Romeo Crennel hasn’t won over many fans in his three-plus years as head coach of the Browns. But that list deserved to grow last week.
Crennel did a masterful job under trying circumstances, then capped the difficult week with a 23-17 road win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Crennel’s week started with meeting after meeting to discuss the punishment of Kellen Winslow for comments made about the front office. After an “organizational” decision — I doubt Crennel was in favor of a suspension — he signed the suspension letter.
He then spent much of the rest of the week answering questions about Winslow and reminding his other 52 players that they had an important game to play in Jacksonville. Somebody must’ve listened, because the Browns beat a quality and physical team that made the playoffs last year.
When it was done, Crennel quickly gave all the credit to his players.
“My hats are off to my guys,” he said. “If my guys will come to play the way they came to play today, then we’re going to be in it and we’re going to have a chance.”
Notice the use of “my guys.” Over the last 10 days, Crennel has staked his claim to the team like never before as his personality has shined through more than ever.
Perhaps he feels emboldened by the freedom that comes with the knowledge that he might lose his job if the season ends badly. Or perhaps he’s filling a vacuum in the organization he senses and was made obvious in the butchering of the Winslow situation.
Of course, Crennel would never say so. And he would never seek credit for doing his job and preparing his team to win. But he did admit Monday that last week represented a unique challenge.
“I know the team is human,” he said. “I know that probably they talked about what went on last week. Part of my job is to try to get them focused on the game. I think they listened.”
That’s why it was his finest hour as Browns coach. And that’s saying something for a guy who took over a team deprived of talent and helped turn it into a 10-game winner in 2007.
But Crennel dismissed the notion that last week was his most difficult on the job.
“Nah, I’ve been through harder,” he said.
Typical Crennel. No matter how well or how badly things are going, Crennel keeps an even keel. While fickle Browns fans long for hot-blooded, profanity-filled outbursts on the sideline – San Francisco interim coach Mike Singletary comes to mind – Crennel brings a stability that is much less sexy.
“When tough things happen, which happen to every team across the NFL, to have a coach who’s very even keel that really rubs off on the players and I really think it helped us in the game,” left tackle Joe Thomas said.
A gutsy decision by Crennel also paid dividends Sunday. Faced with a fourth-and-1 on Cleveland’s side of midfield in the second quarter, Crennel had a tough call. Go for it and put the defense at risk, or play it safe, punt and try to win the battle of field position?
Crennel decided to gamble – even after a botched third-and-1 in the first quarter — approved Rob Chudzinski’s play call and cheered on tight end Steve Heiden as he rumbled toward the end zone. The television cameras caught the normally stoic Crennel yelling “Run, Steve!” before he was dragged down at the 2-yard line.
The key to Crennel getting his message across is that the players respect him. That’s why the Browns always play hard, despite their struggles. That’s why they listened to him during the week of distractions.
One way he earns their respect is by understanding their mentality. He never alienated Winslow – unlike general manager Phil Savage – and the sentiment in the locker room was pro-Winslow, so Crennel should have a unified team as it begins a pivotal stretch of four home games in five weeks.
And if the Browns can continue their winning ways – they’ve quietly won three of four – the lonely Crennel supporters just might have company on the bandwagon.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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