The Cleveland Browns, according to two NFL sources,?have asked the Eagles for permission to talk to Tom Heckert about their?vacant general manager's job.
One of the sources said that a specific date had not been set for the interview. Heckert has been with the Eagles since May 2001 and has held the title of general manager since 2006, although coach Andy Reid has final say on personnel decisions.
Heckert, 40, interviewed for the Atlanta GM job last season, but former New England college scouting director Thomas Dimitroff beat him out for the Falcons' job.
Heckert turned down an opportunity to interview for the Minnesota GM job in 2006, the same year Brad Childress left the Eagles to become Minnesota's head coach. Heckert, who had been the vice president of player personnel, was given the title of Eagles general manager after the Vikings requested permission to talk to him.
Although he would like to have final?say on personnel decisions, Heckert has said in the past that he is happy with his role as the Eagles' general manager. Bob LaMonte, the agent for Heckert and Reid, said last week that his two clients have an excellent working relationship.
Heckert also has said that he would not take a job just to have final say on personnel decisions unless he felt strongly about the organization and its commitment to winning. The Browns fired general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel after finishing last in the AFC North with a 4-12 record.
Contact staff writer Bob Brookover at 215-854-2577 or bbrookover@phillynews.com.
