Browns Banter: Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award Goes to Phil Savage

The week that was for the Cleveland Browns took several strange turns.

First, General Manager Phil Savage was outed for replying to a fan’s insulting email with an “F… you.”

Then, Browns quarterback Brady Quinn came up with a fractured index finger on his throwing hand. The fingertip injury apparently happened during the Browns-Buffalo game Monday night. However, a hand specialist cleared Quinn to play Sunday against the Houston Texans in what may turn out to be another game on the snowy, windy tundra that is Cleveland Browns Stadium.

The Phil Savage f-word email story was retold on national sports shows with former NFL general managers, athletes and analysts weighing in on the impulsiveness and unprofessionalism of the act.

In fact, the story was so bizarre that I’ve dusted off the “Laugh-In” Flying Finger of Fate Award, given each week by hosts Rowan and Martin for the dumbest news item of the week. (To those under 40, Laugh-In was a political comedy considered very controversial and edgy for its day.)

Phil Savage’s vulgar email sent to a fan later identified on WKNR AM/850 as “Brett” was dumb on several levels.

Number one, the email exchange which began with Brett calling Phil Savage “the worst GM in the NFL” and asked why Jerome Harrison wasn’t used more, was sent at 11:37 p.m., Monday, as the Browns were beating the Buffalo Bills.

Savage responded at 12:17 a.m., more than 20 minutes after the game ended with: “Go root for Buffalo – F— you.”

Two, was the Browns 29-27 victory over Buffalo so uninteresting to Savage that he opened up his blackberry to read emails from fans?

At that time of night, every Browns fan in Cleveland seemed to be holding its collective breath while Phil Dawson kicked the 56-yard field goal for the lead, giving the Bills enough time to kick – and miss — a 47-yarder with less than one minute left in the game, and secure a Browns victory. (I didn’t even think of checking my emails or answering the phone.)

And three, why the heck would Savage care what one fan wrote. This incident makes ESPN analyst and former Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer’s comment of the Browns making moves to please the fans a lot more credible.

One WKNR sports talk show producer also wondered aloud how any fan could get access to Savage’s email address. Well, I guess it is available on the Cleveland Browns Web site. (Although I can’t say this is the case as of this writing.)

My suggestion to Phil: Pay more attention to the game. It might help when it comes draft time. And if you are bored sitting in your loge, email your wife or something.

Perhaps a good policy would be for the Browns to set up an automatic email from Savage to emailing fans, stating, “The Cleveland Browns thank you for emailing me with your helpful suggestions and comments. We read all of our emails and care what fans have to say. We hope you continue to support our Cleveland Browns.. Go, Browns.

Your friend, Phil.”

You probably won’t catch Mr. Savage emailing an f-bomb to a fan, again.

You can “bet your sweet bippy” on it.

[tags]phil savage, cleveland browns, nfl[/tags]

Tags: browns banter, Cleveland Browns, email, NFL, phil savage

---------------

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing with your friends: