Imagine this: You are in charge of a team that has struggled mightily for the past nine seasons. You were brought in to try to improve a team that was left in shambles from previous regimes that had people trying to run a team that obviously had no idea how to.
Then, just when you think that you finally have things put together the right way after a season of success, and then spending an offseason making moves trying to build that success you begin mini and training camp with you have such anticipation for finally having a good season to start it almost kills you. Then the season starts and everything that could go wrong does, and right away.
Now imagine, during a season gone unexpectedly bad, siting down to watch your team and among all the other frustrations that you have about the team, you are constantly being egged on by a series of e-mails from a fan who obviously does not know how to do your job as well as you do.
How would you feel? How would you react to it, if you did at all? One thing for certain, if you did, it would most likely be kind.
These are the things that went through Phil Savage's head on Monday night when he received e-mails from a supposed Cleveland Browns fan who was living in Pittsburgh, non the less. Now, I am not saying that it is impossible to live in Pittsburgh and root for the Browns, but I have may doubts that many Browns fans live there.
Phil Savage's response to this fan may have been uncalled for, but it shows that even the someone who hold a high position in sports franchises have a human side to them. That's what Savage showed on Monday night when he sent a fiery e-mail back to this fan who was antagonizing him.
Think of it as the co-worker that is always looking over your shoulder and telling you how to do your job and you finally respond to him with the "If you think that you can do better then you do my job!" response. That is essentially what Savage was trying to tell the fan.
Is Savage to blame for what has been happening with this team? Not entirely, but some of it does fall on him. I am not so sure that trading draft picks is how you build a team. Savage traded most of this year's draft away so that he could make moves that would improve the team this season and in future one's, but does he really understand that the draft plays a major role in how you build a team?
That is just one of the lessons he is now learning. He also does not have the strong support staff as far as evaluating talent goes. In Baltimore, he had Ozzie Newsome; here, he essentially has to do it on his own.
Shaun Rodgers has been a great addition to this team and he has played his heart out here, but was he really worth the draft choice that he gave up for him?
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about 1 month ago
Some good points here, but your assertion that not many Browns fans live in Pittsburgh is completely inaccurate. Pittsburgh boasts one of the largest Browns Backers organizations in the country. Admittedly, most of us are transplants, but our motto is that Pittsburgh is "the toughest place to wear your colors."
Please check out our website:
http://www.pittsburghbrownsbackers.com/
from about 1 month ago
Awesome! Keep your light shining and hopefully one day we will be able to bring in a team that will cleanse the burgh!
about 1 month ago
Plenty of hard-core Browns fans in Western PA, I used to be one of them.
It will be very interesting to see where this organization goes in the off-season...
about 1 month ago
Good read,
I'm also a member of the Pittsburgh Browns Backers, and it is tough to be a fan down here, know that!
from about 1 month ago
Awesome! I am sure it's tough but think of the bragging rights you'll have if we come in there on Dec 28th and find a way to punk the Steelers!
about 1 month ago
G,
let's hope so because it's been a LONG time(2003) since I've been able to bark with pride! but I always hold it down here in the Burgh!
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