It’s impossible to tell now, of course, but, on paper at least, it seems the Browns have hit a home run with their hiring of Hue Jackson as head coach.
And if they can bring in Martin Mayhew as their general manager, and Ray Horton as their defensive coordinator, then I think the hit parade will continue.
Jackson has reportedly targeted Horton for that job, and the Browns have an interest in Mayhew.
Mayhew was GM of the Detroit Lions before being fired halfway through the season with the Lions, who had made the playoffs in 2014, struggling along at 1-7 en route to finishing 7-9 and missing the postseason. In his first six seasons with the Lions, they went to the playoffs twice.
Horton, who was defensive coordinator of the Browns in 2013 under Rob Chudzinski, had the same job the last two years with the Tennessee Titans under Ken Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt was fired halfway through this season, and his assistants were dismissed at the end of the year.
The Lions had some success under Mayhew. He took over a team in 2009 that had gone 0-16 the season before and had them in the playoffs in 2011. Playing a key role in that turnaround was quarterback Matthew Stafford, who Mayhew selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. So he knows what a very good quarterback looks like, which would be a big boost to the Browns, who may use their top pick this year, at No. 2 overall, to find their quarterback.
Like Jackson, he would be getting a second chance, but now with the knowledge of what didn’t work the first time. The Browns need an experienced hand running their drafts. When neophytes have done it over the years, it’s been a disaster.
Horton did some very good things in his short time in Cleveland. He’s an extremely intelligent individual who thinks out of the box.
Here’s another name to keep in mind in the GM search. Chisom Opara, who has worked in player personnel for the Browns for 11 years, is reportedly going to get an interview. Though another smart guy, he’s too green to hire for that job. However, he would be a wise choice to be the assistant GM here, and working under Mayhew would be a good fit.
By Steve King
