Holmgren plans to be more visible

Some have questioned his commitment to Cleveland

Associated Press

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Mike Holmgren plans a major change in his third season as president of the Cleveland Browns.

And it starts at the top of the organization — with him.

Aware of outside criticism that he’s been detached since coming to Cleveland and sensitive to questions about his commitment to the franchise, Holmgren vowed to be more available to the media and fans than he has been since joining the Browns in 2010. Holmgren chose to stay in the background during his first two years so he wouldn’t upstage his coach or general manager.

“I want it to help,” he said. “I do not want it to be a burden on the coach or our general manager. And if I can help and open things up and make some things a little clearer for our fans, that’s my goal and that is my only goal.”

Holmgren is in the third year of a five-year contract. He doesn’t have any regrets about his first two seasons in Cleveland — other than the fact the Browns have gone just 9-23 since his arrival. However, he’s convinced the worst is over and believes the Browns, coming off a 4-12 season, can make a “good, healthy jump” next season.

“I know we’re a better football team,” he said. “We’re a more talented football team. There’s more continuity on the coaching staff, we’ve had the offseason program, but I believe we’re a more talented football team.”

As always, Cleveland’s burning offseason issue is at quarterback, a position the club hopes it solved by drafting Brandon Weeden in April. Although head coach Pat Shurmur has not named the 28-year-old rookie as his starter, it’s only a matter of time before Weeden gets the job.

“His skill level is excellent,” Holmgren said. “He passes the ball easily. He is as prepared to come in and start as a rookie as any quarterback I’ve seen in a long time because of his maturity level and his age.”

On other topics:

Holmgren said “right now” the plan is not to move either quarterback Colt McCoy or Seneca Wallace off the Browns’ roster but “that’s not to say we might not change something.” Earlier this week, Wallace said he didn’t think all three QBs would be on Cleveland’s roster for training camp.

Holmgren said his long history with Wallace, who played for him in Seattle, would not factor into any decision on the backup.

Holmgren would like to patch up the team’s rift with Brown, the greatest Cleveland Brown of them all. Brown, who was removed as an advisor by Holmgren, has been critical of the organization since leaving. He skipped a Ring of Honor ceremony in Cleveland last year and called first-round draft pick Trent Richardson an “ordinary” running back.

Holmgren reiterated the Browns are not for sale, further refuting a rumor last week that Lerner had the team on the market.

“No, the Browns are not for sale,” he said. “I talk to Randy all the time, and I assume he’d tell me. We have a very open, honest relationship. No, there’s no truth to that.”