Ex-Titan Reese is interested in becoming Browns’ GM

By MARLA RIDENOUR

The NFL analyst for ESPN stepped down as Tennessee Titans’ GM in January, 2007.

While recent reports have characterized the return to the Browns of Bill Cowher and Marty Schottenheimer as unlikely, former Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese would openly welcome a call from Browns owner Randy Lerner.

In a telephone interview Wednesday, Reese said ‘’you’d have to’’ consider the Browns if Lerner decides to fire general manager Phil Savage or insist that Savage accept a reduced role. Presumably, coach Romeo Crennel would be the first to go.

Currently an NFL analyst for ESPN, Reese has been out of the league since stepping down from his Titans post in January 2007. Reese has more than 30 years of NFL experience, including 13 as the Titans’ GM.

‘’When I look at organizations and potential jobs, you always look at do they have what it takes to win. That’s an owner willing to invest, the facility, the stadium, the fan base,’’ Reese said. ‘’Cleveland’s got all of that.

‘’Have they won the way they wanted to since their rebirth? No, they haven’t. Is that something that can be fixed? All you’ve got to do is look at the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins to say, ‘Yeah, it can be fixed.’ ”

After finishing 10-6 and one game shy of the playoffs in 2007, the Browns are 4-9 going into the game Monday night against the Eagles (7-5-1) in Philadelphia. Since the franchise returned in 1999, the Browns are 54-103 with one playoff appearance (in 2002).

Earlier this year, Reese expressed interest in the Detroit Lions’ job after general manager Matt Millen was fired, telling the Detroit Free Press, ‘’If I had William Clay Ford’s number, you’d be hearing a dial tone right now.’’

Reese said he would evaluate the state of any franchise that approaches him.

‘’You have to evaluate everything from top to bottom,’’ he said. ‘’My impression and from the league’s perception, Cleveland is probably one of the classier organizations. At least as an outsider looking in, they’re trying to do everything right. They do everything first class.’’

Reese wondered if the Browns are as bad as their record, especially after offseason trades brought high-priced defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, quarterback Derek Anderson was given a new contract and free-agent receiver Donte’ Stallworth was signed to a deal that included $10 million guaranteed.

‘’They made a large investment in the offseason to try to get better. Did that pay off? I’m not sure it did. You have to evaluate why,’’ Reese said. ‘’You won 10 games, you have a Pro Bowl quarterback and receivers, now you’re looked at differently than an expansion club. The schedule gets harder, draft choices are not as good, your opportunity to pick up players off the waiver wire is not as good.

‘’There’s a point the players have to understand that you have to notch it up one more notch.’’

Reese also looks at the Browns’ 2-0 record on Monday night, especially their 35-14 victory over the New York Giants (11-2).

‘’That’s frustrating. A team that can beat the New York Giants, then the Giants run off seven in a row. You’ve got to say, ‘Wait a minute, what happened to that team that played on Monday night?’ ” Reese said.

No matter how he assesses the Browns overall, Reese thinks that the team has major assets in Anderson and Brady Quinn, both on injured reserve.

‘’It’s hard to get one quarterback you consider a franchise quarterback,’’ Reese said. ‘’At least when you look at the contract they gave D.A. and the drafting of Brady Quinn in the first round, you’re saying to the world you think they’re both franchise quarterbacks. That’s indeed a luxury. Where you go with it is another issue. But at least at the most important position in professional sports they appear to be loaded.’’