Former Browns GM Tom Heckert told The Plain Dealer today that he expected he would be fired during the transition from the regime of Mike Holmgren, left, to the ownership of Jimmy Haslam, right.

(Photo by PD file )

BEREA, Ohio - Former Browns General Manager Tom Heckert, who was fired this morning along with coach Pat Shurmur, said he knew when CEO Joe Banner took over in October that he'd be gone.

Heckert worked under Banner as GM in Philadelphia, where they helped mold the Eagles into perennial contenders. Heckert left the Eagles to come here and have final authority over all football decisions, a power that coach Andy Reid had in Philly.



"Yes, I knew, just because of the contract situation,'' he said. "I'm sure that's why [Banner] took this job, was to have that [final authority]. I'm assuming that's one of the reasons why, and that's why I did, too, so I understand that.''



Heckert said he never tried to make a case for himself.

"No, no not at all,'' he said. "It was one of those things I knew was going to happen with the situation with my contract. I had final say over everything and that probably wasn't going to be the case here, so either way, it probably wasn't going to work out.''

He said there was never any discussion of him having a reduced role, without final say over all football decisions.

Pat Shurmur, Tom Heckert fired: A look back 16 Gallery: Pat Shurmur, Tom Heckert fired: A look back

Heckert, who has two years left on his Browns contract, also said he regretted that the firing process took so long, considering that the writing was on the wall since October when owner Jimmy Haslam and Banner took control.

"It's tough no matter what, but it just seems like it kind of dragged on a little bit because we kind of knew what was happening,'' he said. "They basically said they hadn't made up their minds until a week or two ago. But being around people who aren't going to be here, it's uncomfortable for everyone.''

Other highlights of the Heckert interview:

• On interviewing for another job: "Obviously, I'll let this sink in a little bit and see what happens. Fortunately, I have some years left on my contract so I don't have to do anything right away. I want to go into the right situation. I don't want to just jump into somewhere where I don't think has a chance. That's one of the reasons I came here. I thought it would be a great opportunity to build something and if something like that came available, that would be great. But I could do something else. I'd like to be a GM for the right situation, and if that happens, great, but if not, I'm sure I can do a lot of other things too.



• On re-joining Reid, who was fired by the Eagles today: "If that opportunity arose, I'd love it. He's a phenomenal coach and a great person. That would fantastic if that ever happened down the road.''

• On the rest of his personnel staff: "Almost everybody's still under contract. Yeah, they're really great. I think they're going to retain all of the personnel guys, which is great. It's a great group of talented guys.''

• On if they'll retain any of the coaches: "I think they'll wait and see who the new coach is.''



• On if he has feelers for a new job yet: "I haven't really talked to anyone yet. Now that this has happened, I'm sure I'll talk to some people.''

• On how the firing went down this morning: "Jimmy and Joe both came in and they were great. It was a very, very good conversation.''

• On the shape he's leaving the 5-11 Browns in: "Obviously we're still a very, very young team, but I think we're very talented. The offensive and defensive lines are very good, and everyone knows how I feel about the quarterback and the running back. The young receivers, Greg Little, Josh Gordon and Travis Benjamin are all going to be really good. We feel like there's a lot of good young talent on both sides of the ball.''



• On if he thinks the team's poised to take off: "I really do. That's the hardest part of this whole thing. Pat and I both felt next year was going to be a really exciting year for the Browns. Unfortunately we're not going to be a part of it.''

• How disappointing is this: "It's very disappointing. You're in this thing to win and we think we're on the verge of it. We spent a lot of time dealing with these players and developing relationships with these guys. I went out with a few of the players last night. We had a small gathering and it made me feel really good. We had a good time. It's a great team, it really is. This is one of the best locker rooms I've been around in my 20 years. There's no animosity or controversy. They were really fun to be around.''



• On whether he'd require final say elsewhere: "It's important, but it's not a deal-breaker. Obviously I'll make decisions with the head coach. It depends on who the person is. It really does.

• On whether Shurmur will get another head coaching opportunity: "I really, really think he should. I think he deserves it and I think he will. I thought he did a phenomenal job under the circumstances. I don't think anybody in the history of the league had to go through some of the things he had to go through, including a lockout and the sale of the team. I think he's going to be a really good coach.''

