Who Saw the Michael Lombardi Firing Coming, and the Source of Joe Banner's Dismissal?

Believe him or not, the man known as @CONCEDE on Twitter has been the early source of many Cleveland Browns rumors over the years, and he was first on the Michael Lombardi trail this time around too. Here is what he tweeted last week, suspecting something fishy was going on:

Whispers seem to think a major move is being discussed..... Front office related. If you've paid attn you prob know my guess #Browns

— MF Jones (@CONCEDE) February 4, 2014

When asked if the rumor was about Lombardi, @CONCEDE responded, "That's the word in Berea. It lines up with Farmer [staying] and the rumors I heard a few weeks ago about Lombardi being on the way out."

After the dismissal of Lombardi and Joe Banner was made public this morning, @CONCEDE took to Twitter to dish out some more rumors regarding the duo was being handed their walking papers:

Lombardi leaving was a foregone conclusion. But what really shook it up is when JH met with manning behind closed doors in Den #Browns

— MF Jones (@CONCEDE) February 11, 2014

I'm told Peyton told JH that the franchise would always be behind as long as Banner was there. Nail in coffin. #Browns

— MF Jones (@CONCEDE) February 11, 2014

So there you have it: we can thank Peyton Manning for his influence on Jimmy Haslam, it seems. In would have to believe that Haslam's decision was based on more than just Manning, but it's interesting to hear about how some of this stuff has been brewing, despite what was conveyed publicly.