There was a time when the Cleveland Browns never quit and showed more passion than any team in the NFL. Recently the “dog pound days” of the old Browns are nonexistent.

Since 1999 and the rebirth of the new Browns, the team never developed into a competitive one.

I miss the days when Browns games meant something; a playoff birth or a last second possession that could change the course of the season. Browns fans have only had one season out of six since the rebirth that has had this excitement.

Cleveland deserves a better team. Weather and even a 4-12 record couldn’t keep thousands from flocking to the last home game of the year in below zero degrees wind chill. Due to the horrible path the Lerner family chose in giving responsibilities, Carmen Policy and later Butch Davis, this team has been destroyed.

The Cleveland Browns for the first time in six years made the most significant move in recent history in bringing in a general manager to bring the Browns back to greatness. Not only did they bring in a general manager but they brought in one of the most highly acclaimed targets for the job, Phil Savage. He is only 39 years old and has already made a mark in the NFL with his draft knowledge. Phil Savage started off his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns in 1991. When the Browns were moved to Baltimore, Savage followed.

Savage and Ozzie Newsome transformed the Baltimore franchise into Super Bowl champions because of their keen draft pick knowledge.

Savage drafted pro-bowlers Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Jamal Lewis, Chris McAlister, Ed Reed and Todd Heap. Not to mention, his insight on bringing in key free agents to the Ravens’ roster.

The Browns have wasted too many draft picks, for example, Courtney Brown who looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane.

With the newly acquired Savage, the Browns will depend on his knowledge in these areas: draft, free agency, hirings and taking out the trash currently on the Browns roster (thanks to Davis).

Savage has a lot of experience with the draft and scouting talent that can help form championship caliber teams. Savage was a draft consultant for the majority of his NFL career. He will rebuild the Browns with his draft picks.

Cleveland will be drafting in the No. 3 slot this season, and the rumor is they are shopping the pick to gather more picks in the draft.

Don’t be surprised if Savage trades the third overall pick to the Cowboys or Chargers, who both have multiple picks in the first round. This is the best move for the Browns because they need young talented football players instead of the possibility of another Gerard Warren draft pick at No. 3.

If Savage decides to keep the No. 3 overall pick he will be looking at six prospects: cornerback Antrel Rolle, tackles Alex Barron and D’Brickashaw Ferguson, wide out Mike Williams, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and line backer Derrick Johnson. If Matt Leinart slips and San Francisco and Miami does not draft him the Browns will have to seriously consider drafting him.

Free Agency: Phil Savage will have to look hard this off-season and decide which free agents are not only great football players but also have a winning mentality.

This was a mistake that Butch Davis made because he would sign free agents based on past games and never think twice about their situation in Cleveland (Jeff Garcia).

The top free agents this off-season that may be considered are: quarterbacks Drew Brees, Matt Hasselbeck, Kelly Holcomb, running back LaMont Jordan, wide out Plaxico Burress, offensive linemen Ryan Diem,Orlando Pace, Marco Rivera and Jermane Mayberry.

Big-time free agents may be more willing to join the Browns this offseason because of the reputation of the Phil Savage.

The most important job for the Browns is finding a tough enthusiastic coach. Phil Savage has already started his interviews with at least five coaches.

The main contenders for the job will be Browns interim Head Coach Terry Robiskie because he is a player favorite. Also it’s rumored that Romeo Crennel, the Patriots defensive coordinator “wowed” Savage in his interview. Other candidates are Russ Grimm, Jim Bates, Matt Nolan and Brad Childress. Savage will find the right guy to fit this team. Look for Savage to hire a coach that will use the 3-4 defensive scheme and get rid of the traditional 4-3 defense.

Savage has a lot of cleaning up to do because the mess that Butch Davis left. Savage will have to look at the Jeff Garcia issue and decide if he is the right guy for the job. I highly doubt Garcia will be back, and if not, the Browns will sign another quarterback.

At running back and receiver, look for William Green to be traded and Dennis Northcutt to receive his $2 million signing bonus and stay with the team. The offensive line needs to be rebuilt and the main objective is to get a left tackle so that Ross Verba can move back to guard, his natural position.

The defense will probably switch to the 3-4 scheme. The Browns need to resign cornerback Anthony Henry and let go of safety Earl Little.

The Cleveland Browns are on the right track to becoming contenders. Phil Savage is going to rescue the Browns from seasons of sunken dreams.