[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns GM search loses another candidate
by Tony Grossi
Friday January 09, 2009, 2:37 PM

CLEVELAND -- Scratch Rich McKay from the list of Browns general manager candidates.

The Browns had permission to interview the Atlanta Falcons president, but the interview won't take place, at McKay's choosing.

Early on in the Browns' search process, McKay was considered a "brand name" candidate to head a reorganization of the team's football operations. Scott Pioli, New England vice president of personnel, also was in that class.

But the big names fell by the wayside upon the naming of Eric Mangini as head coach by Browns owner Randy Lerner.

Another potential candidate, Philadelphia General Manager Tom Heckert, backed out on Thursday.

The GM job appeared to be framed for Baltimore pro personnel director George Kokinis, a friend of Mangini's, who is scheduled to be interviewed on Sunday.

But sources say that Kokinis may be leaning toward staying in Baltimore, and that is why the Browns' GM search has been widened. Former Denver GM Ted Sundquist and Chris Polian, Colts vice president of football operations, may be potential candidates.

I sure hope that Lerner can find a GM. Maybe some of these guys wanted to hire their own coach. I sure hope Lerner knows what he is doing but I have my doubts.