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Y! MyWebNFL NOTES
Browns keep presidential politics on the sidelines
Friday, October 10, 2008
The country is divided into states colored red and blue. Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel wants his locker room to remain brown and orange.
Crennel gathered his players after practice Wednesday, Oct. 8, and urged them to keep their political views private. With the presidential election weeks away in a political season gushing with history and hysteria, Crennel doesn't want his players to lose focus or split into camps.
"Politics are their politics as long as they don't interfere with the team," Crennel said Thursday. "That's my main concern, that they don't get on a soap box in the locker room and get it going back and forth about a particular candidate against another candidate. That's why the ballot is a secret ballot when you go vote."
Shortly after Crennel spoke to his team, backup quarterback Brady Quinn and tackle Joe Thomas attended a boisterous rally for Republican presidential nominee John McCain in Strongsville. Quinn introduced McCain, hailing the Senator and former prisoner of war in Vietnam, as a hero. Quinn's father, Ty, is a Vietnam veteran.
Crennel said he had no problem with Quinn's decision to show his support for McCain.
"He took the time to do that, but as long as he keeps it outside the building and outside the team, that's his choice," Crennel said.
Players are heeding their coach's wishes in the locker room, but that doesn't mean they have to stay quiet in the lunch room, on the way to the practice field or when they are away from the team's facility.
Last weekend, Browns linebacker Willie McGinest attended an early-voter registration rally in downtown Cleveland sponsored by Democratic nominee Barack Obama. McGinest said he was motivated by Obama to vote for the first time.
Browns kicker Phil Dawson has been with the club since its 1999 expansion rebirth. This is his third presidential election since coming to Cleveland, and he said this one has been remarkably subdued inside the team.
"This has been the calmest one," he said. "I can remember open, loud, lively debates. This year, it seems relatively quiet. ... Maybe we all know each other better and where everyone stands."
Odds and ends
Cowboys: Troubled cornerback Adam Jones won't be disciplined by the team for a scuffle with his bodyguard that team owner Jerry Jones said resulted from joking banter that got out of hand and was quickly settled. Dallas police were called to a downtown hotel because of the disturbance late Tuesday night.
Lions: Jon Kitna's 36-game starting streak is in jeopardy after the former Bengals quarterback missed a second straight practice because of an injured back. Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton to split snaps.
Redskins: Defensive end Jason Taylor practiced for the first time since the emergency surgery on his left calf 17 days ago.
Broncos: Tailback Selvin Young, who has averaged 5.7 yards a carry, won't play against the Jaguars because of a strained left groin, meaning Michael Pittman will split snaps with Andre Hall.
