Voice of Reason

Browns secrecy forces speculation on actual duties of George Kokinis, Erin O'Brien

Editor's Note: Each Wednesday during the regular season, NoLogoNeeded.com asks the “Voice of Reason” to weigh in on all issues Browns related. The Voice of Reason is not a pen name of one of the three staff writers. No, he is a Browns fan that takes an off-beat view once a week. Some can even argue it is more of a level-headed view.

By The Voice of Reason
NoLogoNeeded.com contributing writer

Halloween has come and gone and the Voice of Reason has no idea what Randy Lerner’s costume was; though, I have it on good authority that an axe was prominently involved. And boy did he ever swing that bad boy around.

Randy “The Executioner” Lerner rode into town on his black stallion, took a look around, decided he didn’t like what he saw and started heads-a-rollin’. The first victim was Mangini’s personal assistant operations assistant Erin O’Brien followed by General Manager George Kokinis.

In true Browns fashion both axings are riddles shrouded in mystery. And since Browns headquarters are locked up like a dolphin’s butt (water tight) chances are we will never know the real reasons behind either of these personnel decisions. But then again, nothing has ever stopped the Voice from baseless speculation before so why start now?

With regard to Mangini’s personal assistant O’Brien, we have more than enough to go on to form a credible hypothesis to ascertain where she went wrong. O’Brien was his personal assistant in New York (assistants are all the rage in the City) and he wanted to hire her in the same capacity in Cleveland. Lerner said he wasn’t having any of that so Mangini hired her in what was surely a figure head position. This position, in which she fulfilled none of the required obligations, more than likely saw her answer directly to Mangini and carry out his bidding, as she did in New York.

And what was that bidding? Glad you asked. As best as I can tell, her role doubled as head chef/beautician. A man with Mangini’s work ethic and long hours has no time for fixing up a hot meal (and he doesn’t look like he’s starving now, does he?). So those late night snacks had to come from somewhere and those Krispy Kremes aren’t going to buy themselves. Cue the Erin O’Brien delivery service.

Now, I’m happily married to an attractive female (I think she might be the only attractive Bengals’ fan on the planet) but I can appreciate well cared for skin when I see it – even on a man. Seriously, take a look at Mangini on the sidelines next time the cameras cut to him. If that isn’t radiant, well cared for flesh, then I don’t know my manicures from my pedicures. You don’t have a glowing, flawless complexion like that without some big time, high class care. My sources tell me Mangini had O’Brien enrolled in the Aveda Institute during their time in New York where she picked up the finer points of skin care and administering facials. Who had time for the spa when they’re burning the candle at both ends? Am I right?

As for George? I’m sure we can come up with a few things, but the Voice of Reason does feel for the guy. I mean, he wasn’t in town long enough to work a decent mold of his posterior in his office chair (and I bet it was a nice chair, too).

Chances are getting fired was a welcomed relief for Kokinis. He agreed to the GM gig upon the condition that he would have final say in all personnel matters, which, in hindsight we all know he didn’t have. (Exhibit number one: the Braylon Edwards trade.) So rather than being lorded over by a tyrant head coach, to whom he owed the job he had, Kokinis now is a free man who shouldn’t have a problem landing another job in an NFL front office.

Think about it for a minute. He had essentially no responsibilities. Which means that the failures of the Browns can’t be laid on him. And everyone knows this. In a league that loves to recycle front office personnel from one franchise to the next, he has to be sitting pretty waiting for a plum gig to fall in his lap. He did nothing wrong, solely because he wasn’t afforded the opportunity to make any mistakes before he got the quick hook. He’s like a less vilified version of Brady Quinn. Heck, you and I did as much “general managing” as he did these past nine months.

The real story lies in where the decision for these two beheadings came from. Was it Lerner himself or did he have inside operatives? The most obvious choice for inside man is none other than newly hired “consultant” Bernie Kosar. The Voice loves the idea of Bernie being hired by Lerner for the sole purpose of gathering intel. It’s a fun thought to think that behind Bernie’s drunken façade lies a Jason Bourne-like super spy capable of executing the most sinister of missions.

Regardless of Cleveland’s on-field product this season, we can’t say that the franchise isn’t entertaining. The Browns are like a reality television “star” in that they know how to stay relevant by doing something outlandish to keep the media’s attention. Unfortunately, in both instances, everyone is “famous” for all the wrong reasons.

With 12 days until the next game more changes are bound to take place. Ernie Accorsi is rumored to have been hired as a “consultant” similar to Kosar. Maybe, Lerner even contacted Bill Cowher. No matter what happens the bye week is surely going to be more entertaining than if the Browns were a competitive professional football team.

November 03, 2009 at 11:08 PM

Comments

i've heard that kokinis was bangin the help...recall someone else got dismissed prior to him....there with cause is relevant

November 03, 2009 at 3:12 PM by mike

What I understood the Browns to say was that "George Kokinis is not activelly supporting the Browns". Is that really any change? Was he ever actively doing any thing for the Browns? I'd also like to say that I can't imagine Coach Mangini would be eating Krispy Kremes when he could get the world's best donuts at Spudnuts. As a youngster in Berea I grew up eating them and they're great.

November 03, 2009 at 6:43 PM by Glenn Studevant

Yes! This is what readers are for. I will most definitely be checking out Spudnuts next time in I'm Berea.

November 03, 2009 at 7:50 PM by The Voice of Reason

This soap opera is more intriguiging than 'Spygate' by far. Why are Browns officials examining Koko's phone records? Was he making a lot of LD calls to phone sex lines? How about all the web porn on his office computer? No wonder he had no time to get involved in personnel decisions. I can't wait to see who Randy and Mandy pick as their next GM.

November 03, 2009 at 5:55 PM by JEdgar

Browns secrecy forces speculation on actual duties of George Kokinis, Erin O'Brien

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