Browns middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson is the Brown's top priority when it comes to keeping its free agents. Talks began last week, and both sides want to reach a multiyear deal according to Scott Petrak of the Chronicle Telegram. The combine is a good place for general managers and agents to meet, so an agreement may be reached. If not, the Browns could be forced to use the franchise tag to keep Jackson for 2012. The deadline for applying the tag is March 5.
Browns coach Pat Shurmur told the News-Herald of Northern Ohio that he has not given up on quarterback Colt McCoy. "I think it's fair to say (McCoy) has some things he has to improve on," Shurmur said. "They're quantifiable, whether it's footwork, a better feel for the progressions, a better feel for the targets he's throwing to. I think all that is refined when you have an offseason (program) to help. ... I think he can be very good if he plays at a high level like I think he can and makes the... [Read More]
According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns are prepared to use the franchise tag on linebacker D'Qwell Jackson if the two sides cannot agree on a long-term deal before the February 20 deadline. While Jackson led to AFC in tackles in 2011 and it is easy to understand why the Brown don't want to lose him, this could be a questionable financial move. The franchise tag for linebackers is around $9 million as it is skewed towards pass-rushing linebackers in the 3-4 defense rather than 4-3... [Read More]
One of the primary reasons for the Cleveland Browns' dismal showing on offense during the 2011 season was the team's lack of playmakers in the passing game. The shortage of viable targets was highlighted as tight end Ben Watson battled concussions throughout the season and ultimately was placed on injured reserve following a third concussion sustained Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Two months after that injury, Watson said he feels great. "I'm great. Three or four days after the last incident, I felt... [Read More]
Mike Holmgren is confident that former Vikings head coach Brad Childress is the right man for the Browns' offensive coordinator position according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Brad's an outstanding coach," the Browns' president said on the team's radio show Wednesday night on ESPN850. "I've known him a long time. When I first met him, I had just arrived in Green Bay and Brad was on the staff at the University of Wisconsin with Barry Alvarez and he had been friends with [Eagles coach]... [Read More]
The Sports Xchange reports that Browns QB Colt McCoy will be ready to play in the 2012 season. Team president Mike Holmgren said in a radio interview that McCoy has recovered from the helmet-to-helmet hit he received from Steelers LB James Harrison in December. "He passed all his tests and he's feeling fine," Holmgren said, "and he has no residual effects from the play." The Browns, who finished fourth in the AFC North at 4-12, have two first-round picks in this April's NFL Draft, including the... [Read More]
Cleveland's City Council approved a $5.8 million lump sum for repairs to Cleveland Browns Stadium on on Monday, Thomas Ott of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports. The Browns plan to spend $1.2 million for refurbishing club seats, $750,000 to waterproof the concrete under those seats with most of the money going to for replacement and repair concrete on interior ramps and walkways and a plaza outside the stadium. The city, which owns the stadium, is only required to provide $850,000 per year for stadium improvements. The... [Read More]
Browns running back Peyton Hillis had a disappointing season marred by injury in 2011, but a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the team still has interest in bringing him back next season. After rushing for 1,177 yards in 2010, his first season in Cleveland, Hills missed five games in the middle of 2011 with a hamstring injury. He returned, however, to make 101 carries for 376 yards over the final six weeks of the season. Hillis becomes an unrestricted free agent on March 13, but it appears... [Read More]
Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress has agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns to become the team's offensive coordinator, a league source said Friday. Childress is the first Browns offensive coordinator under head coach Pat Shurmur. Shurmur ran the offense himself during his first season as the team's head coach, but he acknowledge after the season the need to beef up his staff and find someone to help with game planning. Shurmur said he was open to the idea of having his offensive coordinator call... [Read More]
Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress is expected to land the offensive coordinator position with the Cleveland Browns, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports. According to Cabot, Childress is one of two finalists for the position, which was vacant in head coach Pat Shurmur's first season with the Browns. The other candidate is former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Sherman, who is expected to be hired as the Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator on Friday. Childress, 56, was the Vikings... [Read More]
Len Pasquarelli of the Sports Xchange reports that a very experienced AFC scout suggested to him that the Cleveland Browns might not have to trade up to acquire Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Robert Griffin III. And second, that, while team officials have all but decided that Colt McCoy is probably not the guy to advance the team, the club isn't completely sold on Griffin yet either. Said the scout: "If they want [Griffin], he could fall right to them [with the fourth overall choice]. But they have to decide... [Read More]
The Cleveland Browns announced that they have hired Tim Hauck to coach the team's defensive backs. Hauck replaces Jerome Henderson, who left the Browns to join Rob Ryan with the Dallas Cowboys. The Browns ranked second in the NFL in pass defense and were sixth in passing yards allowed per play in 2011, but only got seven interceptions from the secondary and none from 2010 first-round pick Joe Haden, who had a team-high 19 passes defensed. A former NFL safety, Hauck began his coaching career at the University of... [Read More]
Browns LB D’Qwell Jackson mentioned that he’s hoping to re-sign with the Cleveland Browns, per Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe. Jackson has missed 26 games after suffering multiple torn pectoral muscles during the last few years but this season he was able to finish second in total tackles and is a one of the top candidates for Comeback Player of the Year. “I want to be in Cleveland,” he said. “If it’s the franchise tag, it’s the franchise tag. As long as I still have my health, that’s what is most important.” Jackson... [Read More]
Former All-Pro NFL safety and longtime NFL receivers coach Nolan Cromwell will join the Cleveland Browns coaching staff, Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports. Cromwell's role with the team is not yet defined, adds Grossi. Following his playing career with the Los Angeles Rams, Cromwell coached special teams with the Rams (1991) before spending six seasons as the special teams coordinator on Mike Holmgren's coaching staff with the Green Bay Packers. Cromwell moved to receivers coach in 1998 before following... [Read More]
According to Steve Wyche of NFL Network, league sources say the Cleveland Browns has interest in selecting Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Coach Pat Shurmur declined to say whether incumbent starter Colt McCoy would be the teams starting quarterback in 2012. President Mike Holmgren declined to say if McCoy can be a franchise quarterback and isn't ready to anoint him yet.
