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Do IT this week: Layering
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 06:48 p.m. EST, Dec 01, 2008
If holding the Indianapolis Colts without an offensive touchdown for the first time in five years proved anything, it's that the Browns are rallying around embattled coach Romeo Crennel.
The 10-6 loss Sunday to the Colts was their fifth defeat in the past seven games and dropped them to 1-6 at home. Another tough test looms this weekend as the Browns (4-8) visit the Tennessee Titans (11-1).
But even as quarterback Derek Anderson was limping out of the locker room with a season-ending left knee injury, Anderson stuck up for the coach who benched him after eight games this season.
''Guys aren't going to give up in here,'' Anderson said. ''Every single guy cares about each other and cares about winning. We love RAC [Crennel] and we're going to play for RAC. That's the biggest thing these last four weeks, knowing the entire situation.''
On Monday, Browns linebacker Willie McGinest said that if players were doing their jobs, they would have turned five of their eight losses into victories.
''Everybody — I always start with myself — if we go in and do what we're supposed to do or what we're coached to do and what we practice — out of those eight games we've lost, we win at least five more games,'' McGinest said. ''Especially the close ones.''
The Browns have lost four games by four points or less to some of the league's best: the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3), Baltimore Ravens (8-4), Washington Redskins (7-5) and Colts (8-4).
''If guys make plays they're supposed to make, if we tackle, if we block — block — if we catch, if we do our assignment. . . .If you're watching the game, you see it's evident, we win a lot of those games. It's not hard,'' McGinest said.
On Sunday he was visibly upset with the offensive line, the culprit for an Anderson fumble that was returned for the game's lone touchdown and Anderson's injury.
McGinest met Crennel when he was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1994 and has played for him for 10 years. So it was no surprise he tried to defend Crennel, 24-36 in four seasons with the Browns.
''We're all behind RAC 100 percent,'' McGinest said. ''He's one of the few men in here who cares about us, who gives us every opportunity to win, who works as hard we do, takes our losses as hard as we do and tries to do everything he can.
''If you're coached to do something, then you've got to take it to the field. Coaches can't play for you. It doesn't matter if you've got [Vince] Lombardi out there coaching you if you don't execute, if you're not consistent. And I think that's the biggest thing with us, we're not consistent.''
About 30 minutes before kickoff Sunday against the Colts, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported the Browns needed ''a miracle finish'' to save Crennel's job.
On Monday, Crennel said, ''I don't know anything about a miracle finish.'' But he said it was rewarding to see his team play hard.
''When you're in this situation and your team is not doing well, everyone wants to see if your team will quote 'quit,' '' he said, making quote marks with his fingers. ''You want your players to play hard, to give great effort and do the things that will give themselves a chance to win. I thought our team did that yesterday.
''It makes it easier for me to come to work. If they respect me, then I can feel decent about myself. If they go out and perform on the field like they did on Sunday, then I know that we've got a chance.''
Crennel's future will be judged by a team turning to its third starting quarterback and a disappointing season marred by injuries and Braylon Edwards' 18 dropped passes.
Asked whether that was fair, Crennel said: ''People don't care about whether it's fair or not, they care about whether you win or lose. That's the nature of this business and I've said that all along. I didn't have any rose-colored glasses on when I took the job. I've been in this league for 30 years, and I've seen a lot of things happen. And most of it has to do with winning and losing.''
Browns linebacker Andra Davis said the players love Crennel and wish they could have won more games because ''he definitely doesn't deserve'' to be fired. But nothing will shock Davis.
''Everyone's job is always on the line,'' Davis said. ''He's the head coach, so he's taking most of the brunt right now. But you'll see a lot of changes probably next year.''
If holding the Indianapolis Colts without an offensive touchdown for the first time in five years proved anything, it's that the Browns are rallying around embattled coach Romeo Crennel.
The 10-6 loss Sunday to the Colts was their fifth defeat in the past seven games and dropped them to 1-6 at home. Another tough test looms this weekend as the Browns (4-8) visit the Tennessee Titans (11-1).
But even as quarterback Derek Anderson was limping out of the locker room with a season-ending left knee injury, Anderson stuck up for the coach who benched him after eight games this season.
''Guys aren't going to give up in here,'' Anderson said. ''Every single guy cares about each other and cares about winning. We love RAC [Crennel] and we're going to play for RAC. That's the biggest thing these last four weeks, knowing the entire situation.''
On Monday, Browns linebacker Willie McGinest said that if players were doing their jobs, they would have turned five of their eight losses into victories.
''Everybody — I always start with myself — if we go in and do what we're supposed to do or what we're coached to do and what we practice — out of those eight games we've lost, we win at least five more games,'' McGinest said. ''Especially the close ones.''
The Browns have lost four games by four points or less to some of the league's best: the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3), Baltimore Ravens (8-4), Washington Redskins (7-5) and Colts (8-4).
''If guys make plays they're supposed to make, if we tackle, if we block — block — if we catch, if we do our assignment. . . .If you're watching the game, you see it's evident, we win a lot of those games. It's not hard,'' McGinest said.
On Sunday he was visibly upset with the offensive line, the culprit for an Anderson fumble that was returned for the game's lone touchdown and Anderson's injury.
McGinest met Crennel when he was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1994 and has played for him for 10 years. So it was no surprise he tried to defend Crennel, 24-36 in four seasons with the Browns.
''We're all behind RAC 100 percent,'' McGinest said. ''He's one of the few men in here who cares about us, who gives us every opportunity to win, who works as hard we do, takes our losses as hard as we do and tries to do everything he can.
''If you're coached to do something, then you've got to take it to the field. Coaches can't play for you. It doesn't matter if you've got [Vince] Lombardi out there coaching you if you don't execute, if you're not consistent. And I think that's the biggest thing with us, we're not consistent.''
About 30 minutes before kickoff Sunday against the Colts, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported the Browns needed ''a miracle finish'' to save Crennel's job.
On Monday, Crennel said, ''I don't know anything about a miracle finish.'' But he said it was rewarding to see his team play hard.
''When you're in this situation and your team is not doing well, everyone wants to see if your team will quote 'quit,' '' he said, making quote marks with his fingers. ''You want your players to play hard, to give great effort and do the things that will give themselves a chance to win. I thought our team did that yesterday.
''It makes it easier for me to come to work. If they respect me, then I can feel decent about myself. If they go out and perform on the field like they did on Sunday, then I know that we've got a chance.''
Crennel's future will be judged by a team turning to its third starting quarterback and a disappointing season marred by injuries and Braylon Edwards' 18 dropped passes.
Asked whether that was fair, Crennel said: ''People don't care about whether it's fair or not, they care about whether you win or lose. That's the nature of this business and I've said that all along. I didn't have any rose-colored glasses on when I took the job. I've been in this league for 30 years, and I've seen a lot of things happen. And most of it has to do with winning and losing.''
Browns linebacker Andra Davis said the players love Crennel and wish they could have won more games because ''he definitely doesn't deserve'' to be fired. But nothing will shock Davis.
''Everyone's job is always on the line,'' Davis said. ''He's the head coach, so he's taking most of the brunt right now. But you'll see a lot of changes probably next year.''
Comments
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Posted 08:53 PM, 12/01/2008
This weekend wont be a test, rather a blowout as the Quarterbacks cant pass, the receivers cant catch, the defensive backs cant cover and above all the Head Coach cant make the calls needed to win games. need I say more other than to get rid of such players and replace Savage and pay the new head coach 8 million and let him (Cowher) make some decisions that the now Head Coach isnt saavy enough to make. The money us fans put up to watch the "CLOWNS" play every Sunday isnt fair but there is always "NEXT YEAR" as said for the last 5 years and they continue to disappoint
Posted 11:40 PM, 12/01/2008
I disagree with people who are saying the offensive line is to blame for Anderson's fumble that basically cost the Browns the game. Yes, the protection could have been better but Anderson needs to move in the pocket a lot better. He gets way too comfortable there and exhibits very poor presence in the pocket. He could learn a lot from watching Terrell Pryor of OSU. I'm not saying he is going to move like him but you have to know when the pocket is collapsing so you can either run or get rid of the ball. The offensive line had done a pretty good job all year protecting the quarterbacks and it has not given up many sacks. D.A. needs to make up his mind and be a lot quicker.
Posted 12:03 AM, 12/02/2008
Michael, did you watch the game? From your comment, I'm guessing you missed it.
