Author: Tim Russo (Page 6 of 89)

That’s what this story on Fox Sports makes it sound like.

It may sound funny, even ludicrous, but if Savage is finally fired in Cleveland after less than one year on the job, it’s because Lerner didn’t like him. Simple as that.

Whatever’s going on, this situation, where you’ve got the entire sports media universe saying he’s fired, and the Browns saying he’s not, is untenable.

And how did he get into ESPN’s story about Phil Savage getting fired? Don’t ask Randy Lerner.

ESPN.com’s story even named a possible replacement: Atlanta Falcons vice president Ray Anderson. “I have never met Ray Anderson in my life,” Lerner said. “And I have never had a conversation with Ray Anderson and I have never had a discussion with anybody at any time about Ray Anderson having a role with the Cleveland Browns.”

Allrighty, then.

This is getting very interesting. As of this morning, ESPN still stands by their “Savage gonna be fired” story, continues to scroll it on ESPNews along with the John Collins denial of the original Chris Mortensen report, and has this on ESPN.com.

Mortensen, however, has confirmed the team’s plan with several sources, and stands by his report.

And the Browns have this on their website.

In response to rumors that were widely circulated today, the Cleveland Browns wish to reiterate that Phil Savage is and will continue to be our senior vice president and general manager.

Something is definitely going on here.

Before everyone starts getting all rah rah for WTAM’s Mike Trivissonno scooping everyone with the John Collins denial that Phil Savage was fired, pay attention. EVERYBODY thought Savage was fired until Collins went on the air at WTAM, including WTAM. This is from Cleveland.com (the Plain Dealer’s site) at 5.43 pm, before Collins went on the air at 6.10.

5:43 p.m. update
WTAM Browns sideline reporter Casey Coleman is reporting that Phil Savage is definitely out as General Manager after he refused to rework his contract and give up some of his duties.

Some guy called WTAM saying Jim Donovan was on the air on WKYC reporting that Savage was gone at 6.15 pm, while Collins was just getting on the air at WTAM. Yeah, there’s nothing to this story. Nothing to see here. Move along.

What. The. F. WKNR just reported a ton of stuff….Savage and some of his staff out. Ray Anderson in. Crennel will be ordered to fire some assistants. Collins takes over some duties. I switch to WTAM, and John Collins is on there saying “Phil Savage is not getting fired, will not be fired”, we’ve “renewed our vows.” Ray Anderson not being brought in. Chaos.

Collins & Fat Pig Triv are kissing each other’s ass on the air, Trivisonno; “This ain’t a ratings play, we didn’t start this, John!” Collins; “I know you guys wouldn’t do that.” Everybody blames ESPN. Trivissonno asks if Savage might resign, Collins says, “I don’t know.”

NEW TAKE? Yeah, ESPN has the worst journalists in the entire world, they’re all a bunch of hacks, how dare they. Nothing to see here, move along. This is going to get very interesting. Let’s see how this plays out after the Ravens game.

UPDATE – WKNR, after reporting “deed was done” at 6.00, then going to Danny Ferry on the phone while WTAM talks to John Collins who denies it, comes back at 6.30 to report the “deed was undone…entire story flipped upside down in the last half hour.”

No idea what the hell is going on here. Seems to me either ESPN’s Chris Mortensen really went off half cocked, or he got played by someone in the Browns front office, or this whole thing will resurface next week.