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Do IT this week: Layering
Patriots are tough because of players
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published on Thursday, Nov 27, 2008
If any doubt existed about coach Romeo Crennel's future with the Browns, it probably should be erased after hearing Phil Savage's radio show Wednesday morning.
Savage, the Browns' general manager, left a person scratching his head when he spoke about Crennel during his weekly appearance on WTAM.
''I've said it on this program a number of times,'' Savage said. ''Hey, my responsibility is the 53-man roster, and then it's Romeo and the rest of the coaching staff's decision how to utilize the 45 players that are dressed on Sunday. Who starts. Who plays. When they're gonna play. How they're gonna be utilized.
''If I'm going to get involved in those decisions, then I may as well put a headset on and double my salary.''
He said there were frustrations from some things that had happened on the field, but added: ''These were the guys that we've hired to go out and do a job. Unfortunately, it hasn't gone as well as we'd hoped for.''
He pointed out that a couple of plays here or there might have changed an outcome, but he said the loss Sunday to the Houston Texans was ''really by far the worst game we've had since I've been here.''
''And I'm not talking about two years ago, when we basically didn't have much ability,'' Savage said. ''I'm talking about over the last two seasons when we had some talent, we had some ability to go out and be an NFL team. We just didn't show up. I don't know the explanation for that. We'll see what happens this next Sunday.''
These statements sounded to me like a GM taking out the coach at the knees, of the complete abandonment of the ''all for one and one for all'' philosophy.
But I've been critical of the Browns lately, and at times of Savage. So to be fair, I asked a few people, including a former player everyone respected, what they thought of Savage's words.
The former player summed up the feeling: ''Tell RAC to get a paddle, 'cuz Phil just sold him down the river.''
That was kind of my reaction. ''Hey, I got these standout players; if they laid an egg, that's on the coaches.''
It didn't seem quite fair to Crennel, a good man who has worked his hardest and done his best to win. He has made some decisions that can be questioned, yes, and his won-lost record is not good.
But given his efforts and work and dedication, he doesn't deserve to see the last weeks of his job include this kind of thing.
This came across like self-preservation, of protecting one's own hide at the expense of others. Years of ''we are in this together'' suddenly became ''don't ask me to coach them, too.''
I asked the former player — I told him I preferred to use his name; he did not want to, but he is a former Brown who knows Savage and Crennel — for a little more insight.
He said: ''I hope Mr. [Randy] Lerner sees through that. Savage picked all the players. Romeo coaches the guys Savage gives him to coach. You get a bunch of kids and not enough smart leaders, then the inmates run the asylum. Does the coach run, catch, tackle, drop passes, blow plays? Who picks those players?''
He wasn't finished.
''The decisions are made by the GM,'' he said. ''The coach coaches who is put in front of him. He doesn't have a choice.''
Kind of like Crennel didn't have a choice on his offensive staff changes before 2007.
''The coaches coach; the GM picks 'em. Bottom line,'' he said. ''If anything, they are tied
together.
''I'm not saying RAC is free from question. It's just that everything is not based on the coach. Yes, at times it comes down to scheme, teaching. But if the exact same defense worked in New England, why is it so bad here?
''Duh. The players aren't the same and neither is the guy picking them.
''Look at New England's team. Smart, tough, team guys that play together. Cleveland has talented, young, prima-donna-filled, blown-assignment guys that don't play together or for a common goal. They pick up a paycheck.
''Not all are that way, but enough are to mess things up.
''Now, who picks those guys?''
Well . . . it's not the guy coaching them.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/mcmanamon/.
If any doubt existed about coach Romeo Crennel's future with the Browns, it probably should be erased after hearing Phil Savage's radio show Wednesday morning.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 07:16 AM, 11/27/2008
I believe they both need to go. Savage right now is just trying to save his own hide. I do believe they have talent but horrible coaching is not playing the right defense or offense. The prima Donnas (Hint Edwards and Winslow)need to go. There is no place on a team for those types of guys. they do not care if they win or lose.
Posted 08:56 AM, 11/27/2008
What a mess again! It's easy to change the coach but more difficult to change the GM. His responsib. are so many i.e. scouting systems and people,drafting etc. R.C. definately has to go but Phil is another story. We need a strong and good game day coach that if possible can co-exist with Phil. If Phil can't deal with it then he must go.
In Pitt a few years ago, they brought in Kevin Colbert from Detroit to "help" Cowher(when he was having a bad season or two). That worked fantastically. It can work even in Cleveland with the strong support of the owner.
Posted 09:00 AM, 11/27/2008
Any coach is only as good as his players. Phil's a complete joke, from the email fiasco to having Crennel speak at press conferences when the GM should speak, says it all. Romeo Crennel seems to be a class individual, though he needs to be more in your face with his players. On the other hand, I don't see much value with Phil. The email incident tells me all I need to know about his intelligence.
Yeah Phil, you're responsible for the roster, and it's full duds, just like you.
Posted 09:07 AM, 11/27/2008
We're not yet ready to run with the big dogs. If we had the horses, the schemes would be fine. Although the coach and GM are pretty much in need of improvement, the roster is a bigger problem with the Browns
Posted 10:20 AM, 11/27/2008
This article is an example of what a former college professor would call: "A great use of quotes."
Glad also to see it displayed prominently on these pages, just another reason to feel thankful today. Thank you, Patrick.
That the GM, as spokeman for the organization, would go onto the flagship station with this as his speaking agenda demonstrates the caliber of his genuine character and appropriateness for the title he carries.
Coupled with his draft-day record, the man is making a sufficient case to call into question justification for his own retenion.
Minimally, he needs a very strong and proven football man overseeing him and replacing him as spokesperson.
This was a shameful display you illuminate for readers, so that is the good news. It can get even better if Phil takes the point of your writing as cautionary and learns from it.
I know I did.
Kent, OH
Posted 10:27 AM, 11/27/2008
It doesn't matter that Crennel is a "good man" or a hard worker. The important thing is delivering results. If I only had a 36% success rate at my job, I would be fired. So would a teacher, a baker, or a roofer. Why should a head football coach that makes millions be any different? If anything, he should be held to an even higher standard. I think Pat sympathizes with Crennel because 64% of his "product" stinks just as much.
Naples, FL
Posted 10:33 AM, 11/27/2008
If telling it like it is is selling our RAC then so be it. You media guys are never happy. Savage stated the facts. He gets the players, he puts the coaching staff together, then they have to coach the players. There is talent on this team and its not playing like it. Crennel has made poor decisions, from who to play, when to kick a FG, time management etc. RACs a great guy but a poor head coach. I don't think Savage threw anyone under the bus. RAC put himself there.
Posted 12:05 PM, 11/27/2008
Patrick:
Romeo is a total disaster...If you don't see and understant how inept a Head Coach he is...Go back to reporter school and get your degree this time.
Savage doesn't decide when to Kick or not Kick Field Goals....Savage doesn't manage the clock...Savage doesn't keep Anderson, then Quinn, Then Harrison on the Bench (didn't even activate him in 10 of 16 games last year) ...Savage didn't hire Carthon..
SAVAGE didn't allow Edwards to spit in his face the way Edwards did last year when he promissed RAC he would not go to the Michigan game...
Savage doesn't choose to play Vets over more talented Young guys...Big TED comes to mind.
Savage doesn't give the public and you reporters Banal interviews after a game That are so moronic you guys in the press have to juice them up a little for the public.
RAC was a mistake from day one.
"Scott Brown Signed His Fold Out Picture For Me", ..
Posted 12:18 PM, 11/27/2008
Once again:
Revised 11/20 post:
1. Start Jerome Harrison at RB
2. Start Joshua Cribbs at WR
3. Cut Braylon "Baby" Edwards (Wants out of Clev. (again)/intentional drops)
4. Cut Jamal "One-Way Road-Grader" Lewis (free-up salary )
5. Implement West Coast Offense
6. Hire Jake's Crane to remove Large Sh*t Bag from Browns Stadium; Frog march Phil Savage from Browns Staduim during Half-Time festivities
7. RANDY LERNER: Fly to wherever Cowher is, hand him a blank check giving him full reign, then fly back to London and stay there until (see #9)
8. Rent Barge on Lake Erie to float out Cowher's "weed-outs" to an undisclosed destination for burial at sea.
9. Make Super-Bowl preparations by 2011.
P.S. There's another Large Sh*t Bag operating at Notre Dame posing as a Head Coach with identical ties as the Browns' Large Sh*t Bag. Rule #1: All Belichick disciples are not automatically qualified to be Head Coaches on any level.
Posted 01:46 PM, 11/27/2008
I'm with Ronald. They both need to go.
Posted 06:33 PM, 11/27/2008
I bet Roy is one of those who ran Belichek out of town.
Posted 07:02 PM, 11/27/2008
hey john. modell fired belichick after the browns left.
ya friggin buffoon.
WADSWORTH, OH
Posted 07:43 PM, 11/27/2008
THE DAWGS HAVE LOST THERE BITE-NOW AGAIN THEY RUN AROUND SQUEALING LIKE LITTLE PIGGIES WITH THERE TAILS BETWEEN THERE LEGS.....arf..!
Spencer, OH
Posted 10:32 PM, 11/27/2008
http://fancleveland.blogspot.com/
Akron, OH
Posted 11:53 AM, 11/28/2008
Whether RAC is a good coach or a bad coach is irrelevant. As a GM, Savage should not be throwing him under the bus. He should be backing him. Finger pointing solves nothing. It's unprofessional.
Posted 01:15 PM, 11/28/2008
I don't really see how this qualifies as selling out the coach. Which quote exactly is blaming Crennel? It sounds like Savage is just saying the people on the field, coaches and players, didn't perform. He can either say that, or that he picked the wrong coaches and players - which would be an even stronger case of 'selling (Crennel) up the river'. What is the issue here?
Posted 04:43 PM, 11/28/2008
they should move the team to toronto
