Some media links, most notably Barry McBride's Orange and Brown Report, are dropping several hints that Randy Lerner, owner of the Cleveland Browns, is working fast to secure the services of a football Czar. According to several writers, 2 leading candidates have been in Berea this week to speak with Mr. Lerner about the position, and rumor has it that some negotiations have begun with one or both of these Front Office Personalities.

Most have been pretty secretive as to whom the candidates are. But, knowing how the process works, the 2 potentials are pretty easy to figure out.

Mike Holmgren

Holmgren is a product of former HC/FO Hall of Famer Bill Walsh. Former Packers coach and Seahawks GM/HC, Holmgren would bring stability and a winning resume to the Browns organization. In his time with the Packers, Holmgren provided 7 of a possible 7 winning seasons. In that time, the Packers made 6 Playoff appearances, 2 trips to the Super Bowl, most notably the 1996 Super Bowl Champions, following with another appearance in 1997, losing to the Denver Broncos.

Following the 1998 Season, Holmgren accepted the position of Executive VP/General Manager/Head Coach with the struggling Seattle Seahawks. What he was taking over in Seattle was a team who had went 10 years without a Playoff appearance. Beginning its existance in 1976, the Seahawks hadn't tasted much success as a franchise. From 76' to 82', this Franchise had never tasted success. In 1983, the Seahawks hired Chuck Knox. Knox had seen time with the Rams and the Bills, consistently reaching the playoffs. He did not let the Seahawk franchise down, going 80-63 and 3-4 in Playoff appearances. But after Knox, the Seahawks wen back to shambles. 7 seasons of consistent losing and no playoff appearances, the Seahawks went out and hired the very successful Bill Walsh protege, Mike Holmgren. Holmgren continued building on his reputation, ending the Seahawks playoff drought in his first season. But as the VP/GM/HC, Holmgren wore many hats and was very inconsistent in that 4 year tenure. He was fired as VP/GM in 2002, after missing the playoffs 3 consecutive seasons. Following his being replaced, as a HC, Holmgren took the Seahawks to 5 consecutive Playoff appearances, including a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 05' Super Bowl. In 08' , after a struggling season, Holmgren announce his resignation from the Seahawks franchise.

Though his drafts were somewhat questionable while in Seattle, Holmgren was able to win with the Franchise. It shows in the numbers and consistency of them, that he had trouble carrying all of those responsibilities. Holmgren is a great offensive mind, he knows how to get the most out of his players, and would bring one very important thing to the Browns table. Of his 16 Seasons, he led his teams to 11 Playoff Appearances. Mike Holmgren is one thing to football, a proven WINNER!

Charley Casserly

CC is the other name mentioned in the Browns open FO position. Casserly began his career as a Scout with the Washington Redskins, finding 2 of the "Hogs" that helped pave the way to Washingtons first two Super Bowl Winners. Eventually elevated to GM, Casserly had a knack for finding talent in the later rounds, most notably finding Brian Mitchell, QB turned RB/KR, and eventually joining Jim Brown as one of only 2 players to lead the NFL in Net Yardage 4 consecutive NFL Seasons.  Casserly was eventually let go by Daniel Snyder in 1999, after 22 seasons with the Redskins Franchise.

He was then hired by the expansion Houston Texans. While it is noted their history of losing as an expansion franchise under Casserly, their recent success has Casserly's fingerprints all over it. Drafting players like A. Johnson, D. Ryans, Jerome Mathis, Owen Daniel, and the most controversial pick of Mario Williams over R. Bush and V. Young, which turned out to be more than genious.

Casserly's biggest issue as GM has been his evaluation and selections of QB's. Having drafted 2 HUGE busts in Heath Shuler and David Carr, Casserly doesn't seem to have a kein eye for the QB position. But, make no mistake about it, Casserly has a history of making very good picks in the NFL drafts and has plenty of experience and success in the role of a Front Office Executive.

Who would be our Coaches?

None of this is factual to who or how things would go in the selection process of a new Head Coach and/or Coordinators. Just some facts about Casserly and Holmgren's backgrounds which could lead to one of these groups heading up the on field activities.

Holmgren

Jon Gruden: Spent time under Holmgren in Green Bay as a WR's coach. Grudens first NFL assignment came from Holmgren. Gruden is an Ohio boy, so he has ties to the area and could want to again work under Holmgren in his home state.

Andy Reid: Though a consistent winner, Philly fans have grown tired of Reid and many have called for his head. Now, I am not insinuating that this will happen or is even a likely scenario. But, there are ties with Reid and Holmgren and with Philly not very appreciative of Reids services, and 2010 is the end of his contract. Supposedly, the Eagles and Reid are negotiating another extension, but after a loss to Oakland, and an extension that has been mentioned several times since the 09' Draft, I wonder if there is the possibility that Reid could be fired?

Jeff Fisher: No real straight line ties to Holmgren, but he is part of the coaching tree of Bill Walsh. So, I am sure that Holmgren is quite familiar with Fisher and his success under Sieferts tutelage. Also worth noting, Holmgren is by no means a defensive mind. I am of the belief that the most likely candidate to come into the HC opening, if Holmgren is the Czar, is going to be Defensive minded. Worth noting, Fisher coached under Buddy Ryan as well. This leaves the door open for retaining Rob Ryan as DC. Anyone should be capable of seeing the work Ryan has done defensively in his career and how that path has begun in Cleveland.

Casserly

I could honestly only come up with a couple of names that would link to Casserly.

Dom Capers: Was the HC under Casserly's watch in Houston, though a lack of success with those two doesn't make for a great combo. I could see Capers coming in as a DC/Asst. HC, considering his familiarity with the 3-4 D

Russ Grimm: An original Hog under Casserly's watch, Grimm makes a lot of sense. He knows the AFC North, he has a solid resume as an assistant and position coach, and is familiar with Casserly. Chan Gailey would likely be a name that would pop up as the OC in this scenario, as well as Dom Capers in a DC/Asst HC role. I would not be opposed at all to having Grimm as our HC. He does wonders for an O line, a place where the Browns have continually struggled, not to mention the work that he assists with in Arizona. Their high powered offense is intriguing to say the least.

Joe Gibbs: ???? There is a tie between the two. Not sure I like this scenario, but it is just another link to potentials in these scenario's.

My guess is that Lerner would request experience, which is why I stayed away from listing potential Coordinator hires.

Something could go down soon. Something may not happen until after the season. Regardless, Casserly and Holmgren are the leaders in the race and there is plenty for Browns fans to smile about when these names are mentioned. Experience, success, and winning is attached to their names and their names are attached to many other winners who we could see soon in the City of Cleveland.