Browns readying pink slips

[Style]

Browns readying pink slips
Source: Offensive coaches get notice
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter

Browns offensive assistants were told in a meeting before the season finale in Houston that they might want to start for looking for other jobs, a source with knowledge of the situation said.

The news was delivered by interim offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, who took over midseason for Maurice Carthon, who was fired. It is not known if Davidson, also the offensive line coach and assistant head coach, will be retained.

Davidson received the added title of assistant head coach last off-season when Jets coach Eric Mangini was interested in him as offensive coordinator.

The assistants haven't yet been let go, but at least several of them are not expected to be retained following the offense's dismal finish: 31st overall, 31st in rushing and 30th in points scored.

With three head coaching vacancies in Miami, Arizona and Atlanta, the assistants might find new opportunites when those coaches are hired.

The Browns' top officials are involved in meetings over the next several weeks to evaluate the entire operation in the wake of their 4-12 record. Coach Romeo Crennel said he expects to survive the meetings with owner Randy Lerner and General Manager Phil Savage. However, he will most likely be expected to hire a new offensive coordinator at the very least.

The Browns have no current plan to interview Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, a former Browns special teams coach, or Steelers assistant head coach Russ Grimm. Both assistants have been given permission to talk to other teams.

Some of the Browns defensive assistants also might be in jeopardy. The defense finished 27th overall and 29th against the run.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/116790324073500.xml&coll=2

 

[Smooth]

I'm curious to see who's going to take over the offense... It'll be interesting to see if Romeo decides to take the "loyalty" stand and keep Davidson or demote him and hire another guy...

Personally, I'd like to hire an offensive coach who knows his stuff... I can't handle another season of a poor offense...

I think the defense will be fine to be honest, we just need to stop the run... The Brian Russell loss is what hurt us most... Previous to losing him, our pass defense was pretty good and after losing him it just all went downhill... You could also attribute that to the loss of CB's early on... As well as the Browns offense not being able to be productive and giving the ball back up..

I think Grantham should stay...

 

[Style]

Don't keep any of the offensive coaches. Binging in a stud OC, and let him choose his staff (along with input from RAC, or course).

 

[chiefwahoo]

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/116798997578780.xml&coll=2

Coach purge begins
Friday, January 05, 2007
Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter

The Browns fired receivers coach Terry Robiskie and offensive quality control coach Carl Crennel, nephew of Romeo Crennel, on Thursday, according to a team source.

Soon to follow are running backs coach Dave Atkins and tight ends coach Ben Coates, the source said.

Also, the Browns will interview former NFL backup quarterback Jason Garrett for the position of offensive coordinator, a Miami Dolphins source confirmed.

It's the first real evidence they intend to replace Jeff Davidson, who replaced Maurice Carthon as offensive play-caller after six games.

Davidson, however, will formally interview for the coordinator position today. He also could return to coach the offensive line and keep his title of assistant head coach.

Robiskie had been with the Browns since 2001. He was 1-4 as interim coach after Butch Davis resigned under pressure in 2004.

Garrett, 40, has been Miami's quarterbacks coach the past two seasons. The Garrett name is familiar to Clevelanders.

His father, Jim Garrett, was running backs coach under Sam Rutigliano from 1978 to 1984. Garrett has two brothers who have coached in the NFL and another, Jim, who is coaching at University School in Hunting Valley.

Jason played at University School and then was a quarterback at Princeton University. After stints in the Canadian Football League and World League, Garrett joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1993.

Garrett was the player who tutored Bernie Kosar on the Dallas offense in four days when Kosar joined the Cowboys following his release by the Browns in 1993.

Garrett started nine of 40 NFL games in a 12-year career with Dallas, the Giants, Tampa Bay and Miami.

Garrett worked under two coordinators in two years in Miami - Scott Linehan and Mike Mularkey.

Through a spokesperson, Browns General Manager Phil Savage said he would not comment on coaches on other teams.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

 

[Smooth]

Jason Garrett? Ah... yea... We need more help than that... I want someone with a proven offense and that has NFL expierence, not a newbie...

Just curious, who would you guys like to have as OC?

 

[Smooth]

Heard a rumor...

Jimbo Fisher (LSU) has not signed with Florida State yet because he has been contacted by the Browns to become the offensive coordinator...

What do you guys think?

 

[The Oi]

I'm just so fvcking sick of us drawing unproven coaches. This team has made a history of making shitty decisions for coaches, be it head or assistant.

The crappiest decision the Browns can make at this point is to put someone unproven in a coaching spot. The team is too unstable, too young and too far off the same page to use a coach who hasn't proven himself at the NFL level.