Browns notes: Players rallying around Crennel
Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram
BEREA — As the losses mount and the likelihood of coach Romeo Crennel returning for 2009 shrinks, the players in the locker room continue to voice their support.
“We’re all behind RAC 100 percent,” linebacker Willie McGinest said Monday. “He’s one of the few men in here, one of the people in here who cares about us, who gives us every opportunity to win, who works as hard as we do, takes our losses as hard as we do and tries to do everything he can.”
McGinest was in New England while Crennel was an assistant coach there. He put the blame for the 4-8 season on the players.
“Anybody who knows anything about football can watch the games and see what’s going on, which has nothing to do with coaching,” McGinest said. “It’s players being able to make plays when called upon, play disciplined football, not get penalties, follow your assignment, not have mental errors, play good, sound football. If we do that, out of however many games we lost, we at least win five.
“I don’t care what coach you have, he can’t come out on the field and play for you. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got (Vince) Lombardi out there coaching you if you don’t do what you’re told to do, if you don’t execute, if you’re not consistent.”
When quarterback Derek Anderson was hurt in the final minutes Sunday after right tackle Kevin Shaffer allowed a sack, McGinest ran about 15 yards onto the field to scream at the offensive linemen.
“If guys make plays they’re supposed to make, if we tackle, if we block — block — if we catch, if we do our assignment,” McGinest said. “It’s not hard.”
Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson is a key member of the defense that held the Colts offense to a field goal Sunday in a 10-6 loss. He said it’s unfair to blame Crennel.
“Look at the injuries we had,” he said. “The controversy with the quarterbacks, Kellen Winslow, the things floating around this team — he took the heat for all of it.”
Feeling the love
The human side of the game is on display during every Crennel news conference the day after a loss. He faces difficult questions about his uncertain future and easy ones about the players’ support.
“It’s rewarding in the fact that when you’re in this situation and your team is not doing well, everyone wants to see if your team will ‘quit,’” Crennel said. “As a coach you want your players to play hard, to give great effort and do the things that will give themselves a chance to win. I thought our team did that (Sunday).”
Anderson was one of several players in the last two days to tell reporters they’re playing hard for Crennel.
“What it says to me is I think they respect me,” Crennel said. “It makes it easier for me to come to work.
“Those are the guys I have to work with every day. If they respect me, then I can feel decent about myself. If they go out and perform on the field like they did on Sunday, then I know that we’ve got a chance.”
Tight end trouble
Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow is out this week and could miss the final four games with a high ankle sprain, which was revealed Monday in an MRI. High ankle sprains are more severe than normal sprains and can take months to heal.
Winslow will be in a boot this week, then see how the ankle progresses.
Steve Heiden will start, and rookie Martin Rucker will be the backup. Darnell Dinkins, the usual third tight end, missed Sunday’s game versus the Colts and was still in a boot with a high ankle sprain. Crennel said he isn’t expected to play against the Titans.
Rucker saw his first action of the season Sunday and caught one pass for 9 yards. He also lined up wrong, forcing the team to call a timeout.
“The important thing is that he takes advantage of the opportunity and show that he belongs and that he knows what to do,” Crennel said. “Knowing that he might get more playing time, he needs to concentrate in practice, work good in practice and when he gets to the game have no problems with formations, no problems with effort and then be productive.”
Extra points
Quarterback Brady Quinn said he’s yet to decide whether to have surgery on his right index finger. He has a small fracture at the tip and tendon damage.
* Fullback Charles Ali’s broken rib prevented him from finishing the game Sunday.
* Receiver Syndric Steptoe hurt his ankle, but was able to finish the game.
* Defensive end Corey Williams suffered a large cut when nose tackle Shaun Rogers inadvertently stepped on his arm Sunday. He got stitches and returned to the game.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253
or spetrak@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram December 2nd, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 4% |
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