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Cowher, Pioli, Parcells are among possibilities
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published on Monday, Dec 29, 2008
PITTSBURGH: Now what for the Browns?
Well . . . to start, they need a general manager.
Before today ends, they'll probably need a coach.
They had better hope that the search is productive quickly.
General Manager Phil Savage and the team agreed to part ways shortly after a miserable season ended with a miserable 31-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Browns owner Randy Lerner told Savage of the decision by phone on Saturday night.
Details were sketchy why things happened so fast, but a source close to the Browns and to Savage confirmed that Savage would not be back. The decision, first reported on ProFootballTalk.com, apparently dealt with issues related to Savage's leadership during the season.
It's expected that Romeo Crennel will be relieved of his duties as coach after he meets today with Lerner.
Crennel said he wants to stay, but a 24-40 mark — including 5-19 in the AFC North and 0-8 against the Steelers — might just be too much to overcome. The season ended with the Browns not scoring an offensive touchdown in six games, and not scoring a point in the final two games.
It ended with the Steelers winning for the 11th time in a row over their one-time rivals down the turnpike. Call them ''one-time'' rivals because when a team wins 11 in a row, any pretense of a rivalry is a joke.
The Browns have two plans as they go forward. Both have positives, but both have enough questions that they might not come to fruition.
The first would be to hire Bill Cowher as coach and allow him to bring in his personnel guy.
Problem is, everybody and their mother who changed planes within 400 miles of Cowher's house is saying that Cowher will not coach next season.
TV's talking heads were falling all over themselves Sunday to take Cowher out of the Browns coaching derby, saying he does not want to return to coaching until 2010, if then.
Of course, nobody knows what Cowher is thinking because he's said nothing about the Browns. He said nothing on Sunday on CBS, probably because he was not asked.
Lerner will call Cowher, of course. Why wouldn't he? And he will offer Cowher a lot of money and power.
Most of the talking heads are pretty well connected, though, and they have good sources. Their information jibes with what's been said about Cowher all season, so it's safe to assume Cowher might not be leading the Browns in 2009.
That leads to Plan B, which is in New England.
If Cowher says no, the Browns will try to talk to Scott Pioli, vice president of player personnel for the Patriots, about taking over the football side of the Browns' operations.
The Browns wanted to talk to Pioli four years ago and did seek permission, filing a letter with the league office and with the Patriots.
But owner Robert Kraft turned down the request.
Once the Browns hired Savage, Kraft let Pioli interview in Seattle.
Pioli is very well-respected for acquiring the type of personnel that Bill Belichick wants. The results have been Super Bowls — three of them.
Pioli is comfortable and happy, so it would take a lot to get Pioli to leave the Patriots.
If hired, Pioli would choose the coach. The Browns probably would try to find this year's John Harbaugh.
Cue up the usual names — Jim Schwartz of the Tennessee Titans, Josh McDaniels of the Patriots, Rex Ryan of the Baltimore Ravens and Steve Spagnuolo of the New York Giants. The Browns also would interview a minority candidate or two — an NFL requirement.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen threw another issue into the mud volcano that is the Browns by saying Bill Parcells might be available if the Miami Dolphins are sold, and that Parcells might be interested in the Browns, among other teams.
If Parcells is interested and the Browns don't call, they should have their Cheerios checked.
Parcells wins.
So try to hire him — even if it's just for one year. Look what Parcells did in Miami in one year.
Maybe the Browns could put together a front-office dream team with Parcells and his son-in-law, Pioli, running things. Parcells could take care of things for a year or two, then let Pioli take over.
Of course, on Tuesday morning, maybe toucans will make banana cream pies on the top of the Rubber Bowl.
Predicting is impossible.
What can be assessed is that the Browns had 126 yards in offense Sunday, quarterback Bruce Gradkowski threw for 18 yards and the defense let a back run for 100 yards on it for the ninth time this season.
The problems are myriad.
The Browns need a lot of help — on and off the field. But teams have shown things can change a lot in a year in the NFL.
The rebuilding has started.
The only question is where the search leads, and how long it takes to complete.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/mcmanamon/.
PITTSBURGH: Now what for the Browns?
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 02:12 AM, 12/29/2008
Hey, which gate at the Rubber Bowl can I pick up one of those pies?
WADSWORTH, OH
Posted 05:36 AM, 12/29/2008
Marty....
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:28 AM, 12/29/2008
No matter who the new coach is, it's going to be 3 to 4 years before the Clowns are competitive again in the NFL. Long suffering Clown fans, you suffering will continue. Meanwhile, how about those Steelers !!!
Posted 08:45 AM, 12/29/2008
You ask how about those Steelers? Well lets see: they left their starting QB in a game that had no meaning at all and he suffered a concussion. The only better ending to that game would have been a report that Big Ben broke his neck. They will not make it to the Super Bowl, let alone win it. If I were you, I would be super worried about the Colts. They beat you once this year and are on a roll like the Giants were last year!!
A, O
Posted 10:17 AM, 12/29/2008
Steelers fans are ignorant. There will be one day when the tables have turned. We will see how many of you arrogant morons post here then.
Posted 10:50 AM, 12/29/2008
now is the time to rid the browns of the malcontent slackers of this organization.let the cleansing begin !!!
Posted 11:07 AM, 12/29/2008
i thought you were buddy buddy with crennel patrick?
Posted 11:07 AM, 12/29/2008
btw, the steelers suck...they might as well be kent states pro football team they suck so bad
Posted 11:19 AM, 12/29/2008
Sure guys. The Steelers will probably win Super Bowls with 2 or 3 more different QB's before the Browns even get to one.
allentown, pa
Posted 12:13 PM, 12/29/2008
The Browns need a lot of help. First of all, good-bye Romeo. They don't need a fatherly figure as head coach. These spoiled prima donnas need some one to kick butt occassionally - like Bill Parcells. Scott Pioli sounds good as GM. The defense needs a few decent cornerbacks and safeties, maybe a linebacker or two that can get at the opposing QB. And above all they need an aggressive risk taking defensive coordinator like the Eagles Jimmie Johnson or Dick Lebeau from the Steelers. The offense can be anybody's baby as long as he can make adjustments when the game plan isn't working. And why did the offensive line find it difficult to open up running holes this year or is it that Jamal Lewis's straight ahead running technique isn't what it use to be? Maybe Randy Lerner can take a trip to Lourdes and ask for some divine help. Then again the Big Man upstairs just might be a Steelers fan.
Hagerstown, MD
Posted 10:09 AM, 12/30/2008
The players are out there. Just need someone smart enough to find them. The current team can't compete within the division. Until that happens, the playoffs are not possible. Good GMs and coaches start by assembling teams that can compete against their division rivals. Just imagine, if you can, how far a team could go if they could beat the Steelers and Ravens twice a year. This bunch can't even beat the Bengals. Pioli and the Big Tuna. Away with the cry babies and in with some smash mouth ball players.
Posted 12:12 PM, 12/30/2008
Kentsucks you obviously speak from your heart and not from your brain. The steelers suck? 12-4 record,#1 defense, recent super bowl champ!!!!! You must smoke MUCH crack!! Lancechad this is about a game-to say that it would be good news if big ben had a broken neck- are you an adult?!! That is absolutely detestable!!! Im a steelers fan and would NEVER wish harm on any player, no matter who they play for. They are people First. Big Ben is someone's son, someone's brother. His family lives in findlay ohio. Don't hate because the browns passed on him in the 04 draft and he has become a winner(51 wins in 5 seasons and a super bowl) Please keep sports in perspective- it is entertainment!!!Root for your team, you have that right. Please don't wish for anyones misfortune- that is not a REAL FAN or adult!!!
