Crennel hoping to hang on to job

Entering his third season, the Browns coach needs to win — now.

BEREA (AP) — A knotted rope dangles from the ceiling just inside the glass front doors of Cleveland’s team headquarters, a symbolic reminder for the Browns to hang on tightly as they climb together.

Romeo Crennel better grip it with both hands.

And feet.

Just 10-22 in his first two seasons as Cleveland’s coach, Crennel, who came to the Browns with a handful of Super Bowl rings he won as a defensive assistant, is embarking on a crucial third year with the Browns. They open the season Sunday at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Long before kickoff, there’s already speculation if Crennel gets fired, former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, who retired in January after 15 seasons with the black and gold, could return to the NFL in Cleveland.

“There’s talk around here among some of the players,” Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday. “We joke around, we think that [Cleveland] might be his No. 1 spot.”

Turbulent time

To his credit, the 60-year-old Crennel has maintained an even keel during his tenure. But it’s been a turbulent period for the Browns, the only team in the league to finish fourth in its division each of the past four seasons.

Crennel arrived from New England with a reputation as a straight shooter, a no-nonsense coach with a gift for getting the most out of his players. He was touted as friendly, firm and fair.

He hasn’t changed.

“I’m the same guy,” he said. “I just have more knowledge under my belt. I can anticipate some things a little bit better. When you sit in the head coaching seat there is something that happens every day that you don’t anticipate and how you deal with some of those things that come across the head coaching desk. From a coaching standpoint, I am the same coach.”

While announcing his final roster cuts Saturday, Browns general manager Phil Savage tried to extinguish the notion Crennel is on the hot seat. Savage pointed his finger at the media for creating the perception that Crennel is in trouble.

“You’re in the business of creating controversy and conflict,” Savage said. “We’ve had our share. Romeo and I are in the business to create cohesion and continuity. That’s the way we’re going to win.”

Crennel said he didn’t hear Savage’s comments, and didn’t have to after spending 25 years in the pro coaching ranks.

“I am a football coach in the NFL and every football coach in the NFL is on the hot seat,” he said. “You have to win games and that is the bottom line, and I am no different than anybody else.”