Deposed former Browns G.M. Phil Savage is taking the Mike Shanahan route for staying involved NFL: he’s taking a training camp tour.
Like Shanahan, Savage plans to visit about five teams to learn how things are done across the league.
Unlike Shanahan, Savage’s return to the league doesn’t seem inevitable.
After his trip is over, Savage will settle in his home town of Fairhope, Alabama and take over duties as Alabama’s color analyst for radio broadcasts.
Savage wants back into the NFL, and is looking at his new gig as a tool.
“Alabama’s going to have a lot of players coming up in the next few years, so it’ll be an opportunity to see them and the rest of the SEC.”
With that said, he’s realistic about his prospects for getting a job.
“I have an interest, but in this league there are probably about 50 of us vying for about 27 spots,” Savage said. “So the competition is certainly keen.”
Savage indicated, though, he may accept a lower position than G.M. for a chance to return to the league.
“I was an Indian a lot longer than I was a chief, so I’m willing to do most anything,” he said during his recent visit to Saints training camp.
While we can hear the snide comments from Browns fans coming, Savage was one of the most highly regarded personnel men in football before landing in Cleveland.
His Browns tenure didn’t end well, but executives with lesser resumes have received second chances.