Crennel, Savage likely out

[MapleLeaf]

From espn.com

There may be silver linings available for Brown coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage after all.

Crennel, who has been on the chopping block with the Browns for several weeks, may get an opportunity to stay with the team as defensive coordinator, according to a report in The Plain Dealer of Cleveland.

If the Browns are unable to persuade former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, now a CBS NFL analyst, or convince Patriots vice president Scott Pioli to join the Browns, there is a chance Savage could be asked to remain in the job, NFL sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

Savage was informed earlier this week he may not be part of the process in looking for a new Browns coach -- an indicator Savage is on thin ice, sources told Mortensen.

Crennel and Savage will likely be asked to resign from their current positions as early as Monday, the Cleveland newspaper reported.

But Crennel could be offered the defensive coordinator job if Pioli were hired as GM, The Plain Dealer reported.

"I'll sit back and look to see what my options are, what situations might arise and then make a decision," Crennel said Friday.

The Browns, who went 10-6 last season, fell to 4-11 last Sunday with a 14-0 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.