This morning, the word came out of Berea that Browns’ President John Collins is out, apparently losing his power struggle with Vice President and GM Phil Savage. After Friday’s rumor that Savage was about to be fired by Collins, a move that would have set the franchise back yet again, Randy Lerner’s ownership was about to be hammered by the fans and the media. Thankfully, Lerner came to his senses and unloaded his yes-man.
The reason this team hasn’t won since 1964 is because very rarely has the organization been run by a football man. In the mid 1980’s, Ernie Accorsi ran the organization and brought in guys like Frank Minnifield and Kevin Mack from the USFL, and helped orchastrate the Bernie Kosar drafting. The Browns went to three AFC Championship Games, although they lost to Denver. The point is the team won.
Usually guys like Art Modell and Carmen Policy were running the operation, guys more interested in marketing and promotion that winning football. This is the kind of man John Collins was. The Cavaliers used the same metality when Gordon Gund owned the team. Gund changed uniform colors, brought in star players, traded players he thought had questionnable friends. Fans stayed away in droves. There is only one thing that draws in Cleveland, winning! If the team wins, people will go to the games. If Randy Lerner wants the Browns to regain the lofty perch they enjoyed until the team left in 1994, winning should be the primary focus.
Collins’ resignation means that Savage will remain in control of the football operation, which is a very good thing. It has been reported that Head Coach Romeo Crennel went to bat for Savage, probably because he doesn’t want to continue to coach poor personnel forever. Crennel and Savage worked closely in training camp, making decisions on who can play and who cannot. A head coach would rather discuss those decisions with a football man than another suit in the front office.
A decision to get rid of Savage would have stamped the organization as a laughing stock. After all, it hasn’t even been a year since the GM joined the team from the Ravens. A two game improvement from the 4-12 record in 2004 would have went down the drain. This is a team on the rise, with a coach and general manager who have experience with winning teams. Maybe Collins didn’t like the attention the two were getting. Or maybe Collins was looking for a scapegoat for the 41-0 drilling by Pittsburgh, instead of just seeing the game for what it was, a better team winning.
Today, at least, common sense has taken control in the Browns’ organization. Randy Lerner chose the right man instead of an ass kisser. Phil Savage has a stronger hold on his position in charge of football operations. Perhaps three years from now, Savage should be on the hot seat, but not now, not after one year in the position. Phil, keep wearing the baseball hat with the suit, if you win, it will be colorful. No matter what John Collins thinks.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 