Reflective, Reactionary and Revolutionary Friday

Here’s a couple little pieces that offer some reflection on the Browns’ recent past, but also are relevant for the team heading into 2009 and beyond. So, let’s take a look at some different aspects of power in Berea before we celebrate America’s independence by buying hundreds of dollars worth of Chinese made fireworks. Of course, I’m not referring to economic independence. Emerging economic superpower? Whatever, China. Not if we’re broke.

And speaking of broken (and lame transitions), the great folks at TheOBR.com, via Sports Radio Interviews.com have found the first full-length interview given by former Browns coach and alleged “good guy” Romeo Crennel. So far, it appears that new coach Eric Mangini is the polar opposite of Crennel - which seems to be a natural evolution for a struggling team to shift from a “player coach” to “disciplinarian.”

Romeo Crennel Speaks

On if current head coach Eric Mangini ever talked to Crennel about staying in Cleveland to work on his staff:

“Eric talked to me about staying and I told him what my concerns were - particularly my hip, I wanted to get that taken care of. And then I felt like for Eric, it’s his show now. He has to be the guy in charge and he has to run it the way he wants to run it and he doesn’t need anybody looking over his shoulder.”

I know a lot of fans were eager to see Crennel retained in some sort of fashion, as most of the blame for last season’s collapse has been attributed to Phil Savage. While Savage did miss on several draft picks and free agents, ultimately he did improve the team. However, I’m of the opinion that Crennel was overwhelmed at times during his Browns’ tenure and also never really seemed to rise up the emotional expectations that being an NFL coach requires. Or, in other words, Crennel often seemed out of it.

As for a future role with the Browns, what exactly would that entail? If you view the Crennel-coached teams of the past four years, the most striking detail about them was the plain, toothless defense that existed solely to react to the opposing offense. Having said this, it would seem unlikely that Crennel, despite his extensive coaching resume, would be suitable in a defensive coaching role under Belichick. So, if Crennel is not helping out on defense, what exactly would he be doing in Berea?

On his disappointment about how things shook out for him and the Browns during his tenure there:

“Well you know we had a tough year last year. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. But the nature of this beast is you have to win and we didn’t win. So they decided to make the change and that’s in the past so we’ve got to go forward.”

Again, let’s throw out the cliche - “Romeo is a good guy.” Great. Whatever. But Crennel’s response to this question was pretty much his standard answer throughout his Browns tenure. It always baffled me that Crennel never showed any real emotion during his time in Cleveland, with the slight exception of challenging some media members regarding the QB situation midway through 2008. Although many factors that led to losses were completely out of Crennel’s control, as a spokesman for the franchise, Crennel was less than inspiring.

On the Browns having to sign a 4th string quarterback by season’s end due to injuries to their top three guys:

“We were [disappointed], particularly with the expectations going in, but you learn that this game, it’s not a forgiving game, you know. The things that happen in the game happen and you have to deal with them.”

You have to feel for Crennel here. He went from Ken Dorsey to Bruce Gradkowski, with Syndric Steptoe as a starting wide receiver. Perhaps this is why Crennel gave such unimaginative, sterile answers to the media. How could you not be stunned stupid after having to rely on these types of players to close out your year?

On if he thinks that he lost his team in terms of effort:

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