Report: Browns fire GM Savage

Dec 29, 2008 - 1:48 AM CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Phil Savage's tenure in Cleveland apparently is over.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Sunday that the Browns have fired their embattled general manager following a 31-0 loss to Pittsburgh that concluded an embarrassing 4-12 campaign.

The newspaper reported that owner Randy Lerner made the decision before the game. A source told the Plain Dealer the decision was based on problems with Savage's communication and leadership skills.

Savage was the architect of a Browns team that went 24-40 during his four years in Cleveland. The team was 25-40 with one playoff appearance in the four years prior to Savage's arrival.

The newspaper reported that Lerner is hoping to recruit former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher or New England vice president Scott Pioli to help revamp the Browns.

Cleveland went 10-6 last season and narrowly missed the playoffs, prompting ownership to sign Savage to a three-year extension last May.

However, things went terribly wrong this season. The Browns started four different quarterbacks and set an NFL record by failing to score an offensive touchdown in their final 24 quarters.

All that aside, Savage ultimately may have been his own worst enemy. He got into a messy argument with star tight end Kellen Winslow, who was angered by the team's apparent staph infection problems.

Winslow was hospitalized earlier this season with what the team called, "an undisclosed illness." Winslow said he was told to by management to keep his infection to himself.

The Browns denied that accusation and suspended Winslow after he spoke out, only to rescind the suspension upon appeal.

In addition, Savage responded to a disgruntled fan in an e-mail that contained an expletive following a win over Buffalo on November 17.

With Savage gone, head coach Romeo Crennel is expected to be next.