- Browns Coach Romeo Crennel has always struck me like a bear in appearance and demeanor. With respect to the latter, he only growls when necessary and in private. But that hibernation-like demeanor kind of leaves me wondering whether he can ultimately hang on to the confidence of his players.
Take today's press conference for instance:
"We are trying to get ready to play the game we have on Sunday night. It’s a big game for us because we lost the last one and we need a win and it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers who are right down the road. We haven’t done very well against those guys since we have been here so I think that adds more importance to it. It’s going to be critical that we play good. We have to play good to have a chance because they are a pretty good team as you saw last week and what they were able to get done. Our guys will accept the challenge and step up. We are going to work and we are going to fight and we will see what happens. "
The words don't exactly inspire. Then again, it's the media so he doesn't have to inspire us.
But even the casual observer of the Browns-Steelers rivalry have to raise an eyebrow when it comes to this statement Crennel made about the longstanding feud:
“I can’t speak for before I was here, but since I have been here they have been able to beat us and basically play better. Even when it looked like we had a chance we haven’t been able to finish. We are going to have to see if we can get off to a good start and then see if we can finish a game."
Again, not inspiring. However, I will give Crennel credit for cutting to the chase on one issue: team defense. Maybe the so-so way in which he delivers his message is coming from a coach who knows that didn't get everything worked out in the pre-season. While the offense can claim some legitimate near misses on several plays. The defense was never close with the Dallas Cowboys being able to run and pass at will. Realistically, the Cowboys should have scored more than 40 points and Crennel knows it.
“I don’t think you can say anybody played well. Shaun (Rogers) was able to get some push in the pocket in the second half a little bit, but when you give up almost 500 yards of offense there’s not much that can look good.”
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Romeo Crennel = John Cooper
Romeo quote: "Hey Browns fans, the Browns-Steelers rivalry is nothing big, it's just another game."
All this Romeo-bashing because he's not an inspiring speaker or presumably not given to knock-down-the-door locker room speeches. Sure, he's boring when talking to the media, but would you rather have a BS-artist like Butch Davis or Brian Billick? The players respect the guy BECAUSE he's for real, and an even-keel kind of guy. I'd honestly like the team to look more prepared and motivated, and that can at least in part be fairly laid at Coach Crennel's feet. But get off the guy for his speaking style when in the presence of a roomful of scribes ready to dissect every nuance of a simple declarative sentence.
Listen, The proof is in the pudding. We are not winning! I dont care what the guy says…We are not winning. "If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always got!!"
Amen, Jay Dawg. It's time the Browns defense started focusing their efforts on the line of scrimmage. Bend but don't break is nice, but only up to the point where it breaks anyways. It's not working for this defense. Their only chance is to go all out to stuff the run, sack the QB, and leave the DBs to do what they can. Going mediocre in all three areas is only producing a shameful defense.
I have coached in college and played big ten ball. Since Romeo has coached at New ENGLAND, he should realize, the players get on each other in the locker room. When the defensive line is not putting pressure on Q.B in the Cowboys game, it was appearent that someone spoke up and corrected the problem. However, it also was appearent to most, that nobody said anything to correct Braylan Williams. Does he want more money? Maybe he was offered a better situation elsewhere. I suggest, you have to be blind not to see, all that talent he has, is not being utilized for the Browns. Are you guy afraid to get this primadonna angry or does he get too much money to critisize?
Bench him, even thou his is most talanted. He is not helping us with half efforts much of the time. This is where the Steelers have the edge on our team. The players get on each other, when somebody plays like Edwards.
I hate to see talanted players ruined because nobody speaks up.
~Richard Canacci~ former head football coach-retired.
I know "Our" Coach has the courage for the tough calls…I just pray he has the courage to Play every down as if it were our last!!
GOD Bless The Cleveland Browns !