Guest ATENEARS Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Lerner has ‘strong commitment’ to making Browns a winner By Zac Jackson ClevelandBrowns.com Staff Writer Browns Owner Randy Lerner said late Monday morning that relieving General Manager Phil Savage and Head Coach Romeo Crennel of their duties are part of the organization’s “very strong commitment to get it right” and strengthening the Browns for the purpose of turning the team into a consistent winner. Lerner said he feels the Browns are an attractive destination for prospective candidates and that he plans to begin the search for replacements as soon as later today. “I think we need to be as nimble and move as quickly as we possibly can,” he said. Though there’s no set plan, Lerner said prefers to hire a front office, “non-coaching executive” first. He’s already requested permission to speak to Scott Pioli of the Patriots and one other person he declined to name until he receives confirmation that permission has been granted. On Saturday night, Lerner had a “very informal” meeting with Bill Cowher and Cowher made it “very clear…that he did not anticipate coaching in 2009” and asked not to be included on the Browns’ list of candidates. “(Cowher) wasn’t coy; he spoke very clearly,” Lerner said. “He was very well prepared to describe his situation and his position. It wasn’t a dance.” Lerner said he’s not ruling anything out, including further pursuit of Cowher or hiring a coach before hiring the front-office person. “I don’t want to be boxed into a formula or a set approach,” he said. Lerner said Crennel “was a gentleman through and through” during their Monday morning meeting and said that Crennel would consider a return to the Browns as an assistant coach under the right circumstances. He said the decision to release Savage came about during conversations the two had over the last couple of weeks. “We talked about change and about strengthening the organization,” Lerner said. “It became very clear that our management styles were not going to be adequately compatible going forward.” Lerner said the Browns’ assistant coaches remain under contract and could return under the new head coach when he is hired. This story will be posted online on ClevelandBrowns.com this afternoon. But to help keep our customers and partners informed, we wanted to share it with you first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aloysius Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Lerner said Crennel “was a gentleman through and through” during their Monday morning meeting and said that Crennel would consider a return to the Browns as an assistant coach under the right circumstances. He said the decision to release Savage came about during conversations the two had over the last couple of weeks. “We talked about change and about strengthening the organization,” Lerner said. “It became very clear that our management styles were not going to be adequately compatible going forward.” Tonight, Tony Grossi said that Savage was disrespectful towards Lerner when they had these conversations about the future of the organization. It really makes you wonder if Savage has filled his brain with so much draft knowledge that simple common sense got crowded out. If your job is on the line, why the hell would you insult your boss? Almost makes me think that Phil wanted to be fired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gips Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Tonight, Tony Grossi said that Savage was disrespectful towards Lerner when they had these conversations about the future of the organization. It really makes you wonder if Savage has filled his brain with so much draft knowledge that simple common sense got crowded out. If your job is on the line, why the hell would you insult your boss? Almost makes me think that Phil wanted to be fired. Keeping those in house lazy slimeballs he calls assistants has turned me off of the browns for the time being this is starting to look like daja vu all over again lerner has a way of just sickening me.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselPusher Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Almost makes me think that Phil wanted to be fired. He gets fired, he still gets paid (assuming he didn't get fired for just cause -- email and KWII situation.) Maybe he wanted an out, his behavior near the end of the season was like he had enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. T Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Tonight, Tony Grossi said that Savage was disrespectful towards Lerner when they had these conversations about the future of the organization. It really makes you wonder if Savage has filled his brain with so much draft knowledge that simple common sense got crowded out. If your job is on the line, why the hell would you insult your boss? Almost makes me think that Phil wanted to be fired. Mr. Lerner is a good judge of character, and has just realized that he hired a punk. I expect to see Mr. Lerner to get more involved with the team on a day to day basis instead of what we used to have (month to month). a couple of weeks ago Shaun Smith stated on Sports Time Ohio that Mr. Lerner has been there in Berea almost everyday walking around talking listening and observing how the organization was being handled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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