DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum The End of Romeo Crennel

While this statement: No one expected Anderson to do anything other than hold a spot until Brady Quinn was ready; as a result, Anderson was able to play unburdened by the worries inherent to having something to lose.

Noooo the plan was DA to play and everyone on the staff to see if he could improve and go to the next level..if he couldn't then the next phase was to insert BQ.
They played their cards..I think they were hoping DA could go the whole season and then open it up for competetion in the next TC..
But it didn't play out that way.

The End of Romeo thread was getting long. Refs you need to move this, then please do so.



http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/WWHI/2008/wwhi111008.htm

The way we hear it, after two demoralizing home losses in a five-day span, there could be a whole lot of heavy-duty soul-searching going on in the Browns’ organization the rest of the season.

Entering the 2008 campaign, hot on the heels of an eyebrow-raising 10-win campaign, the Browns were brimming with promise for the long road head. But with three losses to start the season, it didn’t take long for the “Dawg Pound” to start vociferously voicing its disapproval.

Three victories in the following four games, including a big Monday-night victory over the defending Super Bowl-champion Giants, quieted the team’s critics somewhat. More than anything, it showed just how good the Browns can be. But the heat returned big-time in Week Nine after the Browns blew a big second-half lead in a 37-27 loss to the division-rival Ravens.

One day later, not long after he told the local media he had no plans to make any changes, Browns head coach Romeo Crennel delivered a major eyebrow raiser, announcing that 2007 first-round draft pick Brady Quinn would replace Pro Bowl QB Derek Anderson — whose costly interception that was returned for a TD by Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs was a key factor in the loss to Baltimore — in the Browns’ Thursday-night prime-timer against the Broncos
Anderson, who was shocked by the demotion, wasn’t alone. Even though he hadn’t been nearly as effective as he was in ’07, when he burst out of the woodwork with 29 TD passes, the interception to Suggs was his first in 132 pass attempts. While it’s also true that he has completed less than half of his passes this season, dropped passes by high-profile Browns receivers Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow have had a lot to do with Anderson’s drop-off.

Making the move even more curious was the fact that Quinn — whose last meaningful game before the Denver contest was Jan. 3, 2007, when he made his final start for Notre Dame vs. LSU in the Sugar Bowl — would be given only three days to prepare for the Broncos. In addition, as Browns DE Willie McGinest was quick to admit, the abrupt move was a dramatic departure for the normally steady-as-she-goes Crennel.

Whether it was a move mandated by higher-ups caving into public pressure remains open to question. In any event, the Brady Quinn era appears to have begun in Cleveland following the popular local product’s solid, error-free effort in defeat against the Broncos.

Too bad about the Browns’ abysmal defense.

For the second straight game, a barrage of blown assignments and missed tackles led to a complete defensive breakdown, as Broncos QB Jay Cutler brought his team from behind with three TD passes in the fourth quarter, even though Denver had lost all of its running backs.

All told, Cleveland’s defense allowed 564 yards, only five days after surrendering 429 yards to the Ravens, a team hardly considered an offensive juggernaut.

The two-game total of 993 yards set a disturbing club record for most yards allowed in that span as the team dropped to 1-4 at home and now appears to be well on its way to its fifth losing season in six years.

And it’s not only the Dawg Pound that is barking.

“Some people need to check their egos at the door and find some heart to come out here and play hard,” said Browns RB Jamal Lewis. “This is a man’s game. The way we went out there and played two weeks in a row, finishing the same kind of way, it’s just not there. I think there’s some men right here who need to check themselves.

“This is as frustrated as I’ve been in however many years I’ve been playing. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m not cut from this kind of cloth. I play physical football. I come out here and give it my all every week. This is the NFL. You can’t call it quits until the game is over.”

Crennel hinted there could be some lineup changes before the Browns’ next game the following Monday night at Buffalo. He said the same thing after the Browns went 0-3 to start the season, and nothing happened.

But team insiders are starting to think a lot of changes could materialize if the Browns continue to stumble down the stretch, including the removal of Crennel, despite the contract extension he earned through 2011 following Cleveland’s 10-win season in ’07.

Said one league executive: “There are too many guys that get away with murder, not practicing hard and talking back to coaches. There is a poor environment marked by a lack of respect and discipline.

“A cultural shift is needed.”

In addition, Crennel’s game-management skills and clock management (the end of the Washington game in Week Seven is a prime example) have been under fire this season. But the biggest problem by far is Cleveland’s defense, Crennel’s supposed area of expertise. The lack of pressure and faulty communication have been hard to ignore.

Said one daily team observer: “When (the Browns’ defense) faces a three-receiver grouping, they switch to their nickel defense and become a 4-3 team. You can dictate their front by the personnel grouping. When they take the big bodies off the field in their nickel package, you run the ball. When they bring the big boys back in, you throw it. They are a very reactive defense. They play defense like Romeo manages the team. It’s easy to move the ball on them.”

While even slight improvement down the stretch will probably secure Crennel’s job and put an end to the growing rumors that former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher is on Browns owner Randy Lerner’s radar screen, Anderson’s future with the team appears to be on increasingly shaky ground, with a trade this offseason becoming increasingly likely.

It’s also possible, we hear, that the team may consider dealing Winslow, whose erratic play on the field and well-documented bad-mouthing of the organization regarding its handling of his staph infection off the field have left team insiders wondering just how long the Browns will be willing to put up with him.

One personnel exec told PFW that Winslow, who is signed through 2009 but has made it clear that he wants a new contract, would probably garner more than Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez would have in a trade, based on talent alone.

Good find.

As I said before....it depends on how Romeo's extension is viewed.

You called it window dressing...and maybe it is.

However....if Lerner was leaning towards making a switch last year and Savage presented the case Romeo should stay and things were on track, then, IMO that could be his mulligan.

To me it doesn't make sense Lerner wanted to give the extension and did so despite objections from Savage.

I agree...the odds are that Savage survives and gets another shot....or maybe even the first shot if that is how one wants to look at it, but the odds aren't so remote it went the other way and Lerner is thinking of canning them both, or at minimum giving Phil a choice to accept a lesser role while we bring in a coach who is going to demand more say so in determining who we draft and who we cut.

RAC has got to quit being this teams dad, and start being its HC. Make some tough calls, make some tough decisions, and stop worrying about whether or not its hurts their feelings.

Some of the issues we have should have been delt with long ago, and maybe they wouldnt be issues now.

RAC still is too slow to make decisions...look at where we are at right now...its taken ALL OF THIS...just to rattle the cage and get RAC to realize that he may need to change something.

RAC is a nice guy and all, good man, and his decision making is getting better IMO, but is still not good enough. RAC is probably toast, and there is noway somebody can show me why in heck he doesnt deserve to get the boot.

We all know the talent level has risen...and yet.....the results...are nearly idenditcal to BUTCH!

Its time for Marty, Cowher, heck, Billick?

We need a pro HC, we've needed one since 99, havent had one.

Just as the return of buzzards to Hinckley signal the approach of spring,the vultures returning to Berea signal Thanksgiving is upon us,and the Browns are dead.
Life is back to normal in NE Ohio.

I wrote a response on the Crennel pulling strings thread that parallels much of what is pointed out in this article.

I will make a few points... .


Making the move even more curious was the fact that Quinn —


While the media may think this move was curious, how are we gonna find out what Quinn can do and how he fits into our future if we don't get the guy on the field?

Like I said though, while it looks as though the team is making the move because of Anderson's play, Anderson did not lose the Ravens game. Again, Anderson came out and put two TDs on the board giving our defense a 14 point lead to work with and only a little over a quarter to go in the game. The defense blew it, not Anderson.

I understand the move, looking ahead, beyond this season. Savage and Crennel need the QB situation answered before the upcoming off season. I expect one QB to be traded, hopefully for draft picks, in this offseason.



For the second straight game, a barrage of blown assignments and missed tackles led to a complete defensive breakdown, as Broncos QB Jay Cutler brought his team from behind with three TD passes in the fourth quarter, even though Denver had lost all of its running backs.

All told, Cleveland’s defense allowed 564 yards, only five days after surrendering 429 yards to the Ravens, a team hardly considered an offensive juggernaut.


The Browns defensive weaknesses have been exposed and will continue to be taken advantage of until the defense makes changes or this season comes to an end. The lack of pass coverage skills and the lack of pressure on the QB have lead to easy pickings for the Ravens and Broncos QBs over the last two weeks.

But even as bad as our defense is, our offense has kept us in both games.

Why can't the coaching staff find a way to improve our defensive weaknesses? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result borders on insanity.

Now it may be that changes have been attempted by the coaching staff but the ability of the players to implement those changes is the problem. We fans only see the results and they are not pretty.



And it’s not only the Dawg Pound that is barking.

“Some people need to check their egos at the door and find some heart to come out here and play hard,” said Browns RB Jamal Lewis. “This is a man’s game. The way we went out there and played two weeks in a row, finishing the same kind of way, it’s just not there. I think there’s some men right here who need to check themselves.

“This is as frustrated as I’ve been in however many years I’ve been playing. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m not cut from this kind of cloth. I play physical football. I come out here and give it my all every week. This is the NFL. You can’t call it quits until the game is over.”


It didn't hurt that Jamal Lewis called the team out, but will it help?

If your not sure whom Lewis is speaking of, just ask yourself, who has the large egos on the team?

I'm very concerned that Lewis said "I’ve never seen anything like it."

The Browns may have deeper problems than some are aware of, me included.



But team insiders are starting to think a lot of changes could materialize if the Browns continue to stumble down the stretch, including the removal of Crennel, despite the contract extension he earned through 2011 following Cleveland’s 10-win season in ’07.

Said one league executive: “There are too many guys that get away with murder, not practicing hard and talking back to coaches. There is a poor environment marked by a lack of respect and discipline.

“A cultural shift is needed.”


In my post on the other thread, I said I didn't want to see changes in the coaching staff...BUT...if the above is true, changes in the coaching staff may be the only thing that fixes our problems.

IF, there is a poor practice environment and a lack discipline and a lack of respect by the players, there are few effective ways to fix those issues other than "major" changes.

With Crennel coming from the Belechick mold of coaching styles, a lack of respect and discipline would be the last problems I would expect on this team.

But we have Jamal Lewis speaking out, a reported team insiders which could be anyone from a player to Savage and one league executive as sources for this story.

This is troubling to me as I don't want to see any changes on the offensive side of the ball. I have waited too long for an offensive line that can block and an offense that can put points on the board.

If the franchise must make changes, my only wishes are that they target the problem areas and do as little to disrupt the franchise as possible.

The last thing I want is another 5 yr plan where the entire offense and defense are torn up and we start all over again.

I still have confidence in Savage and Lerner to do all they can to bring this city and all Browns fans a Super Bowl Championship. Makes you wonder if a certain ex-head coach did buy a house in the Cleveland area, recently?

Quote:

---

With Crennel coming from the Belechick mold of coaching styles, a lack of respect and discipline would be the last problems I would expect on this team.

---

Just because Bilichick is the way he is and RAC had success in his system doesn't mean RAC is going to be the same type of coach that Bill is.. not at all. Maybe RAC was a great Xs and Os defensive guy but Bill handled the discipline and consequences.. maybe they loved RAC but feared Bill and that's why they played hard and stayed in line... who knows. One thing is for sure, I don't believe RAC is getting everything out of his players, especially on defense.. and that's becoming more and more of a problem.

Quote:

---

Thanksgiving is upon us,and the Browns are dead.

---

Right on brother!

BROWNS INSIDER: CRENNEL SECRETIVE ABOUT POSSIBLE LINEUP CHANGES.
by Mary Kay Cabot
Monday November 10, 2008, 8:28 PM

Joshua Gunter/The Plain Dealer
Cornerback Brandon McDonald's job seems to be safe despite two rough outings the last two games.Browns coach Romeo Crennel said Monday he might make one or two more lineup changes but declined to reveal them.
"We talked about it over the weekend, and we had a meeting [Monday] morning, but I haven't had a chance to talk to the players about anything yet," he said. "I'm not divulging anything at this point."

Asked if he would classify them as major or minor changes, he laughed and said, "I would classify them as a secret right now."

Of course, none of the changes will match last week's blockbuster move of benching quarterback Derek Anderson for Brady Quinn. But players are aware that anything is possible at 3-6.

"If we're not playing well, everybody's job is on the line," said linebacker Andra Davis.

Guard Eric Steinbach said he didn't think players were walking on eggshells.

"If that's something that coaches or management decides to do, that happens every week and every season in the NFL," said Steinbach. "I don't think guys will be walking around with their heads on a swivel. You've got to go prepare the same way each week."

Asked if he had enough depth on the team to make major changes, Crennel said, "The coach has to make a determination about how he can get guys to compete and what he can do to put the best guys on the field to give the team the best chance."

Last week, he was asked if he would consider benching Braylon Edwards for dropping passes but suggested he didn't have anybody with whom to replace him.

"If you have good competition that allows you maybe to sit somebody down, that can have an impact, but you have to look at your situation and determine what you think is best," the coach said.

Crennel said he might move Kamerion Wimbley around some to free him up, but might not have the practice time to make it effective. "Whether we do it or not, we're not sure," he said. McDonald safe? Crennel indicated cornerback Brandon McDonald will keep his job despite two rough outings.

"I think [Brandon McDonald] will be able to go back, line up and be a productive player," said Crennel. "As you look at that game, he was competing all the time. Even though he gave up some plays and some yards, he was in position and was aggressive on the receiver.

"One time he slips down, another time there is a back-shoulder throw which is tough to defend, and that one time he made a poor decision. It's not like he was the worst thing out there, he gave up or didn't try." Steinbach's tear: Steinbach, who missed the Broncos game, revealed that the rib injury suffered against the Ravens was a torn left oblique muscle. But the 10 days between games has him optimistic for Buffalo.

"I might test it later in the week," he said. "I like where I'm feeling right now, being a week out. With an oblique, the best thing for it is time." Quinn on Edwards: Quinn agreed with Crennel that he'll get the ball more to Edwards. Edwards caught one pass for 15 yards and had one negated by an interference call against tight end Kellen Winslow.

"They did some good things defensively to try to take him away," said Quinn. "That allowed a one-on-one matchup with Kellen, which we took advantage of."

It's a good thing Quinn was groomed for the spotlight at Notre Dame. His first two career starts are on national TV, including Monday night's road game against Buffalo. Assuming he starts the rest of the season, three of his eight starts will be nationally televised night games.

Quinn spent his weekend back home in Columbus, helping his grandmother move into his parents home.

"I spent a lot of quality time with the family," he said. "Anytime you get an opportunity to do that, it's probably the most important thing." Crennel on Cribbs: Crennel was asked if Josh Cribbs is the best special teamer he's ever seen. "Yes, he is," said Crennel. "He's a returner and a cover guy, and that combination is kind of special. When you watch the coverage plays he's involved in, you have an appreciation for what he's able to do."

Too little too late.........

Crennel said he might move Kamerion Wimbley around some to free him up, but might not have the practice time to make it effective. "Whether we do it or not, we're not sure," he said. McDonald safe? Crennel indicated cornerback Brandon McDonald will keep his job despite two rough outings.

Dang I've been calling for them to move him since he came here.. stand the guy up..stop making him put his hand down..
There is nothing about defense that Rac doesn't know..I get we don't have a lot of talent in that LB core..but even he should know to move his OLB around..stand him up..show different looks..

But the bottom line is..to be effective the 3-4 needs the pass rush to come from any and every linebacker so that the offense never knows where it's coming from.
U can't expect 3 dlinemen to provide a consistant serious pass rush..no way thats gonna happen.

"I think [Brandon McDonald] will be able to go back, line up and be a productive player," said Crennel. "As you look at that game, he was competing all the time. Even though he gave up some plays and some yards, he was in position and was aggressive on the receiver.
"One time he slips down, another time there is a back-shoulder throw which is tough to defend, and that one time he made a poor decision. It's not like he was the worst thing out there, he gave up or didn't try."


Sorry coach but he was about the worst thing out there and he did give up on one play..he stood there with his arms in the air..just looking and not moving..but I know why you can't bench him..what's behind him is even worse..

Quote:

---

Too little too late.........

---

Common he is dammed if he does and dammed if he dosent. RAC could have made some moves earlier and people would be yelling whats he doing he's throwing our season away, why is he doing that it worked last year thier giving up already. Common, you know the people just as good as me on this sight, People just cant say good he's making moves to see what we got, people have to complane.

I"m not a RAC backer, I just wanna win, if RAC is our coach I'll support him if he's not I wont worrry about him, & I'll support the new coach. I'm a Browns fan I just wanna win.

Quote:

---

"They did some good things defensively to try to take him away," said Quinn. "That allowed a one-on-one matchup with Kellen, which we took advantage of."

---

Yes he did, and I'll take that every game if needed. Soon D's will be creeping up to take away the short stuff and then we'll be able to watch Quinn air it out.

Quote:

---

I won't apologize for commentary

---

Please dont take what i wrote wrong, I was never asking for you to do so, Thats your opinon and your intitled to it, All I was doing was showing my opinon and another side to our fan base, The side thats tired of all the negative statements, & comments, I know it's thier right to and good for them, I just wnated to show another side one thats sometimes it dosent matter what one does.

THIS is also disturbing but true..
Fron PFW:

Said one daily team observer: “When (the Browns’ defense) faces a three-receiver grouping, they switch to their nickel defense and become a 4-3 team. You can dictate their front by the personnel grouping. When they take the big bodies off the field in their nickel package, you run the ball. When they bring the big boys back in, you throw it. They are a very reactive defense. They play defense like Romeo manages the team. It’s easy to move the ball on them.”

I mentioned many times we don't vary our fronts..

Romeo is a tool.

What exactly is a "daily team observer"? It could be a frigging towel boy.

Hey I even spelled it wrong..hehe

They need to run the Nickel 3-3-5 when up against those 3-WR sets.... and mix up the blitz. Just don't put Wimbley in there on the rush....

Before the season I said the guy was a situational pass rusher in which I couldn't figure out what situations you would want him on the field.

Glad to see some others are beginning to see the same thing.

He sucks

At this point, Kam is zero dimensional...he cant rush the passer. He needs some improvement just to be a 3rd down rusher.

But your right on the "clueless against the run take"...he looks like hes always expecting something different than what is run. If he could develop a nice inside swim move to pair with his shoulder duck move to the outside...wed have a good pass rusher.

But none of that fixes his instincts and ability to read the blocks and find the ball carrier. I think wimbley is at best a 3rd down rusher for a 4-3 team...if he really works on another move.

Otherwise...hes trash, you cant fix instincts, or brains.

NRTU

I have no plans to make any excuses for KW, however I think some of the posts I have seen miss on a few points as to some of the reasons he may not be as effective as he could or should be.

Take a look at WM this season. It has been the long held idea of much of the posting world that WM was done finished should retire and become a coach. However with CW lined up next to him WM has enjoyed IMO his finest season since coming to the Browns. While he has been limited in the number of snaps he has played which has greatly helped no question, when he has played he has been pretty effective, more so like I said then in past seasons. I attribute that to the pressence of CW.

I can't say for certain that KW would be more effective with a better player next to him, but I think he would. I also agree he needs to be moved around much more then he is. Lets put it this way it sure as hell wouldn't hurt. I disagree with KW playing poorly against the run. At one point in time I know that was true, and in fact I was quick to point that fact out. However, KW improved greatly over the course of last season, and inspite of a drop in production in the sack area, he improved greatly in run support. I do believe he has regressed some this season on the imrovements he made last year, but he is no where near as bad as some posters falsely are trying to lead others to believe.

Put a better player next to KW, and I think he will play better.. Semour seems to make whoever lines up next to him better, and I think a player of his quality would have the same effect for the Browns and KW.

Lets put it this way I wouldn't let KW go, I still think he has promise or hope.

JMHO

BTTB

Quote:

---

I simply hope that Savage checks his ego at the door and thinks about this one logically before making any rash moves, one way or another.

---

Thats who Jamal was talking about.

Right now I see K2 as the least of our problems, we have major leadership issues and a new QB that we need to make sure developes properly. K2 right now is a huge positive for this team, he brings a level of toughness and desire that this team as a whole lacks immensely. After what he did in BQ's debut last week I wouldn't want to disturb that chemistry at all.

We've got plenty of time right now to sit back and evaluate what long term plans K2 will have with this team, right now we have much bigger fish to fry.