Time to Tackle Crennel

Reading an article from cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer this morning it is evident that Romeo Crennel's tenure with the Browns must end after this season. Below are excerpts from Mary Kay Cabot's November 18th article regarding tackling.

“It's probably more technique because we tried to change up by rotating guys a little bit," said Crennel. "The previous two weeks, I thought that was it, but evidently I was wrong."

"As important as the missed tackles are the extra yardage they get from the those missed tackles," said Crennel.

Crennel said it's late in the season to practice live tackling -- especially with all the Browns' bumps and bruises -- but "we put emphasis on it, we talk to them about getting in position. We do drills where you get in position to tackle without tackling the guy live.” - from article "Browns' costly missed tackles a concern for defensive-minded Romeo Crennel" by Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporter 11/18/08 - click here for full article

Reading this was disturbing to me as a Browns fan. First of all, it makes Romeo look like a buffoon and makes it seem as if we Browns fans are idiots who do not know the game very well. It also highlights one of the recent ills of the NFL. That being poor tackling and fines for great tackles, (e.g. Justin Tuck's recent and rescinded fine for a beautiful crushing blow on the Cowboys QB Brooks Bollinger). Hated Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was right, this is becoming a league for pansies.

Romeo's comments on live drills are ridiculous. How are these “professionals” expected to tackle at full speed in a live action game if they are just going through the motions in practice? If you ask me, that's why we seeing more injuries on the field. Players don't know how to wrap up a runner, and instead go in head first, exposing themselves to more injuries than if they had wrapped the runner up and drove him to the ground. They are also not used to full impact of a 225 pound man coming at them with the same speed they are. I've seen better tackles at a bait shop than I have seen in the NFL these days.

“Technique” he says? Wouldn't that also involve engaging your opponent and learning to throw you body weight though his with your arms wrapped around him? If they knew how to do “live” tackling then you wouldn't have to worry about all of those extra yards after a missed tackle Romeo, because the runner would be down. Novel concept. It's hard to believe that this guy has received so much credit for the Patriots Super Bowl victories and their defensive schemes. Seems like the mad sweatshirt had more to do with it than you did.

Romeo, stop handling these “professionals” with kid gloves and make them get in there and knock some teeth out. While it is probably too late to save you own head coaching career, you can at least pull some underachieving players off the garbage heap before you go.