HEY, JIMMY, STAY AWAY FROM THE RED BUTTONS

By STEVE KING

There once was a comedian/actor by the name of Red Buttons. I wonder if Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has heard of him?

Moreover, I wonder if Buttons was a favorite – or may still be a favorite – of Haslam?

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It certainly would make sense because red buttons have been a big part of Haslam’s tenure in Cleveland since 2012. He keeps pushing the red buttons, the ones that blow things up, in this case his head coaches and general managers.

It has occurred almost annually in that time. In fact, he did it about a month and a half ago, blowing up – er, firing – head coach Freddie Kitchens and General Manager John Dorsey.

The new GM, Andrew Berry, had his introductory press conference on Wednesday. New head coach Kevin Stefanski had his several weeks earlier.

Both seem like good guys – good, smart, young guys who, by the way they talk and carry themselves, appear to know what they’re doing.

Now, that might be only wishful thinking – perhaps it’s that they really have no idea and their time here will prove to an unmitigated disaster. Only time will tell which one, or perhaps somewhere in between genius and knucklehead — it will turn out to be.

But until we know for sure – until we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, and it will take some time before we’ll know what we really know – the Browns, specifically Haslam, must refrain from blowing it up. They, he must refrain from pushing those red buttons so as to be able to start over.

Patience, as they say, is a virtue. But Haslam has not been very virtuous. In fact, he has, as even would tell you, been way too impatient.

As such, the Browns can’t escape the vicious cycle into which the owner cast them.

The Browns spent a lot of time researching the men they interviewed. They just didn’t draw names out of a hat.

So they owe it to themselves, the team and, of course, their fans to give these men a chance to prove themselves without fear of losing their jobs almost before they begin them.