File Under Things I Never Thought I Would Say...

I really lost a lot of respect for Bill Cowher after his retirement from the Steelers. Setting the 2006 season aside, which was itself enough to lose respect for a man who coached with such fire for so long, just the fact that he clearly retired because of financial differences with the Steelers, then whored himself out to a half-assed reality show, and now it's rumored he is talking to the Browns about a possible return to coaching(!) really makes me respect him a lot less!

Bill, you're a Hall of Fame coach associated with one of, if not, the proudest organizations in the NFL or any league for that matter. I know this isn't 1975 anymore, but have some respect for the Steelers.

A return with the lowly Browns would be a kick in the balls not only to the Steelers front office, but every Steeler fan who loved Bill Cowher from 1992 to 2007.

I beg you Bill...just do "Dancing With The Stars" instead. At least you'll have a shot at winning!

But chances are he wouldn't return with the Browns anyway. It was reported that Cowher met privately with Redskins owner Daniel Synder and also has had conversations with his new home team, the Carolina Panthers [Though Redskins deny all allegations]. While I don't think any of these head coaching jobs are likely to be vacant come 2008 (except maybe Cleveland), anything is possible. And as sad as it will make me, there is a realistic chance that Bill Cowher will return to coach another team and bring Steelers Director of Operations Kevin Colbert with him (salt on the wound).

Here's to hoping that this is all just ugly rumors...