Canton
Browns analysis: Browns have to start over again vs. Steelers
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
BY STEVE DOERSCHUK
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The oldest NFL head coach sorely needs a second wind.
After getting blown away by Dallas to drop to 0-4 in season openers, Romeo Crennel seeks a revival against one of the league's youngest head coaches.
Here's one perspective on the relative experience of Crennel and Mike Tomlin, who brings the Steelers to Cleveland for an 8 p.m. kickoff Sunday:
? Crennel coached Willie McGinest on New England's Super Bowl winners in the 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons and now coaches him in Cleveland.
? Tomlin was born three months and four days after McGinest.
It's easy for the Browns to seem tired after they were outgained 487-205 in yards and 30-11 in first downs against Dallas.
The Browns also were awful in last year's opener, a 34-7 loss to Pittsburgh. A week later, they pulled a thrilling performance out of the blue, out-gunning the Bengals, 51-45.
But Crennel is 0-6 against Pittsburgh, with only two games finishing closer than a touchdown.
"We have to get better," Crennel said. "It wouldn't make any difference who the opponent was, we didn't play well enough in the first game and we need to play better in the next game.
"It's the Steelers. It's a division game. There's a lot riding on it and we're going to work our behinds off to try to get ready for it."
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