Kosar Could Have a Bigger Role With The Browns

The front office of the Browns made a very subtle change a couple weeks ago when it invited one of its own to help.

Now the question becomes how significant the change becomes in the long term.

Bernie Kosar acknowledged in a phone interview on Friday that he would like to grow his consulting role into a full-time gig.

How that plays out, though, not even Kosar is sure.

''I'd like to see how I'm fitting and see where I could genuinely help,'' Kosar said from South Florida en route to parent-teacher conferences at his kids' school. ''Right now, because it's the season, it's hard to do that.''

Kosar said he got a surprising call to ''consult'' from team owner Randy Lerner shortly after the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. At that point, the Browns were 0-4 and exulting over losing close to the Bengals at home.

But Lerner has to be well aware that it was his decision to hire coach Eric Mangini, and if it doesn't work it falls on him.

Asking Kosar to help might be the first step in recognizing the situation needs shoring.

The Browns did not publicize the move, nor did Kosar, who preferred to keep it quiet. But since the Plain Dealer first reported the story a week ago, Kosar has been upfront about the situation.

Kosar has longed to help his beloved Browns since 1999, when he supported the Carmen Policy-Al Lerner ownership group.

He was involved on the periphery, but never in the building doing what he's doing now. He has no title, and he said that's fine.

The past few years were tumultuous for him, as he struggled through a difficult divorce he did not want. He recently had to file for personal bankruptcy - and included in the list of debts was $1 million owed to the Browns.

He said things have settled down, and he feels better able to contribute.

''The first thing right now is analyzing and learning what it is we do and what it's called,'' Kosar said. ''The system is pretty intricate and there's a million calls. You can't talk coaching lingo unless you know that stuff. So I have to look at the film and learn the playbook.

''Then I've been trying to get ready for the offseason and how we're going to balance that, because the coaches have to focus solely on Green Bay.''

This sounds like a man who is involved. Learning the system should not be too difficult. Kosar always has been a quick study, and he has a football mind.

Now comes the challenge of translating that football IQ into positive action with a losing team that lacks playmakers.

But it's also delicate, because Mangini and General Manager George Kokinis were hired to do a job, and the appearance that Kosar is looking over their shoulders would not be good for anyone - Kosar included.

That's probably why Kosar stressed positives. Among them the play of center Alex Mack.

Kosar said a team needs ''core, foundation, tough guys in the middle'' and added ''you could make a case to keep the fifth pick and take someone who's more 'sexy,' but I'm glad we have Alex Mack.''



(fox8.com)