The Cleveland Browns have extended head coach Romeo Crennel’s contract for two more years according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Bleacher Report makes some good points that extending Crennel might have been a mistake.
But does he really deserve a new contract? Shouldn’t he have to prove this wasn’t a one-year wonder, that he can keep it going for another year and actually get into the playoffs?
It’s not like Crennel would have entered next season as a lame duck. He had two years left on his original deal. And the Browns should have pretended they were playing a game of HORSE and made him prove it.
After all, the Browns went just 1-3 against teams that made the playoffs, and many of their victories were close, high-scoring contests won by their offense. Crennel is supposed to be a defensive guru, and yet that side of the ball ranked 30th in the NFL in yards allowed.
In fact, Crennel’s defenses in Cleveland have declined every year, from 16th in 2005 to 27th in 2006 to 30th this season.
Before this past season, I think a lot of Brown fans were ready for Romeo to disappear. I agree with the article that with two years already left on his contract, Cleveland should have waited at least another year for him to prove that last season wasn’t a one-hit wonder. I wouldn’t go as far to say it was a bad move or a mistake, but it’s a curious one nonetheless. We should probably hold judgment on his defensive prowess until he gets more talent on that side of the ball, however.
