottenheimer was also had a voice in drafting cornerbacks Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie.
These two physical corners have formed one of the best duos in the league, a trait that neither Eric Wright or Brandon McDonald have earned in their early careers.
The area that the Browns obviously need huge upgrade at is the linebacking corps. Right now, Kamerion Wimbley and D’Qwell Jackson are the only reliable linebackers on the team. Jackson is out for the season, but the current regime thinks extremely highly of him.
If Lerner brings in Schottenheimer, he may not think the same. Merriman and Jackson are two different types of linebackers and Jackson may not fit Schottenheimer’s ideal linebacker description.
San Diego also drafted defensive end Shaun Phillips and converted him to linebacker. It took Phillips a year to adjust to the transition but since then has been a consistent pass rusher for the San Diego defense.
If Lerner does indeed pick someone to fill this position, Schottenheimer would be a solid candidate with his history with the Browns, relationship with Kosar, and his history in building the San Diego Chargers.
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