Cannon Firing Line
The Game Within The Game
By Ellis G. Cannon
PSR Publisher

Funny, the game of expectations. The game within the game just may be as powerful on what impacts our reactions as any other factor.

Take Cleveland Browns' head coach Romeo Crennel. And while you're at it, Pitt and Duquesne hoops, the Penguins, and just about any other team, coach or player you care about.

A year ago, we assumed right about now Bill Cowher would be moving into Crennel's old office. That still may happen, but it will be years before he does after Crennel agreed to a two year contract extension at the end of last month.

The Browns had an easy schedule last season, but they were exciting and won 10 times. The fact Crennel's team finished with the same number of wins as the Steelers went a long way toward the decision to not just bring him back, but extend him.

Think of it like this - when the fans in Cleveland were chanting Brady Quinn's name during the first half of the Week 1 beating the browns took from Pittsburgh, how likely did that scenario appear?

Lots of things came together-not to mention Derek Anderson, of whom the Browns thought so highly they reportedly made him AND Charlie Frye available on the trade auction immediately after that loss-for the Browns to win games. Without better players, coaching and good fortune, the Browns would still be trying to figure out how to win despite their 30th ranked defense.

However you cut it, the bottom line is the Browns now feel they have something in Crennel they likely doubted a year ago. He won the game within the game.

Now the expectations switch, and considering the schedule Cleveland has next season, ol' Romeo better hope those players, schemes and coaches really were the key to their turnaround, or the failure to meet the expectations, rather than exceed them, will bite him.

You've likely been here long enough to get the idea the Steelers will be dealing with this as well, if for no other reason than they're the Steelers, even if anticipated depth chart changes should also be a consideration.

Locally, Pitt and Duquesne hoops have dealt with this phenomenon just this season. Pitt loses two upperclassmen; they're done. Not so. Duquesne hasn't won since the Civil War; they're done. Not so.

Ditto with the Pens - maybe. Actually, the Pens have been hit with the double whammy. First, they were a lock to win the Cup, which they initially stumbled with before playing like it. Then Sidney goes down and down go the Pens. With a not-so-kind schedule this month and into March, we'll see. Some expect they'll crumble, which is likely not so, but deciding whether they have will not be limited to looking only at the standings.

Because there's also that game within the game.

"Ellis Cannon's Sportsline Pittsburgh" airs weeknights from 6-8 p.m. on FM Newstalk 104.7. Ellis is also a regular contributor on "#1 Cochran Sports Showdown" aired Sundays at 11:35 p.m. on KDKA-TV.