Debate Of The Young Sports Minds: Should Romeo Crennel Be Fired?

Alright folks, it's time for another debate between my friend Luke and I. This week's topic is a simple one. Should Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel be fired?

Here are the quick facts. The Browns went 10-6 last season. They are 4-9 this season. Crennel is 24-37 in his 3+ seasons as head coach. This season's team has had its share of injuries, among them QB Derek Anderson, QB Brady Quinn, WR Joe Jurevicius, WR Dante Stallworth and TE Kellen Winslow.

And also, Luke is a lifelong Browns fan but also a realist. I have never liked the Browns but respect Browns fans and think they are the best NFL fans. As always, feel free to let us now what ya think in the comments section. Here we go...

LUKE

Should Romeo Crennel be fired? Is the earth round? Is the sky blue? Is grass green? Answers to all of those questions are the same, absolutely. There is no question that Romeo should be let go after this season. The reasoning is two-fold. One, his win-loss record speaks for itself. Two, the game moves too fast for Romeo, and he is clearly out of his element on the sideline attempting to make quick decisions.

Let's look at his record. Currently, with three games left in the 2008 season, Romeo is 24-37, well on his way to being 24-40, with ZERO postseason appearances. Based on his win-loss record ALONE, Crennel should be out the door. The NFL is a "what have you done lately" business, and the only thing Crennel has done is lose, on a consistent basis. Four years is more than enough time to put together a winner. It also is safe to say that after four years the Browns are no closer to being a postseason contender than they were when Butch Davis left town.

Lastly, anyone who says that Crennel should stay must not have watched too many Browns games. The game just moves too fast. He mis-manages his timeouts on a regular basis. He consistently fails to use his challenge flags properly. He also must have had Phil Dawson on his fantasy team the past four years because he certainly doesn't understand when to go for touchdowns instead of kicking meaningless field goals. Romeo is a well-liked guy within the clubhouse, and seems like a lovable character, but he is not head coach material. Romeo is like the grandfather who the entire family loves dearly, but you wouldn't want him driving a car, because it moves just a bit too fast for him.

MATT

So, should Romeo Crennel be fired? Last year, Browns fans were singing his praises. But now, ask any Browns fan and the answer is yes. But as a neutral party, I disagree. That's because the reason this Browns team is 4-9 is not because of Romeo Crennel. It's because of Phil Savage and upper management. Just think about it. It was Savage that signed Derek Anderson to a long-term contract. It was Savage that brought in hot-headed Winslow and butterfingers Braylon. Oh, and the Jurevicius and Stallworth signings have worked like a charm so far.

No, the problem with the Browns is not Crennel. In fact, he's a positive part about the team. Despite their lack of talent in some key positions, this team fights hard under Crennel. 6 of their 9 losses have come by 10 points or less and that's against the likes of the 10-3 Steelers, 9-4 Ravens, 8-5 Broncos, and 9-4 Colts. Plus, they beat the 11-2 NY Giants 35-14. What is working against Crennel is that after last year's 10-6 season (in which none of the 10 wins came against a playoff team), Browns fans came into this season with incredibly high expectations. So now, when they face one of the toughest schedules in the NFL and struggle slightly, Browns fans call for Crennel's throat.

Give him a break. I have no problem firing a coach because he has lost his team. But that's not the case here. The Browns fight in every game, as seen every game. I mean, they stuck with Tennessee with Ken Dorsey at QB! This is an injury-plagued team with subpar players playing a superior schedule (only 1 team with less than 6 wins). I know what Browns fans want is some consistency from their team. Well, firing Crennel won't help bring that in 2009. And since Marty and Cowher don't seem interested in trying to be Cleveland's coaching savior, I think it's time Browns fans put the blame where it belongs. Not on Crennel. Let him keep his job and prove his worth with a healthy quarterback, players that perform like they're paid, and a fan base that actually supports him, not demand he be fired.