Just when it looked like the Browns were turning things around -- one-game winning streak! Brady Quinn rulz! Braylon Edwards only dropped five passes on Monday night! -- general manager Phil Savage had to go and drop an electronic f-bomb on a disgruntled fan. Bacon touched on it earlier, and PFT pointed out that Savage really isn't the sort who uses naughty language, but there's only so much one man can take, apparently. Hey, it happens.
Whatever, head coach Romeo Crennel inexplicably commented on the situation during his daily news conference. From the Akron Beacon Journal's Patrick McManamon (via MDS at PFT):
Browns coach Romeo Crennel more or less confirmed today that General Manager Phil Savage responded to a fan's hostile e-mail with an implied obscenity Monday night.To Savage's credit, the f-bomb was, in fact, implied. According to Deadspin, the Browns GM provided a simple "Go root for Buffalo-f#@* you-" in response to an irate fan's e-mail questioning the direction of the team. That could mean anything.
''We all get frustrated at times,'' Crennel said in his daily news conference. He continued by saying people try to be ''professional'' and hold it in, but ''sometimes things slip out... It's unfortunate that it slipped out,'' Crennel said.
So, yeah, I was pretty much willing to dismiss this story as some unhinged Browns supporter finally snapping, and just fabricating a conversation in the hopes that something -- anything -- changed at Berea headquarters. Now, though, Crennel basically admits that Savage sent the note, which, frankly, makes my head hurt.
This seems like one of those times when "I know nothing about that, we're focusing on this week's game" is appropriate. The absolute worst response? "We all get frustrated at times ... sometimes things slip out." Good God, man, did you just fall off the turnip truck?
But in the end, all's well and whatnot; Savage and the fan have metaphorically kissed and made up:
"It happened after the game," Savage in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "There had been previous e-mails from him over the months and enough was enough. We have both apologized to each other since. The Browns' fans have overwhelmingly been supportive of me over the past 3-plus seasons and I appreciate that greatly."(As someone who receives his fair share of notes from outraged readers, I understand, Phil. Not sayin' you should've done it, but I understand.)
For the record, I hardly think this is reason enough for Savage to lose his job. If people got fired for cursing, I'd be chronically unemployed. That said, there are plenty of legitimate reasons to can Savage, starting with the guy who accidentally ratted him out at this morning's presser.
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Peter Ripka and New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning attend Judith Ripka's Holiday Shopping Night hosted by Eli Manning at Judith Ripka on November 17, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Judith Ripka) *** Local Caption *** Eli Manning
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: (L-R) Brian Ripka and his brother David Ripka speak with New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning at Judith Ripka's Holiday Shopping Night hosted by Eli Manning at Judith Ripka on November 17, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Judith Ripka) *** Local Caption *** Eli Manning;Brian Ripka;David Ripka
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: (L-R) Brian Ripka, New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning, and David Ripka attend Judith Ripka's Holiday Shopping Night hosted by Eli Manning at Judith Ripka on November 17, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Judith Ripka) *** Local Caption *** Eli Manning;Brian Ripka;David Ripka
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: David Ripka poses with New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning at Judith Ripka's Holiday Shopping Night hosted by Eli Manning at Judith Ripka on November 17, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Judith Ripka) *** Local Caption *** Eli Manning;David Ripka
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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Jamal Lewis #31 of the Cleveland Browns jumps over Donte Whitner #20 and Keith Ellison #56 of the Buffalo Bills on November 17, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jamal Lewis;Donte Whitner;Keith Ellison
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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Brady Quinn #10 of the Cleveland Browns runs against the Buffalo Bills November 17, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brady Quinn
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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Marshawn Lynch #23 of the Buffalo Bills runs as Terry Cousin #25 of the Cleveland Browns comes in for the tackle November 17, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marshawn Lynch;Terry Cousin
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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Members of the Buffalo Bills defense wait to be announced prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns November 17, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Trent Edwards #5 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the Cleveland Browns on November 17, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Trent Edwards
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Cleveland Browns runningback Jamal Lewis straight arms towards the goal line against the Buffalo Bills during NFL football action at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York November 17, 2008. REUTERS/Adam Wiepert (UNITED STATES)
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
This dramatically improves my perception of the team.
They could win the rest of their games if he sends Edwards a card reading "Happy Holidays. Catch the ball. F*&^% you! - The Savage"
excellent - I love it. Edwards is terrible.
This is a big deal? F*&^ you.
not a big deal f*ku 2 lol freedom of speach
Winslow is a piece of F*&^-ing meat
This from the same guy who suspended Kellen Winslow over running his mouth... way to keep it professional, Phil
Look people, I dont blame the GM, after all they are in Cleveland a.k.a. "The armpit of America!" The team stinks, their players stink, and the ownership stinks. So I dont blame the GM.
jacks you're an idiot. Are sure your name's not really jacks-off? Go back to Pittsburgh.
"Armpit of America"???? I beg your pardner? Who are you to criticize a city that has PLENTY of culture ... museums, theatres, etc.... If you live here & don't like it guess what? You have a choice ... LEAVE! If you don't live here THEN SHUT UP!!!
Cleveland is far from being the Armpit of America. I live in North Carolina, and have no association with Cleveland at all other than being a hugh Browns fan. We try to go to at least two games per year in Cleveland. It's a great city with great people who love and support the Browns. Cleveland fans are the best fans in football.
If I was forced to be a Browns fan, then I would be dropping the F-Bomb too.......
Most of those pro-sports people are trash
What's the big F'ing deal?!? I don't know why that word stirs up so much fervor. The word has become so common in today's language it should be in the dictionary as a noun, verb, and an adjective.........it is the all-american word used by everyone from school kids to little old ladies to describe everything in one way or another.
When you hear 'frickin' you think, fu--ing.......or freaking...just remember in the beautiful prose of the wise sage and word man who went before me, George Carlin..."shoot is just shit with two O's"..............peace and smile today...Roshi
lmao!!!!.....LOVE IT...GREAT POST!
Good to see SOMEONE in this organization has some fire in him. SUIT UP, Phil, we need you.
Well that will teach the "FAN" to be rude! Many individuals take the liberty of saying What Little They Have on their mind and think it is funny when they get away with it. Let's call this "Rewarding Bad Behavior!" Well the GM responded and that should be that! If the fan were an expert they probably would have hired him/her for their "expertise." How do we or ever will know that he didnt mean "S C R E W" you? Much ado about Nutt'ing Mon
2 Words!!! GO STEELERS!!!
I'm a Steeler fan who has always appreciated the other "Blue Collar" teams. The Brownies are one of them. I can relate to their frustration. Maybe the ignorate fan deserved it.
I'd like to see this team turn things around. Brady looks like he's their man for the future. I wish them luck.
What a classless moron.. Sports Rule #1 - never ever ever ever dis the fans... ever.
What's the big %#*@ing deal. If you listen to 90% of the _!%#)^$ conversations around toy during the day, you will hear many $%^#@)_ colorful words. The !_??/}[!+; a break and let him wiork on getting his >