Cleveland Browns: 2009 and Beyond

After another disappointing season, the Cleveland Browns will go back to the drawing board to try and salvage this ever sinking franchise.  Browns owner Randy Lerner acted quickly on Sunday as he fired GM Phil Savage. 

Savage was hired in 2005 and was known for his ability to evaluate talent.  Over the past three years, Savage has made some good and bad decisions.  If we look at his drafting and free agency acquisitions over the past three years, he has been able to draft and sign some talented players. 

Kamerion Wimbley has shown signs of greatness with his strong rookie season but has struggled these past two seasons.  D'Qwell Jackson has made major strides in his development as he seemed to be in on every tackle this season.  Eric Wright has also been a nice addition to this club as he learns and develops into an NFL corner. 

Joe Thomas is one of the best pick ups that Savage made during his short tenure here.  Thomas has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons and will be a anchor at the left tackle spot for years to come.  Brady Quinn has the potential to become a star in the NFL but still needs the help of a respected quarterbacks coach. 

Savage drafted Braylon Edwards with the third overall pick of the 2005 draft.  Edwards has shows us that he can be a top receiver in this league when he focuses on the task at hand.  His best signing might have been the signing of Josh Cribbs.  Cribbs had become a Pro Bowl player as a return specialist and has the ability to become a great player.

Savage also has done some productive things through free agency.  Some have been success, others failures.  Eric Steinbach and Shaun Rodgers have been the two biggest additions to this club.  They have both shown real leadership out on the field and are sure to be a part of the Browns future for years to come. 

Some of Savages failures would include LeCharles Bentley, Shaun Smith, Terry Cousin, Donte Stallworth and Corey Williams.  Bentley wasn't Savages fault but he was still a failure.  Shaun Smith and Terry Cousin have not been the impact players that we thought we were getting. 

Stallworth had an injury plagued season that made him sit out for multiple games.  Corey Williams could be good if he was used properly.  It's to early to tell for both of them but right now they are failures.  Savage has done some good work in Cleveland.  He has given the next GM some talent and left the team in better shape than it was in before he arrived. 

Romeo Crennel will most likely be fired because of his poor performances over the last four years.  He was 0-8 against the Steelers and that is not acceptable.  I will be shocked if he is no let go.  Crennel has shown us that he cannot properly manage the clock.  Countless times we have lost games because he forgot to call a time out.  He also lost control of the locker room a few times including this season.

The Browns will have to go a new direction in 2009 as the look to move forward and grow as a franchise.  Bill Cowher will meet with Randy Lerner on Wednesday and most likely refuse a contract.  Sorry everybody, Bill's not coming to town.  Lerner will have to act fast after the Cowher interview because there are many team in need of help and the Browns need to act fast in order to get who they want.  There are a couple of names out there but the one I keep hearing come out of the New England Patriots organization. 

There will be strong consideration for Scott Pioli.  Pioli was the Patriots General Manager for the last nine years.  He want to be out of Bill Belichick shadow and want a team of his own.  I can see Lerner putting in much consideration for Pioli.  He has done nothing but win where ever he has gone.  He has great drafting ability and is great when it comes to signing free agents.  He would most likely hire Josh McDaniel's as head coach. 

McDaniel's was the Patriots offensive coordinator for the past three seasons and prior to that, he was the Quarterbacks coach.  Tom Brady had his best seasons under McDaniel's including last years.  He is only 33 years old but he is a smart football guy and has the ability to be a great coach. 

My only concern, if this tandem is hired, is the rehiring of Romeo Crennel.  They are all close and Piole considers Crennel to be a top defensive mind.  Hopefully, Lerner will fire Crennel before that becomes an option.

The Browns have many options in the next few days but they need to act fast if they want to be successful and secure their future with the core group of payers that we have.  Quinn, Winslow, Thomas, Edwards, and Wright have great talent, they just need someone to help them develop that talent.