Lincoln Savage speaks, supports CrennelZac Jackson, Staff Writer
11.30.2006
Thursday morning, Phil Savage told Romeo Crennel he wanted to "put an end to all this" speculation and innuendo regarding Crennel's future with the Browns.
Then, Savage said it publicly.
The Browns' general manager came to his coach's defense, pledging 100 percent support from within the organization and calling public attacks on Crennel "unfair" and "ridiculous."
"(Team owner) Randy Lerner and I are 100 percent behind Romeo," Savage said. "We've done everything in our power to support him. We're going to do everything in our power to support him the next five games, this offseason and next year.
"We're in this together."
It's been a difficult season for the 3-8 Browns, and home losses to division rivals in the last two weeks haven't made things any easier. Savage stressed the need to stick together as the Browns try to move forward -- something he said he, Crennel and Lerner have discussed at length and are committed to doing.
"The bottom line is we're on the same page," Savage said. "That's the most important thing in any of these organizations."
Savage said Crennel "has the respect of the team. We believe in him."
The Browns hit their 2006 low point last week in a 30-0 loss to the Bengals. TV cameras caught Braylon Edwards in a sideline argument with teammates after the fourth of the Browns' five turnovers. The incident capped a tumultuous week for Edwards, who had been late to a team meeting after attending the Ohio State-Michigan game and had publicly criticized the team's red zone play-calling.
Savage said he was confident that Crennel had handled the Edwards' situation correctly and "in-house," and that Edwards will learn from his mistakes. Edwards apologized earlier this week.
"Are we disappointed in the way he handled his emotions? Yes," Savage said. "Do we like the enthusiasm? Yes. Do we like that he actually was trying to take up for the quarterback? Yes.
"It has been discussed with him to an extreme level. It has been handled by Romeo and other staff members. I think it has been put to rest.
"Braylon had a bad week, there's no two ways about it. But I think it will be a thing of the past. We're comfortable going forward that he's going to do the right thing."
About Edwards arriving late to a team meeting the night before the Steelers game after taking a helicopter from the Ohio State-Michigan game, Savage said, "part of it is a maturity issue. If he gets back three minutes earlier it's not an issue. He didn't. He's suffered the consequences for it."
Edwards is one of several high-profile players who spoke out in support of Crennel earlier this week. The players have vowed to stick together and put together a stronger showing this week when the Browns host the Chiefs, and Savage said he believes Crennel get the best out of the team for the final five games.
"One of the real attractions to Romeo is that he understands it's a team game," Savage said. "It's not a one-man show. It never has been; it never will be. Guys realize for us to win it has to be all three phases meshed together."
Among the other subjects Savage discussed...
**On quarterback Charlie Frye: "We were really hopeful that Charlie could avoid that kind of game (last week) and he had done that up to this point in the year. For the most part, we've been able to play a style throughout the year that can accentuate some of the things he can do and stay away from some of the things he's not up to speed with.
"I think he's handled the situation quite well. All of the focus is going to go to the head coach and the quarterback. We need to improve as an offense in general. One of the things we have to figure out is (to) find out who we are as an offense. Are we going to focus on the run, the pass or try to do a combination? What is our approach?
"Now that there are 16 games under Charlie's belt, I think we have a better idea of where we need to go in terms of helping him in certain areas and trying to capitalize on what he can do. I've said all along that he has enough arm strength, accuracy and mobility. He's a good leader, he's tough and he has a great work ethic. There are a lot of positives to build on."
**On rumors that Savage wants a reduced role or plans to leave the Browns: "Absolutely totally false. It's never been one thought for one second that I wanted to do less or have a reduction of duties. It's ludicrous."
**Savage said the team's biggest concern regarding Ryan Tucker "is for Ryan the person. We want him to get his health back. We want him to get his life back."
Savage said Daylon McCutcheon had microfracture surgery on his knee in the last month and is rehabbing in California. DeMario Minter "made good progress" in his three weeks at practice, but the Browns have decided to keep him on PUP and allow him to go through an entire offseason before returning to full-time, full-speed action.