ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi Goes Overboard In Scathing Browns Column?

Dec 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans sit in a near empty stadium during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans sit in a near empty stadium during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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ESPN Cleveland analyst Tony Grossi didn’t hold anything back after a subpar performance from Cleveland Browns executives the day after completing a 1-15 season. Did he go overboard?

Executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown, along with Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta took to the dais Monday afternoon to sort through the rubble that was the Cleveland Browns 1-15 season.

Despite posting the worst record in franchise history, the Browns’ higher-ups seemed confident their plan is going just fine.

That led ESPN Cleveland analyst Tony Grossi to write a scathing column, blasting the the franchise’s latest rebuilding efforts.

Here’s some excerpts. The entire column may be read on ESPNCleveland.com.

"“We did not hear, however, the most appropriate response to such an utterly unacceptable season. That response should have been, “We apologize. Obviously, we didn’t make enough right decisions. We have to do so much better and we believe we will.”Instead of humility, the leaders of the New Browns Order, Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta, exuded smugness and that is as disturbing as it is off base. They practically broke their arms slapping each other’s backs for a job well done.When they make the movie of this one – call it Funnyball – I suggest reuniting Dumb and Dumber co-stars Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels for the leading roles.”"

Grossi’s column further takes shots at the “New Browns Order” as he calls out the front office, for sticking by the assumption that their 2016 draft–one I call the worst in franchise history–is paying off just like they would’ve hoped.

“I think all those guys showed why we drafted them,” DePodesta said.

"“This was just the opening sentence of a very lengthy response, in which Brown summarized a few players. The third player he mentioned was offensive lineman Shon Coleman, who played about 20 snaps all season at his natural position of tackle, all in the 16th game.”"

Not sure how much local media the Harvard educated front office reads, but they’re clearly aware of Grossi– a scribe who’s covered the Browns since 1984. Sashi mentioned Grossi by name when talking about finding a franchise quarterback.

https://twitter.com/BrownsChalkTalk/status/816050410058289156

Grossi can be a polarizing figure among Cleveland readers. His detractors believe he’s too negative.

Some–and this is just one example– blast him for his style.

It’s interesting that Grossi gets criticized for offering his opinion. His readers still think he’s reporting at the Cleveland Plain Dealer. His job isn’t to report for ESPN Cleveland. He’s paid as analyst. He may report some going-ons, but mostly, he’s paid to tell us what he thinks about what’s happening.

Is that good for journalism? I’ll save the long winded reply. But what’s become of the people paid to cover professional sports teams is hardly Grossi’s fault.

Remember, you, the average fan, don’t get the chance to converse with the front office. Sashi and Depodesta don’t have to hold themselves accountable to you–the ones paying thousands of season tickets. You want someone on the front line who is going to be a pipsqueak and make the higher-ups sweat. You think Grossi’s annoying? He’s acting as your mouthpiece to get the answers.

Next: 5 Buckeyes The Browns Should Draft

You may not like the way he goes about it, and his style may come off as arrogant, but what difference does it make to you? Are you happy with 1-15? Are you happy the Browns still don’t have a quarterback? Aren’t you annoyed that Brown and DePodesta could sit up their and be so smug about waiting a football year of our lives?