Browns Coach Romeo Crennel Looks To Keep Politics Out Of Locker Room
The Cleveland Browns have been walking on eggs in the locker room for a while now. What’s another dozen?
For weeks, players have talked carefully about the chance Brady Quinn might replace Derek Anderson at quarterback. Going into Monday night’s game against the Giants, Anderson’s 49.9 passer rating ranks ahead of just one 2008 regular, Kansas City’s Tyler Thigpen.
Quinn is a swirl of intrigue blowing through a season teetering on the brink.
That was true even before he stepped into the drama of a tempestuous presidential race, agreeing to introduce Republican nominee John McCain at a local rally. This came on the heels of defensive captain Willie McGinest’s public endorsement of Democrat Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Head Coach Romeo Crennel said he warned players in a post-practice meeting not to let politics divide the team.
Quinn introduced McCain to an overflow crowd in Strongsville on Wednesday, alluding to the fact his father and McCain both are Vietnam veterans.
“This man has endured great adversity,” Quinn said in presenting McCain. “Too often we label people heroes. Tonight we have a real hero among us.”
Quinn is a backup quarterback but probably is as recognizable as any Brown. He might not be the backup for long. Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin said Thursday he is preparing for the possibility he might face Anderson and Quinn.
Quinn spent Wednesday and Thursday somewhat in the national spotlight. His appearance at the McCain rally, in the company of left tackle Joe Thomas, was alluded to on Rush Limbaugh’s radio show.
Both Quinn and Thomas stayed in the shadows in Berea, though, in the wake of Crennel’s directive.
A few other Browns shed a little light on how politics is mixing with football.
“Everybody talks about it,” defensive end Shaun Smith said. “It’s on TV all day every day. … But you try to keep it out of the locker room, because you don’t want to cause no confrontation or nothing. … You don’t want to step on nobody’s toes.”
Smith indicated he is an Obama supporter. Did it bother him that Quinn introduced McCain?
“It’s not a big deal,” Smith said. “Everybody has their opinion. Some people feel we should run the ball more.”
Offensive captain Hank Fraley, a center, said offensive linemen talk politics without becoming heated.
“In here, (politics) is more fun and games,” Fraley said. “We like to argue a little bit. Half the time none of us know what we’re talking about anyway.
“Brady represents McCain. That’s his view. He has the right. That’s why it’s America. You have the right to do what you want.”
What about Crennel’s telling his team he doesn’t want politics to become divisive?
” ‘RAC’ was just basically telling everybody not to let politics affect what we’ve got going on here against a really good Giants team,” receiver Donté Stallworth said.
Stallworth’s view of Quinn’s introducing McCain?
“I was excited for him, actually,” he said. “Regardless of whether I was voting for McCain or not, to be able to meet someone of his position and his power …”
- Steve Doerschuk, Canton Republic
