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They stick up for coach despite the 10-6 loss to Indianapolis Colts
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Dec 02, 2008
BEREA: 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.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: 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.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 06:38 AM, 12/02/2008
"The fans worship the ground Randy walks on," said Dave Woodhall of fanzine Heroes and Villains.
"He can't do anything wrong. He's got the common touch. He and his staff have tapped into the fans' mentality. Free scarves, free coaches to Chelsea, refurbishing the Holte pub ? and it seems like he genuinely cares."
O'Neill, who has been supported in the transfer market, says of Lerner: "I don't think his ambitions have changed, he has the club at heart. I've got to know him better now because he comes over for games. He'll be at Anfield and he's as enthusiastic now as he was when he took over. He has big plans.
"I realise that if I do well I can realise those ambitions. He doesn't want to put the club in any financial difficulty. He recognises that. He has the Cleveland Browns to run. He's trying to bring ideas over here he thinks are worthwhile.
"But Aston Villa is not a plaything for Randy Lerner, he's really genuine about this club. You can see that from the things going on.
Absent ownership, loss of focus, time for an overhaul but even the US government couldn't do two wars on two different fronts.... Now you know.
I think he's going to start from scratch. I think some of the problem players will need to go away as well as the coaching staff and GM.
Come on Randy! Randy! Randy! Randy! Pull the trigger.
Stow, OH
Posted 07:14 AM, 12/02/2008
The ABJ needs to pull the plug on this site ,I have tried to post twice ,I give up. Fold up your tent guys and call it a day.
Posted 09:31 AM, 12/02/2008
Try using a different browser. Or update your browser. I'm using Firefox. I'm sure that IE would work, because everyone in the world develops code for that browser as step #1, then consider how their code will function in other browsers.
They are using Web 2.0 products and concepts here, so an older browser probably would not work.
You know Web 2.0, don't you? Mainly the use of overlays to section-off portions of the screen, so that the entire screen does not need to be refreshed - only the area being updated. The same thing that has been available in many client/server applications since the 1970's - finally being used on the web.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:34 AM, 12/02/2008
Are you really supposed to love your coach? I'm not a professional ball player, but pretty much any successful team I played for, there was a touch of fear/resentment toward the coach, and I think that was one of the things that keeps you motivated. If you fear losing your position because of crappy play, you play better. I don't know, I wish I had the answer, because I love the Browns, and love to see them win. I agree with Martin, it starts at the top, come on Randy, let's make some decisions and get the show on the road.
Posted 09:43 AM, 12/02/2008
Crennel is finished in Cleveland. When they beat the Giants that was the worse thing that could've happened. It proved that they have players and they could win. And it's on the Coach when they don't play good every game. They are way to inconsistent! One week the offense looks good and the defense is bad, then the next week the offense is bad and the defense is good?
Posted 10:01 AM, 12/02/2008
THE PLAYERS PLAY HARD ENOUGH TO LOSE...THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE.
With the exception of the Giants game this team has been out coached at every turn...Ill prepared for their games ....Hidious offensive game plans...
Yes players love the Easy coach...just as we love the easy boss who happens to like us.
edison, NJ
Posted 10:54 AM, 12/02/2008
very heartwarming how the browns all love and respect crennel, 1-6 at home , no touchdowns in over 2 games, but there"s no quit in this bunch !
what a team !!!
Posted 12:01 PM, 12/02/2008
"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)."
Yea, and they won 10 games last year by an average of less than 2 points per game, with a soft schedule. Go look it up.
This team was fortunate to win last year, because many of those games could have went south very easily.
Look at it for what it is. Bad coaching, bad play calling, players not giving 100%, and some players who have "dminished skills". Blow it up, keep the good a,d take out the trash.
Woodbine, MD
Posted 05:04 PM, 12/02/2008
When the players love a losing coach so much, something's wrong.
When the players acknowledge that they're playing lousy, and say it's not the coaches fault, but the coach keeps playing those same under-performing prima donnas and keeps young talent on the bench as the game, and then the season, and then all hope, slips away, something's wrong.
I've been a Browns fan for 40 years, but the apathy shown by the front office, coaches and players only feeds the sense of apathy that this fan now feels. The Bengals game is now the epitome of apathy, two hopeless teams that are an embarrassment to Ohio will play a facsimile of a football game before such a small group ("crowd" would be way too generous) of fans that you'll be able to hear the snap count clearly in the upper levels of the stadium.
Hopefully, LeBron will be able to win a championship before he leaves Cleveland.
Posted 05:43 AM, 12/03/2008
We do have good talent.
We need a veteran WR - like Joe Horn, who i said we should have signed before the season started, to keep our WRs focused in the huddle.
Trade Winslow - We have other suitable TEs on the roster with less distractions. He's another T.O., when it's good he's fine.. when it's bad, he's crying or "injured". Aquire more draft picks.
Trade Anderson or Quinn - Pick a guy already. Aquire more draft picks.
Keep Savage for now - With all the bad pulblicity he's brought lately, i still think this team is light years ahead from when he started.
Fire Crennel - Hire Brian Billick. He has the passion we need as a Head coach, the offensive smarts to make our talent work, and SUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE. Also, i see Marvin Lewis looking for a job at the end of the season... defensive coordinator maybe?
Draft defense - namely LBs and DBs.
Posted 08:28 AM, 12/03/2008
Did anyone see Crennel 'running' down the sidelines during the last game? Soooo funny. He has an enormous arse.
