Published: Thursday, October 18, 2007
Lerner enjoying 3-3 start
The Browns' owner had
confidence in his coach and general manager.
BEREA (AP) — Randy Lerner pulled up a chair at the mammoth conference table, folded his arms across his chest and smiled.
These days, owning the Cleveland Browns isn't much of a burden.
After years of frustration and failure, football seasons filled with pathetic performances and nearly constant internal change, the Browns finally seem to be headed in the right direction.
They're 3-3, a surprising start for a team given little regard around the NFL.
For Cleveland's long-sufffering supporters, these are times to savor.
And the intensely private Lerner, a lifelong Browns fan who inherited the club following his father's death in 2002, is enjoying them.
"It's a good moment for us," Lerner said with pride Wednesday.
The Browns aren't alone, either. With the Indians one victory away from a trip to the World Series and the Cavaliers fresh off their first appearance in the NBA finals, Cleveland's three professional sports teams are enjoying an unprecedented run of success.
Like most Clevelanders, Lerner watched Game 4 of the ALCS between the Indians and Red Sox on Tuesday night, cheering every ball and strike with his 10-year-old son, whom he said was "going absolutely berserko."
"The overwhelming emotion is a lot of pride," Lerner said.
It's the same feeling he's now having while watching his own team play.
That hasn't always been the case, though.
Following a 34-7 drubbing at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener, the Browns seemed destined for another disastrous season. They had started 1-5 in 2006, and a similar start would in all likelihood have led to more upheaval, including the possible firing of coach Romeo Crennel.
Lerner wasn't about to let things slide again.
On the Monday morning after the Pittsburgh debacle, Lerner began a series of meetings with Crennel, general manager Phil Savage and senior vice president Mike Keenan to see what could be done to stop the season from unraveling.
"We spoke one-on-one, we spoke two-on-one, we spoke as a foursome," Lerner said. "Everybody pitched in. There were some memorable visits during that period where all four of us got together and dug in and put our heads together and figure out how to strengthen the resolve within the building."
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The Browns' owner had
confidence in his coach and general manager.
BEREA (AP) — Randy Lerner pulled up a chair at the mammoth conference table, folded his arms across his chest and smiled.
These days, owning the Cleveland Browns isn't much of a burden.
After years of frustration and failure, football seasons filled with pathetic performances and nearly constant internal change, the Browns finally seem to be headed in the right direction.
They're 3-3, a surprising start for a team given little regard around the NFL.
For Cleveland's long-sufffering supporters, these are times to savor.
And the intensely private Lerner, a lifelong Browns fan who inherited the club following his father's death in 2002, is enjoying them.
"It's a good moment for us," Lerner said with pride Wednesday.
The Browns aren't alone, either. With the Indians one victory away from a trip to the World Series and the Cavaliers fresh off their first appearance in the NBA finals, Cleveland's three professional sports teams are enjoying an unprecedented run of success.
Like most Clevelanders, Lerner watched Game 4 of the ALCS between the Indians and Red Sox on Tuesday night, cheering every ball and strike with his 10-year-old son, whom he said was "going absolutely berserko."
"The overwhelming emotion is a lot of pride," Lerner said.
It's the same feeling he's now having while watching his own team play.
That hasn't always been the case, though.
Following a 34-7 drubbing at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener, the Browns seemed destined for another disastrous season. They had started 1-5 in 2006, and a similar start would in all likelihood have led to more upheaval, including the possible firing of coach Romeo Crennel.
Lerner wasn't about to let things slide again.
On the Monday morning after the Pittsburgh debacle, Lerner began a series of meetings with Crennel, general manager Phil Savage and senior vice president Mike Keenan to see what could be done to stop the season from unraveling.
"We spoke one-on-one, we spoke two-on-one, we spoke as a foursome," Lerner said. "Everybody pitched in. There were some memorable visits during that period where all four of us got together and dug in and put our heads together and figure out how to strengthen the resolve within the building."
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Randy Lerner pulled up a chair at the mammoth conference table, folded his arms across his chest and smiled.
These days,...
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