Haslam, Banner seek to revitalize Browns

• New Browns owner Jimmy Haslam hired Joe Banner as his CEO to help reverse the franchise's fortunes
• Haslam and Banner said they would make organizational changes soon while exercising caution
• Banner, a longtime presence in the Eagles' front office, has not had his exact role determined

Jimmy Haslam has a wing man as he embarks on his journey as new owner of the Cleveland Browns, and there's little doubt Joe Banner can serve up some valuable expertise.

Banner, formally introduced as the Browns CEO on Wednesday, a day after Haslam was approved as owner, knows the league's inner-workings. During his 19 years in the Philadelphia Eagles front office, Banner was a shrewd salary cap manager and savvy businessman, affecting everything from the team's solid community relations ties to its sterling stadium, Lincoln Financial Field. And then some.

Every franchise needs an exec like him.

But Banner, who never won a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles, wasn't the one doing the heavy lifting for the sustained success on the football field that included 11 playoff berths and six division titles.

He certainly had an important role in the Eagles' football operations, locking up key players to long-term contracts and stretching those cap dollars.

Banner, however, didn't evaluate whether the quarterback's release after a five-step drop was up to snuff or if the cornerback prospect fits better in a Cover 2 scheme or how well the linebacker sheds a block while pursuing from the back side.

Those are the calls for football people. Banner, who climbed the ranks in an organization owned by childhood friend Jeffrey Lurie, must remember that.

When Haslam was asked by USA TODAY Sports whether he expected Banner to make personnel decisions, he responded: "A lot of that's TBD. We'll figure things out as we go along."

Sounds like the next big hire in the organizational chain -- a general manager who Banner can hold accountable — will be the most crucial one to fulfill Haslam's aim of delivering Cleveland its first NFL title since 1964.

It seems doubtful that current Browns GM Tom Heckert will survive, even with his ties to Banner from Philadelphia. Heckert has drawn praise from colleagues for making some nice draft picks, including Trent Richardson, Joe Haden, Jabaal Sheard and Phil Taylor.

But Heckert was aligned with coach Andy Reid rather than Banner while with the Eagles. And given the usual cycle when a new owner takes over, coach Pat Shurmur's job likely is in jeopardy, too.

The rebuilding program that lame-duck team president Mike Holmgren began has morphed into yet another new deal.

"The best thing," Haslam said, "is to have a good team."

During Wednesday's news conference, Banner seemed to be speaking directly to rabid Browns fans when he declared, "I don't think it'll take long before you start to feel like I'm starting to see some smart things happen, some decisions that make me feel like this team is on the right track."

Well, after a who's who list of coaches and GMs since the Browns were reborn in 1999 -- coaches included Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini, GMs included Dwight Clark and Phil Savage -- it's about time, huh?

Said Haslam, seated next to Banner: "I don't think you're looking at two more impatient people in the world, the two guys up here. At the same time, we want to do it the right way."

This is part of the Browns' new tradition. Another new start. Browns fans have to have their fingers crossed that Banner doesn't prove to be the disaster that Carmen Policy was.

When Al Lerner re-started the franchise, he tapped Policy to run the show. Even gave him a percentage of the franchise. Like Banner, Policy knew the NFL ropes and came from a solid NFL franchise. In fact, Policy even won Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers.

But Policy made a big mistake in bestowing a heap of power to Clark, the former 49ers receiver-turned-personnel man, who was not ready to make the football moves as the GM. This doomed the Browns.

Banner isn't Policy, although there's a striking correlation of rising to NFL power from roots that weren't developed by playing, coaching or scouting.

Still, Banner has a reputation for trying to soak up knowledge from the scouts, getting a hands-on feel for the football side of the business.

https://www.usatoday.com/videos/sports/nfl/2012/10/17/1638461/
He will know where to look for good football people, and Browns fans had better hope he doesn't bring an ego that would prevent him from relying on the experts.

"It's a team effort," Banner insists.

Haslam knows that, too. He is particularly proud that in amassing a fortune with Pilot Flying J, three of his top five-ranking executives have been with him for 27, 21 and 15 years. He believes in continuity and longevity.

"The main thing," he says, "is that you want to get it right."

His decision to roll with Banner and the moves they make will be exposed for the Browns fans to scrutinize.

Haslam paid $1 billion for the Browns but was reminded by outgoing owner Randy Lerner that the team is a community asset -- nothing Haslam does or says occurs under the radar. Not in the NFL. Not with the Browns.

He found that out when he mentioned possibly putting a dome on the stadium, which sparked a local furor in Cleveland.

"What I've learned as an NFL owner, is that you have to be very careful," he said.

More lessons beckon, but the passing grade is clear: Deliver a winner.