Displaced Cleveland Fan

Apparently the Browns problems go much deeper than an inconsistent QB, #1 WR with butterfingers, and a mediocre head coach. Some of these things were already apparent. Some are just now coming to light. Even from a distance, it’s apparent that this organization is in trouble.

The first six games of the season has made it clear that Derek Anderson is not the answer at starting QB. I don’t think he’d make a bad backup, but he can’t start. He’s had one good game out of six. That’s not good enough, especially when there is, potentially, a very good option in Brady Quinn on the bench.

What’s worse is that although most people can see that Quinn needs to start instead of Anderson, the head coach doesn’t see that. Why? I don’t know. Maybe Romeo’s too busy trying to figure out what situations warrant the use of a timeout. Whatever the reason, Quinn sits because Crennel won’t do anything. And Phil Savage, the GM, just sits back and lets this happen.

This season is basically beyond saving. The Browns are 3 games back from the Steelers in the division. And while they’re only a game out of the second wild card spot, as the standings are now, the Browns would be trying to beat out teams like Indianapolis, Jacksonville, New England, and San Diego for that spot. Not going to happen. This season, as far as playoff hopes, is done. But that means the rest of the season can be spent preparing for next year - developing players, finding out what holes need to be filled, etc.

Romeo Crennel has already ruined this season. But he could potentially ruin next season as well. And so far, Savage has let him do it.

Brady Quinn needs to start. Now. Derek Anderson is not the answer at QB. Sure, we don’t know how Quinn will pan out. But we have to find out this year. Even if Romeo leaves DA in as the starter the rest of the year, he won’t be the starter after that. Romeo won’t be the coach after this year. So we’ll be left with an untested Quinn (if he doesn’t decide he’s had it with this organization). What if Quinn turns out to be a bust? Wouldn’t it be nice to know that this year so we can find another option for next year? Anderson is already a bust, we know that. Give up on him as the starter. Give the job to Brady and let us see if he is the franchise QB we hope he is.

We already knew about the QB situation. But that’s not enough. Now there’s the whole issue with TE Kellen Winslow. After spending 3 days in the hospital with a staph infection and missing the game against the Giants, he came back and played in the game against the Redskins. In comments after the game, he expressed his frustration with the organization and that he even thought of wanting to be traded before the trade deadline. Can you blame him after his second bout with staph and playing as hard as he does and the QB who should be benched can’t get him the ball, either by inaccurate passes or choosing to pass instead to the “#1″ WR who can’t catch a pass, and the head coach stubbornly refuses to try and help the offense by starting a first-round pick at QB? You bet Winslow’s frustrated.

So what happens? He gets suspended for 1 game without pay by the GM for comments that were “unwarranted, inappropriate, and unnecessarily disparaging to our organization.” The statement Savage released began, “The Cleveland Browns are committed to winning.” Really? That’s why you suspended your best receiver? That’s why you don’t fire the head coach that is ruining this team? That’s why a first-round pick is sitting on the bench while your current starting QB is one of the worst in the league? Real committed to winning.

Expectedly, Winslow appealed the suspension. He should win the appeal. But the hearing isn’t until the end of the week. So even if the suspension is thrown out, he still would have missed practice all week and may not play anyway against the Jaguars. So most likely Winslow is sitting out, but getting paid anyway. Great move, Savage. I love how this organization is committed to winning.

Then, it was reported that Savage actually tried to trade Winslow before the trade deadline. This would have been before the issue with Winslow’s comments. How about we not trade our best receiver. And what if we tried to make him want to stay after this year. Hey, that might be a good idea. You know, since the organization is committed to winning and all.

I hope all of this gets worked out. I want to see the Browns in contention next year. But right now I’m not too optimistic. Right now I see Romeo coaching through the end of the year, stubbornly refusing to start Quinn. I see Quinn and Winslow looking for other teams next year. And the Browns will be left to start building again. This team right now with the players on it, is potentially a good team. But you wouldn’t know it from their play on the field, their head coach, or the actions of the front office.

Frustrating.

Tags: Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson, Kellen Winslow, Phil Savage, Romeo Crennel

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 at 2:11 am and is filed under Cleveland Browns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.