Browns' GM Phil Savage is being intellectually dishonest when defending his coach as the Romeo Crennel Watch begins prior to the season opener next week against the Steelers.
It's year #3 of the Savage-Crennel Marriage in Cleveland and the two head into the season knowing full-well the team needs marked improvement for Crennel to last the season and earn a fourth year in charge.
Meanwhile, when asked about Crennel's tenure, Savage, instead of being a man of few words, as he should on this matter, responds with comments like "There is no Romeo Crennel Watch in this building on 76 Lou Groza Boulevard in Berea, Ohio."
Cute.
Or what about this nugget - "There's nobody else out there who could have won more that eight to 12 games over the last two years with the roster we've had and the circumstances and situations we've been through....motorcycle accidents, injuries all sorts of things. To expect anything different than that is unrealistic."
Really?
There you have it Browns fans - 10-22 is the best you could have expected from this franchise since 2005.
Whatever happened to his (Savage) initial comments when he was introduced to the media and the fans as the team's new GM?
Remember his comments then - something about changing the landscape and getting rid of that "whow is me attitude" and "dark cloud" view that permeated this town and its fans when it came to the Browns.
What a difference two years make - coupled with a 1-11 mark in divisional play and a 10-22 record overall.
Which is it Phil?
You wanted to change that perception when you were hired. Good idea.
You were given a honeymoon period and everyone bought your line the team was void of talent and it would take some time. We've heard it all before of course. The Butch Davis Era started the same way. The cupboard, we are told, is always bare in Cleveland and it takes time to build a winner.
Fine. How much time?
And please, don't insult the intelligence of the fans that "get it" by bringing "motorcycles accidents," "injuries" and "all sorts of things" into the conversation.
I thought you were a no excuse guy who was going to change the perception about this franchise.
Here is how you change the perception Phil - win!
Start by winning most of your homes games. Then steal a few on the road. And on the way, if you have some injuries, don't whine about it, just fix it, and keep winning.
No one is expecting a Super Bowl contender in 2007. But it is fair for the fans to expect a team to win more than it loses in year #3 of the Browns' rebuilding phase #3.
See Phil - this is your first rebuilding process. This is our third since 1999, and some of us, aren't buying the coolaid anymore. We never did.
Atleast be intellectually honest and when asked about RC's tenure, just follow the KISS philosophy - keep it simple stupid. When asked, tell the media he's your coach and you expect that to remain so and then say "next question."
We all know he's toast sooner rather than later if this team struggles out of the blocks again.
But don't go intellectually dishonest on us by telling everyone no one else could have done better coaching this squad the past two years, that the team overachieved in 2005, underachieved in 2006 and close it out with "motorcycle accidents, injuries and all sorts of things."
Otherwise, it sounds like you are taking the "wow is me approach" you once condemned.
You are paid to bring quality talent to town and RC is paid to coach 'em up so they at least win more games than they lose. That's how it works.
The bottom line is 10-22 since 2005 with an organization that is working one week before the season starts to lower expectations even in 2007.
What, we should be happy with 7-9 in year #3?
It shouldn't take four years to produce a playoff team. But if we see marked improvement in '07, I'm willing to wait. But I'll know marked improvement if I see it. The win column appears in the paper every week.
The attitude toward this team in town is one of deep affection. These are some of the best fans in all of sports. The fact that they support this product like they do in admirable. Bu they've been disappointed too many times to count. They hope for the best and expect the worst in Cleveland. That's where they got the "sky is falling" view on the Browns.
Can you blame them?
So reward them with wins, not excuses.
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2 comments:
The browns have been a mess ever since they entered the league again. Critical picks such as William Green, Courtney Brown, Gerard warren, Lee Suggs, Kevin Johnson, Dennis Northcutt, Tim couch, and Quincy Morgan, just to name a few, are all out of the league except for Warren and Morgan who are backups and none of those people are offensive lineman, where the games are really won. That is what the Browns faced from 1999 until Savage arrived. The team did not have an NFL roster. They did not have pro bowl players or future pro bowl players. They had arguably no impact players at any key position. Above all else they had no depth. To me, a diehard Browns fan, at that time I thought 3-4 years until they have a legitimate NFL roster, a roster that can steal some away games and protect their home field with a winning record. I am not saying they have that now (who knows), but now you can see strides, potential, you can see proven veterans, and ultimately we can critically assess the team this year. I think it is a great thing Savage supports his coach and I believe he is honest. I think Romeo Crennel was dealt a bad hand because he didn’t have much and the pieces, the potential he did have like Edwards, Winslow, Bentley, Baxter (top picks and top free agents) were hurt. This year is definitely judgment year. I think 7-9 (with obvious signs of improvement) should save his job but anything can happen in this league. From a business standpoint, a GM has to send the message to fans, players, and personnel that they give 100% support and trust so they do not have to look over their shoulders and the team not worrying about another coach and another scheme and potentially (not again please) another re-building faze……and for that……….I applaud Phil Savage.
My blogs are coming soon, you should check them out. Then maybe you can jump on my bandwagon.
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