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Crennel Blasts Suggs Rumors
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Fred Greetham
Date: Sep 28, 2005
Browns head coach tore into published reports speculating on a trade of RB Lee Suggs today, dismissing them publicly for the first time. Fred Greetham provides the scoop from Berea...
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BEREA – When Romeo Crennel addressed the entire team Wednesday morning, he used part of his time to put to rest any rumors that running back Lee Suggs was being shopped around the NFL in trade talks as reported by ESPN.com earlier this week.
“Who wrote that?”, Crennel asked.
When Crennel was informed it was Len Pasquerelli, an NFL national writer from ESPN.com, the Browns head coach said, “I don’t think he knows what he’s talking about,” he said. “I told the team that’s BS. The writer didn’t get that information from me. I would like to talk to the person he talked to.”
Crennel said he felt he needed to address the team on the issue to put it to rest for Suggs, as well as the team.
“I didn’t want Lee to come up to me and ask what’s going on,” Crennel said. “As soon as that rumor is out there, I wanted to put it to rest. I had nothing to do with that.”
Suggs said he appreciated Crennel responding to the rumor.
“I appreciate the coach putting that to rest,” Suggs said. “My agent and I had heard about it and it makes you wonder at first.”
Crennel is glad that Suggs is back healthy.
“We’re glad he’s back on the field and a productive part of the team,” Crennel said. “He’s trying to play on special teams. His attitude is a good. It’s rumors and innuendos like that I have to deal with in order to keep the players in a good frame of mind.”
Suggs said he wants to stay with the Browns.
“I don’t want to be traded, but I have no control over that.”
Last week, Suggs was active for the first time after suffering a high ankle sprain during the preseason. He caught two passes for seven yards.
Last season, Suggs had three 100-yard rushing performances to finish the season and finished the season with 744 yards on 199 carries, including two touchdowns. He caught 20 passes for 178 yards, including one touchdown. Suggs missed six games due to injuries. He missed the first three games with a neck injury and then missed three games during the season with a toe injury.
“That was last year,” Suggs said. “I have to prove myself this year.”
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