CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar has reached a working agreement with owner Randy Lerner to serve as a team consultant.

No formal announcement may be made and no specific duties have been outlined. But the two men reached an accord last week and Kosar spent several days in the inner sanctum of the football organization now controlled by coach Eric Mangini.
According to a league source, Lerner values Kosar as "another set of eyes." Kosar essentially reports to the owner.

Lerner has tried to woo Kosar into a role with the Browns for several years, including an informal overture to be club president a few years ago. But Kosar consistently declined to relocate from his home base in Weston, Fla., because of business and personal commitments.

Kosar, 45, has gone through some highly publicized tough times, first a messy divorce from his wife, Babette, and then personal bankruptcy. In the bankruptcy filing in June, Kosar listed $1.5 million in debt owed the Browns.

In between those traumatic changes of life, Kosar acquired executive experience as president of the Cleveland Gladiators. The club folded after one season when the Arena Football League went out of business.

"I've got a little more time now to do it," Kosar said of accepting Lerner's invitation. "I'm getting my personal life in order. I still miss football and the Arena thing whetted my appetite."

Kosar said he was unsure how much time he would spend in Cleveland. He has four children living in Weston. He said he doesn't know where the situation will lead.

"I want to make sure it's comfortable as a fit and make sure I can help," he said. "I want to be sensitive to all the time and work the coaches put into the job. They've been great to me."

Kosar does not have a history with Mangini, who joined the old Browns as a ballboy and then PR intern in 1994 -- the season after Kosar was released. Mangini, of course, would then be taken under the wing of coach Bill Belichick, with whom Kosar sparred.

The irony is that Kosar and Belichick grew closer long after their infamous parting and Mangini and Belichick grew far apart. The common ground of Belichick and Mangini is their insistence on strict discipline to build a solid team structure.

Truth is, Kosar always respected that aspect of Belichick's coaching.
"He knows you need structure in order to win," a league source closely familiar with Kosar said. "When you don't have structure, it becomes chaos."

Nobody knows how this dynamic will work in Lerner's organization chart. On the business side is President Mike Keenan and David Jenkins, vice president of finance and administration. On the football side is Mangini, General Manager George Kokinis, and Dawn Aponte, vice president of football administration.

Then there's Kosar and Jim Brown, executive advisor, reporting directlyto Lerner.
http://www.cleveland.com/brown..._kosar_joins_br.html

He can function as the team bartender.

I like that Kosar is involed with the team. I think he is actually pretty smart and would be a good consultant. He may want to lay off the sauce a little though. I love listening to his commentarys though. He is very informative.

quote:

Originally posted by scarboroughdawg:
He can function as the team bartender.

I don't believe you will find too many that find the humor.

Great to see Kosar back, I hope it works into a greater role.

Maybe a little QB coaching? We could sure use it.

Im thinking that this is a good move

If we ever want to restore the tradition and history of this great team we need to be reminded of how it once was...

Then again, I dont want to go back to the past...

My goal is to start winning super bowls, however it will be nice to see some familiar faces around Berea!

quote:

Originally posted by fishtheice:

quote:

Originally posted by scarboroughdawg:
He can function as the team bartender.

I don't believe you will find too many that find the humor.

Great to see Kosar back, I hope it works into a greater role.

It is very funny to me.

quote:

Originally posted by SIPE:

quote:

Originally posted by fishtheice:

quote:

Originally posted by scarboroughdawg:
He can function as the team bartender.

I don't believe you will find too many that find the humor.

Great to see Kosar back, I hope it works into a greater role.

It is very funny to me.

I don't find it funny at all

I would love to see Kosar as the OC. He at least would not be predictable, I can guarantee that.

glad to hear Bernies back, now update it on the team F.O area.

I know Kosar probably needs the money after the devorce and other problems he has had.

I think he was already part of his circle of trust, no?

This is great news the Browns can use any help they can get at this point.

Another set of eyes is a good thing. Maybe he can help steer this team offensively while Mangini and Ryan get the defense completely up to speed.

Wasn't clear on the $1.5 mil owed to or by the Browns to Bernie.

This is the smartest move that RL has made since his father passed away. I've been saying for years that he needs to hire someone with football knowledge to have his ear when he makes any decision regarding this franchise. There may be hope for us yet!!!!!!!!

mabey he can be our starting qb.

This is probably part of Lerner's secret conspiracy to destroy the Browns and move them to LA.

:turns off sarcasm:
Welcome aboard BK. The ship is sailing in the right direction.

quote:

Originally posted by scarboroughdawg:
He can function as the team bartender.

very original... why even post this??

I loved Kosar when he was here. I remember his side arm passes to Webster and Reggie, and the way he never gave up on any game. When Belichick benched him in favor of Interseptiverdy (Vinny Testaverde) I knew the BROWNS were on a down hill slide..... As much as I love and respect Bernie this will not make any difference in anything except to please a few fans. A few fans will look at this and go AWWWWWW FINALLY the front office is looking at the fans and respecting us... This will move will do nothing more than make a few people happy...... Kosar cant and wont make any difference this year or next.. Its all about coaching and preparation, and FUNDAMENTALS!!!! For those of you who think Kosar is gonna be on the field every practice giving Mangini pointers, well you better hang your hats cause it's not gonna happen. JMO

quote:

Originally posted by fishtheice:

quote:

Originally posted by scarboroughdawg:
He can function as the team bartender.

I don't believe you will find too many that find the humor.

Great to see Kosar back, I hope it works into a greater role.

I agree on both of those lines.

Maybe Kosar can teach DA how to read a defense.

I know that won't happen but if you liked him or not one thing nobody can deny was his ability to read the coverages.

quote:

I knew the BROWNS were on a down hill slide.....

I loved Bernie but you can't say that, the year after the benching the Browns went to I believe an 11-5 record and a playoff win.

Vinny was a good qb, yeah he threw his share of picks but he was a good qb.

I remember when he came in the Oakland game when we were down by 3 touchdowns and Vinny brought us back to a victory.

The only reason that Vinny and Bill didn't work out was because the year after the playoff win was when they announced the move.

quote:

Originally posted by FlapJack:
I think he was already part of his circle of trust, no?

Very true, Lerner just made it official My question is; What is Jim Brown and Bernie consulting? I have not read anything that said a decision was based on the advice of Jim. I think they are just being used as symbols of the success we enjoyed in the DISTANT past

quote:

Originally posted by AaannndddPunt:
Then there's Kosar and Jim Brown, executive advisor, reporting directlyto Lerner.
http://www.cleveland.com/brown..._kosar_joins_br.html

quote:

Originally posted by daytnabacker:
I think they are just being used as symbols of the success we enjoyed in the DISTANT past

Maybe it's a plan put into place to serve as a buffer in the event Mangini / Kokinis can't get things done.

Last week it was rumored Emerson Boozer would be kicking Jim Brown to the curb, and now this...Hopefully it is true, Jim Brown belongs there, and I've always liked Bernie.

he seemed to know what to audible to every play the last few seasons. It was preseason but he has always been a smart football guy.

He might be the guy to say wow! We need a real qb now. lol. One cant see he field and the other cant throw the field.....

I think RL knows our QB's need HELP!
I hope BK's knowledge of the game rubs off on everyone in the facility at Berea

This is the only good news to come out of Cleveland since the day before this new regime was hired

quote:

Originally posted by SgtMystery:
Maybe a little QB coaching? We could sure use it.

just remember he's a consultant to Randy not Mangini, Daboll or Smith.

1. Randy respects the knowledge and opinion of Bernie.

2. Randy loves the Browns and its history as he surrounds the team in some capacity with 3 of its greatest stars. Brown, Warfield and Kosar.

3. Randy needs Football people to provide professional opinion of exactly what he sees and the progress of the team.

Some complain about Randy not being here enough...and yet they have no clue really how often he is here as Randy doesn't not covet media face time.

But what we do know is he has 6 eyes always looking at the Browns their staff and players.

Glad he's taking care of Bernie as he needs us more than we need him

JMHO

quote:

Originally posted by eotab:

quote:

Originally posted by SgtMystery:
Maybe a little QB coaching? We could sure use it.

just remember he's a consultant to Randy not Mangini, Daboll or Smith.

1. Randy respects the knowledge and opinion of Bernie.

2. Randy loves the Browns and its history as he surrounds the team in some capacity with 3 of its greatest stars. Brown, Warfield and Kosar.

3. Randy needs Football people to provide professional opinion of exactly what he sees and the progress of the team.

Some complain about Randy not being here enough...and yet they have no clue really how often he is here as Randy doesn't not covet media face time.

But what we do know is he has 6 eyes always looking at the Browns their staff and players.

Glad he's taking care of Bernie as he needs us more than we need him

JMHO

You make some excellent points here. But I disagree with you on one: "Glad he's taking care of Bernie as he needs us more than we need him"

I truly think that we NEED Bernie more than he NEEDS the Cleveland Browns. I think he can provide much needed insight for Lerner in many ways. One for example would be whether he (Kosar)likes what he sees from Mangini and the GM. (i.e. buys into their system)

By the way I think Bernie could help us out a lot by suiting up at QB

Nice to hear that Lerner is taking care of the football side of things.. even if he is outsourcing football and team insight. Also, its nice that when he is hiring people to be his eyes/ears, he's turning to people that have a history in the organization and that fans relate well with.

Truthfully, I hope Bernie's role with the team increases over time, I think he's got decent ideas (mostly from hearing his commentary and whatnot).

quote:

Originally posted by calcutta809:
I would love to see Kosar as the OC. He at least would not be predictable, I can guarantee that.

got that right. he can do a lot of good....in the right spot. the guy is football smart.

FIRE MANGINI BERNIE PLEAE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by umpmb:
FIRE MANGINI BERNIE PLEAE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is why you don't post when you're drunk

Gee I would rather have old man Bernie as quarterback over Anderson.
His declining skills would be much better than Andersen's.

I don't for one minute think Bernie is here to discuss on field issues. Talk a bout an insult to the head coach!

This is about organization/fan relationships, how to regain fan confidence etc. Which all come down to on field issues.

It's fan appeasement, nothing more.

quote:

Originally posted by OtisTaylor:
I don't for one minute think Bernie is here to discuss on field issues. Talk a bout an insult to the head coach!

This is about organization/fan relationships, how to regain fan confidence etc. Which all come down to on field issues.

It's fan appeasement, nothing more.

Kosar Inc is a boost to CB public relations for sure. The brand-name "Bernie" is more important than the parody song about him. The Browns front office is a business, and the BK brand can keep part-time fans interested in the game....

Kosar's back!
That's pphhennominal!!!

Welcome Back Bernie!!!! Its been a long time coming

Maybe he can start at QB next week. I think our chances of winning would be much better!

Sounds good. Kosar needs money and Lerner needs someone who has a clue when making football decisions.

Here is my interpretation of their conversation prior to the hiring.

Randy: "Bernie, I have no idea how to run this franchise or hire the right people"
Bernie: "Obviously, I think anyone paying attention to the NFL knows that"
Randy: "Please help me. Cleveland fans think I'm an idiot and that I don't care. Of course I don't care, but this team makes me lots of money. I don't think the fans will buy the whole firing GM and coach bit again in the future, can you help me stop looking incompetent?"
Bernie: "Well. I have hit kind of a rough spot Randy. I would be willing to accept the job on one condition"
Randy" "Which is?"
Bernie: "I need a liquor cabinet that is regularly stocked in my office and the guarantee I will never be tested or disciplined for not being sober on the job"
Randy: "I think we all know a belligerently drunk Bernie Kosar is 100x better at making decisions than an incompetent owner, when can you start?"

Can we keep the comments of Bernie's contribution to what he brinngs to the football side of things. Not about his drinking problem perceived or not!

I have a great amount of respect for Bernie's football knowledge. I've had the opportunity to sit down with him and he blew me away. This guy loves football and the Cleveland Browns.

I wish him nothing but the best and any help he can give us is greatly needed! Please let's show some class!

I'm just joking around. I think Bernie has a great amount of football knowledge. Anyone paying attention to him when he calls preseason games knows this.

But..the guy does quite a few local radio interviews where he sounds anything but sober. If he was ashamed of his drinking I don't think he'd do interviews that way. I also recall one time he was giving Jim Donovan a hard time for not "going out" with him after the game.

I'm just poking fun. I know it may be touchy subject for some, did not mean to offend.

Sober or not the guy knows football. If he does truly have a drinking problem I hope he cleans it up that now he's officially working with the Browns organization. I think he can bring a lot of wisdom to the table.

This is also a class move by Lerner, hopefully its a win-win for the Browns and Bernie.

quote:

I would love to see Kosar as the OC. He at least would not be predictable, I can guarantee that.

He would be better than Daboll. May not be a bad idea but I doubt it happens.