Haslam played it right on.  He targeted whom he wanted but according his value and stayed pat.  He didn't panic, overpay or overindulgence with power like ole Randy.

AA:

Sorry, just had flashback to nine months ago with Holmgren and RGIII.

HAM:

So you have anointed Kelly as RG3-ish already? 

AA:

I was actually comparing Kelly to the St. Louis Rams.

The Browns knew they had to trade up if they wanted Griffin, and they knew they'd be in a dogfight with the Redskins to make a deal.  Despite having two first round picks, and a higher first pick than the Skins, St. Louis chose to make a deal with Washington.

So the Browns were rejected, and many fans rationalized it as Holmgren having set a price for a trade-up and not willing to go beyond it.  That may have been true.  Or St. Louis people knew Washington people and simply preferred to do business with them.  Or the Browns were simply outmaneuvered.  We wouldn't know if it was the last possibility unless Holmgren was truthful in answering the question days later "If you had to do it all over again, would you have sweetened the deal?"

But some fans didn't want to view the possibility of their club being scorned or-- worse-- outplayed-- so cast it as a matter of practicality and fiscal sanity. 

She may have turned me down as my prom date, but I didn't like her THAT much.  *Sniff*

Same with Kelly.  Haslam was in pursuit.  Didn't work out.  Welcome to the NFL, where billionaire owners who always got their way in their chosen vocation don't always get their way here.  Doesn't mean Haslam can't ultimately foster a contending team.  It just means that his wife discovered on the honeymoon that his dick was not made of gold.

HAM:

Also, do you think with all things equal Kelly would have come to Cleveland over Philly? 

AA:

From my first post in this thread:

But really, never underestimate the power of a major market and the very high profile NFC East.

Had Lurie opted out and the Eagles were on the market when Haslam was shopping, it might have been no different. 

Had Banner remained a boat anchor at the Race Street Pier, it may have made not a bit of difference to Kelly.

Didn't want Kelly either, though seeing the Niners demolish the Packers may give me pause.

And agree.  Haslam is just a guy with an anchor. 

But if he was just a guy in Philadelphia, even with an anchor, he may have gotten his wish.

It can be more than just the personalities involved.

HAM:

Eagles have more talent, a young team as well, a far better QB for his scheme and Kelly himself is an east coast guy. 

AA:

Well, east coast as in New Hampshire, which has about as much affinity with Philadelphia as it does Miami.  Or Rio de Janeiro.

Sure, Weeden could not be an attraction for Kelly, though I'm thinking he doesn't view Vick as quite the ideal cog as some might think.  Lots of factors may have entered into Banks's preference.  Lurie has been around a long time and maybe knows how to deal with rejection better than the rookie owner who's used to getting his way in his other life. 

I just think Gary plays the Haslam Failed card with a heavy hand just to disabuse the groupies.  You remember the first 6 months of Butch.  Jeezus, his **** not only did NOT stink, it smelled like a country lane after a fresh shower.  Der Butchum left no stone unturned.  Even the most minor of transactions was regarded as brushstrokes from the Master Impressionist. 

So here comes this new owner who looks like he could kick every other owner's ass, the antithesis of the foppish diletante who preceded him.  And he talks the talk about winning and involvement and obstacles be damned.  Of course that all sounds so heartening to fans, so some then see his every move as a good one. 

So what was Haslam's first significant move?  Hiring Banner.

His second?  Going hot and heavy for Chip Kelly. 

And I think more people nine months ago thought RGIII would be a successful NFL QB
than those now believing Chip Kelly will be a successful NFL HC.