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Browns' Romeo Crennel is more comfortable in his post
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
BY Steve Doerschuk
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
TOP DAWG Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel shared some insight Monday during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club at Tozzi's on 12th. Crennel was the final speaker of the club's 2007-08 season.
REPOSITORY SCOTT HECKEL

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Video of Romeo Crennel's appearance at the Hall of Fame Luncheon Club on Monday

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CANTON TWP. It was amply evident during Romeo Crennel's performance Monday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club: The job is growing on him.

With an energetic ease in his bearing, the Browns' fourth-year head coach joked about being "the fat guy."

He concocted a story about accidentally knocking over an old lady.

"I told her, 'No offense,' " Crennel said.

"She got up and said, 'No defense, either.' "

Look again, sis.

Crennel's new-look Browns are assigned to six prime-time games, starting with a preseason affair with the Super Bowl champion Giants.

"We will adapt," he told an overflow crowd inside Tozzi on 12th, "and we'll do pretty good."

Crennel, who turns 61 on June 18, was friendly, candid and confident. Amid men mostly older than he is, he seemed to have a grand time.

He said it's time to build on the foundation, to be one of the league's serious winners.

"I think we're gonna be able to get that one done," he said.

The 2008 schedule is far more daunting than the one against which Crennel broke through to 10-6. But a maturing team has added key players.

"We're gonna embrace those great expectations," Crennel said.

The goal is to win the AFC North.

"That would mean we're playing a playoff game at home," he said, grinning.

Crennel may have been uneasy when his first two Browns teams went 10-22. He was never insecure. He owns five Super Bowl championship rings.

"I want a Super Bowl ring that says Cleveland Browns," he said with his biggest smile of the day.

Crennel drew laughter and applause from the final Luncheon Club crowd of the season, mixing appreciated insights with his good cheer.

He even broke some news by way of updating LeCharles Bentley's status. Crennel said the former Pro Bowl center was in New York on Monday for a medical evaluation.

"Then he's gonna come here and let our guys look him over," Crennel said, "and then he'll be available to go (in spring practice).

"I've talked with him about being here so that he can get started with us (today). I don't know if that process will be complete by that time."

He made it sound as if Bentley has a real chance to come back from his mystery-tinged patellar tendon nightmare.

The head coaching spot? When have Browns fans felt better about Crennel?

More from Romeo Crennel

Browns Head Coach Crennel also had interesting things to say about other items during Monday's Hall of Fame Luncheon Club meeting:

• Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr.'s push to rework his contract, which extends through 2010:

"Sometimes when you throw that bait out there, you get a bite. If you get a bite, you'll take it. If not, reel it back in and cast it out again. So, he's throwing it out there to see if we'll bite."

• Worries about Winslow's injuries, which led to an arthroscopic knee surgery after the Pro Bowl:

"I've been concerned about his health ever since 'some motorcycle accident.' I'm no more concerned than normal now. Kellen will play. You put Kellen out there on Sunday, he gives you everything he's got. He's a competitor and he wants to win."

• Round 7 draft pick Alex Hall of St. Augustine's:

"We've got to get a little more pressure on the quarterback. We added a guy (Hall) who has Kamerion Wimbley type of ability. Now, he's not Kamerion Wimbley, but he has that kind of ability."

• No. 1 quarterback Derek Anderson:

"He is probably more of a classic, dropback quarterback. He's tall, not as mobile. He's got the big, strong arm. He gets rid of the ball quickly. That's an advantage for him and for us as well."

• Challenger Brady Quinn:

"He is a little bit more cerebral. He's got some leadership qualities. Guys seem to follow him. I think we have a good combination there. They work very well together.

"Brady envisions himself being the starter at some point in the future. When that's gonna be, I'm not exactly sure. But I tell Brady once a week, 'You're one play away, son,' and he understands that.

"It's hard to keep quarterbacks on their feet for 16 games. If you've got two good ones, you're better off. We feel like we're in good position at the quarterback spot."

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The goal is to win the AFC North.

If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.

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Originally posted by Steeler SChuck:
So what was last years goal for yinz? Play just good enough to miss the playoffs?