http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122749333275552323.html

i agree with jim ingraham's article.

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2008/11/23/sports/nh146379.txt

if lerner wants to be hands off while the jokers working for him run the team into the ground then he should find an buyer for the team who cares enough to win. remember, al davis and jerry jones may be jerks. but at least they have rings.

This Crennel/Savage era has been all about a process, a building, a re-construction (though that implies there once had been construction, which there has not, at least since 1999). A huge part of that process, which most of us foresaw no later than when the schedule was announced, was going to be the players dealing with what happened last year. There was "success" (10-6), but not even a playoff slot. Achievement, but without true significance of any kind.

How would team react to its "success"? Its much more challenging schedule? Its national profile? The almost predictable adversity, balancing what had been so fortuitous an '07 season: Health, bustout performances, seven Pro Bowlers, record-setting stats, etc.?

Willie, who knows from his New England experiences what it takes to win and how championship squads conduct themselves, tells attentive Browns' fans (via Pat's blog) what the players surrounding him lack as professionals, explaining for us why losing and disorder reign. The former player chimes in with hints as to what undermines the best efforts of many players and coaches and administrators: There are some kids who just don't get it, who won't grow up, who are pissing away a tremendous situation and opportunity.

Buried here on this blog page is the real story.

So, while voices call for firings and rampant changes among the non-uniformed personnel, here are men who know the sport telling us it is the athletes themselves responsible. They are why there is such losing and underachievement. Prices aren't being paid. Lacking is commitment, want-to, professionalism, conscientiousness, attention to detail.

Ego and complacency apparently rule. At least among those who Willie and the other player have in mind.

Other voices are calling for more youth to be served, for the kids to play even more, in place of what few vet leaders exist. What kind of sense does that make? (Doesn't the receiving corp miss Jurevicius as much for his leadership and steadying influence as for his clutch, possession catches?)

With these remarks, perhaps Willie is trying to exert his veteran influence/leadership, allowing "dirty laundry" to air in public view, a final (?) attempt to get through to his knuckleheaded, childish mates who spoil the best efforts of the well-intended, the presumption being it is a minority of individuals guilty of his insinuations.

I'm grateful for having found these remarks and thank Patrick for sharing them. I simply maintain they deserve much more profound play. Here is hoping this helps them get that exposure.

Winning has become secondary.

Romeo needs to bench a few of these prima donnas and find some players with some heart.

to add to the mcginest quote…… what willie doesn't say is that young men need a role model, a leader. willie has been around a long time and he is mature enough to know that his play is his responsibility alone. younger guys need discipline. i was a maniacal idiot in my 20's and judging by the police blotter in the nfl most of these players make me look like a choir boy.

romeo has failed to set an example for this team. braylon edwards has absolutely no business playing right now. he flat out QUIT on several plays today. i would play the water boy at receiver before i play edwards scissorhands another down. conversely, brady quinn gets the quickest hook in romeo's career as a coach. after browns fans were subjected to weeks of poor play by anderson he yanks quinn in the middle of his 3rd start. wtf????? well, as we saw, brady at least got a few points on the board while anderson got a qb rating closer to his shoe size.

i think it is safe to say….goodbye romeo, goodbye phil…..thanks for nothing and don't let the door hit you on the a$$ on your way out. if randy lerner had any respect for the fans he would s–tcan those jokers as i type this and let ken dorsey or big dawg run the team.

enough randy lerner! either show the fans that you care or sell the team to someone who does. yes, i know that browns fans are suckers and will continually fill your coffers for fear of having their precious team taken away again. i don't care! leave again if this is how it's going to be! your organization sucks!!!

oh well, i guess i had a little more to say than i thought i did.

It's fairly easy for a 37-year-old or so guy to get on his high horse when he has that handsome paycheck coming twice a month, plus that upcoming much fatter final paycheck which includes the last of his incentive bonuses, including his playing time bonus. He "earns" more money by simply getting the coach to put him on the field during a game. Give him Syndric Steptoe money for three years, and I sense he'd be singing a different, somewhat less "mature" locker room tune. I really don't read anything noble in what he has to say.