DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Savage: Continuity is crucial & Some OSU Bits

BOB ROSSITER

Support for Browns quarterback Charlie Frye may be wavering a bit in the Browns? front office following last week?s dismal showing against Cincinnati.


SUNDAY SPECIAL BY TODD PORTER

Stone-faced.

That was the expression last Sunday on the faces of Browns owner Randy Lerner and General Manager Phil Savage as they made their way from their suites to the locker room at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Both thought the Browns were long past a 30-0 beating from the .500 Bengals, which brought in the worst defense in the NFL.

They wondered what just happened. A culmination of all the wrong forces caught up to the team on the wrong week.

Start with:

The Browns were coming off a revenge game against Pittsburgh. Cleveland led for 31⁄2 quarters before finding a way to lose again. Savage said the team put nine months into that game after last year?s 41-0 Christmas Eve massacre.

When the Browns are healthy, their defense doesn?t match up well against the Bengals. Throw in cornerbacks who couldn?t guard a piggy bank against very good receivers, and you see what happens.

Starting right tackle Ryan Tucker left at halftime because of his undisclosed illness.

Receiver Braylon Edwards didn?t endear himself to teammates by chartering a helicopter to the Ohio State-Michigan game, returning late for a team meeting, calling out the offensive coordinator and throwing veteran Brian Russell under the bus in a one-week period.

Let?s be honest. All of those are excuses.

So when Head Coach Romeo Crennel?s job security became an issue last week, it remained interesting where Lerner leaned. It?s been said the most influential person in the organization is whomever talks to Lerner last. Savage said he and Lerner are firmly behind Crennel and support him.

That only makes sense, but the Browns don?t have a track record of making sense.

?When you look at the constant turnover at the key positions, Randy realizes the only way to do it is to maintain some continuity,? Savage said. ?He is totally on board with that and realizes that.?
[color:"white"]
The Browns have become a training ground. They have an owner who?s never been an owner, a general manager who?s never been a general manager,[/color] a head coach who?s never been a head coach and a quarterback who?s never been an NFL quarterback.

Surprised this team is 3-8?

?Frank Beamer was 2-9 a couple of times, and they were calling for his head a couple of years ago. Now he has a successful program,? Savage said. ?Look at the situation in my home state. They?re on their fifth head coach since 2000 and people wonder why Alabama has not been among the elite college teams.

?Look at Pittsburgh in our own division. Look at Baltimore. This time a year ago, everyone was ready to cash the chips in on that particular setup. They?ve been able to persevere because they?ve been together a long time.?

Now some of this is spin, and that?s Savage?s job. But, since watching this team since 1999, Savage is the brightest football man this team has employed.

He makes sense. He?s intelligent. He?s patient. He understands he is losing his fan base, and you are growing impatient.

Savage and Crennel have been at this for 22 months. The Browns spent six years digging this hole with bad hires, bad picks, bad signings and bad decisions. Is the team burning up its goodwill with fans?

?In a lot of ways, it already has,? Savage said. ?Yes, we are concerned about the fans and yes, we want to please them, but if we make a reaction or do something every time the fans react or want us to do something, then we?ll be sitting out there with them. I don?t want to be there yet.?
[color:"white"]
SAVAGE RUMORS

Rumors have persisted that Savage is looking to unload some of his responsibilities and focus on the personnel and scouting end of his GM title.

Not true, he said.

?It?s never been one thought for one second that I?ve wanted to ... have a reduction in duties. It?s ludicrous,? Savage said. ?I came from another team and a terrific job. The reason I did that was because I wanted to be a general manager.?

While with Baltimore, Savage?s duties centered on college scouting. If he would have wanted to have that role, why come to Cleveland? He knew what he was getting into here.

As far as scouting, Savage generally spends two days a week away from the team. The typical NFL schedule goes like this: Sunday, game; Monday, film corrections, Tuesday, players off; Wednesday and Thursday, heavy practice days for the upcoming opponent; Friday, light practice; Saturday, meetings or travel.

?There?s a perception ... I scout eight days a week. It?s just a joke,? Savage said.[/color]

WHO?S THIS BIGGER FOR?

Who will the next five games be more important for, Crennel or quarterback Charlie Frye?

Frye.

Unless there is a complete collapse, Crennel is coming back. He?s a classy coach who has the respect of his players.

Frye is looking more and more like he?s not the answer. He didn?t exactly get sweeping endorsements last week.

Sure, Frye is playing behind an inferior offensive line. But how many of the sacks are Frye?s fault? We?re willing to bet a good number of times the quarterback has a hand in taking a sack. There have been times when Frye simply holds the ball too long because he?s looking for a home run. There are times when he doesn?t throw to the hot side of the field, where the blitzing linebacker or safety is coming from, and there are times when he is a clueless young QB in his pre-snap reads.

See if any of that improves the next five weeks.

K2 VS. BRAYLON

What?s the difference between Kellen Winslow Jr. sounding off about former Offensive Coordinator Maurice Carthon and Edwards popping off about teammates and play calling?

Winslow has proven he?s a difference maker and earned the right. All Edwards has proven is he can?t play up to his first-round draft status.

?Whether you?re a seventh-rounder or the seventh pick in the draft, you have to earn your way,? Savage said when asked if being a leader comes down to performance. ?This is an unforgiving league and until you do that, you?re not going to be given much credibility.?

Amen.

DOWNING GETS INVITE

Ohio State fifth-year senior guard T.J. Downing is coming off his finest season. Downing was a first-team All-Big Ten selection. He earned it.

Downing has been consistent. His footwork has improved, and more important his handwork is great.

Downing, a GlenOak graduate, has been invited to the important Senior Bowl at the end of the season. It?s a week-long audition in front of every NFL GM and head coach.

Don?t be surprised if Downing doesn?t go from a modest third-round pick to a second-round selection because of how he plays at the Senior Bowl.

BARTON LEAVING EARLY?

Buckeye right tackle Kirk Barton, a Perry graduate, will have a decision to make. The junior could leave a year early and enter the NFL Draft. But Barton probably won?t be a first-round pick. Head Coach Jim Tressel recommends players who are projected first-rounders leave early.

Barton may be better off staying another season at OSU, becoming a captain and playing himself into a first-round selection.

[color:"white"] regardless, of what Phil claims re his duties and situation, I'm still of the opinion that Randy should step in and hire some veteran NFL experienced man to help Phil get this team back to it's glory days. Not to usurp, Phil in anyway with how he wants things done; but to act as a consultant only when called upon. JMHO[/color]


Link

I dont think RAC is the guy but he deserves another year. I think we can put together a much improved line over the offseason. It wont be great but find some young talent that can run block first. Keep Hank and Shaffer. Go out and draft heavy in day 1. Trade down if you can and add picks. Draft with the philosophy that Bentley and Tucker will not play next year.

We can find a RB. (especially one named Michael Bush)

We have some receiving weapons,(dont like cutt but with the move to Davidson at OC, Cutt should stay)

DL free agency, replacing Mckinley and finding a solid #2 NT.

DBs hope we get healthy. Holly wold be fine in the slot. Bodden just had a horrible year with ankle sprains, Browns should look into finding him the right shoe. Anytime ankle sprains occur it is just as often the wrong shoe as injury prone.

QB Charlie has 5 games to show that he can do somehting maybe less. I would not draft a QB. If the game hasnt slowed down for Charlie by the end of this season go out and bring in a competent vet. Doesnt have to be Farve just someone that gets rid of the ball quickly and doesnt hurt the team.

I think Savage and Crennel can be OK. I'd rather stick it out than see them go elsewhere after "learning the job" in Cleveland. I fully buy into the consistancy theory. Changinges like this now would mean rebuilding again. Now if you want to talk additions, I wouldn't mind seeing if Wolf is still willing to be an "advisor", I don't think that would hurt anything. And I agree mourg, I think a running back that fits here could improve. Reuben would actually be a good fit, but somethings definately up with him. We need a half back that can block as well as he does and rum like jerome harris does. I think we are also searching for a full back who can carry the ball a little better than smith, vickers really hasn't shown me much. (did anyone see that hawaii game last night? they use that 250 pound full back, the first time he got the ball the announcers were wondering why there was no illegal touching penalty, he looked like a guard).

I have no problem with northcutt. He's willing to try for the tough catch, and he's got plenty of value on special teams. Hopefully Edwards grows up and becomes "all he can be". We have some possibilities in our rookies, which is how it should be.

DL needs some work. We need a fresh NT. We need a more aggressive three man rush in general. Hopefully they will look a little better today with more freedom at LB since Bodden will be back. I think we need to start looking for CBs though.

As for Charlie, I just don't know yet. I watched Hawaii and Rutgers last night, and I doubt either one of those guys would help. Any of the higher picks would cost a pick at another skill position. I think Frye can work for the short term at least, if pieces are added that support him.

The FB for Hawaii is 296lbs lol he is actually bigger than 2 of their starting OL. He is their short yardage guy but he is also their #1 blitz pick up back. I was watching him earlier this year knock out a blitzing safety, it was pure road kill. I believe it was the Cal game.

He is Peen's kinda player lol

He didn't run like a lineman, I can tell you that much. He had two nice shovel passes in the first quarte and picked up 5 plus on each. One I think was actually a fumble recovery type deal. I didn't realize he was still almost 3 bills, I heard them saying he lost 50 lbs this year too. And watching him block is like watching a short, fast guard pick up a backer. He gets low, extends, and blows up the spot. I don't know what he'll do, if anything, in the NFL, but he sure makes that Hawaii O work. I don't think they could do it without him. That was a fun game to watch.

Lot's to chew on in this article.



LOL..........You better hope so, but his history doesn't lead one to think that's true.




and



Then why did you give in to the idiot fans and media and fire Mo? I think you threw him under the bus, but now you want continuity because it might be your ass on the line. LMAO!!!!!!!!




I was afraid of that. I don't think Savage is too keen on how to manage the salary cap. i don't think his administrative skills are great. I think it would be foolish for him not to accept some help. Oh well........



I won't argue that Charlie has flaws. He does! However, I think it is too early too judge him. This season won't give us enough information because this offense has too many problems. Oh.....and the hot reads? Please. That's more on his receivers than on him. Take that to the bank.

I also find it incredible that everyone is taking heat but Savage. Who made the decisions on our quarterbacks? Who chose how to address the offensive line? Who got our running backs and our wide receivers? The best part of the O is the TE position and they were already here.




and


Who was the idiot who chose a problem WR w/the # 3 overall pick when he could have traded down and secured more picks? You tear a team apart and draft a WR w/the # 3 pick? One w/a questionable attitude? <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" />

At least in the media....the only writer I can think of who got on savage was Roger Brown, and he was dismissed as a two bit hack and eventually canned.

In private, we don't know that the screws aren't turning on Savage as well. I think it is very possible that Lerner has let Phil know while watching crappy games in the sanctuary of the owners box that Phil's fate is directly linked to Romeo's fate....at least in the short term.

IMO....if Phil came in and decided to can Romeo, Lerner would tell Phil to pack his bags as well.

Because ZERO players on the team liked him and he was a buffoon. Did not know what he was doing. And again I stress, NOT single player on the Browns liked him, not one. Get that through your head. Him staying would have done nothing for this team but destroy it. Without him to begin with we'd be a lot farther along. He was OC on Detroit - wasn't allowed to call plays, OC in Dallas - wasn't allowed to call plays - came to the Browns - you saw first hand why he wasn't allowed to call plays.

I thought of Mo when I read this too. That must have been in the air allready though. I think mo was trying to force players into things they weren't made for, ala the vickers sweeps. I think Davidson is doing at least a marginally better job playing to the players strengths. Maybe they rushed the firing to throw out a bone, but I think it's just as likely they were trying to save something of the season.

Just a comment on the hot reads. Teams that have really had complete success against the Browns have simply came up and jammed both BE and JJ at the LOS. They are not defeating the jam. If you are allowing the defender to control the receiver the QB has no chance. I will go a bit farther, we have 3 players on this team that is able to defeat the jam at the los. 2 are TE's and the 3rd is Josh Cribbs.

Another thing while i am ranting. The deep pass isnt made because a guy has blazing speed. That pass is either there or not thanks to the first 5 yards. I really hate seeing guys fake the inside move and lack the ability to seperate and go deep.

Heck it made Michael Irvin one of the most feared receivers in the game. He used his hands and was just as physical at the line as the DB. Simply clearing away the hands of the DB is becoming a lost art.

One more note lol Cribbs can be something special folks. His route running is probaly 2nd on the team behind Cutt. He is the best blocking receiver we have. I would not be surprised to see him receiving a lot more reps down the stretch.

Good points. I hope people actually consider them.

I agree. I have long held that more 30-40 yard races are won in the first 5 steps than the last 5 steps.

If you can't win the initial battle for position, you are going to have to be going against someone with my speed to really have a chance at the end.

Don't forget that without a RB, d-lines and blitzes will continue to get in any of our QBs faces. The true death of this team is OL and lack of a RB who can do anything. Then again, we don't give our RB the ball near enough to do anything.

I don't forget much. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


All that stuff is well and good...and indeed has impact.....but no matter the support, you can rate a player on his play.

Cribbs is exactly who I was thinking about when I mentioned rookies in the wings. I hope he turns into a stud. He seems to have it all. He's physical, his head always seems to be in the game, I've never heard him speak without being spoken to. And Lord knows, If I had so many plays called back for cheesy infractions, I'd be about to boil over. Hopefully he learns a lot from JJ and Cutt. I'll have to watch JJ today, I didn't realize he was having trouble getting off the line. That should, frankly, be the least of our troubles with the guys we have, there suppoed to be the big physical type, not the finess speedster type.

I was talking to one of the panther's cheerleader's Dad at the Carolina game about Cribbs. He is fun to watch. He's like a missile, a guided one. He just explodes. I can only imagine what his stats would be without the blocking and holding penalties. I love seeing him in on the offense, I think it's a glimpse of the future.

I don't think it's all that surprising to see an ex-QB realize the importance of a crisp route. He knows what it feels like to heave the ball where it's supposed to go and see the WR turn the wrong way..

The rest of the article is stuff we already know. I think one think we should bear in mind is the effect of the squealers and Bungles games. Especially the squealers. We all heard Savage say after the game he was going to get players that would beat those turds.

I can entirely see being the owner of the Browns and calling the GM into the office, closing the door and screaming at him for 20 minutes straight and telling him in no uncertain terms that he needs to start beating those miserable excuses for pus filled cockroaches or he is gone.

... " Just a comment on the hot reads. Teams that have really had complete success against the Browns have simply came up and jammed both BE and JJ at the LOS. They are not defeating the jam. If you are allowing the defender to control the receiver the QB has no chance. I will go a bit farther, we have 3 players on this team that is able to defeat the jam at the los. 2 are TE's and the 3rd is Josh Cribbs.. "

.......................................................................................................................


... Glad you brought that up ... I thought I was the only one that that was seeing that .. THE # 1& 2 wide outs just don't get that separation of the line ( five /six yards ) .. I hope after another year of rehab and playing time that Leon makes his mark .. I have serious reservations , as I did when we drafted him ! .... Cribs could be interesting next year , just don't know if he has the hands ???? He has the moves !

... As I have said many , many times this season ... The 2007 draft & FA. is a make or break for Savage .. He has just as many miss;s as he has hits !!! He has to really hit ( big time ) this off season ... And yes , it is going to be harder because you can't count on Bentley or Tucker next season & how many more games are you going to get out of big Ted, Roye and Big Al is just OK ????????

Want me to gripe about RBs lol Here we go. Our backs do not make the first guy miss. I doubt there has been 10 runs all year where the one guy breaking through didnt make the tackle. They see a guy break through and they brace for impact. They do not have the quick feet to avoid that hit. Reuben has balance which i love but he either breaks that tackle with sheer brute strength or its a tackle for loss. He does have the feet but I want to see him stay as the 2nd half punisher #2 back.

Now one thing I am glad of is that we didnt go after EDGE. Everyone has ripped on the Cards OL but I have to say 90% is not the fault of the OL. I dont think he has made anyone miss all year. So when the cards cut edge at the end of the season lets not have a we gotta get this guy thread lol.

So as we watch these kids during the Bowl Barrage, watch for the kids that are making that first player miss. That stop, step back, step to the side. It isnt always hesitation it is adjusting to the defense.

I loved watching those Hawaii RB's last night. The RB is 5'10 but 260 lbs I think it was? Some absurd number, and he made people miss. He was quick!

The 296 lbs. fullback reminded me of a Bettis-type. His agility amazed me. Late round flyers perhaps?

If the guy is that big but making people miss, we NEED him here in Cleveland.
Hell, grab em both!

[color:"white"]Just a side note, McKinley has played well the last 3 weeks.

Is it just a quick spurt like it was towards the end of last year, or is he figuring out the 3-4 and playing up to his ability?

He's an important player to watch these final games........[/color]

He did the same thing last year, and came back just as pathetic as he was the 1st of last year this year. He either has the worst case of short term memory I can attest to, or he is just simply another inconsistant player we have on this team...............I choose the latter.

[color:"red"]Just a comment on the hot reads. Teams that have really had complete success against the Browns have simply came up and jammed both BE and JJ at the LOS. They are not defeating the jam [/color]

Interesting..plus the Cribbs comment, he should know what a precise pattern really is..and so should ALL the WR's..
Braylon is big/strong enough to defeat the jam..but his top end speed is NOT there yet..I said even though he was cleared to play he would not be 100% this year.
His third gear is not there.
Winslow has the speed but hasn't learned how to get off of a DB jam.

[color:"red"]"You better hope so, but his history doesn't lead one to think that's true."

[color:"orange"]Actually this is his history...the one you are are referring to simply doesn't exist. Whether you like it or not, this is the first team he has put together. You are wrong in your insinuation.

[color:"red"]"Then why did you give in to the idiot fans and media and fire Mo? I think you threw him under the bus, but now you want continuity because it might be your ass on the line."

[color:"orange"]I've said this before and I'm sure you and others will call me naive and homer and whatever. But Mo went on his own accord not as a directive from Savage. Mo thought it was best for his friend RAC and the Browns. Yes, I think Savage was pleased with the results but also don't you find it all too convenient for your Anti-Savage thing where he is criticized for being away from Berea and not involved with the day to day stuff as he leaves it to RAC...now all of a sudden he orchestrating the OC change and giving in to fans and media??? the knock on Savage is that he is aloof from these kinds of decisions. So when I say it was not Savage's directive to fire Mo everyone scoff's at me and belittles my credibility...yet every shred of fact is actually behind me. When RAC went to Savage and said...Mo resigned I'm turning things over the Davidson - are you on board? Yes, I believe this and to say I'm the one out of touch is funny cause its the only truth of fact out there...but I'm out of touch on it. While the conspiracy theories fly and are to be taken as the ACTUAL FACTS even though they are completely Suggested facts.

[color:"red"]"I don't think Savage is too keen on how to manage the salary cap. i don't think his administrative skills are great. I think it would be foolish for him not to accept some help."

[color:"orange"]And this is based on what? The fact that he was able to recognize the way contracts were geared to the end of the CBA aggreement and anticipated it by taking the big hits and lopping off all the dead money we had hanging around in underachieving talent??? You bias against Savage...I don't know why...is very evident. When everything he has done upto this point suggests that he understands the cap and so far his little history has supported this as an asset of his not a negative.

And the bit about him not accepting help again biased interpretation. Savage has proven to delegate responsibilities to those in their field of specialty...To sit and listen to their opinions and basing his decisions on their presentation of there field of expertise and not MICRO MANAGE as you incorrectly suggest. Again show me the facts to support that opinion you hold...surely not from the imaginative conclusions that you come up with when he says that he wants to be the GM...wow what a power hungry guy...he actually wants to be the GM the position he was hired to...what a cad!

[color:"red"]"I won't argue that Charlie has flaws. He does! However, I think it is too early too judge him."

[color:"orange"]I agree with you here...this was written after one of our worst days and after one of CF's worst performances - to then write and assess about the CF after that performance was unprofessional...of course he comes out against the Chiefs and has one his best performances ever as a Brown and if you assess from his last performance like that article did...now you got to change it be how great he is.

But again how you can turn this around as a negative on Savage. Lest you forget this was not how he planned it...It was to be with Dilfer as the mentor. The fact that the coaches decided that CF was the best QB over Dilfer (maybe a lot of Mo's influence as they didn't get along) and Dilfer wanted out and was clearly not happy to a degree where we had to get him out...it wasn't the way he planned it but how it turned out.

And now that DA got his shot and performed well should be another feather in Savage's cap. Testerverde, Rattay and other got to have guys don't seem necessary now and Savage actually knew what he was doing. But again this is the media talking...Browns making a mistake putting the team in CF's hands as our very tough schedule had us losing. But saner heads know that we shoulda coulda have won several games 2 obvious ones and we should be easily 6-6 at this point and all hunky dory but it just didn't go that way...stuff happens. But I don't see us as a franchise in turmoil I see us making good strides and in the right direction and QB hasn't held us down. And to suggest that Savage will not invest in a good QB if out there and can help us is also not true.

We won't go out of our ways in the draft...or overpay in FA but if something to our advantage comes our way Savage will take it...he is not blindly in CFs corner come hell or high water. His overtures to Harrington tell me otherwise.

But our QB situation is not what is holding us back.

[color:"red"]"Who was the idiot who chose a problem WR w/the # 3 overall pick when he could have traded down and secured more picks?"

[color:"orange"]1. BE hasn't proven to be a problem nor a cancer I don't see a team being divided by him...do I find his actions pleasing heck no...but to throw Savage under the bus over this I really don't get it. and the notion that there was an opportunity to trade down is almost rediculous - you know as well as I that it was a weak draft class...weak at the top. Yet you will have us believe that a trade down was available and Savage didn't take it. Vers...that is simply making up your own facts to suit your argument.

BE has been a jerk for 2 weeks but I didn't see it harm us as a team. And I fail to see how this remotely is Savage's fault and is bad. The pick was there at 3 we didn't have many choices as you present...you know as well as I that the first 5 or so picks pretty much get slotted in their BPA and there is not much of choice involved.

Your distaste and more so distrust of Savage is extreme...you are entitled to your reasons. Just don't get mad at me for not buying it. I like Savage a lot cause I think he has a sound grip on the NFL and understands it well. He is so refreshing after a Clark/Carmen and then Butch/Garcia format of building a team. I've never seen so many young promising talent on a team in 2 short years. sure 2 are actually 04 talent coming into their own...great at least give him some credit for not getting rid of them and recognizing their talents unlike the many he did get rid of.

Maybe not exactly to my blueprint...but I love what I see and I love what Savage has done and what thrills me is that this is just the beginning.

The good news...in a year or 2 you n I will be on the same page with Savage <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I'm sure of that...so we will just have to butt heads a couple times on the subject matter as long as we don't take it personal <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
JMHO

[color:"purple"] Just another thing on this salary cap thing.... there's three guys in Berea named Trip McCracken, Lew Merletti & Mike Keenan. Between the three of them they are Director of Football Administration, Chief Administrative Officer & Chief Financial Officer. Phil has plenty of experienced help with this stuff.... it's called a Staff.[/color]

Good grief..what in the world made U post in Purple???!!!!

[color:"orange"]Thanks...believe it or not I was going to post about his help but instead got carried awayed emotionally about the whole thing...lol <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Oh and only those owning fairly knew computer screens will be able to read what you wrote...best go to white on it...lol <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[color:"#008080"] what, you don't like the purple? [/color]

No.. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ..it's as bad as [color:"blue"] this [/color] .

Them's fightin words!

<font color="#990
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[color:"white"]LOL!

Good thing Toads aren't purple [/color]

When I really get mad and want to cuss someone out, I post in black......see, read this..



Works pretty good doesn't it? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[color:"white"] [/color]

Re purple font - I guess no one on this boards knows about dragging their cursor over the purple and it turns white.

Re - Experience NFL Football Persons

Merletti - Chief Administrative Officer - Non-Football Job $$$$

Keenan - Chief Financial Office - Non-Football Job $$$$

McCracken - Director, Football Administration - ??? He was
doing Salary Cap before PS was hired. How that
translate into Football knowledge on team
building, you got me. He's also pretty young and
inexperienced.

I think what Eo is saying like I've been saying for a while now is a guy who has plenty of NFL GM experience, one who's going into retirement or is in retirement and would be willing to work as a consultant, so he can earn some pocket change to supplement his pension. JMHO. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

there isn't anything there... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'll try to agree with you if you can tell me what, if anything, the football side of things has to do with the money & numbers side.

It's the Salary Cap... it is the domain of Accountants and Lawyers, NOT talent evaluators and coaches or whatever other 'football' people one can think of.

The football people pick out the shiney new toys, the money people find a way for us to afford them.

Finally, age means nothing.... just because someone has been doing something for years upon years doesn't mean they know what they are doing or have been doing it well.... it just means that they've been doing something for a really long time. And I'm pretty damn certain there isn't a single retiring/retired GM that is in need of 'pocket change', lol.

I didn't - thanks for the tip.

FYI to purplepeopleeater - I do like the followup color.

In an ideal world - nothing. But the best teams have the most talent and in the salary cap era you can affors more players with talent if you work the salary cap effectively. So the 2 work together hand in hand. You need to be able to identify talented players and be able to afford to sign them.

Purple, I think you just repeated what I said to you in my post but, in a more eloquent way, thank you.

In essence we don't have an veteran experience football person in the FO. Savage when you compare his experience to a lot of the other GMs is very short. RAC has the most NFL experience in the whole organization, I think but I'm not sure. Bill Rees, T.J. McCrieght and Szabo might have some years also.

I do see though, and was not aware that Paul Warfield, has a title that says he is special advisor to the General Manager and that's great as Paul is a man of great integrity and class.

So maybe this a moot subject and needs to be laid to rest and I hope our FO does have enough veteran people to help guide our young and inexperienced GM along. JMHO