Nov 30th 2008 10:30AM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Browns, Lions, AFC North, NFC North, NFL Fans, NFL Coaching
I think it’s safe to say that Browns fans seen enough of Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage. The “We Want Cowher” chants midway through last Sunday’s demoralizing home loss to the Texans confirmed as much.
If owner Randy Lerner can’t lure Bill Cowher out of retirement — and there’s no indication that Cowher would want the gig, particularly if he doesn’t have full control over personnel decisions — the ’s Marla Ridenour offers another suggestion. If Lerner is leaning toward firing coach Romeo Crennel and General Manager Phil Savage and trying to get Cowher is Plan A, he needs to be developing Plan B, as well. And that means finding the moxie to go after New England Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli.
Lerner could have tried to land Pioli in 2005, but didn’t ask the Patriots for permission to interview him. With just two full seasons in charge since his father, Al, died in 2002, Lerner might have feared offending his friend, Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Pioli is the guy behind the guy behind the guy in New England, and he’s largely responsible for putting together the rosters that led to three Super Bowl victories this decade. And while there’s no doubt that Pioli would improve the Browns’ front office, hiring former Patriots employees isn’t a magic elixir for success. Just ask Notre Dame and, hell, the Browns.Continue Reading
