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McManamon on the Browns
Players don't want a coaching change
Some do think Romeo Crennel needs to take a firmer stance on discipline
By Patrick McManamon
BALTIMORE - Some of the numbers of Browns coach Romeo Crennel's tenure have not been pretty.

Ten wins in almost two seasons. One win in the AFC North. Embarrassing losses. Dirty shoes. Failure to pick up gum wrappers in the hallway.

But talk to the players, and one theme comes through: They do not want a change in coaches during this offseason.

``It's not Romeo,'' linebacker Andra Davis said of the team's problems. ``Everybody in this locker room has enough respect for Romeo.''

Players look at Crennel's record, his respect around the league, and his experience and (yes) his rings, and they think they have a coach who can win.

``Rome wasn't built overnight,'' guard Joe Andruzzi said. ``Sure, things have gone wrong. But everybody's trying. We're a young, tough team, and we go out every Sunday, and we try and be real physical and do our best.

``He's a good head coach. It's a well-overdue job for him. He's going to try to do his best. It's not just RAC.''

Other players privately echoed the same sentiment. All said they do not want to see another change -- if only because it means starting over one more time.

``You've got to do a whole overhaul again,'' Andruzzi said. ``And it doesn't always work that way. (The Browns) have been through it three times already.''

This does not mean that some players do not want to see changes.

There are concerns about establishing an offensive identity, and about the actions and words and statements of some younger players, most notably Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow.

Some players feel more discipline is needed -- and warranted.

It's interesting that Crennel followed in the path of Bill Parcells, and Parcells is known as a strong-handed coach who demands discipline -- yet one of the concerns about Crennel is that some players get away with too much.

Players won't go on the record about these concerns, but they will voice their thoughts in the offseason to the coach. Many want a firmer hand. They want consequences for actions. They want people paying better attention in meetings, a more professional attitude, and they want accountability on the field.

Crennel can get hold of this situation, but he'll need a firmer hand.

Ugh

The Browns have set a lot of dubious marks since 1999, but today, they have a chance to do something they've never done in the team's history.

If the Browns lose in Baltimore, they will have gone winless in their division this season.

That's a first in 60 years.

And it's a mark of futility that speaks to just how far the Browns have to go.

The last division game the Browns won was last season's finale against the Ravens. That win was meaningless. (One thing the Browns have been able to perfect since 1999 is winning the meaningless season finale that does nothing but cost the team in draft status.)

This season, the Browns have played five division games and lost them all.

The last two were embarrassments: 30-0 against Cincinnati and 27-7 against Pittsburgh (a game that could have been worse). Combined scores: 57-7, with a potentially ugly game today in Baltimore.

``I don't think we've played well enough within the division,'' Crennel said.

No argument on that one.

They've come close to wins this season.

Against Baltimore, the Browns led late but threw an interception in the end zone that allowed the Ravens to win with a last-second field goal.

Against the Steelers the first time, the Browns fell apart in the fourth quarter en route to a nearly inexplicable loss.

But the could-haves and should-haves are just like all the other things associated with the Browns these past few seasons -- add 'em up, and they mean nothing.

Doing the Hula

Pro Bowl voting was conducted last week, and the Browns' most legitimate candidate will have a tough time getting to Hawaii.

Kellen Winslow's 71 receptions continue to lead the league among tight ends (and rank 12th in the league), but he also plays in a conference that has Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez and Todd Heap.

Gates and Heap are on playoff teams; Gonzalez is a perennial Pro Bowler.

Gates has eight touchdowns, Gonzalez five and Heap six. Winslow has three.

Finally, the last two weeks, Winslow has had just five catches for 45 yards. In the era of voting based on the latest achievements, that might not help Winslow. Nor will the Browns' record.

Winslow might or might not become the second Brown since 1999 to go to Hawaii, but he has a legitimate shot for one postseason award: Comeback Player of the Year.

Folks in the front office have a hard time finding anyone who came back from more than Winslow did, and they also see how he has to fight to play every week.

Around the league

Those of us with a vote in the postseason awards have a tough choice for the league's Most Valuable Player.

Drew Brees has been phenomenal in New Orleans, and it's hard to see how the Saints break .500 without him.

But how do you discount LaDainian Tomlinson? He's going to break the all-time scoring record, and he's carried the San Diego Chargers.

At this point, it's tough to go against Tomlinson.

Akron's Jason Taylor, incidentally, is making a strong push with the Miami Dolphins for Defensive Player of the Year.

Brownies . . .

? The Browns have a legitimate chance to win today. Not because they're better than Baltimore -- they're not -- but because of trends. Last season, Pittsburgh embarrassed the Browns; Cleveland beat the Ravens the following Sunday. This season, Cincinnati embarrassed Cleveland; the Browns responded by beating the Kansas City Chiefs the following week. Today, the Browns are coming off an embarrassing loss in Pittsburgh.

? Ray Lewis on the Ravens' top-ranked defense: ``We're going to play hard, smash-mouth football and see if you can deal with it. And we're not going to do it for just the first quarter or first series. We bring it all day long. That's truth, not bragging.''

? Derek Anderson's ability to get rid of the ball has impressed a lot of people. The Steelers started the Thursday night game blitzing but decided at halftime to call if off because the rush was getting nowhere near Anderson.

? The surgery that repaired D'Qwell Jackson's toe was a needed procedure. That was the word from nationally known foot specialist William Hamilton in New York, whom Jackson visited for a second opinion. Hamilton did the operation and told Jackson he should be 100 percent by the spring and fully ready to go next season.

And finally . . .

Some coaches of losing teams decide that this is the time of year to take a look at young players. The Browns have two draft picks who have hardly played: receiver Travis Wilson and guard Isaac Sowells.

But Crennel is not going to just put both in the lineup. He wants them to earn their spot.

``I've always put a premium on winning the games,'' Crennel said, ``and I would much rather win than experiment with the young guys. Now, if the situation arises that gave me the opportunity to experiment, then I would.

``Winning the game is the first priority.''

Oh lord...why is this happening? Cosey Coleman isn't coming back *or should NOT be coming back*, so why can't we see what we got in Sowells? Wilson can't be any worse than Northcutt.

Good read.

Glad the players are saying this because I said so some time back and was told I was carzy.

hmm...that's a little disturbing.

I was thinking the same thing.

If this is to be believed, it is confirmation that we don't prepare well.

This needs to be corrected.

Wilson was in there today. He had one catch for 16 yards. More than Northcutt <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Makes me think that all the people that said/are saying "romeo handles things behind closed doors, like it should be" maybe don't know what they are talking about.

I don't think Romeo has handled anything behind closed doors, concerning players and attitudes. If he thinks he has tried, then we know he has failed. The people that defend RAC on this are dreaming. If he has, he's failed. If he hasn't, he's failed.

I like that other players are saying "wait a minute, we can't have this going on". It shows that RAC isn't handling things properly. There is nothing in the world wrong with nailing a malcontent to the wall and holding their balls to the fire.

Shut them up, get everyone on the same page. Make sure everyone knows who's in charge and calls the shots, and who's job it is to make plays while their mouth is kept shut.

RAC has not done that, regardless of what some think, or what Danielle says. Sorry, hasn't worked.

Ok gloves all off.

Romeo is a great person. He is a great D coordinator but he is lost as a head coach. It took him half of last season to figure out he could actually make a challenge and then he blows timeouts challenging the dumbest plays, like Rudi Johnson 3 yards into the endzone and he wants to see if he crossed the goaline.

He sucks at player evaluations. Leigh bodden being benched last year after his super game in the opener against the Bengals not only benched but inactive and without injuries to mickens and cutch and Lehan guess what Bodden may not even be on this team.

How can this team play with motivation with the Coach has none. I am sorry, but the guys personality inspires everyone to sleep.

1-11 in the division in 2 years. The 99 and 00 team was better than that.

He is not going to discipline his buddies and these are his buddies not his players.

Bringing in McGinnest, Andruzzi and Big Ted. They were signed because Rac wanted them and Phil needs smacked for listening to him.

I know everyone says he did a great job last year but seriously how many games did we lose because we were simply outcoached in the 4th quarter. The same is true this year. 4th quarter is as much about coaching as it is conditioning.

That's kind of scary.

I wonder if this is happening right now with other players on this team? That is, are there guys capable of playing better than the guy in front of them, but not getting the chance? Aren't we supposed to field the best team possible?

Sure looks like it happened with DA.

Well, that was kind of a low blow. I didn't really mean that. But listening to Crennel over the last couple of years, it sounds like he believes that no matter how good a guy practices, it won't mean much in the games 'because game situations are different'; therefore, don't play them in the games.

I can't imagine where the secondary would be without Bodden. I think a healthy Bodden equals a Top 5 cornerback in the league.

Sorry to get off topic. I didn't even realize that had happened last year after the Bengals game.

Well, Travis Wilson caught a ball today.

He's been inactive all season.

Jerome Harrison is on and off, but every time he plays, I like what I see.

I'm SO sick of the "I don't like to play rookies." BS. If this were a veteran team, I could see it, but this isn't a veteran team. The ends don't justify the means here.

I don't want to see Romeo fired. I want a better staff. I want better discipline and I want better performance. Getting rid of Romeo would mean a new staff, a new offense, a new defense, and a new tear down. In other words, starting over, ALL OVER AGAIN. Starting over is one thing I do not want to do....at least not yet.... We need to give this thing a chance to work. That doesn't mean, however, that changes don't need to be made.

Buddies have no place on the team or on the coaching staff. If Romeo can't handle that, Phil should. Carthon was able to hang on for too long. He should have been dumped between seasons and Romeo should have seen the need. The fans saw it... the players saw it... the media saw it... Why the heck didn't Romeo?

Phil has offered to get Romeo what he needed. Choice...Wimbley or Ngata. Romeo chose Wimbley. Was another choice Dilfer or Carthon? If it was, then the wrong choice was made. Not because Dilfer should be here, but because, from a coaching standpoint, Romeo let the problem fester and grow until a choice had to be made, not only with Dilfer, but for the sake of other players as well. As a veteran QB, Dilfer took a stand on protection issues, audibles, game management and blocking schemes, as well as play calling. The problems Dilfer tried to address, took more than a year to repair, because Romeo decided to back his ol' buddy Mo.

As Head Coach, Romeo should have seen the problem. He should have known the problem was something other than a "Me Boss...You Peon" situation, and corrected it, because the Head Coach is the one person held ultimately accountable.

What I find amazing is that Romeo put his foot down with Dilfer, and let Edwards and Winslow spout off as they pleased. This is causing the problems cited in the article.

As to the players brought over from New England... These were players that Romeo had success with, and Romeo thought they still had enough left in the tank to get him off to a successful start in his new job. He didn't realize, until too late, that the tank was almost empty.

That being said...This is Romeo's first Head Coaching job, and you have to expect mistakes. Hopefully, he's learned from them. I don't usually want to see a Head Coach leave..... I believe in continuity and in building from a successful system. If it were up to me... Marty would still be the coach of the Cleveland Browns... LOL... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

(I know it's impossible... different team, different owner... just making my point... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

Can starting over be any worse than being on a road to nowhere?

[color:"white"]

Frankly speaking, if RAC hasn't done it by the end of his 2nd year, it isn't in his character. If it isn't in his character, then he should be fired. [/color]

I agree with this that it appears RAc is poor at judging talent. Would we have won more games ifAnderson was at the QB position instead of Frye? I don't know, but Anderson sure looks a little better. Isn't RAC supposed to put the best players on the field?

And that whole Mo issue made me realize he's not very determinative.

The sad truth is that we're still struggling with a new HC who makes rookie mistakes. The question is do we give him enough time to develop into a better HC.

He'll be here next year, but next year he'll be on the hot seat. Another year going 0-6 against the AFC North and an overall losing record, and then there'll be some serious talk about a replacement.

But I don't think he's a good HC.

It could be... We're all frustrated now. I don't believe it's a road to nowhere...yet.

At the start of the year, I felt that we'd win 4 to 6 games...so my guess was right on, but that doesn't mean that I didn't want a better record, I just couldn't see it happening. Not with all our inexperience and lack of depth. There were people on here that believed we would be 11 - 5 and in the playoffs... They are the ones who are crushed and want to get rid of Romeo. If we want to see any improvement, we need to let the rebuilding continue. A foundation is being built. Inexperienced players are gaining experience. I don't want to see us go back to a 4-3, change offenses and cut the few decent players we have, because they "don't fit the new scheme."

We were told that we needed to be patient and we would see results. I've seen some decent individual play that indicates we are building a good foundation. If were are 8 - 8 next year, we will have improved enough to continue with Romeo. If were are less than .500..... It will be time to make a change.

As I said, this is Romeo's first Head Coaching job. He has some things to learn too.

Doesn't matter what the players want. I said it before, if we're not at least 8-8 next year RAC (and possibly Phil) will be gone. And frankly, I doubt that I could disagree with that decision if it's made. I'm getting tired of the excuses and I'm tired of being the AZ Cardinals of the AFC.

I don't buy that. Romeo has been a coach for 30 years.

You work to be a head coach and should get the job when you are ready. I don't want the Browns running some OJT program for asst. coaches.

As Toad said in his post, if Romeo doesn't have a grasp of this by now, he won't.

As I said a month or two back, Romeo strikes me as being soft. And that is a problem. When you get a job like this, you have to walk in the door with a hammer in your hand. You can't be buddy,buddy for a few years and then hope to find the hammer....it just doesn't work.

I like the guy and don't want to see him canned but this is the question I keep asking myself and no matter my mood, my answer is always the same.

"If Romeo left here, would he ever get another head coaching job in the NFL??"

If you ask yourself that, I suspect most will conclude the same thing as I.

The follow-up question to that is......"Should we settle for that?"

That is where we might have disagreement.

Call me crazy, but if Romeo was gone, I don't think we'd have to start all over like some people say, especially if we kept Savage.

If the scouting and drafting, FA acquisitions, etc. were kept the same, the transition wouldn't be as painful, if anything it'd be pretty easy, especially if we hired a 3-4 coach, besides, we need a new offense anyway.

The question is, how many of those are out there that would be available and worth hiring? Any ideas?

[color:"red"] It's interesting that Crennel followed in the path of Bill Parcells, and Parcells is known as a strong-handed coach who demands discipline -- yet one of the concerns about Crennel is that some players get away with too much.Players won't go on the record about these concerns, but they will voice their thoughts in the offseason to the coach. Many want a firmer hand. They want consequences for actions. They want people paying better attention in meetings, a more professional attitude, and they want accountability on the field.
[/color]

Rac WILL have to improve in this area of discipline OR he will lose the team because of rebellion and other players getting angry for the hammer not being thrown down.
[color:"red"] ``I don't think we've played well enough within the division,'' Crennel said.
[/color]
Why not? U don't have the horses but your players need to have more fire for these games..get rid of the ones who don't want to play...

[color:"red"] ``I've always put a premium on winning the games,'' Crennel said, ``and I would much rather win than experiment with the young guys. Now, if the situation arises that gave me the opportunity to experiment, then I would.
[/color]
EXPERIMENT?If your starters are incapable of getting the JOB DONE U bring in the young guys..don't give me that crap...U're not having a winning season SO U DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO LOSE!!

if theres a dicipline problem and the man at the top isnt handling it, than the older "team leaders" need to handle it and quit bitching about the lack of it. if its the younger players whining about the lack of dicipline, than mabey they should not ask for a daddy to instill it and instead grow up.... i cant believe these people play a game for a living and still cant just go to work with a profesional attitude.

I agree, but we don't really have that hammer.

Our vets are marginal or washed up. Until we have the vet who can walk the walk and grab a few of these guys by the collar and back them up against a locker, you won't get anything out of the players.

It has to come from the coach. He has to be the one who tells someone they are a sorry little punk and won't play until they straighten up.

In Baltimore as an example, Lewis can keep guys in line with both his play and his ability to stick someone in the corner if he wishes.

As I see it, the Browns have several groups of players who follow different people who are all trying to become the leader.

Maybe that is how it evolves or maybe we just lack that player....who knows??

I have my own business now, but for years I was a production manager, an area manager, a district manager, then a Regional VP.... Each job had new management decisions to make. Some of the things I learned, or thought I'd learned at lower levels, didn't translate to upper levels too well. Sometimes loyalties and dealing with subordinates who have their own defined areas of responsibilities conflict. Tools I learned in lower level and mid level positions didn't work as well when I moved up.

In other words...at each level you learn new things. When and how to motivate the people under you, and knowing the best ways to get the job done. The things Romeo has to do as head coach, dealing with subordinate coaches as well as players, won't be the same things he did as a position coach or D Coordinator. He has to learn his people, learn how to motivate them and learn to be a General...not a Captain or Colonel. He is no longer observing someone else doing the job, he is the head coach himself and all the observation in the world can't prepare you for that. He has to learn there is a difference between a pleasant friendly work environment and being a friend. He has to learn when and how to be disciplinarian. He has to learn what is the best way to get the job done. There is no text book or training manual.... Some things you have to learn via trial and error.

I know that in all NFL coaching jobs, there are certain constants. You get hired, you work, you get fired. It might be time to start watching Romeo with a critical eye. The honeymoon is over, but I don't think it's time to fire him.....yet.

I see it differently.

Let's take a look at the original quote again.


[color:"white"]Players won't go on the record about these concerns, but they will voice their thoughts in the offseason to the coach. Many want a firmer hand. They want consequences for actions. They want people paying better attention in meetings, a more professional attitude, and they want accountability on the field.
[/color]

I view that as some players are upset that certain players, namely Leon and K2, are able to get away w/things they should not get away with and it is causing some problems w/the rest of the team.

Translation: The majority of players want repurcussions for players who say things and at the same time are messing up themselves.

Vers - don't forget the part about paying attention in meetings.

Halfback - Good Point!

To everyone who wants RAC's head, please tell us this-- which highly qualified coaching candidate, in his right mind, would come to Cleveland in this situation? Firing RAC before season 3 is a move that would make the Browns the laughing-stock of the league. Heck, the fans in Arizona and Detroit are all hopeful that we could share in the disgrace.

Think about it. You're a rising star in the coaching ranks and know that a head coaching job will come your way in the next few years. Cleveland, which has just fired one of the more respected coaches in the league (remember, he does have all of those SB rings), comes knocking on your door with an offer. Would you take it? Or, would you wait a couple years knowing that a position will be opening in DC, Dallas, Atlanta or some other stable environment?

Sorry, folks. RAC is going to be here at least one more season, so let's stop all the idle chatter. It is very unbecoming to us...

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were looking for me in this thread. It's nice to know I've got such a good buddy after such a short time posting on the board. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I'm not a big RAC fan. I'm not hiding that. And I'm not trying to be subtle about any of my opinions, as you've alluded to. I think the quote in question speaks to the control RAC has on the team and the lack thereof looks like it shows up on the field on gameday. That's just my opinion.

I think your opinion has equal validity to it. I think both of our opinions are formed by our prejudices - mine being my dissatisfaction with RAC and yours being your dissatisfaction with BE.

Maybe you're right and that's all the quote actually meant. But I think it meant more. I'm purely speculating as I don't have any inside sources.

But I guess I kind of feel like Ballpeen. Reading many of his recent posts his recurring theme is he doesn't really care what the problems are, he just wants them fixed. He doesn't care what players take the field, he just wants the ones that give us the best chance at winning.

I'm with him. I just want to win. Whether it's with RAC or somebody else. Whether it's BE or another WR. I'm so tired of this. I just want to win.

And I think that's one thing you and I can both agree on. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I just dont get this. Like a show I seen not to long ago, where kids where demanding that thier parents be more harsh punishment decipline factors, like whoppin their ass when they dont listen.. Are you kiddin me? Seroiusly!! It's like telling your doctor, " Hey doc, could you cut my hands off, I just can't seem to quit smoking, and I'm thinking that would help"..

Aren't these guys adults, and need to be told to pick-up gum wrappers...LOL, no wonder way they can't get lined up right, or remember the fundamentals of football.. I have to think this is a lame excuse for failure...

I'm also pretty sure I got ragged on here because I said the coach is soft, and needs to be more sturn with his team..

UNREAL, but what-ever..

Could this be because they like Crennell too much because of the laid back approach?

Who out there wouldn't rather work for an easy going boss than a strict disciplinarian? My boss ( a high school principal) is a great guy to work for because he lets you alone and lets you do your job (and assumes it gets done all the time.) That being said, a lot of us might get lax in some of our duties because we know he won't come down on us too hard. I'm not saying he's a great principal, but he IS great to work for, and there's a major difference. Is this the case with Crennell?

As a high school coach, I have to be on my players all the time about execution, responsibility, discipline, grades, etc. because if I don't, they'll start to slip in a lot of those areas - even the best among them.

I don't think you need a drill sergant, but I wonder if Romeo is just too soft when it comes to keeping his players "in their place". Without being at practice every day or being behind closed doors with the team it's hard to say, but for some reason my perception is that Crennell needs to get a lot tougher.

No doubt, but in the long run, RAC already stamped his ways into the players mind.. Now, if all of a sudden he starts getting all mean and nasty, player will be like " Yo, what's up with Romeo, he's been an ass hole lately".. What I'm saying is his persona is already geared for softness and easy going, and it's to late for all this " disaplinarian talk" really...

You can't just change in one night, because it's not good for one's mind or the people surrounding him.. This whole thing could come back and haunt the team as a whole.. JMO., and if you think about it, it makes sense..

Agreed with his perception being in their minds, but difficult as it is, he can start bearing down in them. Overall, I think it's easier to start out tough and soften rather than the other way around, but hopefully something can be done.

This is something for him to work out with his team after the season is over. I'm sure there are players who can take their concerns to him. I would really expect that all the players could do this. It's up to him what he decides to do about it. If someone is working for me, and confides in me that they feel I'm taking the wrong track and can explain why, you can darn well believe that I'll listen. The team hasn't imploded yet and that bodes well for his ability to keep his crew working even in the face of the humiliation of losing.

Firing the coach won't fix this team. We need more talent. That's the GM's job and I see him making a genuine effort to get the horses we need. Let's just sit back and see how he approaches the lines on both sides of the ball this off-season.

Geesh, it'll be good to get back to our off-season with it's relentless homerism and blind belief that we're going to the promised land next year no matter the reality on the ground.

J.

... What we have now is a bunch of Over the Hill Cry Baby's , plus several primadodna's and a Coach that is in over his head , lack of direction from above , Oh yea lets not forget Talent .. We need a firmer hand and one big hit in the 2007 FA. & Draft <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Sorry, but having 5 SB rings, won under another HC's direction, game plans and calls, being liked by the players and respected by everyone in the league are all real nice things. BUT, nice guys finish LAST and it couldn't be more true in these circumstances. A little more discipline by Rac just won't get the job done. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

This guy is simply not HC material, it shows by his bad judgement in selecting staff, 2 time losers who are friends, not to mention something like 6 or 7 who never coached in the NFL. Being way to soft on the players and team discpline overall. Plus putting together so so game plans at best and not utilizing players to their max. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

The bottom line is, we will never have to worry about winning our division, let alone getting to the second round of the playoffs, as long as Rac is the HC of this team, it's not going to happen. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If you truly feel that good about his ability, then put the tinted glasses back on and have another pitcher of kool-aid, your fantasy football will start again for real next season. Everyone's allowed to dream though, that's why we have things like Santa Claus, Cinderella, Easter Bunny and much more. <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

We can now add the Browns to that list. That is, until we retain the services of a REAL, EXPERIENCED, DISCIPLINED, ORGANIZED and somewhat successful HC. One who can recognize and use all the talents of every player, to formulate an effective game plan for each game. Be able to adjust as the game goes on and manage the clock to the max. Lead this team, motivate and drive the players and his assistant coaches to their limits, that's the HC's job. <img src="/images/graemlins/azzangel.gif" alt="" />

He must hold each and every person to their responsibilities, if they can't cut it they must go, with Robo being the first one out the door. He should have been long gone with Botch. <img src="/images/graemlins/naughtydevil.gif" alt="" />

[color:"red"]"Glad the players are saying this because I said so some time back and was told I was carzy."

[color:"orange"]I'm sorry...I read a reporter saying this and stating - Its twue, Its twue just not reported officially.

What I see is a reporter trying to dig up dirt on RAC - simply on the basis of the subject matter. And was totally surprised that the team is behind RAC 100%.

The only dirt he could dig up...hmmm from who lets see he quoted AD a defensive guy and Andruzzi an OLmen. and both probably stated that they wished RAC would have laid into the mouthing of BE and KW2. But I doubt it was to a point of Cancer and the lockeroom getting blown up and RAC losing control of the team.

Was this what you meant from another post where you answered Mourgrym and state that RAC is losing the team. I think Mourgrym stated the word "mutiny"

If so its sort of funny. I would expect a Defensive player to be upset at brash talking from a WR or TE...I would expect a OLman to be equally upset. Traditionally these are positions of hard nose football.

RAC chose to class both cases...oh and note its two occasions not over n over n over n over type of stuff. two occasions he said he talked with them and left it to youthful immaturity.

I doubt if he will lose a team from this.

One thing I would like to note. The team has occurred some tough beats over the last two years. And this is the best dirt this reporter can dig up. If this is the worst case scenario with our young team and lockeroom...RAC should be commended. Many a more acclaimed Coaches have lost their team over a lot less than our trial and tribulations over the last two seasons. I like RAC even more.

JMHO

Just remember, the Cleveland media has had Tressel and Cowher coaching the Browns as RAC's replacement. The articles were pure speculation.

The Cleveland media is doing itself a disservice by such rumour generating.

The reality is that the Browns were not going to win this year after LCB went down, You can add the Cutch and Baxter to that list and there went the potential of a decent defense.

All the banter now about the QB controversy and RAC being on the hot seat is great paper fodder, but has nothing to do with the future of the team. I guess they needed another Collins shake out real or imagined to make the last couple of weeks interesting.

The media gets irritated with RAC's standard answers which are right out of Bill Bellyaches mantra. They don't like the fact that he is not animated on the sideline. Those issues have little to do with the sucess of the team.

RAC took a chink when Mo was let go. There are a couple of subtile things that have occured since then. The offensive seems more creative, and the OL play has improved marginally. Maybe there was something to the tidbit that Mo did not allow the OL to make adjustments based upon defensive formation.

I think there are 2 issues that RAC will have to address. First, RAC could improve is on the players that he uses in a game. He has indicated that he is not if favor of playing rookies until they learn the system. By week 14 with a 4-10 record, the value of winning a game is non-consequential, because the team is not going to make the playoffs. Once the playoffs are out of the picture, focusing on the available talent, or the talent that the team can build upon is of higher importance.

Second, if players, even skill players with high visibility (KW2, BE) cannot perform at acceptable levels with understanding the plays and being able to execute a block or complete a route, they should not be on the field. Players should be held accountable for their actions, bad as well as good. RAC has made it obvious that he wont hang a player out to dry in the media, but he should be held accountable to the team. KW2's blow-off regarding Mo could have probably been answered by, .. we needed maximum pass protection on the 3rd down play. To allow skilled players to play, violates the rookie precidence.

Finally.. this team has a lot of turnover. 23 of the 53 players were first or 2nd year players. No matter how you slice it that does not suggest a team that will compete for a playoff position.

I just dont think RAC has his team ready for Sunday and thats not media spin or anything else. Its seeing a team come out flat week after week. the saints using the quick 3 step drop and pop. It looked like we never imagined they would use such a philosophy. Funny how they used it 90% of the time in preseason lol

Bengals go hurry up and our D looks completely in shock. Do they even scout opposing teams?

Then you get into the big area of concern at that is this team comes out completely flat week after week. You have 2 or 3 players that put it all on the line and the rest seem to go through the motions. Do we have an entire team of turds or a coach that instills his emotions into this team? They play with the same emotion that RAC displays and thats a serious concern.

Now anytime the media asks RAC a serious question, he responds with "I dont know" or reverts back to if it works its good if it doesnt work then we have to take a look at it.

Personel decisions is another big question with RAC. How can he have Cutt on the field after he ducks out of the way of a pass. After his 2nd drop, it was bad enough going to him again but going to him 2 more tims as the primary? thats just stupid anyway you look at it.

As bad asthe 2004 team was and it was bad enough to get 2 coaches canned, this years team is worse in almost every statisical category.

Maybe Vers is right and this Phil is an idiot at putting together a team or maybe its a coach that doesnt know how to be a head coach. A change in coaching we can handle, if Phil is the problem then we are in serious trouble.

personally, i think there is a reason RAC has 5 superbowl rings and 30 years as a DC andthis is the only job he was ever offered. I really think he is another Norv Turner.

It's a combination ... Leadership starts at the top :.. " [censored] flows down hill " .. " You don't kill a rattlesnake by cuttin off it's tail " <img src="/images/graemlins/saywhat.gif" alt="" />

What talent we do have ( and we are starting to collect some ) isn't on the field or not at the right time , or being used right ! .. Beating a dead horse " 2007 " , is a huge year for this FO ... <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" />

[color:"white"]personally, i think there is a reason RAC has 5 superbowl rings and 30 years as a DC andthis is the only job he was ever offered. [/color]

actually rac only had maybe 1-2 years more experience at DC than mo did. 00-05 were the only years he spent at that position.
i often wonder if bellichek wasn't the real reason for all of those SB rings. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hmmm....a ringing endorsement from AD and Joe Andruzzi...that says a lot to me.

Mediocre starters who approve of the head coach. Shocker.