Take this however you choose from Mike Florio and Pro Football Talk.

A league source tells us that the Browns already have parted ways with G.M. Phil Savage.

The move was widely expected. It has come faster than anyone anticipated.

Some reports suggested that Savage would be given a chance to stick around in a reduced role; it currently appears that there will be a clean break.

While this season has circled the drain, I've said Savage should come back next year. Unless the Browns already have a quiet deal done with Bill Parcells, Scott Pioli or even Bill Cowher, who exactly could they get that would be better than Savage?

Has Phil Savage made some bad moves? Yes. Has he poorly handled his role as a manager? Yes. But do the Browns have more talent now than any other time since they've been back? Absolutely, and that's how Savage should be judged.

I'd be interested to hear from people who don't want Savage in Cleveland, and what exactly that reason might be.

Courtesy of blog graphics czar Kiel, here you go:

More on this mess later. Then, we'll start some season recapping and some coverage of the new Browns coach and possibly general manager.

After a week off, we're back with a chat for the final Browns game of the season. That's right, this disaster is mercifully coming to an end. The chat is scheduled to launch at 12:45 p.m.

If you're here early, five things to watch by Marla Ridenour is always a must read. Already read that? Then find out the possible future of Romeo Crennel or what the Browns' plans might be.

No, the Browns game Sunday is not entirely meaningless. In fact, it could matter a lot in the grand scheme of the franchise's future.

Why? Draft position, of course. Here's a look at the current top 10, with opponents' winning percentage in the final column:

1. Detroit Lions – 0-15 – .573
2. St. Louis Rams – 2-13 – .527
3. Kansas City Chiefs – 2-13 – .556
4. Cincinnati Bengals – 3-11 – 1 – .589
5. Seattle Seahawks – 4-11 – .496
6. Oakland Raiders – 4-11 – .516
7. Cleveland Browns – 4-11 – .562
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – 5-10 – .527
9. Green Bay Packers – 5-10 – .547
10. San Francisco 49ers – 6-9 – .451

So, after Sunday's game, the Browns could be picking anywhere between picks four and nine. Here are the opponents for teams four through nine this week:

Cincinnati – vs. Kansas City
Seattle – @ Arizona
Oakland – @ Tampa Bay
Jacksonville – @ Baltimore
Green Bay – vs. Detroit

My guess is that Cincinnati and Green Bay win, which would only move the Browns up one spot. Of course, the best scenario is if all those teams win and the Browns lose, which is conceivable considering the Buccaneers, Cardinals and Ravens might rest some of their players. And the Browns are just that terrible.

Then, with Kansas City, St. Louis and Detroit locked into the top three draft spots, assuming there is no trade and junior offensive tackle Andre Smith and quarterbacks Matt Stafford and Sam Bradford enter the draft, the Browns could have their pick of defensive players like cornerbacks Malcolm Jenkins and Vontae Davis or linebackers Rey Maualuga and Aaron Curry. And certainly any of those four could help this team.

But what does this all mean? The Browns are really, really terrible this year.

Don't forget, the chat will mercifully be back on Sunday to talk Browns football. Game time is at 1 p.m., so the chat will start at 12:45.

First came Derek Anderson, then he was benched.

Second was Brady Quinn, who played well then he hurt a finger.

Third was Ken Dorsey, only after Derek Anderson came back and got hurt.

And then finally, came Bruce Gradkowski.

Per ESPN's James Walker, the former University of Toledo signal caller will likely start on Sunday in his hometown of Pittburgh against the Steelers.  With Dorsey questionable due to a concussion, Gradkowski is heavily rumored to be the starter for the last game of the year.

This game is a big audition for Gradkowski.  He has bounced around since starting as a rookie in Tampa Bay in the 2006 season.  Right now, he's fighting for the third quarterback job currently held down by Dorsey. Gradkowski came into the league with a decent pedigree, and is a experienced backup.

Dorsey was bad enough in his threestarts this year to question whether he can be trusted at all.  His lack of arm strength and toughness in the pocket makes him a major liability, should the team be forced to play him due to injuries.  No matter how well he knows the Browns offense, he cannot excecute it.

With the Steelers playing mostly backups this week, the Browns could be able to pull out a cheap win, and get a decent idea of Gradkowski's long term future.

Ho, ho, ho. Santa Danny here with a sack full of goodies just for the Cleveland Browns! With the team being so terrible this year, the Bulletin elves have been quite busy coming up with gifts for some of members of the team. Lets have a look see:

- Phil Savage: Thesaurus
For those certain times when a different word might be the wiser choice.

- Romeo Crennel: Stack of boxes
Sorry big guy. You seem nice enough and have five Super Bowl rings. It's just not working.

- Randy Lerner: Tickets in the Dawg Pound
Just to show the fans you're not like the namesake of A Weekend at Bernies.

- Kellen Winslow: One of those BFF heart necklaces
Give the other half to Phil Savage. Maybe that will get you the new contract.

- Braylon Edwards: New gloves, super glue
What, too easy? But it seems to be the most popular gift from fans!

- Donte Stallworth: Name change
That nickname "Stallworthless" is beginning to stick like a licked candy cane in the carpet.

- Ryan Tucker: Michael Jackson's hyperbaric chamber
Hopefully this will keep you playing. Without you, the offensive line has no heart.

- Kamerion Wimbley: A case of 5-hour Energy
Edwards probably has crates of this stuff. Chug some and maybe you'll be as quick as you were as a rookie.

- Brady Quinn: Head gear
Be safe for those times when teammates (allegedly) punch you in the face.

- Joshua Cribbs: Game tapes of Hines Ward
Want to get paid like a top-of-the-league player? Watch Ward de-cleat linebackers and catch the toughest of passes. Nothing says holiday cheer like breaking an opponent's jaw. Isn't that right, Keith Rivers of the Cincinnati Bengals? Ho ho ho!

- Ken Dorsey: Browns business clothes
College was fun, but it's time to just be a coach.

- Andra Davis: Scrapbook
Thanks for the memories. You had a few really good years on really bad teams, but it's time to go.

- D'Qwell Jackson: Jacuzzi
You'll probably lead the NFL in tackles this season. This will be quite soothing for your aching bones!

- Shaun Rogers: Three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree all deep fried
Just keep eating, or doing whatever you're doing, because it's working. Oh look, some extra-fattening egg nog. Yum!

- Corey Williams: A coach who runs the 4-3 and not the 3-4
Clearly this would help. Seven sacks in 2007. Zero in 2008. Please just let it be the scheme, or it'll be on the naughty list for you next year!

- Phil Dawson: Golden spikes
No matter the size, they'd be fitting.

- Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald: Time machine
Go to the future and send back the versions of you three years from now and not the underperforming sophomore players of 2008.

- Alex Hall: Spotlight
Strap this sucker to your back so whoever is the coach can see you making plays. Anything to get on the field. You'll glow like Rudolph!

What's that I see? Why, it's a gift for you and for me!
(more…)

There is a lot of speculation going around the internet now about about a potential fight between quarterback Brady Quinn and defensive end Shaun Smith. What we now right now is that Quinn has a mark on his face, and Smith was inactive yesterday for the Bengals game.

Right now this is what appears to be out there

Romeo Crennel won't say if a fight happened.  If a fight happened though, it would be handled.  Seems to be telling to me.

Pro Football Talk is taking it a bit further, saying it's possible that Quinn was hit in the face with a weight.

Tight end Darnell Dinkins is confirming something happened, and there was an altercation betweeen Smith and Quinn.

Bottom Line

Fights happen in NFL locker rooms.  If this is two guys who got into it, is anyone stunned given the horrible season the Browns have had?  Smithis known for being a loudmouth, and Quinn is a beast in the weight room…

Never the less, if Smith slugged Quinn, it's not pretty, but part of being on a frustrated team.  Steve Smith broke Ken Lucas' nose in the Panthers training camp, and they seem okay to make the playoffs.

If Smith took a plate to Quinn's face, that's pretty serious.  Even two and a half pound plate swung like that could fracture a person's orbital bones or cause damage to the eye.  That does not appear to be the case here, but Smith has been disciplined.  With a potentially new regime coming in, Smith may have signed his walking papers though.

It could be worse, because when he was in Philadelphia, Terrell Owens was in a fight with former Eagle Hugh Douglas.   The untold story there is allegedly one or both men were naked at the time.  Here's to hoping at least Smith was clothed at the time of the altercation.

What should happen to Quinn and Smith as fallout from this incident?

Shot Sunday by Phil Masturzo of the Beacon Journal.

For more of Masturzo's photos of Sunday's game, go here.

- Akron Beacon Journal (Patrick McManamon): Debacle defines a decade of disappointments

- Akron Beacon Journal (Marla Ridenour): Lewis' milestone gets lost in defeat

- Canton Repository (Steve Doerschuk): Edwards forgives the fans for boos

- Chronicle-Telegram (Brian Dulik): Browns know the score, but just can’t figure out how to score

- Cincinnati Enquirer (Mark Curnutte): Cornerback's 3 picks help pick up pace

- Dayton Daily News (Chuck Ludwig): Hall enjoys revenge on Edwards

- Plain Dealer (Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff): Edwards vs. Ndukwe could blossom into North rivalry

- Plain Dealer (Bill Livingston): As the Browns sink out of sight, so does Dorsey's NFL reputation

- What I'm saying today: I only saw bits and pieces of the game, fortunately. Ken Dorsey should not be an NFL quarterback. Romeo Crennel should not be an NFL head coach.

When you list the NFL's worst teams this season, you can officially include the Browns with the Chiefs, Lions, Raiders, Rams and Bengals.

Clear your throat and shout the tried and true Cleveland phrase: There is always next year!

Sometimes, life gets in the way of fun. Life today is a Christmas party at 2 p.m. So, try to enjoy the game. I know, it will be tough. Columnist Patrick McManamon has had in-game thoughts the last two weeks. Perhaps he'll do that again today. I'm not certain. If he doesn't, you can always follow along at Dawgs by Nature.

Prediction: Cleveland 9, Cincinnati 7
All Phil Dawson all the time. He'll probably be the punter today with Dave Zastudil injured.

The real loser: The fans.

Dropped catches by Braylon Edwards: My man is disappointing me. As far as I could tell, he hasn't dropped a pass in three whole weeks! In the cold today, he'll get back on it with two drops.

Passes thrown to Martin Rucker (with Steve Heiden and Kellen Winslow out): One!

Fan reaction after the game: The guy who drives around his sofa in the Muni lot will have it set ablaze like it's May Day.

*Note to blog graphics czar Kiel: I still expect a new Romeo Crennel graphic in my inbox this evening.