There is an old saying in the sales world, it goes something like this: in every transaction, someone gets sold. There is a buyer and a seller.
Phil Savage, from what we can tell, is a genuine good man. Recall how during the trying days of his standoff with John Collins how Phil quietly went about his work; did not complain to the media about his situation, but rather he trusted that things would work out for the best.
They did.
Here was a guy who was in his job for less than one year and everything he dreamed of was on the brink of being taken away during the December power struggle. Phil won that battle by simply staying the course and standing on his record and abilities. Truth won out, owner Randy Lerner made the right call.
Phil brought Trent Dilfer to the Cleveland Browns because he wanted someone with solid character at that critical position. The fiasco of the previous season with Jeff Garcia needed to be eradicated. Phil wanted a leader, someone who would steady the ship through rough waters and most importantly, someone who would be a mentor for Charlie Frye. Dilfer would be the perfect fit!
Phil got sold.
I bet if you could ask Phil today privately and off the record, he would admit that Dilfer let him down. Mr. Character, Trent Dilfer, wanted out the first time it appeared he would be more of a mentor than a player. Dilfer came to Cleveland with an opportunity to be the starter and a guarantee to be a seasoned backup to Frye if he developed as hoped.
The Browns delivered on both counts. Dilfer on none.
Simply recall the dismal performances turned in by Dilfer week in and week out. He played with a pretty good offensive line in front of him and they were healthy when he started. Frye's starts came when the guards were hurting. Dilfer had Reuben Droughns and overall a pretty good supporting cast. Heck, Tim Couch, prior to his arm troubles, would have fared much better with this offense than Dilfer did!
So Dilfer got hurt, Frye got to play and showed some promise. Dilfer goes to the bench, seething. It was time to take on the mentoring role, be the good soldier, but no, not for Trent. He wanted to play. It is the only thing he wanted all along. He sold Phil on the other stuff.
Granted, he had issues with his boss, Maurice Carthon. Who doesn't have problems with their boss? The bottom line is Dilfer did not play well. There are reports now that Trent went over Carthon's head and Crennel's head to complain about the offense to owner Randy Lerner. That's character?
In my opinion Trent is at the stage in his career that he can no longer take orders. He has to be the boss. It happens to many of us. He is working on his broadcasting career. It was more important to him to be working for the NFL network during the playoffs than moving forward with his operation and rehab.
Dilfer is a heck of a salesman. He's smart and he knows how to project himself. You can see it in his work on the NFL Network studio. But he is out for himself. In some ways you can't blame him. It is his right to earn a living the way he wants to, it is just too bad the Browns plan to have a solid "character guy" to mentor Charlie Frye won't be happening anytime soon.
Hopefully Phil will come up with something. He always has a Plan B.