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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3725743

In rare interview, Lerner says he's committed to having winning franchise
Associated Press

Updated: November 25, 2008, 12:34 PM ET
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BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner said Tuesday he will wait until after the season before deciding on the future of coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage.


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Watch highlights from the Houston Texans 16-6 win over the Cleveland Browns.

The reclusive Lerner gave a rare interview Monday and addressed a wide-range of topics. But he steered clear of questions about Crennel or Savage.

The two are under fire with the Browns at 4-7 and out of the playoff picture one year after winning 10 games and sending six players to the Pro Bowl.

Lerner also said he has no plans to sell the franchise he inherited following his father's death in 2002.

The 46-year-old described Sunday's home loss to Houston as "sickening" and says his message to Browns fans was that he is deeply committed to winning.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

I'm glad someone is

If Lerner's so deeply committed, he ought to provide everyone with a season ticket to the last home game of the year against Cincy a coupon for the price of a single game ticket to be spent at the stadium for food and drink or parking or whatever, as a show of good will, Christmas cheer and a humble thank you for support the mess they put on the field this year.

He sounds ticked off doesn't he.....

What idiot reporter was it that would even think about asking him if he's going to sell the franchise... Whoever it was didn't see any previous interview of him talking about growing up in Cleveland as a Browns fan.. I guess in hard times it's easy to forget all of that..

The only difference between Randy and us is he got to puke in a 14k gold toilet during the game, while we had to use a porcelin one

the material coming up was probably pretty pricey too. more expensive than my ramen & tang i'm sure.

Cleveland Browns owner won't discuss pending changes yet
by Tony Grossi
Tuesday November 25, 2008, 12:30 PM


Browns owner Randy Lerner confirmed today that he is contemplating major changes in the offseason to correct the team's slide during a season that started with playoff expectations.

He would not address specifically the future of General Manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel. But he did not give either a ringing endorsement in an interview that spanned about 60 minutes.

Lerner said he has not made up his mind yet about bringing back Crennel, Savage or both men to head his football operation that has put together a 4-7 season after going 10-6 last year. The Browns are 24-35 since they were hired in the early months of 2005.

"That is at the core of the analysis," Lerner said of the dropoff. "What happened? How do you go 10-6, play good football, have the NFL generally excited, get six prime-time appearances ... how does all that happen and you struggle this way?

"I'm going to take the issues and the concerns and the criticisms very seriously and think through things and evaluate them and deal with them in January."

Lerner said the feeling of watching the Browns lose to Houston, 16-6, while angry fans departed Cleveland Browns Stadium early was "sickening" but "rash moves is not in (his) job description."

Lerner said he has no intention of selling the team. He shot down a rumor making the rounds that he has been approached by UnderArmour founder Ken Plank about a possible deal.

"I totally care about the team," he said. "I feel totally engaged. I will stay committed and focused. I have no plans to sell the team. I'm not prepared to throw in the towel at the age of 46 and say I can't get the job done."

Lerner expressed frustation that the team has failed under the present regime, and before, to establish an identity. He also indicated he was not happy that his football operation has failed to choose a quarterback around which to build the team.

Asked if he has expressed that sentiment to Savage, he said, "I've done that."

Lerner said he was "very" concerned with credibility issues that arose from the Kellen Winslow suspension incident and the recent incident in which Savage used a profane word in an email to an angry fan.

He admitted there's "an issue there, yeah," with the organization's ability to represent itself to the public.




http://www.cleveland.com/brownsbeat/index.ssf/2008/11/cleveland_browns_owner_wont_di.html

If I'm Savage and/or Crennel, and I read what Lerner said in that article, I'm updating my resume right now ..... because Lerner left little doubt (in my mind anyway) that neither guy is coming back next year.

That's exactly what I thought after reading that.

I had a feeling that Savage would be on the hottest of seats along with RAC. You can't blow a 1st day of the draft on LBs three years ago, and still have the WORST LB corp in football, and still be considered at talent guru.

I want Savage to stay, but I also want some of his unlimited control over player personnel revoked as well. He shouldn't have final roster control.......the HC should. The HC should be saying who sits and who plays........not the GM. We have given him way too much power, and to get a real HC some (if not all of that) is going to have to go away.

I kinda lean that maybe once he analizes it..Phil might have a job but not structured the way it is..
He could be gone..or he could be here..

I felt this was a telling comment. There is a very small percentage of people that didn't like the way the QB situation was handled, and now it appears Lerner is one of them.

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He also indicated he was not happy that his football operation has failed to choose a quarterback around which to build the team.

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After reading that article, I don't think Lerner is the problem in this equation at all. And I have no doubt he will act swiftly in his decision making after the season has ended.

If I were him, I'd agree up front with the next HC/GM (even if it is Savage) that Quinn is our guy of the future ... no more dilly dallying around ... he's our guy ... and I'd trade DA in the offseason.

We need an established unquestioned leader of this team at that position. That offseason decision has come back to bite us in a big way. I still say it would have been nice if Savage had made an executive decision this past summer. He was too scared to get it wrong. We need guys who have confidence they are going to get it right.

This is a swift kick in the you know what for Crennel and Savage if you ask me... These two have not done there job the past several years to build towards a winning franchise.. only building up a 10-6 NON playoff season then to just turn it around with one straight down the crapper. I can just see them rushing around to save the season and their jobs. But in all honestly the only way I see either of these two guys coming back would be if we go undefeated the rest of the way.. good luck with that

Crennel is just to stubborn and bland to be a head coach if you ask me..
If I hear "we lost because we didn't make plays" again I'm probably gonna freak.

Savage obviously isn't the talent evaluator we all thought he was. Kameron Wimbley away from being a good teammate was a poor selection to take at our draft position when there was current pro bowlers sitting on the board still..

Randy needs to get his soccer loving rear into gear and fix this "sickening" situation.

Berea Report: Lerner Speaks

By Fred Greetham
OBR Browns Reporter
Posted Nov 25, 2008


Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner spoke to select members of the media this morning, including the Orange and Brown Report's Fred Greetham. Here are Lerner's remarks as the team struggles to the end of a difficult season...


BEREA - Browns Owner Randy Lerner met with members of the local media for 67 minutes to address various concerns. He addressed his commitment to being the owner of the Browns, as well as his disappointment of the 2008 team.

He prefaced his remarks by saying that he would not discuss any personnel evaluations, including Romeo Crennel or Phil Savage’s future. He said all evaluations will be made in January at the conclusion of the season.

“We will not discuss any jobs until the end of the season,” he said. “I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the organization to discuss. We will take the issues, criticisms and concerns seriously and deal with them in January, hopefully late January.”

Lerner did say that the biggest thing would be to evaluate the state of the team in the big picture.

“Was last year a fluke?” he said. “How did we go 10-6, play good football and have the NFL excited to put us on national television.”

Lerner said his mind isn’t made up yet and that the five remaining games are important.

“We have five games left,” he said. “They are highly relevant. There’s lots of football left that will tell us a lot.”

He did say that if a change is made, he doesn’t think the team would be totally starting over. In other words, he thinks the Browns have some talent.

“No, not with this group of players, I don’t.”

Lerner said that he is not planning on selling the team and renewed his commitment on turning the Browns around.

“I think it is a privilege beyond belief to be involved with a team, particularly your hometown team,” Lerner said. “I’m not prepared to throw in the towel at the age of 46 and admit I can’t get the job done.

“I have no plans to sell the team,” he said. “Last year we were 10-6 with six Pro Bowl players. We don’t want to make excuses, but this year is what it is.”

Lerner did say what he will evaluate with concerns to Savage.

“I’ll weigh the strengths and weaknesses,” he said. “Phil recruits as aggressively and thoroughly as anyone.

“I think you have to give the guys some slack,” he said. “His responsibilities cut across a wide variety of roles. I think he’s capable of doing his job.”

Lerner used the word “sickened” when asked how he would describe his feelings at around 4 pm after the Browns lost to the Texans 16-6.

Some of the other key questions he addressed:

On how important continuity is: “It’s a big measurement. How big do you want to make it? It’s immeasurable. Continuity speaks directly to the situation. It takes time to get players established, to establish a system. If you interrupt continuity, you have to expect some adjustment. It’s a component of the evaluation process and most serious piece.”

On the financial burden if decisions are made considering both Crennel and Savage were given contract extensions: “Zero. It has no bearing.”

Any contact with Bill Cowher: “No.”

On the email from Savage to the fan by Savage: “I was embarrassed, as Phil was embarrassed. I would think most of us have responded to emails and wished we hadn’t pushed the send button. It was out of character for him. He has dealt with it and apologized and it’s over.”

On being more involved: “The quick answer is I totally care about the team. When reflected, it’s probably my management approach. In short, when I give authority I feel I have to get out of the way, particularly, when they have skills you don’t have.

“The by-product is it might appear that I’m not as engaged. I’m very concerned.”

On being more in the public eye: “It’s worth considering. It’s a shortcoming on my part. I’ve always been nervous about being in the public eye. In this situation, I regret not being more, but I’m not sure how it would play out.”

On Kellen Winslow’s situation: “There were two specific comments that caused flags. The staph infection is a terrible thing and scary. Supposedly, the organization didn’t care about the player concerning the illness. That flies in the face of our organization and we addressed it. As far as telling him to keep it quiet fell through the cracks regarding an injury or illness as we deal with illnesses different than injuries. We have addressed the situation with respect to Kellen and Joe Jurevicius.”

On the perception of the staph infection problem: “It’s larger than the Browns. We’ve had third party analysis of the locker room, our indoor field, our procedures and the responses have been that we have been proactive. I think it’s unfair to say we have a problem. It happens in professional sports.”

On the identity of the franchise: “We have not established an identity like the Steelers have the past 37 years. The Rooneys have been able to parlay that with (Chuck Noll) and kept it going with (Bill) Cowher and only two coaches for that time. I’m very envious of that.”

On "Do you have the right people": “There are signs we’ve hired the right people. Last year, a 10-6 record and six Pro Bowl players.”

On relying on Jim Brown and Bernie Kosar for advice: “It depends on so many things, but yes they have good thoughts.”

On Winslow coexisting with the team: “I would think so.”


http://cle.scout.com/2/815595.html

Thanks Jules,, that is a much better read.. Normally, I just laugh off anything coming out of Grossi.. But this one seems to have been written with care.. seems to anyway.

WOW, prior to reading this, you couldn't have convinced me that Lerner would dump both guys.. now, I honestly don't know. I think we could be looking for a new GM and HC...

I think if he dumps Savage, his next GM will be Kosar,, Just a gut feeling there to be honest..

As for HC,,, wow, ,that would be interesting.. who would Kosar tab for that I wonder.. With Savage gone, you can toss out Kirk Ferentz..

Who would Kosar pick as HC? Hmm.. I wonder.

Cowher? I suppose it could happen, but didn't we once hear that Cowher wants to be HC and GM? And as recently as yesterdsay, Cowher was saying that he doesn't see himself going back to coaching.

Jimmy Johnson? I don't think you could get JJ off his boat in Miami...

Marty Shottenheimer? We could do a hell of a lot worse that Marty..

Those are the only ones that pop into my head...

But for the first time, I'm getting the feeling that both could go...

I would love to keep Savage with a reduced role ... a focus on scouting. If he has people in his inner circle that he trusts, they should be telling him to jump on that ... take a couple of steps back, rebuild his reputation, and start working his way toward another GM'ing job down the road, if he so chooses.

I think that would go a long way in the eyes of people who might consider him for that next job ... a guy who got in a little over his head, recognized it, and committed to rededicating himself to his craft and eager for that next chance to do it right. That's the advice that Savage should be getting.

If he's getting that advice, and he would be willing to do it, it would be in our best interest to keep him and let him focus on continuing to get some talent for this roster. But he shouldn't be the face of the franchise. He's lost that right. But he's done a better than fair job upgrading this team.

Good read,


But lets keep things into perspective, alot of talks will happen behind closed doors between now and Janusry, thats why Randy will wait until the end of the season before making a move.

Saying Phil was very capable of doing his job tells me he's ok with Phil for now in late November, but might have some issues he wants to discuss with Phil and how Phil reacts to them, will determine Randys decission.

Between now and January alot will be written alot will be said, infront of reports and behind closed doors, also more rumors will be spread than truth between now and january. So we need to take everything with a grain of salt until we hear or know it's the truth, and not try to evaluate every word or line someobdy says.

When he said "we won't discuss any jobs until the end of the season", I took that as meaning Romeo's gone. If not, he would have endorsed him like he did Savage.

j/c

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"That is at the core of the analysis," Lerner said of the dropoff. "What happened? How do you go 10-6, play good football, have the NFL generally excited, get six prime-time appearances ... how does all that happen and you struggle this way?

"I'm going to take the issues and the concerns and the criticisms very seriously and think through things and evaluate them and deal with them in January."

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Well, RAC at least has a timetable to update his Resume and put his house up for sale.

Anyone who thought Lerner was the problem is fooling themselves. Just because he isn't vocal doesn't mean he doesn't care, just that he isn't a butthead.

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rebuild his reputation,

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I dont think and this is just my opinon, Phils reputation has only taken a hit form fans and mostly Browns fans who if this would have happened during a winning season would have cheered him for standing up to the punk fan. I find it ironic, every game thousands of Browns fans say & do far worse things than what Phil probebly did. Yes he needs to be held a higher level than fans as he's the GM. but common he's human he got ticked off, everyone has been to that point in thier life. Phils reputaion I dont believe took a hit among other GM's either, they understand 1st hand how it is. I cant see another GM not wanting to talk to Phil or thinking less of him, becuase he got angry and said or email a few vulger mesasages to a annoying fan. There all human even though sometimes we expect them to think & act like almost god like.

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I would love to keep Savage with a reduced role ... a focus on scouting.

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I've never seen that tried,, never thought that would be a viable option.. if Lerner replaces him as GM, he's got to leave the building.. JMO however..

However, I can see that it might work if the next President were Ozzie Newsome.... THen Savage can remain as GM... Ozzie just takes a bigger role.

It would be a lot like asking RAC to move from HC to DC,, again, I don't see it happening..

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When he said "we won't discuss any jobs until the end of the season", I took that as meaning Romeo's gone. If not, he would have endorsed him like he did Savage.

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I don't see any ringing endorsement of Savage there.. But I think we may see both gone... just a thought.. no proof to show ya.

It's not about that, and people are missing the point. He has said or done things that are not consistent with the skill set / temperament required to lead a franchise. And it's not just the email ... it's a culmination of events. That's the point I think people are missing. The email could have been dismissed as a "one off" if it was just that. The signs have been there for a long time that Savage has an insecure personality, and that is reflected in how he handles things. If you don't believe that others in the league have taken notice of that, I'll make a bet with you that if he is not our GM next year, he won't be anyone else's either. He needs to rebuild his reputation.

Here are some of his transgressions in less than 4 years.

--Comment about players who are Christians.
--The numerous times he's gotten defensive in press conferences without being provoked revealing an insecure personality.
--The reaction to the Winslow debacle without having all of the facts (this one could possibly be seperated into three different transgressions: the interview, the text message, the rescinded suspension ... hell, let's throw in the 20 second press conference too). He just couldn't leave well enough alone.
--The email to the fan.

A couple of those are items that made big websites like ESPN and FOX Sports. Do you remember in the last 4 years reading anything like that about any other GMs (not named Millen, of course)?

He is in over his head as GM, but that doesn't mean he won't eventually get it and be able to do the job. But I do think he needs to take a step back, and I do believe his reputation has been tarnished.

j/c

I guess I just don't see us getting rid of Savage. The guy has brought in some talent. Has he missed on some? Yeah, but what GM hasn't?

The only thing I sumise is Lerner wants to see how the team responds in the remaining games..and if there are no further incidents.
He is also giving himself time to look indepth at his next move and the succeeding move after that..he needs to line up potiential coaches/GM's to come in and he knows he needs to confer with his inner circle of business advisors to get a plan.

I would say the odds of Savage staying are greater than 20%. There have been several Lerner snippets out now ... some seem ominous, yet some are still complimentary of some of the things Savage does well. Lerner mentions strengths and weaknesses ... and he mentions that Savage is a very devoted scout.

I get the feeling he likes Savage the player personnel guy ... not so much Savage the emotional basket case ... he's going to ask him to get that under control ... he's going to make sure it doesn't rear it's ugly head the rest of the season ... and possibly give him another chance ... either as GM or in a reduced role.

It was good to read Lerner's comments. Ya gotta hear from the admiral of the fleet now and then. Especially when the ship is sinking.

The Houston loss made him sick. Good to hear, he feels like us then.
He's committed to make the team successful. Again, good to hear.

Phil has embarrassed Randy (not good for Phil). Our record this season is embarrasing compared to last (not good for Romeo).

As has been said, Romeo and/or Phil better be hoping that a bunch of wins happen before January...or one or both are in for a long cold winter.

OK....I am not going to bicker over the odds...call it 50/50 or whatever you want.....the point on a personal basis is I have taken a lot of flak for suggesting more than a few weeks ago....even months ago.. Savage might be tied a lot closer to Romeo than was believed by many.


No....back slaps aren't what i am looking for.....but there have been a few slaps in the face that need to be retracted.

Sorry, I am just a person with feelings like anybody else.

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Kameron Wimbley away from being a good teammate was a poor selection to take at our draft position when there was current pro bowlers sitting on the board still..

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With that train of thought you would never be satisfied anyway. You could change the names around and insert anybody who's ever been part of the draft, and that statement would still apply.

I agree. But here we go again. I want to give Lerner a ringing endorsement though. Loyalty to the Browns is fine. He just got a royal taste of our suffering. Hope it is for the better. The heat is well deserved and long overdue. This is a good time for bad messages. Backed Savage. But panning for gold is not like striking it rich, neh.
Go Brownies (somehow)

Unlike many ; I'm not sold on the talent issue !