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The Cleveland Browns announced today that Eric Mangini is their new head coach. Coach Mangini was just fired by the N.Y. Jets last week, but by accepting the Browns’ head coaching position, he is, in a sense, returning home. Coach Mangini began his NFL career as a ball boy with the Browns back in 1994 under then-coach Bill Belichick. He then followed coach Belichick to New England in 2000 before eventually departing for New York in 2006.
I think too much blame was placed on coach Mangini when the Jets lost four of their last five …read more

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Moments after completing a disastrous 4-12 season, Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner announced the firing of general manager Phil Savage. This morning, the Browns continued their housecleaning by firing head coach Romeo Crennel. Both Mr. Savage and coach Crennel released statements today:
ROMEO CRENNEL
“I would like to thank Randy Lerner for giving me the opportunity to coach the Cleveland Browns. Some progress was made in my four years here, but not enough to go forward in this position. The support from the community and the fans has been greatly appreciated. Though this past year has been …read more

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The Cleveland Browns’ luck has gone from bad to worse. Any quarterback controversy officially ended last week when then-starter Brady Quinn’s season ended with a injury. He had replaced Derek Anderson nine games into the season and the “Brady Quinn Era” had begun. Now, no sooner did Derek get his starting job back than his season looks like it’s over after he suffered an MCL sprain today during the 4th quarter of a miserable 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Afterward, Browns head coach Romeo Crennel called it like he saw it:
“I’m not encouraged by …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
In response to some of his players’ (Jamal Lewis, Josh Cribbs) comments that the team quit against the Denver Broncos last week, Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel said it just isn’t so and took the remarks seriously:
“I think players respect me as a coach, they play for me as a coach so when that word ‘quit’ comes up you take it personally. The team is my team. The product that is out there on the field is a reflection of me. When they do good, I do good. When they do bad, I do …read more

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The Cleveland Browns suspended tight end Kellen Winslow for one game without pay for his recent comments that were determined detrimental to the team. Here is the full statement issued by Browns GM Phil Savage today:
“The Cleveland Browns are committed to winning and taking care of our players. We are also committed to protecting the privacy of our players, particularly with regard to medical issues. To that end, following discussions with Kellen Winslow and his representation, the Browns agreed to make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of his recent medical condition.
“As an organization, …read more

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn and left tackle Joe Thomas appeared at a rally for Republican presidential candidate John McCain this past week. Meanwhile, linebacker Willie McGinest (along with Cleveland Cavs star Lebron James) were pumping voter registration at a Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama rally recently. Will this promote division in the Browns locker room? Head coach Romeo Crennel gathered his squad and told them not to let politics become a dividing force within the team:
“Their politics are their politics as long as they don’t interfere with the team. My main concern is that …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
After an unexpected 0-3 start to this 2008 season, Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel is considering a quarterback change to give his team a spark. All-Pro QB Derek Anderson is struggling to match (or even come close to) his success from last season. Thus far he has five interceptions and a 43.5 passer rating. And only two touchdowns. Uggh. The Browns have scored a measley 26 points and are a loss away from panic mode. So Coach Crennel is (possibly) making the necessary adjustments:
“The thing we have to do is evaluate what we’ve done …read more

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I was happy to see Gary Baxter sign a one-year deal to stay with the Cleveland Browns today. Gary’s had more than his share of health problems since he arrived in Cleveland. He’s only played in eight games with the Browns since they signed him to a six-year, $30 million free agent deal in March 2005. As avid readers know, Gary’s one of my favorite players and his story is an incredible demonstration of courage and determination. When he returns to the playing field, he’ll become the first NFL player to make …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The winter storm that has an icy grip on Indianapolis has slowed things down outside. But as promised, today was a whirlwind of activity around the Media Work Room here at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine. The players being shuttled in and out were mostly wide receivers, running backs and quarterbacks.
My day was really one big press conference with a few of my own interviews thrown in for good measure. I took part in every head coach presser — Tom Coughlin (Giants), Brad Childress (Vikings), Gary Kubiak (Texans), Tony Dungy (Colts), Herm …read more