CantonRep.com: Browns to interview Eagles GM Tom Heckert

Browns to interview Eagles GM Tom Heckert
By Steve Doerschuk
CantonRep.com staff writer
Posted Jan 07, 2009 @ 12:45 PM
Last update Jan 07, 2009 @ 12:56 PM
BEREA —

The Browns have received permission to interview Philadelphia General Manager Tom Heckert. He is in his eighth season with the Eagles and his third as general manager.

Heckert is relatively young, 41, but he has spent his life soaking up the culture of an NFL personnel man. His father, also named Tom, spent 20 years in the business.

This is a bit of a curveball in relation to the strong signs pointing to an Eric Mangini-George Kokinis head coach-GM team.

Strong indications remain that Mangini is on course to be the coach. Mangini may prefer Kokinis, but with no other apparent suitors, he is in no position to demand that Kokinis — who is roughly Heckert’s age but has a lesser résumé — be hired with him.

Heckert has been active in both pro and college personnel matters. Kokinis’ authority has been confined to pro personnel matters.

Heckert grew up in Adrian, Mich., and was a collegiate defensive tackle at Hillsdale. (Andy's note: Heckert was actually a DB at Hillsdale.)

Heckert cut his teeth in the Dolphins personnel department, working in the Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson regimes.

Heckert is allowed to interview elsewhere because he does not have final say over the 53-man roster. That power lies with Head Coach Andy Reid. The Browns would have to offer Heckert a position providing that say.

Former Browns GM Phil Savage insisted on this.