Berea—On
Monday morning, Romeo Crennel talked about the Browns having hope for the rest
of the season.
Since then, changes have happened with the departure of Maurice Carthon and
now the Browns are hoping to start anew under the direction of Jeff Davidson.
Crennel said he hopes the change pumps new energy into the team.
“Going forward, because there was a change some of (the players) might be
re-invigorated,” he said.
However, Crennel said he doesn’t expect to see major changes.
“I don’t think you’re going to see a wide open offense overnight because you
don’t have time to implement it,” he said. “I think Jeff is stepping into a
tough situation because there’s not a lot of time to change things. It’s kind of
tough to make wholesale changes in the middle of the week.”
The players are openly excited about the new direction—particularly the
offensive linemen as Davidson is their coach.
“Hopefully, the move will give us a spark,” Cosey Coleman said. “J.D. is more
laid back, but he knows football and has insight and is familiar with the
offensive line.”
Kevin Shaffer agreed.
“It’s a big change,” Shaffer said. “We’re moving on and I feel real
comfortable about it. There are certain plays that (Davidson) likes and I think
we’ll be running them.”
Shaffer said Davidson has challenged the offense to make the most of the new
start.
“There’s a big emphasis on liking what you do and playing together as a
team,” he said. “He told us, ‘Let’s go. It’s our time.”
Joe Andruzzi was outspoken in an interview he did with WKNR on Tuesday and
agreed there needed to be a change. He said many times there was confusion on
offense.
”It was a bit of a shock, but it might be what the offense needs to get a
spark,” Andruzzi said on Wednesday. “There was a lot of confusion on the
offense. The offense was not on the same page. All eleven must work together and
we want to try to move ahead from here. It needs to be a total effort with the
coaches and players working together.”
Tight end Kellen Winslow was outspoken early in the season about the schemes
and play calling on offense, but said it wasn’t all Carthon’s fault.
“They felt a need for a change,” Winslow said. “We needed to change
something.
“I’m excited,” he said. “They thought it was best for the Cleveland Browns.
There might be different calls, but we have to execute. It’s also on us. I
didn’t say the problem was Mo.
The players have to execute.”
Charlie Frye is looking for a fresh start.
“Each coach has a different philosophy,” Frye said. “I’m looking forward to
getting back out there and playing.”
Wide receiver/kick returner Joshua Cribbs echoed Frye’s remarks.
“Since there’s been a change, let’s make it a positive change,” Cribbs said.
Crennel said Davidson will be in the box upstairs calling the plays, unlike
Carthon, who was on the field. Crennel also said this is Davidson’s chance to
show what he can do with the offense.
“The next 10 games, offensively, might impact what happens on that side of
the ball,” he said. “If we make improvement on that side of the ball, you can
say strides are being made and we’re heading in the right direction.”
Notebook
Injury Update: Crennel said there are still several players questionable for
this week’s game, including CB Leigh Bodden (ankle). Others are: S Justin Hamilton (ankle), WR Dennis Northcutt (ribs), DB Brodney Pool (hamstring),S
Brian Russell (ankle) and TE Kellen Winslow (knee) and OL Ryan Tucker (illness).
Crennel won’t know until the week plays out, but admitted there was some
concern about Tucker.
“He’s missing practice today to get checked out,” he said. “He’s being
evaluated and anytime you continually miss time, there’s concern.”
Baxter Surgery: Crennel said CB Gary Baxter had a successful surgery to
repair the patellar tendons in both of his knees on Tuesday.
“Gary
had surgeries on both knees and it went well,” he said. “In talking with our
medical people they said it went well, but we’re not sure how long he’ll be laid
up. He came through it fine and as soon as we can we’ll start his rehab.”
No timetable has been set for his return.
Moves: With Baxter going to injured reserve, the Browns signed DB Mike Hawkins, who was most recently in Green Bay’s camp.
“He’s got size and some speed,” Crennel said. “Because of the need for a body
there and his ability we thought he might be able to help us out. We won’t know
until we put him out there and see how quickly he picks up the defense. He has
some experience.”
The Browns have an opening on their practice squad as Jovan Haye was signed
to the active roster by Tampa Bay.
From Intern to Head Coach: Jets’ first year head coach Eric Mangini was hired
by Bill Belichick as a public relations intern during his regime with the Browns
in the early ‘90s. Mangini has followed Belichick through the ranks and now has
the Jets at 4-3 in his first year.
“Eric is a good, young football coach and he’s doing a good job with the
Jets,” Crennel said. “He has a strong work ethic and will stay as long as it
takes to get the job done. You knew from working with him he was smart enough to
be a head coach. So far, he’s got those guys playing good as they’ve won four
games.”
Crennel tried to bring Mangini to the Browns when he was hired as head coach
last year.
“I knew with Eric he was comfortable where he was,” he said. “He was with a
good team that was winning. I thought we had a good shot, but (Bill) Belichick
had the last shot at keeping him and he was able to do so.”