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http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/36795299.html Five steps forward
Browns GM and coach must work in tandem
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Sunday, Dec 28, 2008
BEREA:
Randy Lerner has always been a proponent of continuity. But if the struggling and embarrassed Browns franchise is to be saved, its billionaire owner must move strongly and decisively, even if it's with a heavy heart.
He might not move immediately. Embattled coach Romeo Crennel said Friday he will meet with Lerner next week after the Browns (4-11) conclude their season today in Pittsburgh. Lerner could have fired Crennel a month ago but had too much respect for him to do it then, so presumably he'll hear Crennel out.
But Lerner's team of advisers has had time — perhaps even months — to sort through its list of potential replacements. If the regime of Crennel and General Manager Phil Savage ends after four years, the agenda seems relatively clear.
Here are the steps I would take to end the soap opera saga of a Browns team that was supposed to be a 2008 playoff contender and instead will likely be looking for a fourth coach since returning to the NFL in 1999.
1. Fire the coach and general manager.
Crennel is a wonderful person and a father figure to many players, and Savage has a knack for evaluating talent, but both are in over their heads. They are 24-39, with one 10-6 season that fell a game shy of the playoffs.
Crennel, 61, should never have risen
above defensive coordinator. With a lack of organizational skills on game day, Crennel looks as overmatched in that regard as former Ohio State coach John Cooper. Where were the halftime adjustments? Even Browns 11/2-year coaching disaster Bud Carson dreamed up wrinkles as he walked through the tunnel to the field.
Although other general managers go on the road to see college talent, Savage always takes it to the extreme — attending three games on Saturday before an October game against the Redskins in Washington. He's a scout at heart and loves the hunt, like digging up seventh-round rookie linebacker Alex Hall from Division II St. Augustine.
But with his weekly radio show on WTAM (1100-AM), perhaps spawned by the sessions he hosted at Baltimore's ESPN Zone, Savage seemed too interested in self-promotion. At times, a demeanor of professionalism was lacking. The common man's equivalent of his e-mailing a disgruntled fan with an abbreviated expletive would have cost us our jobs.
But Savage's fatal flaw was his failure to work in tandem with Crennel and obtain the type of players the coach needed, whether it was replacing an injured receiver or a veteran cornerback he traded. If Savage couldn't forge that type of relationship with Crennel, why believe it will work the second time around?
2. Hire a strong coach and let him choose his personnel man or hire a strong general manager and let him pick his coach.
This leaves open what is presumably Lerner's first option, to hire former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher. In his second year as a CBS analyst, Cowher has said little about his intentions for 2009. Those who know him believe he's happy and doesn't intend to return to the sideline in the new year. But Lerner is said to be extremely persuasive in person and has the millions to back it up. The Browns will be hiring their fourth coach since Lerner's father, Al, bought the franchise reborn in 1999. The Lerners have already failed with a quarterback guru (Chris Palmer), a college guy (Butch Davis) and a respected defensive coordinator (Crennel). Tried and true seems next on the list. It's also hard to ignore Cowher's ties to the Browns as a linebacker and assistant coach. As long ago as September 2007, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said some of his teammates joked that Cleveland might be Cowher's ''No. 1 spot.'' How ironic if they were right.
Outgoing Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren could have been another in this mold, but he insisted Wednesday he plans to take 2009 off and mull whether to return. He told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer he would honor the promise he made to his wife, Kathy, and wouldn't worry about missed opportunities.
If Cowher can be persuaded to coach the Browns, which might cost in the range of $8 million to $9 million a year, he will want final say on the 53-man roster. He should be allowed to pick a personnel man he's familiar with to acquire the players he needs.
If this route fails, Lerner needs to raid one of the league's strong franchises and nab someone like New England Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli to be the top football man. Then he could pick a qualified coach from the assistants ranks that include the Patriots' Josh McDaniels, the Tennessee Titans' Jim Schwartz, the Baltimore Ravens' Rex Ryan or the New York Giants' Steve Spagnuolo. Pioli has been in the league since 1992, when Bill Belichick hired him as a Browns personnel assistant. He has the contacts and experience to head the search and find a coach with credentials and charisma.
3. Pick a quarterback.
This doesn't have to be Brady Quinn, whom Crennel has anointed as the starter for 2009. The new coach must determine whether Quinn or Derek Anderson — or neither — fits his style of offense.
In the three games Quinn has started, he seems more suited to a West Coast offense. Anderson is the big-armed guy who stretches the field. But Anderson's psyche is fragile if he doesn't hit one of his bombs early, a rarity in 2008, with receiver Braylon Edwards leading the league in dropped passes.
Because this player will be the cornerstone of the franchise, it might mean paying Anderson the $5 million roster bonus due in March to give the new coach time to make the right choice. I'd keep Quinn and Anderson next season, then trade one by the October deadline if they can't co-exist. The Browns have saved a bundle on quarterbacks of late, especially with Quinn's incentive-laden contract, and shouldn't rush this move.
One frightening thought remains. What if Quinn is the choice and turns out to be good, but is still the fourth-best quarterback in the AFC North behind Roethlisberger, the Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer and the Ravens' Joe Flacco?
4. Decide what to do with Edwards and Kellen Winslow.
Neither would bring in trade what they're worth to the Browns, Edwards because of his three-touchdown season (down from 16 in '07), Winslow because of the four operations on his motorcycle accident-ravaged right knee. But the new coach and general manager must determine whether Edwards will mature and whether Winslow will be a cancer in the locker room if his demand for a new contract is not met. The Browns have too many holes to fill to let either of them go, but they'll need a firm hand. They, along with nose tackle Shaun Rogers, are the team's best players.
5. Decide on a philosophy for free agency and the draft.
This is last on the list, but there is urgency to determine the team's identity. The NFL combine runs Feb. 18-24 in Indianapolis and free agency starts Feb. 27. March will be heavy with college pro day workouts. The draft is April 25-26. Do the Browns want to be a smash-mouth running team? Then they need more physical offensive linemen and probably another starting-caliber running back. Will they play long ball? Then they need another deep threat in case Donte' Stallworth is again plagued by injuries. Will they play a 3-4 or 4-3 defense? Where is their James Harrison and Troy Polamalu?
The team's lack of an identity has been the biggest casualty of the Browns' penchant for starting over. Lerner admitted in November he finds that frustrating and it makes him envious of the Steelers, who forged theirs under coach Chuck Noll and carried it over to Cowher.
Whether he gets Cowher or not, the Steelers model might be Lerner's beacon. He knows in the past 10 years the Browns have been defined by chaos and uncertainty. Unless Lerner takes the right steps in the next few months, the runaway train might be stuck in Dysfunction Junction.
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4 Words Forward:
"Easier Said than DONE."
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I'm just posting articles..in fact this is going to be the hardest hires..Lerner HAS to get it right with the new selections.
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Quote:
I'm just posting articles..in fact this is going to be the hardest hires..Lerner HAS to get it right with the new selections.
I think you're right.
We have talent on this team, no doubt. We have talent to win a lot of games, no doubt. What we need is someone who can get the most out of that talent as well as someone who can continue infusing the team with more talent to supplement that which we already have.
This isn't a situation like taking over for Butch Davis. That team was in shambles and we had very very little talent left over.
I am unfamiliar with this feeling of optimism
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Should we get Mangini? 
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Good read...thanks for posting.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong ![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/small-gator-chomp.gif)
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Good article. Thankfully, Cowher ain't coming, but whoever we get will have his work cut out for him. I don't expect to see anything from this team for a couple years. Que music, "Here we go again..." 
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/hfMNC7T.jpg) "I am undeterred and I am undaunted." --Kevin Stefanski "Big hairy American winning machines." --Baker Mayfield #gmstrong
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but whoever we get will have his work cut out for him. I don't expect to see anything from this team for a couple years.
Why not? Are we not 100 times better than the Dolphins that went 1-15 last year and made the playoffs this year? Are we not as talented as the 4-12 Falcons of last year who made the playoffs this year?
Didn't each of these teams have players who were thought to be busts who turned out to be ok once a system and an attitude and a level of discipline were put in place and a couple of key acquisitions made?
Screw this "It takes 3 or 4 years after a coaching change to be successful," idea. If our new regime, whoever it is, says they have a 3 or 4 year plan to make us good, I might drive to Cleveland and shoot them myself. This team has enough talent to compete RIGHT NOW.... It may not be super bowl ready but if this team doesn't win 10 games next year it will be a failure of a season.
yebat' Putin
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I wouldn't have wasted my time on Cowher..I would head right to Pioli or Reese..
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Quote:
Quote:
but whoever we get will have his work cut out for him. I don't expect to see anything from this team for a couple years.
Why not? Are we not 100 times better than the Dolphins that went 1-15 last year and made the playoffs this year? Are we not as talented as the 4-12 Falcons of last year who made the playoffs this year?
Didn't each of these teams have players who were thought to be busts who turned out to be ok once a system and an attitude and a level of discipline were put in place and a couple of key acquisitions made?
Screw this "It takes 3 or 4 years after a coaching change to be successful," idea. If our new regime, whoever it is, says they have a 3 or 4 year plan to make us good, I might drive to Cleveland and shoot them myself. This team has enough talent to compete RIGHT NOW.... It may not be super bowl ready but if this team doesn't win 10 games next year it will be a failure of a season.
The fact that Randy would even consider " Mangini " as the HC or RAC as the " DC " gives me the impression , " here we go again " .. 
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Why not?
Because I'm through with any kind of expectations for this team until they prove they can win consistently, against playoff caliber teams. Dolphins? Atlanta? Pfh... can you say one and done?
"I am undeterred and I am undaunted." --Kevin Stefanski "Big hairy American winning machines." --Baker Mayfield #gmstrong
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Actually if you get the right guys in place and they don't tear everything down, this team could compete next year.
But they can't come in and not know what to do with the team ..they'll have to quickly assess what the teams needs are and what type of team they want to have.
Which is easy...
AFCN-run the ball
Now on defense that will be the big issue if the new guys wants to continue to run a 34 or switch to to a 43.
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Actually if you get the right guys in place and they don't tear everything down...
And therein lies the rub.
Quote:
...this team could compete next year.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Again.
"I am undeterred and I am undaunted." --Kevin Stefanski "Big hairy American winning machines." --Baker Mayfield #gmstrong
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We aren't going to win our division by building up our offense to outscore the Ravens or the Steelers, we have to out-stop them.... We need to focus on the defense.
yebat' Putin
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The new regime will get no honeymoon period with me. With the right moves, this team should absolutely compete next year. This is not like the team RAC and Savage came in to.
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100% agree with you Jules. If teams like Miami and Atlanta can turn it around I believe they had less talent than the Browns have, then the Browns can make the playoffs next year.
We are a few players from being a playoff team IMO.
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Because I'm through with any kind of expectations for this team until they prove they can win consistently, against playoff caliber teams. Dolphins? Atlanta? Pfh... can you say one and done?
Don't worry, when we start to win consistently we will welcome you back as a fan with open arms. 
yebat' Putin
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The new regime will get no honeymoon period with me. With the right moves, this team should absolutely compete next year. This is not like the team RAC and Savage came in to.
Agreed.
There is a lot of talent here. A quality coach should be able to win, at least, 8 games.
you had a good run Hank.
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I wouldn't have wasted my time on Cowher..I would head right to Pioli or Reese..
Tacker...If Lerner met with Cowher on Saturday, just what amount of time did he waste, considering he had to wait until the season ended to talk with Pioli?
Reese already voiced his interest in the job and it's likely he's not that high on Lerner's list at this time.
Lerner is not wasting any time, this go around, knowing other teams are looking to hire the best GMs and best coaches too.
FOOTBALL IS NOT BASEBALL
Home of the Free, Because of the Brave...
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We aren't going to win our division by building up our offense to outscore the Ravens
Actually building up the offense is going to be needed...all I need to do is point to the uncertainty of QB ..we still have to wait and see what Quinn has..
The line needa a new center/OG...
If you follow everything I've been saying I know the defense..in particular the backers have to be redone.
Now it's a unknown what scheme the new guy will want to run...hopefully it's still a 34 ..
Whoever the new guy is will decide if he likes the QB's here..if he likes the WR's enough..and so on..
I don't expect a teardown..a restocking is more of what i'm looking at with the linebackers undergoing a renovation..
So like Jules I think this team can contend for a playoff spot next season.
Last edited by Attack Dawg; 12/29/08 03:23 PM.
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Because I'm through with any kind of expectations for this team until they prove they can win consistently, against playoff caliber teams. Dolphins? Atlanta? Pfh... can you say one and done?
Don't worry, when we start to win consistently we will welcome you back as a fan with open arms.
Did I say I wasn't a fan? I said I have no expectations. And I don't. I really do not expect them to be winners next year, or the year after, or the year after that. And I won't expect them to win until they prove they can win, consistently, against playoff caliber teams. If that makes me a non-fan in your eyes, then so be it. I don't really care. I know you think you're being funny, but are satisfied with the way this team has performed in any capacity over the past ten years? Do you really expect next year to be any different? If you are, and if you do, then The prospect of a new regime just doesn't fire my juices and make me feel all warm and fuzzy with hope and promise of a return to the glory days. This franchise sucks, like a bunch of losers and will continue to do so until it doesn't any more. But hey, Go Browns.
"I am undeterred and I am undaunted." --Kevin Stefanski "Big hairy American winning machines." --Baker Mayfield #gmstrong
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All Pro
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And the next head coach is ......
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that of the post season.
What's this thing you speak of...."Post Season" 
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And the next head coach is ......
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Well we'll have to wait to see who the new GM is and how he plays the draft..but regardless I'd still want to trade down and get more picks.
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With picking at 5, I'd take the best player available, with the exception of a qb. If we could get a stud right tackle to along with Thomas, that would do wonders for the line for years to come.
I do know lineebackers usually don't go in the top 5. I believe lavar arrington was the last one to go that high in 2000. If we target maluagua, I would like to see us trade down.
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Another key component that everyone seems to be missing is that the Browns now hold the #5 pick in the 2009 draft. That's one key element that could be used to retool the LB'ers.
how do you spell laueritis from OSU?
Groza76
Go Browns, WIN or lose, forever!
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This franchise sucks, like a bunch of losers and will continue to do so until it doesn't any more.
That's the quote of the day cal.
yebat' Putin
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I'll be suprised if we don't make the playoffs next year Jules. Bruce Drennen on "All Bets are Off " listed the teams on our sked next year and it looks pretty easy. Detroit, Frisco, Oakland and only a couple of really tough teams.
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and only a couple of really tough teams.
Yeah, most notably the three that finished in front of us in our division. 
And the next head coach is ......
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Even though we lost to the bungles, does anyone on here think they have more talent than the Browns?
The Browns are in such disarray right now they would have trouble with a good college team.
Hopefully there WILL NOT be a total teardown of the team as there is a LOT of talent. Not saying there aren't problems, LB, OG and RB, but still lots of talent.
Hope springs eternal in the heart of a true Browns fan. GO BROWNS!!!!!
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Five steps forward,10 steps back.The new dance craze sweeping the North Coast,it's called The Loserville Shuffle.
Indecision may,or maynot,be my problem
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If Lerner gets the right people in place this team won't take many steps back..they quickly move forward..there's talent here..
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If Lerner gets the right people in place this team won't take many steps back..they quickly move forward..there's talent here..
I haven't said much in this coaching/GM thing because......well........I just don't know enough about the guys. To be honest I have NO CLUE as to who will be a good coach or GM, hell who thought the guy in Atlanta could turn that team around as quick as they did, or the guy in Miami?
But that said, I have GOT to agree with Attack, I think the right coach/gm could have us in the hunt next yr., and I don't beleive I am just trying to "look at the glass half full".
Born and breed with OSU, App. State alumni, but bleed orange and brown.
Go ARMY......Beat Navy!!!!!!
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You guys are correct,if
IF he had picked the right guys last time,or the time before,or the time before,we wouldn't be having this discussion.
You can talk about half-ful or half-empty glasses,but man my bottle's empty.
Indecision may,or maynot,be my problem
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