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

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/WWHI/2008/wwhi121508.htm


Latest buzz on Browns

Cowher, Schottenheimer heavy favorites to replace Crennel

By Dan Arkush
Dec. 15, 2008


A close look at the current head-coaching landscape suggests that the number of changes after this season could very easily reach double digits.

That said, with the season’s 15th week one game short of running its course, we’re hearing that there’s only one team at the moment appearing to be a virtual certainty to make a coaching change — aside from the Seahawks, who already have Jim Mora lined up to replace the retiring Mike Holmgren.


Marty Schottenheimer (left)
and Bill Cowher

That team will be on display tonight in the final game of Week 15 — the 4-9 Browns, who have lost five of their last six games and are assured of the eighth losing season in the team’s 10-year history.
Forget about a stirring upset tonight over the rejuvenated Eagles putting an end to the daily rumors that both Romeo Crennel — whose record as the team’s head coach heading into tonight’s game is 24-37 with no playoff appearances — and GM Phil Savage could be looking for new jobs in the not-too-distant future.

In the case of Savage — who made the wrong kind of headlines earlier in the season with his handling of disgruntled TE Kellen Winslow’s staph infection and his ill-advised decision to e-mail an F-bomb response to a fan — word is the team might offer to keep the GM aboard in order to avoid an expensive buyout but strip him of his final-say authority, which our sources believe Savage probably would have a very hard time accepting.

“It seems certain they will make a major change,” said one team insider. “And money will be no object.”

Added a high-ranking NFL executive on the Browns’ situation: “With what Phil has done, he could get fired for cause. (Browns owner) Randy Lerner would have a lot of traction to say, 'I still owe you $12 million, but we’re going to give you $2 million to go away, or we will fire you with cause for conduct detrimental to the club and to the league.' I’m not just talking about e-mailing obscenities to fans. I’m talking about throwing Romeo under the bus. What does (Phil) get out of that?”

Although the Browns are publicly claiming that they won’t make any decisions until Lerner completes an all-encompassing season-ending review right after the season is over, we hear the team has its sights set directly on two high-profile candidates to replace Crennel. In order, they are former Steelers head coach and current CBS commentator Bill Cowher and Marty Schottenheimer, who formerly led the one-time Browns (now Ravens) to three division titles and two AFC championship appearances as the team’s head coach in a long-gone era.

Cowher, we hear, is by far the more popular — as well as the more expensive — choice of the Browns’ fan base. But we also hear that he very much continues to enjoy his current gig with CBS and might not be ready to return to the NFL wars. With that in mind, the odds on him becoming the Browns coach are “50-50,” according to our sources.

“I have a good relationship with Cowher, and he’s very, very happy right now,” an NFL exec told PFW. “He likes working without the pressures he has had.”

But word is, that won’t stop Cowher from listening very attentively to what the Browns might have to offer.

“Bill Cowher could come back to Cleveland,” said another NFL talent evaluator and Cowher acquaintance. “His daughter is in her final year of school, and I think he would like to see that through, but it’s the place his (coaching) career got started (under Schottenheimer). And he played there.

“It could happen this year. Don’t rule it out.”

If Cowher stays put, the 65-year-old Schottenheimer shapes up as an interesting — and logical — alternative.

Said one team insider: “He would give the team someone with head-coaching experience, which is something they have never had before.”

It’s also worth noting that Schottenheimer would give the team somebody who could coexist well with offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who served under Schottenheimer in San Diego. Chudzinski had earned himself one of the league’s highest-paid contracts for an assistant coach after the great job he did last season, and the team figures to prefer avoiding another expensive buyout — with Crennel and Savage already likely to go that route.

Another intriguing rumor that Schottenheimer downplayed in a Sirius Radio interview this past week was the possibility of Schottenheimer and Cowher becoming a dynamic front-office duo. In addition to serving under Schottenheimer in Cleveland, Cowher was Schottenheimer’s defensive coordinator in Kansas City.

The first step in any changeover in Cleveland, however, will be the need for the Browns to follow the guidelines of the league’s Rooney Rule and interview at least one minority candidate for any head-coaching vacancy. And the way we hear it, that could be a pretty sticky process, with prospective minority candidates figuring to be very leery of a bogus opportunity after Cowher and Schottenheimer have been mentioned so prominently as the most likely candidates to replace Crennel.

At the moment, there are only two other names worth throwing out in the Browns scenario:

Patriots vice president/player personnel Scott Pioli — who previously worked for the Browns from 1992-95 and is expected to be a hot candidate for a couple of GM openings elsewhere — has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Savage.

If the recent rumors that Holmgren might be following in Brett Favre’s footsteps and changing his mind about going on a temporary sabbatical are accurate, we are comfortable making an educated guess that Lerner would, at the very least, send out some fliers in Holmgren’s direction.

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Patriots vice president/player personnel Scott Pioli — who previously worked for the Browns from 1992-95 and is expected to be a hot candidate for a couple of GM openings elsewhere — has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Savage.

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Chiefs Have Several Candidates For New GM
http://oak.scout.com/a.z?s=66&p=2&c=822110

1. Scott Pioli (V.P. Football Operations - New England Patriots)

He's the hottest name in the GM carousel this offseason. Pioli has already turned down offers from Seattle and Atlanta in recent years. Depending on who you speak with he’s really a personnel guy, who reports directly to Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. Clearly that system has served them well. Even though the Patriots could end the season 11-5 and miss the playoffs, it only adds to the value that Pioli has brought to the organization.

However, for Hunt to lure Pioli away from the Patriots and keep him from heading to Cleveland to run the Browns, he’s going to have to open the wallet. Pioli is an east-coast guy with ties to the Cleveland area, and will need major bucks to leave the Northeast and come to the heartland.

The good news for Chiefs fans who think this is a long shot is the fact one of Hunt’s closest friends in the NFL ownership arena is Jonathan Kraft, the son of Patriots owner Bob Kraft. That relationship could bridge any hesitancy about Pioli taking over in Kansas City. Right now he’s number one with a bullet for Hunt.

Here is a little tidbit to throw in the mix....

Here is another sign that Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel will be let go after the season. I'm hearing that, behind the scenes, the Browns are beginning to compile a list of future head-coaching candidates. Although many of the names are hard to come by, we're told defensive coordinator Rex Ryan of the Baltimore Ravens is one on Cleveland's radar. It appears the Browns will move very quickly with the coaching search and tread slowly with their situation with general manager Phil Savage. This might be a sign that Savage has the best chance of the two to make it through this turbulent season.


Also some stuff about TJ whats his name possibilities.


http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-1-345/Notes-around-the-AFC-North.html

rex ryan, though an assistant coach, would be a good idea. given the players he's worked with, given how great his defense always played, he could be a great pick. additionally, he could bargain for us when trying to bring in bart scott/ray lewis/terrell suggs if that's what we decide to do.

Steelers' Rooney: Cowher can take any job, but 'he's very happy' with CBS position
by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer Reporter

Tuesday December 23, 2008, 6:37 PM

CLEVELAND --- There is no agreement between the Pittsburgh Steelers and former coach Bill Cowher that would preclude Cowher from becoming coach of the Browns, Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney said on Tuesday.

But Rooney believes that Cowher will not return to coaching in 2009, with the Browns or any team.

"We got along and continue to get along, but I have never taken the position that he shouldn't coach," Rooney said in a telephone conversation on Tuesday.

"I will say to you that every time I talk to him and this subject comes up -- and the subject does come up almost every year at this time -- he says that he's very, very happy with what he's doing, where he is.

"It would not surprise me if he said he wasn't going to coach. It would surprise me the other way because he tells me that every time I talk to him and the subject comes up."

Cowher is regarded as the Browns' No. 1 candidate to replace Romeo Crennel if Crennel is released after the season.

Owner Randy Lerner said a month ago that Crennel's job will be reviewed after the season. The Browns conclude their disappointing season in Pittsburgh on Sunday in what many believe will be Crennel's last game as Browns coach.

Crennel is the only full-time coach in Browns history never to win a game against the Steelers. The Browns are 0-7 against their rivals in Crennel's four seasons, and have lost 10 in a row to Pittsburgh.

The Browns do not expect to contact Cowher until their head coaching job officially becomes open.

"I called to tell him I though he was doing a good job," said Dan Rooney, "and he said, 'I'm really liking it. We're having fun.'"

"They've got to do what they think is right for them," Rooney said.

Cowher, 51, stepped down as Steelers coach after his 15th season in 2006. At the time, he termed the departure a resignation, not a retirement.

Cowher, a Pittsburgh native, relocated to Raleigh, N.C., and said he wanted to spend more time with his family. He has three daughters, ages 22, 20 and 17. The oldest is a teacher in New York City, the middle one a junior at Princeton and the youngest attends high school in Raleigh.

For the past two years Cowher has remained in touch with the NFL by serving as a studio analyst for CBS. He recently re-upped with the network, according to a source, for multiple years and a seven-figure income.

"I think he does a very good job on the broadcast end," Rooney said. "He's a very talented guy. I had a chance to see him [recently on the air] because we weren't playing until later in the day. I called to tell him I though he was doing a good job. And he said, 'I'm really liking it. We're having fun.'

"I believe him."

Cowher's record with the Steelers was 161-99-1. Under him, the Steelers earned 10 post-season appearances, eight division titles, advanced to six AFC championship games and made two trips to the Super Bowl. They won the Super Bowl following the 2006 season, their first championship in 26 years.

Cowher was 21-5 against the Browns, including two postseason wins, his best record against any NFL team.

In addition to the now-debunked belief that Cowher would not coach in Cleveland out of loyalty to Rooney, there is a widespread opinion that Cowher would not accept a job with the Browns so as to protect his legacy in Pittsburgh.

On this matter, Rooney declined to speculate.

"I'm not the poll of Pittsburgh," Rooney said. "I don't know what [fans] would think. They all liked him. I'm not saying they'd be angry. It's never been [an issue]."

Cowher's playing career as a backup linebacker ended with the Browns in 1984. His coaching career began the following season when former Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer hired him as special teams coach. Two of his three daughters were born in Cleveland.

Cowher eventually was named Browns defensive backs coach and then followed Schottenheimer to Kansas City in 1989.

Cowher was formally interviewed by the Browns for their head coach vacancies in 1989 and 1991. The job went to Bud Carson in '89 and Bill Belichick in '91.

Rooney refused to speculate on the odds of Cowher coaching in 2009.

"I have no idea. I have never done that and I'm not going to start now," he said.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2008/12/steelers_rooney_cowher_can_tak.html

Someone better take Ammo's belt and shoelaces!

I have really mixed emotions on Cowher.

I hated him for years. Albeit he's a tough coach who motivates his players, I sometimes cringe thinking about him in Cleveland, and this is why.

The guy still thinks he is coaching in Pittsburgh. He hasn't let it go. He was the head coach for one team, and one team only- Pittsburgh. And he was there an awfully long time.

Watching him on Sundays in the CBS studio makes me nauseated. He always picks Pittsburgh, always defends them, and always is talking like he's still a part of that team. I don't feel comfortable with a guy like that coaching for us. Call me crazy or whatever you want. But I honestly don't think he's coming to Cleveland, and as good as he'd probably be, I'm not sure I mind that.

I've been saying it since the first day his name got bandied about as a HC candidate in Cleveland right after he left Pitt... ain't gonna happen. Why would he do it? He left for all the right reasons, and all the wrong reasons for Cleveland to try and lure him back.. namely to spend time with his kids and slow down. Not a conflict with ownership or the death of a loved one or 10 seasons of losing or whatever would "push" someone out. He got up and left on his own legs.

Clevelanders seem to think he has some secret loyalty to the city, I've never heard anything remotely true to that come out of his mouth. This team is a big fat gamble in a small market for any coaching candidate. We have a history of eating our own after a few bad years and an entrenched mindset of losing. This team is a Rubicks cube covered in honey in a bees hive. He's making "seven figures" as a TV analyst, a job about 100 times easier than coaching? He's home, sipping coffee at his kitchen table monday thru friday. Forget it. Why on god's green earth would he?

Now if the Cowboys needed a new coach....

It's because the Cleveland fanbase latched onto him since he had success somewhere else and figured that would happen here, too.

Money motivates to a point.

First...the amount of money is important, but once you get to a certain level, it isn't as important.

Second...we are talking about a older person, who is less motivated by money than is a younger person.

True, but what did Cowher leave Pittsburgh? The REAL reason.

It was all about the Benjamins...

And I don't think he's coming here. But, there's no way he's in a CBS studio next season if teams are dangling 9 mil/yr contracts in front of his chin.

I just keep wondering what would happen to this fan base if the Browns decide to stay with RAC..

Honestly, I think there is nothing more than a slim chance that he remains as the coach.. But still, the chance remains.

So, if that happens, what then?

And if RAC stays, does that mean that Phil remains or that Phil goes?

Again, I think the chances are slim,, but it could happen I suppose!

I am most comfortable with either Marty or Bill. And I am delighted and excited to get the dynamic duet to it together. Imagine a FO that is not an anchor, an albatross around our necks for the literati. A lot of things sound good and look good on paper, seem like they ought to work. Butch. Gay. RAC. Savage. I want a proven field general. After losing , what, 8 out of 10 seasons, let's try it with a successful NFL winning REAL HEAD COACH! What a concept. Might throw in a veteran QB; might want to stop the bloody turf battles, concerns about colored pants, knuckle down and play football next year. Pinch me; dreaming again. But not just yet, please.

I think he will make his decision on RAC by Wednesday...word on Savage may take a little longer.

Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel, owner Randy Lerner to meet next week
Saturday, December 27, 2008

Coach Romeo Crennel has talked to Browns owner Randy Lerner and has been assured that he'll have a chance to meet with him next week.

It means Crennel will most likely not be fired Sunday night after the season finale in Pittsburgh and that he might still meet with the media for his postseason news conference Monday.

"His [Lerner's] schedule varies a little bit, so I'm looking at sometime next week," Crennel said.

Crennel already has said he'll try to state his case for keeping his job. One thing he'll cite is the victory over the Giants.

"I think we can look at that Giants game and say if we prepare like we did for that game and play like we did in that game, that is what the future can be," Crennel said on his conference call with Pittsburgh media.

He said if he's let go, he'll weigh his options, one of which would be not coaching next year and spending time with his grandchildren.

Zastudil ailing:

Punter Dave Zastudil was limited in practice Friday with tendinitis in his right knee, the plant leg, and is listed as questionable. He punted great with the sore leg last week against the Bengals, but battled through the pain.

The Browns signed rookie punter Mike Dragosavich to the practice squad. Dragosavich (6-5, 190) was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of North Dakota State in May and was waived in June. At North Dakota State, he punted 158 times for 7,025 yards and finished as the school's career leader with a 44.5 average.

Top player, good guy:
Shaun Rogers was unanimously voted Browns Player of the Year by the local chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America. Cornerback Brandon McDonald received the Dino Lucarelli Good Guy Award.

Rogers is fourth on the team with 77 tackles, and first with eight for a loss. He's also first in both sacks and pressures, with 4.5 and 15, respectively.

McDonald won for answering all questions in good times and bad.

Injury report:

Kellen Winslow is doubtful with his high ankle sprain and two players besides Zastudil are questionable: Darnell Dinkins (ribs) and Leon Williams (knee). For the Steelers, linebacker James Harrison, fourth in the NFL with 16 sacks, has been idle with a hip injury and is questionable.

Cribbs ready:

Josh Cribbs wore a brace on his right ankle Friday, but he said it was fine after twisting it in practice Wednesday. He also loved the news that Crennel will rely on him more at quarterback in Pittsburgh now that the Browns are down to fourth-stringer Bruce Gradkowski.

"It's the last game and I'm like, 'Romeo, man, just call the plays, whether they're designed or not,' " he said. "Just call quarterback plays. I'm going to be in his ear all game, especially it being the last one, I'm like, 'What is there to lose?' "

Cribbs said with a laugh that in running the option, he might have to take some liberties.

"Being the last game, I'm not greedy, but I'll do what I have to do to win and make plays."

Crennel on QBs:

Crennel was asked what he would've said if someone told him he'd head into the season finale with Gradkowski and Richard Bartel at quarterback.

"I would have told them they're crazy because going in, we felt really good about the quarterback situation," he said. "We had a guy who had just won 10 games, and then we had a top draft choice that we felt good about and we were saying it was a good problem to have.

"Now we're down to four and five. Just about everything has kind of gone wrong this year, and so this kind of fits right in with it."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

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9mil per year x 5 year deal = 45mil

That's 45 million reasons to do it.

Not saying he will. But if you think it isn't money that motivates most of what people do, or don't do? I believe time will solve that.

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U bet your butt it does...

My only problem with a Cowher in here is Savage most likely hittin' the road...

I want Savage to FINISH what he STARTED...

Agree or not...This football team is several players and an ATTITUDE away from an AFC Championship Game on the Lake!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW...Watch Tampa Sunday...Winds r swirlin' that Gruden may be OUT...hmmmmmmm....

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"I think we can look at that Giants game and say if we prepare like we did for that game and play like we did in that game, that is what the future can be,"

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THIS is what irks my ass about this guy...

WHY aren't we that prepared EVERY WEEK???????????????????...Explain RAC...Please...I'm all ears...

Pitt is...G-Men are...NE is...Balt is...With a damn ROOK HC...

He may have just given Lerner the REASON TO CAN HIS ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree. Pointing out that game only magnifies the issue of being seemingly unprepared in many other games.

RAC might be better off saying that game was a total fluke and we should have gotten slaughtered in that game.

I think he wants his exit interview...a chance to vent a few things he feels he may have been strapped with the last few years. I don't think RAC holds any realistic hope he is going to retain the job.

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Crennel already has said he'll try to state his case for keeping his job. One thing he'll cite is the victory over the Giants.

"I think we can look at that Giants game and say if we prepare like we did for that game and play like we did in that game, that is what the future can be," Crennel said on his conference call with Pittsburgh media.

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If I'm Randy Lerner and RAC says that to me in our year end meeting,,,, he's out the door in a NY Second.

If he wants to site that game as an example of what could be, the best way would have been to prepare for the rest of the season the way they prepared for the Giants.. if they would have had a much improved record, then I'd agree,, But either the team didn't prepare that way, or they did and it still didn't work.

DUMB idea RAC... Really DUMB.

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THIS is what irks my ass about this guy...

WHY aren't we that prepared EVERY WEEK???????????????????...Explain RAC...Please...I'm all ears...

Pitt is...G-Men are...NE is...Balt is...With a damn ROOK HC...

He may have just given Lerner the REASON TO CAN HIS ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I agree. It makes me nuts. This year our guys showed up completely unprepared to play. We have talent on this team, there is something wrong with the way that it is motivated and prepared.


Someone said Gruden might be fired, I'd love him for this team. If Andy Reid gets fired, I'd love him for this team as well. We have talent. Depending on how we go with Sean Jones, our linebackers, and picking a DB in the draft, we can still be a good team. We just need new coaching. Period

"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."
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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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We know all the rules," Kain said. "Randy will put the Browns through all the proper steps and procedures after a full review.
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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.
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"We won't be late. [Waiting for after the season], I don't think, is putting us at any disadvantage."
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"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.
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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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As I read through the lines my conclusion is that a Full Review will be done as MR. Lerner has said....We are to believe that Mr. Lerner understands , as a Browns Fan , that changes need to be made....Mr. Kain also implied that they will be proactive in hiring an experienced NFL Head Coach who has had Success in the league , for the first time in Browns History....Both Crennel & Savage will be evaluated however , I get the impression that in the end , Romeo will be fired and Phil will be retained as GM.....Ideally by 2009 we will be set to move forward....All the pieces will be in place : A Owner who is a Fan and will spend the $ to build a Winner....A GM who is IMHO the best Evaluator of Talent that the Browns have had in my 35 years as an aware Browns Fan and I'm 40....Add to that equation a Head Coach with an experienced Staff who has had success in the NFL and it just speaks of stability and continuity.....

First the Steelers, then the off-season games really begin for the Browns

Posted by Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporter December 27, 2008 18:54PM

The Plain Dealer

Romeo Crennel's final game as head coach of the Browns could be his final chance to defeat the Steelers, who have already clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.
# Browns vs. Steelers, 1 p.m., WOIO Ch. 19
Sunday's season finale in Pittsburgh will most likely be the end of the Romeo Crennel-Phil Savage era as we know it.

Sources close to the situation have said that both men will probably be asked to step down from their current positions, as early as Monday. The only way anything would happen Sunday night is if one of them forced the issue, a source said.

The Browns don't expect to hear anything from Crennel until he meets with owner Randy Lerner, possibly on Monday. They are not certain if Savage will wait for a sit-down with Lerner to learn of his fate.

According to the sources, Crennel will most likely be fired as head coach, but could be asked to stay on with the team in some capacity. Over the past two months, the Browns have appreciated how Crennel has handled the adversity of his situation. What's more, they've received plenty of positive feedback about him from those in and out of the organization.

There are still dozens of variables regarding the head coach/GM combination, but there is at least one scenario in which Crennel could return in a different role: if Patriots Executive Vice President Scott Pioli takes the GM job, he could possibly try to persuade Crennel to stay on as defensive coordinator depending on who the head coach is, a source said.

Would Crennel be up for that? He'll most likely receive opportunities from his friends in the league such as the Giants' Tom Coughlin, the Patriots' Bill Belichick, and the Jets' Eric Mangini. He might also receive some interviews for head coaching jobs.
Tony Dejak/Associated PressBrowns GM Phil Savage has shown little interest in losing any authority in Berea. "There is no real difference to go somewhere else if you aren't going to have final say on personnel," he said.
"I'll sit back and look to see what my options are, what situations might arise and then make a decision," Crennel said Friday.

As for Savage, he'll likely either be fired as general manager or asked to relinquish his final say on the 53-man roster, a source said. If he's asked to surrender final say, the two sides could part ways. Why? Because Savage made it clear during a press conference Dec. 4 that the No. 1 reason he took the job in the first place was because he'd have that authority.

"That was the main reason why I never went to any other teams," said Savage. "I interviewed five times before I came to Cleveland. That was always something that I felt like -- if I am not going to have control of the 53, then I may as well stay [in Baltimore] and continue working with Ozzie [Newsome]. There is no real difference to go somewhere else if you aren't going to have final say on personnel. That was the key distinction for me to ever come to Cleveland to begin with."

The Browns haven't been happy with the handling of situations that have portrayed them in a negative light this season, including the staph and email controversies, a source said. There's also some sentiment among the decision-makers that retaining Savage could be a deterrent to hiring a head coach because of the perceived disconnect between him and Crennel.

Two of the first calls the Browns will make for their openings will be to former Steelers coach Bill Cowher and Pioli, a source said, adding that they'd be ecstatic if they could land both.

If they can't, they'll go to Plan B, which still involves trying to acquire proven men at both spots. If they can't get an experienced head coach, they'll likely go the coordinator route. Some of the names on their radar screen include defensive coordinators Steve Spagnuolo of the Giants, Rex Ryan of the Ravens and Jim Schwartz of Titans, and offensive coordinators Jason Garrett of the Cowboys and Josh McDaniels of the Patriots. Garrett is a Cleveland native and McDaniels a Canton native. Florida coach Urban Meyer might also be interviewed, according to a source.

The Browns could interview Spagnuolo early next week, one source said. The Giants have a bye in the first round of the playoffs and he'll be available for interviews.

"Well, I have given it no thought," Spagnuolo told the New York Post this week. "I will say that. I will give it the thought or address it when it happens. I have too much respect for Coach Coughlin, John Mara and the Tisch family to really even worry about it right now."

Co-owner Mara told the Post, "We'll do everything we can to try to get him to stay, but at some point the right offer is going to come along from somebody and he's going to have to consider that."

Unfortunately for Crennel, Sunday's game will probably have no bearing on his job -- even if he can snap his seven-game skid to the Steelers. But that won't stop the Browns from trying hard to win.

"It would be good that we could end the year with a victory and that would make us feel better going into the off-season," said Crennel. "Then, it might get this load off my back about not being able to beat Pittsburgh."

I feel bad for Romeo and Savage, but better to get it over with quickly than drag it out.

Chuckie would definitely bring two things to Cleveland....

1) Attitude

2) A surplus and PLETHORA of QB's....

Good read.

Savage hasn't done a good job. - I don't know why people think he has.

We haven't scored a touchdown in what 5 straight games? This is the NFL NFL! - What kind of NFL team can't score a touchdown over the course of 5 straight games!

Savage's drafts have been terrible. - In 5 years he has drafted one solid player - Joe Thomas. He lucked out with Josh Cribbs. - Other than these two, what proven talent has he drafted.

The only other decent player on our team that is here because of Savage is Shaun Rogers.

Any other good players on this team (Steinbach) was bought, any GM could have done that.

He's just as bad as Crennell, if not worse. Personally, I'd rather see RAC stay and Savage go.

Well, we needed four just to get through this season, right?



Having four on the roster might be better than having to look on the streets to sign one. But maybe not.

J/C.....I really don't understand the enamor with Cowher. What team has Cowher ever buult? He hasn't, he took over a base from Chuck Noll and maintained it. Yes, he's fiery on the sidelines, but that doesn't mean he can build a franchise. IMO, Coach Shott is much more proven in being able to rebuild a franchise, even if he can't win in the playoffs.

Sorry, but I want to throw as much cash at someone that has PROVEN they can build a winning franchise. I still maintain that if you throw those kind of numbers at Holmgren, he will take the job. All the ingredients are there with Holmgren....he's proven to be an excellant coach at developing QBs, he has gone to the Super Bowl 3 times, and he has built 2 franchises and brought them to respectability. That resume is BY FAR the most impressive one out there including Cowher.

Ok, I'll play.

Since Phil Savage left Baltimore, they have won a division title in 2006 and they are set for a playoff run in 2008.

Since Romeo Crennell left New England, they have lost a divisional playoff game, an AFC championship game, and a Superbowl. - All thanks to a shaky defense.


I suppose now is when I'm supposed to type that I'm glad that your not calling the shots.

Speaking of Phil Savage,

- He's been here since 2005 and we haven't won the division once.
- We haven't made the playoffs once.
- We had one good year in '07, in case you didn't notice it was with one of the easiest schedules in the league.- Again, we didn't make the playoffs.

I think Savage is cooked for the reasons I have pointed out for months.

I think he has gone to bat for Romeo once to often as I think Lerner wanted to get rid of Romeo 2 years ago, or for sure didn't want to give the guy a extension, and Lerner remembers how the Collins deal went down (Phil's hands aren't totally clean on that one)

Add in marginal drafts, and a disconnect between Phil and Romeo on players, and it is what it is.

Time for something fresh.

I'll answer, Peen, though I"m sure you won't like it It's "both". You cannot have a first time GM, HC, OC, and DC. It is too much inexperience. Had one or the other been experienced, they well could have made up for the learning curve of the other. An experienced GM may have had better success in acquring talent and made up for lack of coaching experience and vice versa. Unfortunately, you had 6 people learning a new job at the same time (I'm counting both first time OCs and DCs). That is a recipe for some seoius problems.

I don't dislike your answer....I can agree with it to a large degree.

It wasn't going to work....and didn't.


Too bad for us fans.

I wish both Romeo and Phil well.

To be honest...and you know I have ripped Romeo, I hope he does stay with the team in some capacity, as I agree, the guy has shown character and a terrier attitude in all of this.

It could have been pretty easy to say "screw it".

I respect the guy for that.


Really