DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns will not rush into decisions on RAC and Savage/Maybe Monday??

Cleveland Browns official says team will not rush into decisions on Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Tony GrossiPlain Dealer Reporter


Everyone wants to fire Browns coach Romeo Crennel now! Reassign General Manager Phil Savage now! Move on to the next Browns regime right now!

That's not the way it's going to work, according to Bob Kain, Browns vice chairman.

"What we plan to do is exactly what [owner] Randy Lerner said [on Nov. 25]," Kain said on Tuesday. "Immediately following the season he's going to review everything and he will make decisions. It's what he said to the press and it's what he's said to Romeo and Phil.


"Nothing has changed. He has a good relationship with Romeo and with Phil. They both have worked unbelievably hard with the Browns. He's not happy with the results, obvi ously, and will review every thing. He's also respectful of these guys."

With Crennel seemingly falling into lame-duck status, Savage's full authority on football matters being questioned and the Browns losing five of their past six games to fall to 4-9, speculation about changes is occurring almost daily.

The latest - one floated by former Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer in a Sirius Radio interview - had Schottenheimer teaming with Bill Cowher as a front office-coaching tandem.

"All these rumors . . . some of these things are crazy," Kain said. "But it doesn't take a genius to think that if the Browns are considering a new coach, it doesn't take long to get to the names of Cowher and Schottenheimer. People can speculate, but we're not going to vary from what Randy laid out."

Kain said there has been no contact whatsoever with Cowher or Schottenheimer and there wouldn't be contact until after Lerner conducts his season-ending review.

The Browns also are mindful of the NFL's strictly enforced "Rooney Rule," which requires every team to interview at least one minority candidate prior to changing coaches. In 2003, the Detroit Lions were fined $200,000 for hiring Steve Mariucci as head coach without interviewing a minority.

A league source said the Browns would have difficulty attracting a minority even to sit for an interview if everyone believes the job is rigged for Cowher or Schottenheimer.

We know all the rules," Kain said. "Randy will put the Browns through all the proper steps and procedures after a full review.

"What is a full review? It involves first looking at the coaches and general manager that we have, and then asking what are the other options?

"People like Cowher and Schottenheimer, they are experienced coaches not with any teams at the present. If those are two considerations, we'll be on time to talk to them or anyone else if Randy decides that's the route to go.

"We won't be late. [Waiting for after the season], I don't think, is putting us at any disadvantage."

There is no discussion within the organization to relieve Crennel of his duties to get a jump-start on implementing changes.

"I think Romeo's [worked] as hard as he can to win games under difficult circumstances. Randy is not going to change his commitment to Romeo because of rumors," Kain said.

As for Savage, Kain said: "The review will be about real important things. One thing I feel badly about for Phil, he keeps getting beat up for a stupid e-mail [to a fan] after he's killed himself for four years looking for players. The review involves his drafts, his free agents, his scouting system.

"Nobody's perfect, by a long shot. If Bill Belichick were graded on his personality, he wouldn't have had the chance to win three Super Bowls."

Kain said that striving for some continuity is a priority with Lerner.

"Randy certainly understands the concept of continuity," he said. "You have to weigh that. Is there a successful organization in any sport that changes all the time?"

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Kain said there has been no contact whatsoever with Cowher or Schottenheimer and there wouldn't be contact until after Lerner conducts his season-ending review.

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Well i may be reading too much into this statement, but from the way it's worded as soon as Randy does his review he's contacting one of them. jmo

nordawg

I certainly hope that whatever decisions we make are calculated with the success of the team in mind, not just what the fans want.

I hope we don't go after a Cowher or Schottenheimer just because they're a big name. I want us to go after someone (or keep RAC) because the organization feels that he is the correct person to lead this team.

Personally, I think RAC is a great guy. However, he has some very serious limitations when it comes to being a head coach. In his 4th year, he's still making poor time management decisions and gameday personnel decisions (in my completely uneducated opinion). Now, maybe it's his assistants are doing this, in which case they should bear the brunt of it.

But, he's the head coach, and he has to take control of things when they're not right. And he hasn't done that. Like I said, I think he is 100% a stand-up guy. He is the exact kind of PERSON I would want as a coach, but he isn't the exact kind of COACH I would want as a coach, if that makes any sense.

I sincerely doubt the organization will keep him.

As for Savage, I'll be pretty surprised if we see him go. He's made mistakes, certainly, but he's also brought in a lot of talent, IMO.

Personally, I just don't believe that bringing in a whole new set of people can have a quick turnaround. I believe the quick turnarounds come when the team is pretty well established (well, the Dolphins are an exception for sure). But, that's the kind of mark a guy like Parcells can bring to a team. There aren't many like him out there, and I'm not sold that Cowher or Schottenheimer are that kind of guy.

With all that being said, I am reiterating my stance that I don't care who the coach is or the GM. I just want a winner. I have my opinions as to who I think could lead us there, but in the end, get me to the promised land and I'll be happy.

"What we plan to do is exactly what [owner] Randy Lerner said [on Nov. 25]," Kain said on Tuesday. "Immediately following the season he's going to review everything and he will make decisions. It's what he said to the press and it's what he's said to Romeo and Phil.

I wonder if thats enough to stop the headhunters from speculating??
Naww...they're too stubborn

"People like Cowher and Schottenheimer, they are experienced coaches not with any teams at the present. If those are two considerations, we'll be on time to talk to them or anyone else if Randy decides that's the route to go.


Do U guys get that?Don't try to twist his words to meet your agendas..JUST WAIT till it's time..

It's the right thing to say, and the right thing to do. The Browns shouldn't rush into any decisions involving Savage or RAC. We should wait till the offseason and make our decision. Fan pressure should have NOTHING to do with any decisions made.

All this said, I doubt there is a one of us who thinks RAC will be our Head Coach next year.

Kain - "Romeo, are you interested in coaching the Browns in 2009?"

Romeo - "Yes, I am sir."

Kain - "OK, That was a good interview. Thank you for your time"

Kain - "Lisa, call Cowher and set up an interview now please."



There we met our Rooney's Rule requirement.

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Nothing has changed. He has a good relationship with Romeo and with Phil. They both have worked unbelievably hard with the Browns. He's not happy with the results, obvi ously, and will review every thing. He's also respectful of these guys."

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Remember what I was saying the other day about Lerner having already had the talk with either Romeo or Phil or both... well, the reason I feel that way is played out in the above statement about being respectful of these guys.

Randy is NOT going to publically beat on either of them prior to a decision being made to release or retain one or both.

And he can't say he's contacting Marty or Cowher without the appearance of disrespect to Phil or RAC.. Even if he did,, he can't say it. he can't admit it without seeming disrespectful to RAC or Phil.

And again, out of respect, if Cowher or Schottenhimer received a call, they can't really say anything either.

And another reason not to talk about any calls made or received (if you don't buy the respect for RAC or/and Savage) is this comment:

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A league source said the Browns would have difficulty attracting a minority even to sit for an interview if everyone believes the job is rigged for Cowher or Schottenheimer.

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What minority candidate is going to waste thier time coming into town to talk with the Browns if it appears the deal is set for Marty or Bill...

Can I personally ban you?
That was lame .

POST DELETED

There's nothing to be gained by canning anyone now,so that's not what I'm advocating here.
But,what could transpire within the next 3 weeks that will change anybody's mind?
Phil's work can be graded now,or even a few weeks ago.Player acqusition has been over for awhile.There's no talent,in the form of a draft pick coming off the bench between now and the end of the season.
RAC isn't going to do anything differently.If these past 13 games hasn't given any indications whether or not he's good enough,then the next 3 sure as hell won't.
Why wait?make the decision now.That way when the clock strikes midnight,let the axe fly.

I think it could go to what Daman said. Lerner has likely already made up his mind, or at least is leaning in a certain direction. But, he has respect for RAC and Savage. Plus, you argue what good does it do to let them finish the season? I say, what good does it do to fire them now? We still have to have interviews after the season. We're not going to hire our next head coach or GM within the next 3 weeks. So, keep some amount of continuity going, at least for right now. JMHO

Plus, businessmen like Lerner don't get where they are by making drop of the hat decisions. Good businessmen make sure they get advice from people who know and then make decisions. I certainly hope that's what happens here.

Re-read my 1st sentence.

I read the first sentence. Then I read the rest of the post.

So they make a call to Robinski.. problem over.

And BTW.. maybe their's another Tomlin out there. You think ?

A general question:

Does anyone think the Browns would try to bring in Singletary for a legitimate interview, assuming the 49ers don't keep him around (which I have a feeling they will)?

I cant wait to hear all the fans screaming when we retain Phil & RAC for atleast another year, It wouldnt suprise me one bit to see that happen,

Shouldn't we get a pass due to having Romeo and to a lesser extent Robiskie for the last 4+ years? It's more than most teams have done to bridge the gap.

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IMO, if we stay the course, we're going to lose out on valuable stepping stones for success for next year, and that really has me concerned.

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lerner is doing it this way to show proffesionalism and avoid looking impulsive.

he doesn't want to scare away top candidates by looking like a guy that gives in to fans or will make skittish moves. he's letting his football guys finish the season.

i'd rather the top candidates trust lerner to trust them, rather than have a better scouting report on our backups. we just have to suck it up and endure 3 more games.

jmho

I think most people just want to believe in conspiracy theories, that Randy is saying these things publicly while ringing phones off the hook privately.

Randy and Kain can say whatever they want, some people will not stop believing they haven't already started looking.

and did you know we never landed on the moon

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Randy and Kain can say whatever they want, some people will not stop believing they haven't already started looking.

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Obviously none of us know for sure,, that's why it's Just an Opinion...

But, if you had a business and it was sinking and you needed to start the process to fix whatever is wrong, you don't do it 2 or 3 weeks from now,, you start the process now..

Maybe that's just nothing more than assembling a list of candidates for whatever job you feel you need to concentrate on. Maybe it's making contact with candidates, maybe it's not.

But the process is started...

But hey, what do I know.

POST DELETED-NOT ABOUT FOOTBALL

THINGS SUCH AS THIS IS WHY THREADS GET CUMBERSOME.

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But, if you had a business and it was sinking and you needed to start the process to fix whatever is wrong, you don't do it 2 or 3 weeks from now,, you start the process now..

Maybe that's just nothing more than assembling a list of candidates for whatever job you feel you need to concentrate on. Maybe it's making contact with candidates, maybe it's not.

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Hey, if Randy is leaning toward canning one or both of them, he would be stupid to not be assembling a list, checking it twice and so on.. I know I would.

J/C

The statement about not attracting minority candidates is puzzling. I think you can find several who would want to go through the motions even if the Browns appear set on Marty and Bill. One of the reasons Singletary is an interim head coach right now is that teams who interviewed him last year thought he was unprepared. As someone with hopes of landing a head coaching position, I would be looking for any opportunity to get more skilled at the interviews and meeting front office types.

I also find it interesting to see Bob Kain conducting this interview. I don't read every Browns article: have I missed all of the other times he has spoken with the media? I know I am reading into this (and who here is not reading into everything written and said?), but I think it reflects a conscious effort to show that Lerner is not alone - and that when Savage is let go we will have some degree of continuity in the front office. All of these articles are positioning the team to hire the best candidate available on the coaching market.

That's what I was alluding to early,apparantly I didn't express myself too well.
Concerning that list.
It was only 4 years ago that the same man compiled this very same list,it would take a gigantic leap of faith to believe he can get it right this time around.A leap everyone is happily taking,I find that surprising.

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It was only 4 years ago that the same man compiled this very same list,it would take a gigantic leap of faith to believe he can get it right this time around.

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No, it was probably a much different list.. and sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. RAC wasn't a bad choice, he was a very qualified candidate, for whatever reason, it hasn't worked out.. at least so far. Maybe it's RAC's fault, maybe it's something deeper in the organization, who knows for sure. So much goes into the success of a coach beyond just the coach... we could hire a new guy next year, draft a guy just like Wimbley only this one turns out to be the next Julius Peppers, the schedule gets easier, people stay healthy and that guy could win 11 or 12 games and we'll all herald him as a genius, when in reality, RAC might have accomplished the same thing under the circumstances... who knows.

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A leap everyone is happily taking,I find that surprising.

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I'm not happy about it. I want RAC to succeed. The part that I find funny is that everybody assumes Cowher would be SOOOOO successful here, which is far from a given.

Good. It's nice to finally read something stable and sensible, and not driven by angst, emotion and blind ranting.

I still think Bernie should head up the search committee.

Romeo has done enough to punch his own ticket.

When you come on as a head coach from being a defensive coordinator and after 4 years you consistently rank near the bottom of the league in defense: enough said.

The team will not rush to judgement. Savage will more than likely stay on. He has spent already a ton of time on this upcoming draft.

If Lerner does consider Marty in a Parcell type role and Cowher is good with that arrangement as head coach. Savage would have to accept a lessor role or be gone.

If we had the management structured as : Marty - President of all Football Operations, Cowher as Head Coach and Savage as Director of Pro Personnel in charge of Scouting and the Draft. We would have a foundation of continuity for decades.

We would have a football identity. The team would reflect a playing personality and we would be a winning organization.

Sounds great, seems simple. However, Lerner has to be the guy to pull it off.

Randy has to step out from the shadow, put the money on the line, sell the concept and then get out of the way.

I know one thing it would sure brighten 2009 for me.

"The Browns also are mindful of the NFL's strictly enforced "Rooney Rule," which requires every team to interview at least one minority candidate prior to changing coaches."

Ergo the lets not rush statement being put out there right now.

JMHO

If RAC is let go at the end of the season (and I won't be surprised if he isn't) I think a lot of his problem was not bringing in anyone with any real experience at either coordinator position. Having a guy that he could say here is the offense run it would have made his job a lot easier.

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I still think Bernie should head up the search committee.

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That's a good idea... But I was kinda hopeing that Bernie would find a way into the organization in a role like GM or something... I'm dreaming too much I think.