Fresh off the heels of yesterday's Saturday's firing of GM Phil Savage, the Cleveland Browns have confirmed that Head Coach Romeo Crennel has been given a pink slip of his own.

Crennel went 24-40 in his four years as coach of the Browns, including a disgusting 0-fer against the Steelers.

Rumors have been swirling for weeks around Berea that former Steelers coach, Bill Cowher would be first on the list of those being considered as the next front-man for the Browns. However, owner Randy Lerner has stated that he has been in contact with Cowher and was turned down.

Currently being mentioned for GM consideration is Patriots Executive VP Scott Pioli.

As for coaches, Lerner seems interested in now-deposed Jets coach, Eric Mangini and New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

No excuses, no stories. Just here to let you all know that the Dawg Pound is back. Sorry for the lapse, and I hope you all will give the site another shot as your source for all things Cleveland Browns.

For those stopping in for the first time, please take a look around at some of the older posts to get a feel for the place.

For those who are coming back after my prolonged absence, please note that this week I will be getting back into "regular update" mode on here, and the site will be back to its original glory...

Thanks to you all!

Well, the housecleaning has officially begun in Berea with the firing of Cleveland Browns GM Phil Savage. The news isn't exactly surprising, considering Phil's short list of accomplishments and long list of short-comings.

Among the positives are drafting Joe Thomas, signing then-undrafted Josh Cribbs, and snagging QB Derek Anderson off Baltimore's waiver wire.

However, Savage has also whiffed in the later rounds of the draft, traded spots with the Ravens - allowing them to pick up NT Haloti Ngata and the Browns to take Kamerion Wimbley, who dropped off the face of the earth after his rookie season, mishandled several in-house situations (Kellen Winslow's staph infection, etc.), and replied to a fan's email with, "F--k you, go root for Buffalo."

Gee, who saw this move coming??

EDIT: It was confirmed on WKNR Monday morning that Phil Savage was actually fired on Saturday, before the game.

Thanks to my brother-in-law for the pic from the stands

- Wow, is this weather nasty or what? I touched on the weather during today's show on Dawg Pound Radio, and it has only gotten worse. The wind is on a tear off the lake, and the snow continues to fall. The field is so snowy, that there was a minute-and-a-half delay while the referees tried to find the 50 yard line to spot the ball.

- Jamal Lewis is a stud in the snow. He's already broken off a couple big runs, and has 80 yards and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry at the half. During the Browns' last drive of the half, J-Lew went over the 1,000 yard mark for the 6th time in his career.

- The Browns have not been afraid to throw in the bad weather, and it's definitely paying off. Braylon Edwards has made a couple spectacular catches already, and is over 100 yards for the day. Meanwhile, the Bills haven't been able to throw the ball very much in the first half, and Trent Edwards has only thrown 9 times.

- The Browns' defense is not itself. It's actually stopping the Bills. There have already been several runs stuffed at or before the line of scrimmage, and Andra Davis has had a couple big plays in the backfield as well. The firm of Smith, Smith & Kelley has been getting a good push off the line, and have been able to produce some penetration when rushing just 3 or 4 guys.

- After this first half, I will slap the stupid out of anyone who continues to say that Phil Dawson shouldn't be in Cleveland. Not that I wouldn't have before, but Phil's cranked out two field goals, including an unbelievable 48-yarder into the wind. I know he's getting older, and his leg's not quite as strong as it used to be, but please, name 3 other kickers that would put that kick right down the middle? I'll wait...

More to come later. Enjoy the 2nd half!

***DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, THIS SHOW HAS BEEN MOVED TO 12:30pm EDT. THE SHOW WILL ONLY BE 30 MINUTES TODAY. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE!***

This week, the Browns and Bills will face each other, and the elements, in a game loaded with playoff potential. Remember to stop by before the game to get the latest updates, speak your mind, and give your predictions LIVE on Dawg Pound Radio!

Again, we'll be giving you a game preview, injury updates, weather and more. It's supposed to be a COLD and downright nasty day - a perfect day for football!

Date: Sunday, December 13th, 2007
Time: 12:00 pm EDT
LIVE Call-in Number: (646) 595-2482

It wasn't the prettiest of victories, but the Browns will take it as they remain in playoff contention and move past the Jets 24-18 yesterday at Giants' Stadium.

Despite a few hiccups, Cleveland's defense was able to bear down in clutch moments - including a heart (and Jet) stopping goal line stand to start the second quarter that was capped off by a Sean Jones interception in the end zone.

Jamal Lewis put the proverbial "nail in the coffin" with a 31-yard rumble, shedding several Jets defenders on his way to the end zone, and Joe Jurevicius was able to recover 2 of 3 onside kicks for the Browns to hang on.

That's all for now, but be sure to check in later, as I'll be posting my full review of the action this evening.

EDIT (12/11/07): I was unable to post my review last night. I'll get that taken care of this evening. Sorry!

The first installment of Dawg Pound Radio will be today at noon!

Join me as I talk about today's game between the Browns and Jets. I'll be giving my game preview, injury reports for both teams, as well as taking your calls live on the air. Be sure to stop by so you don't miss our very first live show!

Date: Sunday, December 9th, 2007
Time: 12:00 pm
Call In: (646) 595-2482

Clicking image will take you to Dawg Pound Radio


UPDATE: Our first show went pretty well. Special thanks to Barry McBride at the Muni Lot for calling in! If you missed the show, you can see the archives at Dawg Pound Radio. Shows can be played off the site or downloaded to your computer or ipod!

Now that I've wiped a bit of egg from my face in picking the Browns to handily (based on the score) beat the Cardinals, here's the game in review:

1st Quarter:

The game began with a miscue, when Derek Anderson - unpressured - threw the ball away to the left side. He was called for intentional grounding, and the Browns had already set off on the wrong foot. After what appeared to be the beginnings of a nice drive, Anderson threw a pick-6, and then aborted a snap shortly thereafter.

I couldn't find a pic of "the boot," so I guess a picture of Leigh Bodden getting burned will do.

On the Cardinals' ensuing drive, Kurt Warner threw an incomplete pass that would have brought up fourth down and four - that is, if Leigh Bodden didn't decide to do his best "Phil Dawson" and boot the ball into the bench. Bodden was called for Deglay of Game, and the five yards assessed were enough to give the Cards a first down. Warner and Edgerrin James continued to carry the Cards downfield and capped off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Pope.

Definitely a tough first ten minutes to watch...

Penalties, turnovers and overall mistakes cost the Browns today, as they lost to the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz.

Special teams wasn't exactly a highlight this week, and Leigh Bodden is starting to make mistakes that can no longer be explained by an ailing back - or much else, for that matter. Anderson threw two picks (one returned for a TD) and mishandled a snap, but also threw for 300-plus yards and brought the Browns from their own 18 to within inches of victory - with the help of Jason Wright and Kellen Winslow.

Winslow made a great catch in the end zone during the last play, but was ruled out of bounds. The call was upheld after the replay assistant called for a review. I'll have more later!

I know what you're thinking: "They'll just let any asshole on the airwaves now, won't they?"

Yes...Yes they will. As beautiful proof of this, I am very proud and excited to announce that the Dawg Pound will also be putting out a live radio show in Dawg Pound Radio.

I don't quite have a timetable on when the shows will start, but here's some of the scoop:

- Listen live, and call into the show - make your voice heard!
- With every show archived, you won't miss a single one!
- Live chat room to connect with myself, guests of the show, and other listeners

I'll bring you more updates as they come, so keep checking back!