When the news hit our forums last night that the Cleveland Browns had fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham some were shocked while others were elated. The story was not confirmed until this afternoon by the Browns, but indeed Grantham has been fired.

“Todd (Grantham) has worked extremely hard during his three seasons with the Browns. Following our discussions after the season, it was decided that it was in the best interests of the organization to move in a different direction,” said Cleveland Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel. “A decision on a new defensive coordinator will be forthcoming.”

Under Grantham the defense was never better than 16th overall and that was in his first year. The teams performance definitely warranted Grantham being fired even though he just signed a 2 year extension. What is not known is if Grantham was leaving on his own or if the Browns wanted him out. Reports of a rift between Grantham and Browns head coach Romeo Crennel had started to leak out. In fact it is believed that Crennel took over much of the defensive play calling over the last 6 weeks of the 2007 season, ironically the best play of the defense the entire year.

Grantham's fall from grace was swift and hard. Before the year started it was believed that if Crennel faltered Grantham would be the interim head coach in hopes he could be the long-term solution as head coach. To his credit Crennel did not falter, in fact some are thinking about tacking the nickname of Lazarus to the Browns head coach. Grantham's defense did and today he is no longer a member of the Cleveland Browns.

What we are left wondering about is this. Since the end of the 2006 season the Cleveland Browns have replaced 11 of their 20 coaching positions. From the strength and conditioning coach to the special teams coach to the offensive coordinator changes were made, but none to the defensive staff. That is all about to change though if an in-house coach like Mel Tucker isn't promoted to defensive coordinator. After that who is left? The answer is simple, Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage.

Crennel is believed to be getting a contract extension soon and appears in very good standing with Savage, but how long is that for? Grantham got a 2 year extension and is looking for employment without ever getting to the years that were extended. It also makes you wonder about who was in charge originally of selecting the coaching staff when Savage and Crennel took over. After the latest firing there's a good possibility that more than 90% of Crennel's original staff will no longer be in Cleveland when the 2008 season starts.

It's believed that Tucker will be in the mix to be the teams next defensive coordinator, but he won't be the only candidate. Early this week Savage brought up the name of former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. It wasn't as the teams next defensive coordinator, but it is odd that the position is now open and Savage and Ryan know each other very well. Ryan is also very familiar with the 3-4 scheme the Browns employ defensively.

Back to DawgBones.com