[LitlBuck]

I would say it is about time

Cleveland.com

Finally! Browns name Kokinis GM
by Tony Grossi
Sunday January 25, 2009, 6:36 PM

The Browns acknowledged one of the worst-kept secrets in the NFL -- George Kokinis is their new general manager.

The Baltimore Ravens pro personnel director was named to the position Sunday, almost a month after he emerged as a surprise front-runner for the position.

Kokinis was recommended for the position by Eric Mangini in the eventual coach's first interview with owner Randy Lerner on Dec. 30. Until Mangini brought forth the name of his longtime friend, Kokinis was not on the same radar screen with higher-profile executives Scott Pioli, Rich McKay and Tom Heckert as candidates for the job.

Kokinis, 41, was well-known in NFL circles as a diligent worker, a tireless viewer of game video to evaluate players already on team rosters. He was a finalist for the Atlanta Falcons general manager job a year ago, but his name didn't surface publicly because the team chose Thomas Dimitroff before interviewing Kokinis.

Continued

From the article linked above

Kokinis inherits a team with obvious weaknesses at linebacker, cornerback, receiver and offensive line, and deficient of a full complement of draft choices. Past trades by Savage left the Browns with only four selections in the April 25-26 draft -- first, second, fourth and sixth rounds.

He also must address the contract situations of at least three players who last season asked for new deals -- tight end Kellen Winslow, specialist Josh Cribbs and kicker Phil Dawson.

Together, Kokinis and Mangini must decide what to do with quarterback Derek Anderson, who has a guaranteed $5 million roster bonus due in March and lost his starting job last year to Brady Quinn.