OK then, Chud’s successor has finally been hired, so bygones, right? Uh, not to PD opinion writer Jeff Darcy, who probably shouldn’t expect the proverbial playoff tickets:

Now that the Browns’ front office has hired a head coach, they can begin their methodical search for a credibility repairman who is a proven winner.

With the words ”tough’ and ”aggressive’ being used in the presser as often as Haslam says “candidly” you can’t help but take it as an inference that Chud wasn’t tough and aggressive or knew how to win… Anyone who had to deal with the garbage roster Banner produced is tough. Any coach who went for it on fourth down as often as Chud did is aggressive. When Chud was O.C. the Browns record was 10-6…he clearly knows how to win.

Haslam and Banner talk a lot about accountability, but when Banner was asked about Bess and who was accountable for that blunder, he answered with his typical Banner-speak and then refused to discuss it further. … Accountablity enforcer Jimmy Haslam said he knew nothing about the Bess blunder. He was too busy knowing nothing about the felony scams allegedly being carried out by his sales reps under the supervision of his top executives.

Good luck Mr. Pettine. My advice: tank the first few games so that the team is sure to show improvement as the season goes along. And if you ever find yourself at a wedding and see Mike Lombardi there, be sure to ask him for a dance.