[h=1]Browns players hope Shurmur’s ways bring continuity[/h] Atmosphere new coach creates has the Browns very eager to produce
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published: September 8, 2011 - 12:12 AM RELATED STORIES
Browns players hope Shurmur’s ways bring continuity September 08,2011 03:12 AM GMT Marla Ridenour Beacon Journal Publishing Co.
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BEREA: Wednesday wasn’t the official start of the Pat Shurmur era.
But it was the first day the Browns came to work under Shurmur when it counted, beginning preparation for Sunday’s regular-season opener at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Somehow, the atmosphere seemed different.
Call it a “gut” feeling, as Butch Davis would. Reinforce it with an affable “sure,” as Romeo Crennel always did.
But some players believe they might finally be seeing the end of the revolving door of coaches.
Counting Shurmur, five men have held the Browns’ top job in 13 years since the franchise returned in 1999. Three have been handed the reins in the past five seasons.
Not only have the faces changed, but also the rules, the personalities and the demeanors. So have the openness, the trust and the tone of voice.
In a little over a month, the rookie coach who spent only two years as an offensive coordinator has earned his players’ respect. And perhaps the biggest key was being secure enough in himself and his system to give them ownership of the team.
“He’s created a great environment for us to want to come to work,” linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said of Shurmur, his third coach since he was drafted in 2006. “You can tell the players are more involved. We have a lot more opinion about things.
“The defensive and offensive side, they’ve named their guys and we basically run the team from within. If the issue gets bigger than that, the head man will step in. But he’s given us ownership of the team. In the past it hasn’t really been like that.”
Linebacker Scott Fujita, one of three on the Browns’ active roster with a Super Bowl ring, appreciates that approach.
“In general the teams that are successful, they’re player-led teams,” said Fujita, who played on the New Orleans Saints championship team in 2009. “Coach Shurmur is going to turn over the keys to us and say, ‘You need to run this thing the right way. I don’t need to be the guy policing the locker room. That’s on you guys.’ I think we embraced that.
“There’s two different philosophies. Not saying one’s better than the other. This is good for this group of guys.”
Cornerback Sheldon Brown admits he’s biased. Beginning his 10th year in the NFL, Brown spent eight years in Philadelphia, seven of those when Shurmur was the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach. But Brown said Shurmur putting the onus on his players is “how it should be.”
“You have guys who go home to their families, to their kids. You’ll tell me I can raise a family, but I can’t behave and act like a pro?” Brown said. “Give me the locker room. He understands that and I think that’s why the guys love and respect him.”
The professionalism Shurmur brought and the continuity expected from the pairing of Shurmur, president Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert was a big reason left tackle Joe Thomas signed a seven-year, $84 million contract extension on Aug. 22.
“He won the respect of some of the leaders on the team right away with the way he treated them,” Thomas said. “Everyone kind of falls in line when you get that to happen.”
Shurmur believes in a professional approach, in people doing their jobs, and in human dignity. That means “everybody’s job is important whether you’re talking to the media or you might be on two phases of special teams,” he said.
When he metes out his rules, he explains the reasons why, even for something so simple as tucking in jerseys and undershirts at practice.
“First of all it looks good,” Shurmur said. “Second of all, it’s a safety concern. Nobody that is trying to tackle you will grab the back of your jersey. Even if they want to, they can’t get it.”
That method is going over well with kicker Phil Dawson, the longest-tenured Brown, who is beginning his 13th season in Cleveland.
“That’s the way it is with my kids,” said Dawson, a father of three. “I’ve tried just laying it down and they’ll follow it, but sometimes when you explain, ‘This is why,’ they respond better. We certainly have.”
Shurmur has brought more than that, Dawson said.
“There’s definitely a very professional feeling. More stable in some ways,” he said. “The communication is very clear. Everybody knows what’s expected. There’s not a lot of emotion, not highs or lows.”
Long-snapper Ryan Pontbriand, drafted by Davis in 2003, practically glows over the change in atmosphere.
“This is the most positive, the happiest I’ve been since I’ve been here,” Pontbriand said. “The focus is still the same, it’s about doing your job, being professional, making plays. But the attitude is completely positive, there’s no negative whatsoever. I’m almost a little shocked at how positive it is.
“It’s kind of funny, this is all I ever wanted. I’ve always wanted to be on a team where they say, ‘Be a professional and do your job.’ ”
Asked about feeling so strongly about a rookie coach, Pontbriand said: “He doesn’t act like it. It’s a really nice change.” His eyes widened and his eyebrows arched to emphasize his point.
No one knows whether the positive attitude Shurmur has brought and how he’s handled the team’s leadership will translate into victories. That might ride more on Heckert’s talent evaluations and whether Colt is the real McCoy.
But as the Shurmur era dawns, the Browns hope they’ll finally taste the continuity they’ve long craved. They can only imagine how sweet it is.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at
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http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/browns-players-hope-shurmur-s-ways-bring-continuity-1.233827
Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerHere's hoping the changes on defense implemented by new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron, above, will improve the team's dismal run defense.
