Crennel may have options
INDIANAPOLIS -- Only two NFL head coaching jobs are currently available and Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has interviewed for both. For a guy who couldn't get a bite on openings the last two years, Crennel might end up in the middle of a bidding war between the Browns and the 49ers.
A league source attending yesterday's Indianapolis-Denver game indicated Crennel "just blew away" the Cleveland front office during his interview Friday, and a six-hour interview with the 49ers late Friday and early Saturday also left officials from that team impressed.
"His stock skyrocketed with the Cleveland people," said the league official, who has knowledge of the interview. "At this point, I'd be very surprised if Romeo doesn't emerge as a head coach after his season is over."
Apparently Crennel, a year wiser about the interview process, has been far more prepared this time around. Crennel was forced to conduct five interviews in a short period of time during the bye week last season and wasn't able to put his best foot forward.
"There's no one more deserving," said the source. "If a Mike Holmgren or a Mike Shanahan or a Pete Carroll comes available, that's a different story. But if you want a coordinator, Romeo's the guy."
Cleveland general manager Phil Savage also interviewed Pittsburgh offensive line coach Russ Grimm Saturday. The Browns front office already has talked to Philadelphia offensive coordinator Brad Childress. Savage said late last week he would pause after interviewing interim coach Terry Robiskie today and re-assess the situation. Savage also is expected to speak with Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, and there's always the possibility, though remote, he could persuade his friend Kirk Ferentz, the coach at Iowa, to take the job.
The 49ers still seem to have interest in pursuing Carroll, and also may wait to see what other coaches become available. They also are searching for a GM.
The Dolphins are looking for a defensive coordinator. While Jim Bates, who was Miami's defensive coordinator but then finished the season as interim coach, has a chance to be retained as coordinator, the Miami Herald reported Sunday the Dolphins may wait to ask permission to speak to Patriots linebackers coach Dean Pees. Pees worked for new Dolphins coach Nick Saban at Michigan State.
If Crennel is hired as a head man, it will be interesting to see whom he chooses as a defensive coordinator. When Charlie Weis went to Notre Dame, he promised Bill Belichick he would not steal any offensive assistants. Crennel may have made the same promise.
Enjoying the moment
Whatever the Colts have planned for the Patriots next Sunday, coach Tony Dungy figures it isn't worth talking about until he fills in his Bowl-hopeful boys with the game plan Wednesday. "We haven't thought about New England yet," said Dungy, whose New England counterpart, Belichick, must have been picking apart the Colts-Broncos game tape well into the wee hours this morning. "I told our guys it isn't time for that yet. We will come in and have a good game plan for New England. The coaches will get that ready. Playoff games are special and I told our guys they need to enjoy this one." . . . Peyton Manning, who followed the pile into the end zone on his second-quarter QB sneak, estimated it was at least five years since he tried the tactic. The last time didn't bring the desired result. "There was that time I got hit by Ted Washington," recalled a wistful Manning, "and, no more sneaks." . . . Colts president Bill Polian's son, Brian, was named a coach on Weis's staff. The younger Polian was in the Colts' locker room yesterday wearing his Notre Dame jacket. "I guess he's not allowed to speak to Charlie this week," quipped the elder Polian.
Spreading the wealth
Manning was especially effective delivering the ball to his cadre of receivers, some of whom benefited by the Broncos loading up on Marvin Harrison. James Mungro and Dallas Clark each benefited, cashing in touchdown tosses. Wide receiver Brandon Stokley also made a couple of important grabs. Manning "did a great job of picking us out and putting us in the right situation," said the day's primary receiver, Reggie Wayne. "He was in a zone, man." On Wayne's second touchdown, Harrison threw an expert block just in front of the goal line that allowed Wayne easy entry on the right side. "We've done that for each other all year," said Wayne, who caught 12 TD passes in the regular season. "That's our way of saying to each other, `You're my brother, and I'll be there for you.' " . . . Colts center Jeff Saturday led the way on Manning's sneak. Now he's got his focus on the Patriots. "They've beat us the last few times we played them," Saturday said, "so we've got our work cut out for us. What we'll have to do is get our game plan, get focused, and go there and execute. New England is another team that's in our way as we try to get to our goal. I don't get more excited for one team more than another. I'm just excited on having the opportunity to move on."
