Browns fire director of player development Jerry Butler

[grumpy_dinosaur]

Browns fire director of player development Jerry Butler

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 17, 2011, 7:37 AM EDT


The Cleveland Browns have fired director of player development Jerry Butler, and at least one player Butler helped develop isn’t happy about it.
Browns cornerback Eric Wright posted about his admiration for Butler on Twitter.
“We all understand that things change and business isn’t always fair but the Browns fired one of the best guys in that building in Jerry Butler,” Wright tweeted.
The Browns’ web site still lists Butler as director of player development, but Zac Jackson of Fox Sports Ohio reports that two sources confirmed the Browns have, in fact, fired Butler.
After a standout career at Clemson, the Buffalo Bills made Butler the fifth overall pick in the 1979 NFL draft. He was rookie of the year in 1979 and a Pro Bowler in 1980, and after retiring as a player in 1987 he moved to the Bills’ front office. In 1999 Butler became the Browns’ receivers coach, and in 2001 he moved into the director of player development role.
And now he’s out, in a move that comes as a surprise.

Browns fire director of player development Jerry Butler | ProFootballTalk
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No one had posted or said anything about this so I thought I'd share. Wonder what the deal was

[pl4tinum]

I wonder which players he developed the most. I trust Holmgren though. This was probably just some guy who didn't agree with the west coast offense, or something. Or maybe he was the guy who used to buy the donuts for RAC back in the day.

[hammertime]

Jerry Butler fired = 16-0

write it down.

[Tobalaz]

If Wright is the only scrub, err, player pitching I'll take this as a win.

[hurk]

Holmgen wants the slate as clean as possible.

[Dan in Florida]

Originally Posted by Tobalaz

If Wright is the only scrub, err, player pitching I'll take this as a win.

Eric Wright Wrong doesn't like it? = Right

[Tobalaz]

Originally Posted by Dan in Florida

Eric Wright Wrong doesn't like it? = Right

Exactly.
Words of wisdom flow not from the mouths of the overdrafted, underperforming and pampered babes.......

[nickers]

He'll probably wind up in KC with donut muncher.

[Legacy Fan]

Originally Posted by Tobalaz

If Wright is the only scrub, err, player pitching I'll take this as a win.

Fujita also unhappy about it. Scott is very well respected 'round the league.

[Vegasdogg]

The questions is - why?

[BernietheKid]

Browns Fire Butler
		By Zac Jackson FoxSportsOhio.com Posted May 17, 2011 Longtime player development director, former assistant coach has been with team since '99 0 Comments
The Browns have cut ties with longtime player development director and former assistant coach Jerry Butler, two sources have confirmed. The move is a surprising one given Butler's longevity with the team and in the league and the respect he's earned in NFL circles. The Browns made some confirmed cuts on the business side of their operations earlier in the offseason but have not laid off employees or cut wages due to the NFL lockout. Butler, whose nine-year NFL playing career included being named AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Bills in 1979, served as the Browns' wide receivers coach in 1999 and 2000 under then-coach Chris Palmer. He moved into his role as director of player development the following year. In his role as director of player development he oversaw programs for the team's rookie class, set up educational opportunities for the players year-round and worked with the players on a daily basis in a variety of on and off-field matters. The role of player development director has become more important with many franchises in recent years given the NFL's emphasis on off-field conduct and more recently in preparing players for the lockout. Butler often traveled with the team and worked in the pressbox with the Browns assistant coaches on game days when Romeo Crennel was the head coach. Butler worked seven years in the Bills' front office before joining the "new" Browns in 1999. According to Butler's bio on the team's official website, Butler received the 2003-2004 Winston-Shell Award for innovation and commitment to player development, and the 2007 Outstanding Financial Education Program for innovation. The bio also says Butler currently serves on the NFL’s Player Development Executive Steering Committee. Cleveland Browns NFL Football Front Page

[Legacy Fan]

This has "what the hell?" written all over it.