The Weeden/Heckert Connection

NickZambo · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:37 am Post subject: The Weeden/Heckert Connection

With the imminent Browns ownership change on the horizon, many people fear (or rejoice) that this is the end of Pat Shurmur and Mike Holmgren. I think it is fair to say that most people are happy with Tom Heckert and want the new ownership group to retain him due to the decent drafts of the past few years.

However, there is a lot of debate on this website about the Browns current Win/Loss record, the 2013 draft and the QB play. Many like the idea of the Browns getting a top tier franchise QB next year: Geno Smith, Barkley etc... While others are a looking for Weeden to be given time to develop.

Fact: Weeden was brought in under Heckert's tenure as GM.
Fact: Heckert wasn't willing to take the job in Cleveland unless he knew he had control of the decision making.
Premise: Heckert believes in Weeden and if the current front office stays as is, Weeden would remain & be the guy going into next year.
...but...
Premise: In the off season, Heckert is retained but Holmgren and Shurmur leave.
Premise: Weeden struggles, leading the Browns to a top draft pick and the new group forces him out the door, does Heckert look at new QBs or does he step down b/c of the Weeden Connection?

Frankly, I don't see Heckert sticking around if a new front office comes in with the idea of a fresh start at QB. It undermines Heckert's decision to draft Weeden and I personally don't think Heckert would be willing to cut ties with a 1st round rookie QB after only 1 season. So if the new front office forces that, I think Heckert walks.

The premise of this thread is: do you feel the success of Weeden ties directly with Tom Heckert's future with he Browns? Are you okay with a entirely new front office, new QB & no Shurmur, Holmgren & Heckert? And does Heckert mean so much to us that we will pull for Weeden's success going forward?

DEBATE

**I realize there are a lot of "IF" senarios but I think these are realistic thoughts based on the history of front office change when a new ownership group comes in, the overall record of the team, Pat Shurmur's leadership ability and the Joe Banner rumors**

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82b038e2/article/report-joe-banner-will-become-cleveland-browns-president
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DawgX · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 10010

If Heckert stays, then I'm fairly certain that Weeden will stay. If a new GM is brought in, then there's a good chance that a new QB will be brought in.
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NickZambo · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:49 am Post subject:

Reginaldm9 · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:57 am Post subject:

I think Heckert is let go, but not before next season. I think the new ownership gives him one last year to prove his prospects much like we kept Mangini around one extra year when Holmgren came to town. I'm almost positive that Weeden sticks around for at least another year as well. We'll make a killing off an early draft pick, especially if Clowney doesn't declare.
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EL Brownso · Joined: 14 Nov 2009 Posts: 682 Location: Alamogordo, NM

Estonianzulu · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 12:23 pm Post subject:

For what its worth, I believe it was Rabisson who first reported that Heckert loved Geno Smith
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Reginaldm9 · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 4:24 pm Post subject:

Drew_Carey · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 4:43 pm Post subject:

heckert will stay if he is offered the opportunity....

regardless if the new owner, him, new coach, etc. want Weeden back or not.

fsubrowns9510 · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 12533 Location: Rochester, NY

Oh to be a fly on the wall in Berea...

I really have no idea. That's the tough thing here. I dunno if Heckert has as much control and one would think/hope.
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ditchdigger · Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 14057 Location: Columbus, OH