Browns GM Kokinis fired and escorted from team facility.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen reported that former Ravens director of pro personnel George Kokinis is out as general manager of the Cleveland Browns after less than one year on the job. The manner in which he will make his official exit was in dispute Monday, according to team and league sources.

Kokinis refused to resign when pressed by owner Randy Lerner, who then persisted in seeking a dismissal “for cause,” citing Kokinis for failing to meet the specific standards as dictated by his contract, the sources said. The team’s security and legal department were reviewing phone records to build its case against Kokinis, a team source said.

There also were discussions of whether the two sides could reach a financial settlement, sources said.

Television station WKYC and the Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported Monday night that Kokinis was ushered out of the Berea facility by security around lunchtime Monday. The Browns deny this report.

After a 1-7 start, the rumblings of unhappiness from Lerner became too much, and Eric Mangini’s handpicked general manager paid the price, writes ESPN’s James Walker.

According to NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi, Kokinis had not been involved in any of the team’s recent decisions and had been something of an outcast within the organization, Mangini making the front office decisions.

ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio commented that Kokinis and Mangini repeatedly butted heads, and that their friendship quickly disintegrated due to their inability to reach an agreement on multiple personnel decisions.

The Cleveland Browns released a statement Monday night on the firing:

“Cleveland Browns general manager George Kokinis is no longer actively involved with the organization. In response to rumors and reports that Kokinis was escorted out of the building today, the Browns deny those reports. In the interest of protecting the parties involved we will withhold further comment.”

Following Sunday’s 30-6 loss in Chicago, Lerner said he was “sick” about the state of his team, and that he would like to bring in a “strong, credible, serious leader” to help run his team, according to multiple published reports.

It remains to be seen what will happen next.  ESPN’s Schefter and Mortensen report that Lerner hopes to hire Ernie Accorsi as a consultant.

Lerner to meet with fans organizing protest.

In the midst of the Kokinis’ ousting, Lerner is still finding time to meet with the two Browns season ticket-holders organizing a protest and urging fans to stay away from their seats for the opening kickoff of the Browns’ nationally televised game against Baltimore on Nov. 16.

The purpose of Mike Randall and Tony Schafer’s protest is to show their disgust with a decade of losing.
According to the Associated Press, Randall said he and Schafer spent Monday night putting together a formal presentation for Lerner, who took over ownership of the Browns after his father, Al, died in 2002. Lerner has been criticized by some Cleveland fans for not being more outspoken and available.

Jamal Lewis plans retirement.

And since we are on a roll with news out of Cleveland, Browns running back, and former Raven, Jamal Lewis plans to retire at the end of the season.

Lewis told reporters after the Browns’ 30-6 loss Sunday at Chicago that his 10th season will be his final one, adding, “When I talk, I mean what I say and I think you all know that.”

Is the AFC North the Best Division?

ESPN’s AFC North Blogger James Walker poses an interesting question: Is the AFC North currently the best division in football? Walker points to the following facts to build his case:

In the past two weeks, the Minnesota Vikings (7-1) and Denver Broncos (6-1) both suffered double-digit losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) and Baltimore Ravens (4-3), respectively. The Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) also crushed the Chicago Bears by 35 points in addition to quality wins over the Green Bay Packers, Steelers and Ravens.

The AFC North is one of just three divisions with a trio of teams with winning records. The others are the NFC East and NFC North.

Did the Ravens do the Steelers a favor?

Walker brings up another interesting thought. Did Baltimore help Pittsburgh gameplan for their matchup next week against the Denver Broncos by exposing several undiscovered holes?

What do you think?