With Browns Hiring Childress, Where Does This Leave Peyton Hillis?

With the Cleveland Browns adding Brad Childress to the coaching staff as their new offensive coordinator, I am wondering if this leaves Peyton Hillis on the outside looking in. The is a strange situation in Cleveland, Ohio, the Browns name a new offensive coordinator and it is also been stated Pat Shurmur will still call the plays. We all know Peyton Hillis had a terrible showing in 2011 and the team and Hillis were far apart in contract talks.

The question now remains if Hillis is going to be a part of the Cleveland Browns offense at all in 2012. Shurmur has talked about the Browns having Hillis back, the teams G.M. Heckert has talked about reaching out to Hillis, still there is no news of any movement from either side. It could be the Browns are waiting to see what Hillis is offered in free agency, or it could be the Browns were wanting to hire an offensive coordinator to get his thoughts on Hillis.

It would be interesting to find out if the new coordinator has an opinion when it comes to Payton Hillis. The Browns have got to wrap some good play-makers around the Cleveland offense this season. There is still a question as to who the Browns will have coming out of the backfield once the season starts. If Childress voices an opinion on keeping Hillis, or he sees him as an asset, it could help the Browns front office make a move to get Hillis to resign.

http://clevelandsports360.com/wordpress/with-browns-hiring-childress-where-does-this-leave-peyton-hillis/

Browns hire Childress as offensive coordinator

Brad Childress is aboard as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, but it's not yet known if he will call plays.

Since it's January the two have months to discuss the best way to handle play-calling, and a decision will be made over time.

Browns fans who didn’t like Shurmur’s approach last season might prefer that Childress calls the plays, but as head coach of the Vikings, Childress only called plays in 2006 – when the Vikings averaged 17 points. He gave duties to coordinator Darrell Bevell the following season, though he had final say in gameplans.

All that being said, the most important thing is that Shurmur has a guy on the staff he knows and trusts. If the two can work together – and they have in the past in Philadelphia – the play-calling situation would not seem to be a major impediment.

Childress brings 33 years of experience and great knowledge in the system that Shurmur wants to run. If nothing else, Childress would have considerable input and might be able to eliminate the four- and six-yard passes that seemed such a staple of the Browns offense last season.

His hiring does bring to mind one scene out of Ringling Bros. though.

That’s the one when a small car like a Volkswagen bug would drive into a circus. The door would open, and out would step a clown. Then another, and another, and another. So many clowns came pouring out it brought laughs and guffaws.

This comes to mind with the hiring of Childress because if you open the front door to Berea, out will walk client after client of agent Bob LaMonte, who now represents the Browns president (Mike Holmgren), general manager (Tom Heckert), coach (Shurmur) and offensive coordinator (Childress). It’s to the point in Berea that LaMonte represents the guy doing the hiring of the guy he’s representing.

This is all a sidenote, of course. Because if Childress makes the Browns offense better it doesn’t matter if he’s represented by Dumbo the Elephant.

Childress was offensive coordinator in Philadelphia under Andy Reid for four seasons (2002-’05), but Reid called the plays (as he does now). Childress went to Minnesota in 2006 and the Vikings offense improved every year from 26th to 15th to 12th to 2nd in points, and eighth to 20th to sixth to sixth in total offense.

Of course the final season when the Vikings went to the NFC Championship Game coincided with the arrival of Brett Favre. That was one of the best years of Favre’s career (33 TDs, seven INTs), and Childress failed epically the next season when he convinced Favre to return for one last fling. Favre was a shell of himself, and Childress was fired after the Vikings started 3-7.

Childress took a year off, but decided to return to coaching. He joined the Browns after interviewing to be Tampa Bay’s coach, only to see Rutgers’ Greg Schiano hired.

He didn’t have to work. Childress was due $6.6 million for the final two years of the contract extension he signed in Favre’s first year. 

He joins a Browns offense that in Shurmur’s first season ranked 29th overall, and 30th in points.

One could say there’s nowhere to go but up.

http://www.foxsportsohio.com/01/27/12/Browns-hire-Childress-as-offensive-coord/landing_browns.html?blockID=654642&feedID=3725

Brad Childress closing in on Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator position, says NFL source

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With Mike Sherman close to becoming offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, former Vikings coach Brad Childress is the frontrunner for the Browns' vacancy at that position, a league source told The Plain Dealer.

The Browns had narrowed their choices to Sherman, the former Packers coach, and Childress, the former Vikings coach, the source said. But Sherman spent Thursday with the Dolphins and came close to taking the job, where he would replace former Browns coordinator Brian Daboll.

That means Childress -- the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia from 2003-05 when Pat Shurmur was quarterbacks coach there -- will likely become the Browns first coordinator under Shurmur. The hiring could happen in the next few days.

Shurmur was his own coordinator in 2011 and called the plays. The Browns finished 29th in offense and 30th in points per game, scoring just one more point (218) than the 1999 expansion team.

Shurmur and Childress spent seven years together on the Eagles staff under Andy Reid before Childress left to take over as head coach of the Vikings from 2006-10.

But if Childress is hired, will Shurmur relinquish his play-calling duties?

Shurmur said during his season-ending press conference that he'd be willing to do that if the right coordinator came along. He acknowledged that he's good friends with Childress and respects his ability.

Childress, 55, did not call the plays under Reid in Philadelphia, but was on the staff for three consecutive NFC title games and a trip to the Super Bowl in 2004. Childress was the quarterbacks coach from 1999-2002, as quarterback Donovan McNabb earned three of his six trips to the Pro Bowl.

Childress was fired by the Vikings after 10 games of 2010 season after going 39-35 in his four-plus years, and 1-2 in postseason. The Browns did not interview him for the coordinator job last season.

Both Childress and Sherman are represented by agent Bob LaMonte, who also represents Browns President Mike Holmgren and Shurmur.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/brad_childress_closing_in_on_c.html

Phil Dawson, place-kicker -- a free agent Browns would miss if he left

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have won 68 games and lost 140 since re-joining the NFL as a franchise for the 1999 season.

Don't blame Phil Dawson.

Dawson, now a free agent, has been the Browns' place-kicker in 199 of the 208 games over those 13 campaigns. He has made 276 of 332 field goal attempts, an 83.1 percentage that ranks 12th-best on the NFL's all-time list.

Dawson turned 37 on Monday, but there are no signs that he's past his prime. Prior to the 2011 season, the former Texas Longhorn had connected on 10 of 18 field goal tries of 50 yards or more. In 2011, he was 7 of 8 on 50-and-plus yard attempts.

The lone miss was in Cleveland's Game 11, 23-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The try was from 55 yards, into the wind, with the game tied and 1:55 left. Unfortunately, long snapper Ryan Pontbriand skidded the hike to holder Brad Maynard, who managed to set the ball up, but with the timing badly disrupted, Dawson's kick was off and short.

ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley has named Dawson the kicker on his all-AFC North team. He writes:

Kicker: Phil Dawson, Browns. The only consistent offensive weapon on the Browns, he hit seven field goals of 50 yards or longer, which tied San Francisco's David Akers and Oakland's Sebastian Janikowski for most in the NFL. It is also tied for the third-most in NFL history. The pick here was going to be Bengals' Mike Nugent (33 of 38, team record 132 points) until he missed four field goal attempts in the last three games (which includes one miss in the playoff game at Houston). Dawson's conversion rate (82.7, 24 of 29) wasn't the best in the division, but his percentage was hurt by struggling long snapper Ryan Pontbriand. The bad news here for the Browns is Dawson is a free agent this offseason.

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2012/01/cleveland_browns_pm_links_58.html

Browns should fill holes with draft picks and not trade up for one player - Comment of the Day

In response to the story Cleveland Browns P.M. links: Trading up in the draft doesn't fit GM Tom Heckert's usual approach, cleveland.com reader finchy4 thinks the Browns should not trade draft picks to move up in the draft for one player. This reader writes,

"Did Atlanta make the Super Bowl this year? I must have missed Oakland making the Super Bowl. Oh, wait, they didn't even make the playoffs. You can't sell all your draft picks and magically make it to the Super Bowl. The Steelers, Ravens, and Patriots are always picking at the bottom of the first round and they seem to be pretty good. Phil Taylor had an excellent season for a rookie. Now we have three picks in the top 37. We have a lot of holes to fill and it doesn't make sense to waste potential starters by trading up for someone that might not be that great in the NFL."

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/browns_should_fill_holes_with_draft_picks_browns_comment_of_the_day.html

Cleveland Browns hire former Titans assistant Tim Hauck as DBs coach

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tim Hauck made a lasting impression on Browns President Mike Holmgren and defensive coordinator Dick Jauron when he played safety for them in Green Bay.

Hauck, who was hired Monday as defensive backs coach to replace Jerome Henderson, played four of his 13 NFL seasons in Green Bay (1991-1994), where Holmgren was head coach and Jauron was defensive backs coach. Hauck was a hard-hitting safety who played for seven NFL teams after signing with New England as an undrafted free agent out of Montana.

From 1999-2001, Hauck played in Philadelphia, where Browns head coach Pat Shurmur was tight ends/offensive line coach during those years. Browns General Manager Tom Heckert also spent the 2001 season with Hauck in Philadelphia after he joined the team as director of player personnel that year.

Henderson left to join former Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in Dallas. In 2011, Henderson -- who spent three seasons with the Browns -- coached the Browns pass defense to a No. 2 ranking, with an average of only 184.9 yards allowed. However, the Browns were tied for second to last in the NFL with nine interceptions.

Hauck most recently was assistant secondary coach of the Titans under Jeff Fisher in 2009-10. Prior to that, he spent five years as a college assistant at his alma mater, Montana (2004-07), and at UCLA (2008).

During Hauck's 13-year playing career, he had stints with New England (1990), Green Bay (1991-94), Denver (1995-96), Seattle (1997), Indianapolis (1998), Philadelphia (1999-2001) and San Francisco (2002). He played 183 regular-season games in addition to eight playoff contests. As an Eagle in 1999, he made the tackle on Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin that ultimately ended Irvin's career with a spinal cord injury.

Hauck is the second assistant added by the Browns. Last week, they hired senior offensive assistant Nolan Cromwell, who formerly worked for Holmgren. Cromwell replaced Keith Gilbertson, who retired.

The Browns are still interviewing offensive coordinator candidates and will talk to some this week in Mobile, Ala. during Senior Bowl festivities. Two names on their radar are Mike Sherman and Brad Childress, but both are also being considered for other jobs. Sherman is a candidate to become Dolphins' offensive coordinator under new coach Joe Philbin, and is also a candidate for the Tampa Bay head coaching job. Childress has mentioned in connection with the Bucs and Colts head jobs.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/cleveland_browns_hire_former_t_1.html

Why Didn’t The Cleveland Browns Hire Brian Schottenheimer?

f the Cleveland Browns really wanted to get an offensive coordinator they should have jumped on board and made some kind of great offer to Brian Schottenheimer.  This guy could have come to Cleveland and made an impact right away I’ll bet. Instead of Cleveland going after Schottenheimer they sat back and watched the Rams pick the guy up. Now they have Fisher and Schottenheimer in St. Louis.

The name Schottenheimer means something to Browns fans. When Marty Schottenheimer was in Cleveland The Browns won football games. The thing about Cleveland sports teams is they don’t go after people. The Browns needed to at least get Schottenheimer to come to Cleveland and talk. Why they didn’t is anyone’s guess. Lets hope the Browns don’t bring in the guys that are Pat Shurmurs buddies from St. Louis, there is a god reason these guys are out of work.

With all the Offensive Coordinators out on the market, I am hoping the Browns can find a quality guy. I am also hoping that Pat Shurmur is better at finding a offensive coordinator than he was as doing the job himself.

http://clevelandsports360.com/wordpress/why-didnt-the-cleveland-browns-hire-brian-schottenheimer/

Around the NFL: Do Colts feel Luck-y? Or will they take Griffin?

By Steve Doerschuk

CantonRep.com staff writer

Isn’t Andrew Luck supposed to be the best quarterback to enter an NFL Draft since Otto Graham during World War II?

Or at worst, the best since Peyton Manning, a year before the Cleveland Browns returned from no man’s land?

Colts owner Jim Irsay, sitting on the No. 1 pick, is suggesting Luck could be the second-best quarterback in the 2012 draft.

In an interview that got the Browns’ attention, Irsay looked ESPN’s Hannah Storm in the eye and said Robert Griffin III could be the Colts’ choice.

“The way it’s shaping up — and you never know for sure — but with Griffin and with Luck, and the way it’s shaping up in the top part of that draft, which very likely could go one and two like it was with Peyton and Ryan Leaf, where we had to make a tough decision.

“It’s most likely one of those quarterbacks that you really feel (is) the best player in the draft, and where we’re at moving forward, you can’t pass that up.”

It was a clumsy little mumble with a clear message from Irsay: Assume the Colts will pick a quarterback; don’t bet it will be Luck.

Irsay has been enough of a loose cannon to raise at least a tiny doubt.

Or, forget tiny. Tony Dungy, who put up a monster 92-33 record as Irsay’s head coach, said on the “Dan Patrick Show” that he would take Griffin over Luck.

“I like those mobile guys,” Dungy told Patrick on Jan. 5. “They have an extra dimension. They are intriguing to me. I like Robert Griffin.”

The Colts chose Manning at No. 1 overall in 1998. With Manning not missing a start, their worst record in seven years under Dungy was 10-6.

The Browns, to whom 10-6 seems an unattainable paradise, are caught up in the Colts’ plan of action.

There is little doubt that the Browns would spend the No. 1 pick on Luck, if they had it, but they’re in the No. 4 hole.

But what if the Colts don’t grab Luck at No. 1?

Would the Rams, sitting at No. 2, or the Vikings, perched at No. 3, pounce on Luck?

If either comes to the conclusion that Luck is the next Manning, they might.

Sure, the Rams have 2010 No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford, but his 2011 passer rating was worse than Colt McCoy’s.

Sure, the Vikings spent a No. 12 overall pick on Christian Ponder last April, but his passer rating was lower than Bradford’s.

A more likely possibility if Indianapolis lets Luck go by:

Impetuous Washington owner Daniel Snyder — his 2012 QB, Rex Grossman, also was among the few with a lower passer rating than McCoy — makes a crazy offer to trade up from No. 6 to take Luck at No. 2.

In that case, would the Browns — who do have a nice stash of trade “ammo,” as Tom Heckert calls it — be willing to spend beyond their wishes to get Luck?

Other curveballs could be coming from other directions.

Free agency opens March 13. Matt Flynn, who played like a cross between Otto Graham and Peyton Manning in a lone 2011 start for the Packers, won’t be on the market for long.

The guess is Flynn will sign with a team more or less promising him a starting job — and giving him starter money.

If the Browns sign Flynn, it can be guessed there will be no decision to make on Griffin or Luck on draft day.

There could be three unhittable curveballs in relation to quarterbacks the Browns might want.

• Strike one: Flynn chooses to sign elsewhere, or goes elsewhere because his pricetag gets stupid.

• Strike two: The smoke clears and the Colts pick Luck.

• Strike three: They agree to make a run at Griffin in a trade up to No. 2, but again bow out when the bidding goes nuts.

So then, what is Plan D? Colt McCoy? A Hasselbeckian surprise under Mike Holmgren’s hat?

Coming off a bad, boring year on offense, the Browns find themselves in a fascinating situation in which anything less than a good answer is unacceptable.

http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x1251830185/Around-the-NFL-Do-Colts-feel-Luck-y-Or-will-they-take-Griffin

Browns Ask City of Cleveland for $5.8 Million to Repair Stadium

In order to make repairs to their stadium, the Cleveland Browns are asking the city of Cleveland for $5.8 million, a six-year advance of the money that the team collects annually.

Currently, the city sets aside $850,000 a year to help pay for repairs to the stadium and while this proposition would exempt the city from paying that amount for six years of their 30-year lease, there’s no guarantee – yet – that the team won’t just ask for additional money in that time.

It’s a request that certainly comes at an interesting time. The Browns aren’t exactly putting a great product out on the field, and asking for $5.8 million up-front is sure to rub fans – and non-football fans in Cleveland – the wrong way.

Nevertheless, it might be worth putting up that money, as the sin tax – which helped build Cleveland Browns Stadium and will begin paying for repairs starting this year – expires in 2015. After that, the city must figure out another way to come up with the money. Paying $5.8 million of it now would at least give them extra time.

As of right now, that proposed payment includes $1.2 million that would go toward refurbishing club seats on the north and south sides, along with the east end zone. Another $750,000 will go toward waterproofing the concrete under those seats.

The rest of the $5.8 million would be used to repair and replace the concrete on ramps, walkways, and a plaza outside Cleveland Browns Stadium.

http://dawgpounddaily.com/2012/01/19/browns-ask-city-of-cleveland-for-5-8-million-to-repair-stadium/

Cleveland Browns confirm hiring of Nolan Cromwell to Pat Shurmur's coaching staff

By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Could the hiring of Nolan Cromwell to Pat Shurmur's coaching staff be a precursor to the next Browns offensive coordinator?

Cromwell, most recently Rams receivers coach, has extensive coaching experience under Mike Holmgren. He also spent two years as offensive coordinator under Mike Sherman at Texas A&M. Sherman is a presumed candidate to take over Shurmur's offense as coordinator. But Sherman, also from the Holmgren coaching tree, is waiting on Tampa Bay to choose its next head coach. Sherman has been interviewed for the position.

Cromwell, 56, was an NFL safety for 11 years, but his NFL coaching experience has been on offense since 1998. He moved to receivers after seven seasons as Holmgren's special teams coordinator in Green Bay. Cromwell followed Holmgren to Seattle and was Seahawks receivers coach through 2007.

Cromwell left Seattle to become Sherman's offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. In two seasons, the Aggies ranked in the top 30 in rushing, passing, scoring and total offense. But Sherman called his own plays. When Cromwell decided to return to the NFL in 2010 as Rams receivers coach, Sherman praised him for his patience.

"It's not easy being an offensive coordinator under an offensive head coach," Sherman said.

In 2010, Shurmur and Cromwell enjoyed a successful season in St. Louis in quarterback Sam Bradford's rookie season. After Shurmur left for Cleveland, the Rams suffered a 2-14 season with Josh McDaniels as coordinator. The Rams fired the coaching staff and are now assembling a new one under new head coach Jeff Fisher.

Cromwell was a safety with the Rams, earning Pro Bowl berths four times. His coaching career began with the Rams in 1991 as a defensive and special teams assistant.

Cromwell joined Holmgren's staff in Green Bay in 1992 as special teams coordinator.

The Browns confirmed that Keith Gilbertson was retiring. Gilbertson, a former Holmgren assistant in Seattle, was Browns director of pro personnel in 2010 and was a senior assistant offensive coach in 2011.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/cleveland_browns_adding_nolan.html

Wyche: Browns Want, and Will Trade Up For, Robert Griffin III

Piling on the latest mock draft from Sporting News, we have NFL.com’s Steve Wyche who echoes sentiments that the Cleveland Browns will select Baylor’s Robert Griffin III in the first round.

However, one element that is different between Wyche and SN is the fact that Wyche feels the Browns will select the electric quarterback with the second-overall pick in the first round after trading with the St. Louis Rams. Per Wyche:

Several teams are going to try and move up to get Griffin but the Browns have the most ammo — the fourth overall pick and a late first-rounder or high picks in later rounds. Cleveland needs Griffin — and wants him, according to league sources — and the Rams will still get their man.

So there you have it, Browns fans. Call off the Draft Combine and get those jerseys printed.

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/2012/01/wyche-browns-want-and-will-trade-up-for-robert-griffin-iii/

Rooting against arch-rivals? It's the Cleveland way during the NFL playoffs: Bill Livingston

By Bill Livingston, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland fans are keeping score. They are also settling scores, although it usually requires the help of an intermediary to do so.

Another team, a surrogate, to carry the fans' hopes, if not their colors, is not the happiest choice for devoted followers of the Cleveland teams to make. But their own teams haven't been up to the job. So recently, Cleveland fans have had the company of some of the strangest bedfellows outside the political arena. This is what happens when it has been 48 years since the Browns won the city's last major championship in 1964.

Anyone who was in Cleveland Municipal Stadium a quarter-century ago, throwing dog bones at John Elway during "The Drive," would have trouble believing how popular was the Denver Broncos' playoff victory over Pittsburgh. Elway, now the team's president, raised his arms in triumph after Tim Tebow's long pass secured victory on the first play of overtime.

Many Browns fans probably mimicked his gesture.

Surely, some newly minted fans, possibly a sizable minority, were motivated by Tebow's story with its religious overtones. But most simply detest the "Stillers" and are tired and envious of the glory reaped two hours down the state turnpikes.

Fans here do what they gotta do. "My enemy's enemy is my friend" is the motto.

Negative cheering, though, is not entirely satisfying. It is sort of like meeting a distant relative, say, a second cousin, once removed. You really don't know these people very well, but they're welcome to share the fruitcake if they return next Christmas. Pulling for Denver if you lived here in the 1980s is several degrees of separation from the city's endemic passion for the Browns.

But, as Art Modell used to say, "Apathy is the worst thing." I believe he said that shortly before promising never to move the Browns.

Certainly, Cleveland fans are not apathetic. In a recent Cleveland.com poll that drew over 5,000 responses, the Steelers were the most hated team in 49 percent of the vote but, in a remarkable testament to the personal dislike many fans feel for LeBron James, the Miami Heat finished second at 41 percent. The University of Michigan and New York Yankees finished up the track.

The poll, however, did not include the Baltimore Ravens. Browns fans wistfully think of the Ravens as the "real" Browns. No bone stuck quite as securely in the civic throat as the Ravens' Super Bowl victory in only the second season of the restored and reject-laden Browns. The Ravens would pull big polling numbers here in any "most hated" poll.

No one else would seriously challenge the Terrible Triad of Steelers, Heat and Ravens. It has been a long time since Bill Belichick was a controversial Browns coach. If he doesn't receive outright absolution from most fans, he certainly benefits from the expediency of surrogacy. His New England Patriots face the Ravens in the AFC championship game on Sunday.

The appeal of surrogate teams involves more than the system of resentments in Cleveland against cities with wiser owners, or more loyal players, or bigger payrolls or simply better luck. Time and again, such teams have broken Cleveland fans' hearts.

Time is, however, our ally. Over the years, the aches dull, the wounds heal, and the scars become less visible. Cheering for Denver is close to amnesty for Elway. Cheering for the Dallas Mavericks is close to amnesia about them.

Three decades ago, the Mavs rose to contention on the backs of the Ted Stepien Cavs, who made trades with them that were so benighted the NBA embargoed them until league approval could be given. Of course, Stepien was the real culprit. The Mavs were merely the beneficiaries.

Years ago, a reporter was waiting to interview Pat Summerall, the CBS sports commentator, after he came down from the broadcast tower at the old World Series of Golf in Akron. Summerall clambered down, and then a fan shouted, "You were lucky on that field goal, Summerall!"

"That was in 1958! People in Cleveland have long memories," Summerall said, referring to a field goal he kicked in the snow, which eventually denied the Browns a berth against Johnny Unitas' Colts in the first-ever sudden-death overtime game.

Surrogacy means resentment has an expiration date. Most Cleveland fans certainly will root for the Giants in the Super Bowl if they play Baltimore.

http://www.cleveland.com/livingston/index.ssf/2012/01/post_41.html

Cleveland Browns facing five important free-agent decisions: Tony Grossi analysis

By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Before the Browns can plot their strategy in NFL free agency, which begins on March 13, they have to finalize decisions on their own potential free agents.

They have five key players who will be unrestricted free agents if they don't re-sign. Here's a look at each and the circumstances that may influence the Browns' decisions.

Running back Peyton Hillis: Each of the Browns' top decision-makers has repeatedly declined to say he wants Hillis back.

At his season-ending press conference, coach Pat Shurmur said, "That's one of those questions I really can't answer at this point."

President Mike Holmgren said at his season-ender, "That's one of our players that is a free agent and we're not going to talk about it today."

General Manager Tom Heckert said this week on 92.3 FM: "Would we be averse to bringing him back? No. We have to see what else is available and what our plans are for all our free agents."

Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

A late spurt by Hillis lifted him to the top of the Browns' rushing list in 2011 with 587 yards and three touchdowns. Injuries and controversy limited him to 10 games.

Before contract negotiations broke down, the sides were wide apart in their estimation of Hillis' value. Reportedly, Hillis was looking for $10 million in guarantees and the Browns were offering about $4 million.

Prediction: Hillis leaves.

Kicker Phil Dawson: Dawson is the only player to receive the franchise tag in the Browns' expansion era. The Browns made this surprise move a year ago when talks for a multiyear deal went nowhere. Dawson signed the one-year deal for $3.25 million.

If the Browns elect to franchise Dawson again, he would receive a 20 percent pay hike to about $3.9 million. That's a hefty sum for a kicker, even one as reliable as Dawson.

The more sensible thing would be to resume talks for a multiyear deal, but it doesn't appear to be in the cards. No doubt, Dawson is the franchise's premier player of the expansion era. He recently turned 37 and last year relocated his family to Austin, Texas -- a strong indication he would like to leave in free agency.

Prediction: Dawson leaves.

Middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson: Jackson proved to be a bedrock in the middle of Dick Jauron's 4-3 defense, leading the team by plenty in tackles and establishing himself as a locker-room leader. He is the leading contender for the league's comeback player of the year award.

Heckert has pretty much said Jackson will be back in 2012. The big question is whether they sign him long-term or use the franchise tag on him. If they choose the latter, it wouldn't be available for Dawson.

Prediction: Jackson returns.

Cornerback Dimitri Patterson: He didn't have any interceptions and was credited with only 27 tackles, yet Patterson logged a lot of plays in his role as the nickel cornerback covering the slot in three-receiver formations.

Towards the end, the Browns gave him some reps in Sheldon Brown's cornerback position. It appeared the Browns were testing Patterson as a replacement for Brown. If they liked what they saw, they could proceed with a transition of Brown to free safety.

Brown will be 33 in March. He is agreeable to moving to free safety, but it is a transition that the team must commit to in the off-season. If they go ahead with it, Patterson or somebody else must move into the starting cornerback spot.

Patterson will be 29 in June. That means he doesn't have too much time left as a starter. His price tag surely will dictate this move.

Prediction: Patterson returns.

Safety Mike Adams: In five seasons with the Browns, Adams played for three head coaches. Each would come to appreciate Adams' versatility on the field and value as a locker-room leader.

Every year Adams has been with the Browns, he was pegged as a special teamer and backup safety. This year, the Browns signed Usama Young in free agency and drafted Eric Hagg with the expectation of phasing out Adams.

In fact, Adams, 30, went on to have his finest NFL season in eight campaigns. He made 16 starts for the first time, and posted career highs in tackles and interceptions (three).

Adams' future with the Browns would appear to be tied to that of Brown. If the Browns intend to move Brown to safety, there would be no room for two safeties over the age of 30. Odds are that Heckert would favor Brown, whom he drafted in Philadelphia and traded for in Cleveland.

Prediction: Adams leaves.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/cleveland_browns_facing_five_i.html

Browns to Contact Peyton Hillis’ Agent

Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis will become a free agent this offseason and it looks like the Browns might be interested in trying to work out a new contract.

Browns general manager Tom Heckert said that he hasn’t spoken with Hillis’ reps since midseason and will do so again “in the next week or so.”

“We wouldn’t be adverse to brining him back,” Heckert said. “Now we have to see what else is available and what our plans are for our other free agents.”

Hillis had a down year with only 587 yards and 3 touchdowns while dealing with multiple injuries throughout the season.

http://profootballzone.com/nfl/browns-to-contact-peyton-hillis-agent/

Cleveland Browns: Open letter to Pres. Mike Holmgren

Bill Smith, host of News, Notes and Rumors on Moohead radio composes the following letter.

Dear Mr. Holmgren:

We are the long suffering diehard fans of the Browns.  Despite filling the old Browns stadium every home game, we lost our team.  Since we got the new Browns back in 1999, we have suffered through losing season after losing season.  We have seen coaches, GMs, and top 10 draft picks come and go each promising to turn the team around only to be fired for being worse than the previous one.

Speaking for my listeners and callers, we love the Browns and to a man, woman and child hope you, Mr. Heckert and Mr. Shurmur will bring the Browns back to the top of the league.  Any GM or Head Coach that takes the Browns to a win in the Super Bowl will be loved in NE Ohio forever.

We were thrilled with Dick Jauron being named DC.  He was an excellent pick.  The D played well despite having a number of rookies and older players starting.  We are looking forward to seeing the West Coast Offense work wonders in Cleveland because we feel it will work.

We now have you as our team President.  We are depending on you to do the job that no one else has been able to accomplish.  Last year you decided not to sign any significant UFAs that many of us felt would impact the team and add to the victory total.  There were a number of UFAs that were only 26 or 27.  A player of that age would still be in his prime when you have turned the team around and it is ready to challenge for the playoffs.

In 2011, the team regressed to 4-12 finding new ways to lose games.  Frankly Coach Pat Shurmur made some mistakes that a veteran coach might not have made.  We are all pleased that you and he decided to hire an offensive coordinator.  That should help the team.

But while the best way to build a team is the draft, please don’t ignore free agency this off season.  The fan base needs to know that you and the other leaders of the organization are sensitive to the long suffering of the fans.  A key quality free agent or two would help the fan base keep faith in the process.  That would also fill some of the many holes in this roster with guys that are ready to contribute now.

The fan base needs to see some major improvement in the record of the 2012 Browns.  The last thing that any real fan of the Browns wants to see is what happened to the Bengals happen here in Cleveland.  But there a number of fans that have lost faith or are losing faith in the process.  An 8-8 record or better would go a long way to bring them back to support the team.  It would also give all of us more reason to come to the stadium every Sunday and it would restore our faith in everyone in power in the organization.

GM Tom Heckert has done a good job with the draft and has brought in solid players.  But we need some veteran leadership in key positions we don’t have on the current roster.  A veteran starting quality DE, RT, and possession type WR would help greatly.

There are other positions that could use some veteran starters as well but any of the above would give the Browns fans hope and something to look forward to on Sundays.

Sincerely, Bill Smith, host of News, Notes and Rumors on Moohead radio.

http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/cleveland_browns_open_letter_to_pres_mike_holmgren/9302735

Cleveland Browns Should Learn from the Packers and Give Pat Shurmur Time

By Benjamin Flack (Analyst) on January 12, 2012

I live in Wisconsin and am stuck in the middle of Packer country. Green Bay fans can be way over the top and are a little annoying sometimes. They've been quite insufferable lately since they won the Super Bowl, but they're even more insufferable when they aren't winning.

Believe it or not there are a lot of similarities between the Browns and the Packers and their fans.

When you think of tradition-rich franchises, the Browns and Packers are right at the top.

When people talk about the most dedicated fan bases, Cleveland and Green Bay are right there.

Both teams embody the hard working attitude of the people and city that support their team.

The passion that Northeast Ohioans have for the Browns dwarfs that of the Indians and Cavs, much in the way that the people of Wisconsin love the Packers and are lukewarm toward the Brewers and Bucks. I will say this though about both fan bases: when one of the teams is good, no matter which sport, the fans are behind them 100 percent.

But one of the similarities that is most striking to me at the moment is between the head coaches of the football teams.

Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur had a very rough first year in Cleveland. The team was terrible, especially on offense where he was the man in charge. The play-calling—his play-calling—was confusing, boring, unimaginative, and ultimately unsuccessful. All in all he looked lost many times trying to run the team.

So what could a first-year coach of a 4-12 record team have in common with the coach of the defending Super Bowl champions who just finished off a 15-1 season?

Well, clearly nothing this year. But it's more of the Mike McCarthy circa-2008 that bears many similarities to the plights of Pat Shurmur.

The circumstances were very different. In 2008, McCarthy was going into his third year in Green Bay and coming off a 13-3 season where the Packers lost in the NFC Championship, and the coach finished second in voting for Coach of the Year.

It sounds pretty good. But that was the summer of Brett Favre and his, shall we say, "rough" departure from Green Bay in favor of Aaron Rodgers.

McCarthy took a ton of heat for essentially banishing the cult hero that is (or was) revered here about a million times as much as Bernie Kosar is in Cleveland.

To make matters worse, the team was terrible. Even though Rodgers played well, the team finished 6-10. They only did that well because they got to play the winless Lions twice. McCarthy looked lost most of the season. Bad clock management, questionable challenges (to put it nicely), and poor personnel decisions were only a few of the low-lights of that season. McCarthy became known all around as "the chubby, clueless idiot".

There was a hatred for McCarthy at the end of that season by the fans that I can't even describe. Fans were calling for his and General Manager Ted Thompson's heads to roll.

Tons of revisionist history was done on McCarthy, including blaming him for the loss in the NFC Championship game to the Giants. Fans were outraged that they had traded away their beloved Favre, and McCarthy became the face of that travesty.

Well, McCarthy didn't get fired. And even after the 2009 season that sent them back to the playoffs and during the first half of the 2010 season, there were still grumblings that the coach was the one holding the team back.

I haven't heard any of those in quite a while now.

The moral of the story is that patience is needed. Just because a coach has a rough year doesn't mean he needs to be fired. The Packers did a gutsy thing by retaining McCarthy after the 2008 season, but it has paid off huge.

Mike McCarthy, like Pat Shurmur, rubs a lot of people the wrong way with his sideline demeanor and ho-hum attitude at times in press conferences. Fans look at both guys and don't see the prototypical football coach like the Harbaugh brothers or Mike Tomlin.

When you hear the best coaches named you usually hear about Bill Belichick and Sean Payton. You almost never hear about McCarthy. But he's doing pretty well I'd say.

Now I don't know if Pat Shurmur is a great football coach. I'm not in his team meetings or at practice. I don't know how he deals with players in the locker room. We'll find out in time how good he is.

But that's what we need to give him—time.

Getting an offensive coordinator will really help Shurmur. It will allow him to just be the coach.

I'm excited about the Browns future. And I believe that if Mike Holmgren, who knows a thing or two about coaching, believes in Pat Shurmur then that's good enough for me.

Believeland.

You can follow Benjamin Flack on Twitter @ClevelandFlack.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1020989-cleveland-browns-should-learn-from-the-packers-and-give-pat-shurmur-time

Browns Losing DB Coach Jerome Henderson to the Cowboys

The Browns are on the verge of losing their defensive backs coach, as Jerome Henderson is going to be leaving the team to become the secondary coach for the Dallas Cowboys.

The 41-year-old was named the Browns DB coach on January 22, 2009. He will reunite with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who is the Cowboys defensive coordinator. Henderson worked for Ryan the first two years he was the Browns defensive backs coach.

Henderson helped the Browns ranked second in the NFL in passing defense this season. He broke into coaching with the Jets in 2007 as an assistant defensive backs coach/director of player development, he was promoted to defensive backs coach in 2008, when Darrelle Revis made his first Pro Bowl appearance.

Henderson was a second-round pick by the Patriots in 1991 and played eight seasons in the NFL as a free safety. He made 33 starts in his career while playing for the Patriots, Bills, Eagles and Jets.

http://www.brownsgab.com/2012/01/11/browns-losing-db-coach-jerome-henderson-to-the-cowboys/

With Atlanta Falcons Loss, Browns Secure 22nd Overall Pick in Draft

With Atlanta Falcons Loss, Browns Secure 22nd Overall Pick in Draft

Despite not making the playoffs, the Cleveland Browns still had a vested interest in the action that took place this weekend. The results of the Wild Card weekend games would dictate where the Browns’ second pick of the first round would fall in April’s NFL Draft. And with the Atlanta Falcons’ 24-2 loss to the New York Giants, the Browns secured the 22nd overall pick.

With the Detroit Lions also losing this weekend, a tiebreaker was needed to determine the order, as both teams had identical 10-7 records. With a weaker schedule, the Falcons were given the more favorable spot.

Now that the Browns’ second pick is solidified, the predictions can begin. Who do you like as a late first-round pick for the Browns?

Here is the current 2012 NFL Draft order (through 24 picks) after the first weekend of playoff games:

1. Indianapolis Colts

2. St. Louis Rams

3. Minnesota Vikings

4. Cleveland Browns

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

6. Washington Redskins

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

8. Carolina Panthers (coin flip)

8. Miami Dolphins (coin flip)

10. Buffalo Bills

11. Seattle Seahawks

11. Kansas City Chiefs

13. Arizona Cardinals

14. Dallas Cowboys

15. Philadelphia Eagles

16. New York Jets

17. Oakland Raiders (traded to Cincinnati)

18. San Diego Chargers

19. Chicago Bears

20. Tennessee Titans

21. Cincinnati Bengals

22. Atlanta Falcons

23. Detroit Lions

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

http://dawgpounddaily.com/2012/01/08/with-atlanta-falcons-loss-browns-secure-22nd-overall-pick-in-draft/

Cleveland Browns 2011 in review: The future turned a bit darker with loss to Rams -- Tony Grossi analysis

By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have only themselves to blame for the quandary at quarterback they face this off-season.

They didn't need to tank their season and lose more games to get a legitimate shot at Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, the consensus prize of the 2012 draft. They simply needed to take care of business on Nov. 13. On that day, the Browns lost to the St. Louis Rams, 13-12, on a series of late-game sideline and special-team blunders.

The game defined their season and muddled their immediate future.

Had the Browns not given away the game, St. Louis would have finished with a 1-15 record. They would have moved in front of the Indianapolis Colts (2-14) and "earned" the No. 1 pick.

Instead, the Colts held on to the No. 1 pick on a tiebreaker.

Colts owner Jim Irsay has made it clear that he intends to use the pick on Luck to provide a seamless transition from Peyton Manning, the face of the team since 1998 and whose career is in doubt as a result of uncertain recovery from a third neck surgery.

The Rams, however, have a different situation. They've invested millions of dollars and two seasons in developing quarterback Sam Bradford, who is only 24 and a surer thing, they believe, than Luck. Their intention was to trade the No. 1 pick and use the bounty from such a mega-trade to surround Bradford with offensive weapons.

"Ownership and management seem pretty clear on that," said Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Thus, the 13-12 collapse served two purposes. It surely underscored the travails of first-year head coach Pat Shurmur, while blocking a path to the franchise quarterback the Browns so sorely need.

The Rams arrived at a critical juncture in Shurmur's first season. Back-to-back losses in San Francisco and Houston had dropped the Browns to 3-5 and left them physically banged up. With upcoming home games against the Rams and Jaguars, the hope of evening their record at 5-5 was realistic.

The Rams were reeling in their own right. They were 1-7 with Bradford trying to play through a high ankle sprain. Moreover, they were the team with which Shurmur was most familiar. He was their offensive coordinator the previous two seasons.

At the time, injuries to running backs Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty left Shurmur with Chris Ogbonnaya, signed two weeks earlier from the Houston practice squad, as his only running threat. The occasion called for offensive creativity -- anything to produce a win against St. Louis. It was evident throughout the game that Shurmur was selling out to win this game. He dusted off the Wildcat formation for Josh Cribbs and also dialed up a razzle-dazzle play that resulted in a Colt McCoy pass to Seneca Wallace for 21 yards.

Against his nature, Shurmur also incorporated more shotgun plays to accommodate McCoy. The quarterback responded with his best game in over a month. He completed 20 of 27 passes for 218 yards and a passer rating of 97.5.

McCoy's numbers were better than Bradford's except for one thing. Bradford produced the game's only touchdown in the second quarter on a pass to Brandon Lloyd -- the quality receiver the Browns had refused to pursue when the Denver Broncos made him available for trade a month earlier.

It looked as if the Rams would score another touchdown in the fourth quarter when they reached the Browns' 9. But a Phil Taylor sack of Bradford forced a field goal and a 13-12 St. Louis lead.

The Browns had one more possession. They moved to the Rams' 19. Shurmur called for four straight safe handoffs to eat the clock and set up a field goal. On the third one, fullback Owen Marecic was nicked up and he left the field. Two plays later, the call was for another quick handoff to the lead fullback. But Shurmur was unaware Marecic had not returned.

Unbeknownst to Shurmur, tight end Alex Smith took Marecic's place. Instead of calling a timeout, the Browns tried to execute the called play. McCoy's handoff to Smith was fumbled. Smith had never taken a handoff in his NFL career. Cribbs fell on the ball at the 7.

Ogbonnaya carried to the Rams' 4 on the next play. With 2:13 left, Shurmur used a timeout to settle the team for what surely would be the go-ahead field goal.

The unthinkable then happened. Reliable long snapper Ryan Pontbriand, who had been uncharacteristically off target for weeks, double-clutched prior to his snap to holder Brad Maynard. The twitch caused movement on the Browns' frazzled offensive line. Pontbriand's snap deflected off the foot of Alex Mack, lined up at left guard.

Maynard retrieved the errant ball and spotted it, but Phil Dawson's timing was shot. He tried to adjust his steps but couldn't. He pulled the ball to the left and it was partially deflected off target by a Rams' lineman. The Rams safely burned the final two minutes to secure their unlikely win. It was the low point of Shurmur's first season.

Somehow, the Browns shook off the horrific loss and beat Jacksonville the following week. But Shurmur never recovered. He became a lightning rod of criticism the rest of the year. The Browns didn't win another game after beating the Jaguars and wound up with one more loss than fired coach Eric Mangini had the previous year.

In his review of Shurmur's first season, President Mike Holmgren said, "I think his perseverance and his ability to handle adversity was tested. I thought he kind of emerged ... [with] a few scars, but for a first-year head coach he went through some stuff that I know I didn't have to go through my first year.

"There was some stuff that went on that was a little unusual."

There was the owners lockout, which canceled Shurmur's off-season camps and opportunity to meet his new team. There was the continual soap opera involving Hillis. There was the McCoy concussion in the Pittsburgh game, which threw his future in doubt.

Ultimately, it was the management of the final minutes of the St. Louis game that perhaps cost the Browns the most -- a real chance to get the quarterback of their dreams.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/cleveland_browns_2011_in_revie.html

Reports: Dan Gilbert to Buy Cleveland Gladiators

Cleveland Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert is slowly adding to his stable of sports franchises with the recent report by Cleveland Scene’s Vince Grzegorek stating that he is in line to complete a purchase of the Cleveland Gladiators, the region’s Arena Football League franchise.

Crain’s Cleveland has piled on to Grzegorek’s news earlier this morning, saying that, though nothing is imminent, the two sides could eventually reach an agreement that would net Gilbert a franchise that would play their contests during the months in which his other two teams are in the midst of an offseason.

Already a member of the ownership team for the Cavaliers as well as the Lake Erie Monsters, Cleveland’s American Hockey League franshise, Gilbert is slowly becoming the prinicpal force behind all teams which play inside of his venue, Quicken Loans Arena, named after the retail mortgage lender which he founded and serves as chairman.

Gilbert is also the driving force behind the pending Horseshoe Casino that will grace the fronts of the Cuyahoga River directly across from the Arena and all of Cleveland’s Gateway District. Given the foot traffic that is expected to be largely rooted in Arena events, Gilbert’s attempt at cornering this market is one of logic.  With Gilbert’s cash flow and willingness to spend in order to build, once this transaction is complete, look for plenty of cross-promotion and increased exposure of his brand new acquisition.

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/2012/01/reports-dan-gilbert-to-buy-cleveland-gladiators/

Mike Holmgren 'loves' Colt McCoy, but won't 'anoint' him as 2012 starter: Browns Insider

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

BEREA, Ohio -- Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert still think Colt McCoy can develop into the Browns' franchise quarterback, but he isn't there yet.

"I think he can be, he could be," Holmgren, the team's president, said during a 75-minute press conference on Thursday. "I'm not ready to say that yet. You know what we did this season (4-12) and he played and he did some very fine things and he played young at times. ... Was I pleased? Yeah, in a lot of the stuff he did. My opinion of Colt has not changed. I think he has a lot of intangibles.

"Ultimately, though, as with not only the quarterback position but every position, you're kind of judged on -- and the quarterback more than anybody -- on how well your team did. I'm not ready to anoint Colt yet. Have I changed my mind? No. Do I love him? Yes, I do. But I love Seneca Wallace. We have three good quarterbacks on our team right now.

"Having said that, heck, we don't know what's going to happen and I've had that conversation with Colt as well."

Heckert stressed that McCoy's potential is still high enough for the Browns to be intrigued.

"He's a young quarterback," said Heckert. "We think he's got enough talent to be a player for us. Has he made mistakes like coach said? Yes. Can he get better? We think he will get better. So that's why we're [still evaluating him]."

Holmgren admitted it's tough to evaluate McCoy on his 2011 season because the talent around him was sub-par. In addition to two young guards, his top three running backs went down with prolonged injuries and his No. 1 receiver was rookie Greg Little. His other top receiver, Mohamed Massaquoi, was set back all season by a concussion and a foot injury.

"I think it's hard to judge off this season because our offense by anyone's standards was not good enough," said Holmgren, who has coached Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young and future Hall of Famer Brett Favre. He said he's seen quarterbacks start off the way McCoy has and eventually find success.

"Very few guys in my years in the league have come in and shot lights out," he said. "If you're in the process of being a young quarterback playing for a team still building -- particularly on offense -- it's doubly hard. So, yeah, usually it's like this."

McCoy, who missed the final three games this season with a concussion, is 6-15 with a 74.5 rating. St. Louis' Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010 who also learned a new offense this year, is 8-18 with a 74.2 rating.

"As long as the athlete has what it takes inside – the work ethic, all those things, the measureables -- you have a chance to be good," said Holmgren. "Then you have to be lucky with injury and all that stuff. But it's hard to talk about how good a player can be."

In the coming months, the Browns will have to decide if they'll draft a quarterback or sign one as a free agent. They have the No. 4 overall pick and the Falcons' first-rounder, 21st or lower depending on playoff results. Big-name draft prospects that might be there at No. 4 include Baylor's Robert Griffin III or Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill.

The most sought-after free agent is likely to be Green Bay's Matt Flynn, who threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns in a 45-41 victory over the Lions Sunday while the Packers were resting their starters.

"I think when you go into your second start and you break the records that have been held by Bart Starr, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers in your second start, that's a little unusual I would think," Holmgren said.

Heckert said a free-agent QB is "probably not the way we're going to go, but you never know. It's still early. We've got two months before that happens. We'll look at everybody."

He also didn't rule out drafting a quarterback high.

"If we do it at a certain position early in the draft, then that guy's probably going to be the guy for us," said Heckert. "We have a lot of time to think about what we want to do in the draft and free agency, but if we think a guy will help us, we'll go ahead and do it."

Asked if he'd call the Colts to trade up to get Stanford's Andrew Luck, Heckert said, "I can't talk about him. Never say never."

Mum on Hillis: Holmgren refused to say if the Browns want running back Peyton Hillis back. "That's one of the things we're not going to talk specifics about," said Holmgren. "As far as the future with any of our potential free agents, we're not going to comment on them."

Use the picks: Heckert indicated he'd like to use all nine picks this season, including the first- and fourth-round selections acquired in the trade with Atlanta. The Browns have three picks in the top 37.

"That's one of the reason we made the trade -- to get more players," said Heckert. "You never say never, but we like our picks right now. We have nine right now and hopefully we'll get some compensatory picks. We'd like to add nine good football players."

On Childress: Holmgren said the Browns haven't spoken to former Vikings head coach and Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress about their coordinator job. It doesn't mean they won't. "What we're going to do this year, I'm not going to talk about yet," he said.

On Little: Heckert said "the verdict's still out" on Greg Little, who led the team with 61 receptions in his rookie season.

"I think Greg's a good football player, I really do," he said. "I thought he had a good year. He did have way too many drops and he knows that and we know that, but I think he's got a chance to be a really good player."

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/mike_holmgren_loves_colt_mccoy.html

The Cleveland Browns have a plan? How about sharing it? Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

By Bud Shaw, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are...

In the locker room Sunday, Josh Cribbs sounded like David Copperfield.

"We're going to turn these losses by four points into wins by 14," he said, stopping short of adding, "Abracadabra." This was the same guy who, when asked how big the gap was between the Ravens and Browns less than a month earlier, said, "It's a big gap."

This was the same guy who delivered the slogan of the season after the Cincinnati game when he said out of frustration, "We almost always almost win" and declared war on the moral victory.

So why the happy outlook? After six losses to end the season? Well, for one thing, Cribbs started getting more passes thrown his way. But why else? Because the Browns only were beaten badly once in that stretch?

Sorry. There has to be more reason for optimism than that. That's losers' talk.

Hopefully, Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert can communicate better reasons in Thursday's press conference, because close games are the nature of the NFL. They're not something to run up the flag pole and salute.

Holmgren pointed to The Nap and The Snap in his last press conference in trying to explain the poor record under rookie head coach Pat Shurmur. It didn't fly then. It still doesn't. The Browns lost six games by seven or fewer points in 2011. In a few of those, teams got ahead and protected their lead.

Just a year ago, Eric Mangini's Browns lost seven by less than a touchdown. They even managed to do it while making some magic happen in the very same season, with wins over New Orleans (30-17) and New England (34-14) followed by an OT loss to the Jets (26-20) that was every bit as unlucky as anything that's happened this season.

The Browns have reason to believe they've closed the gap defensively after two years of drafting on that side of the ball. So it figures they can improve offensively by turning attention there in this draft. But there are a lot more questions than draft picks to solve them. And this time next year, Holmgren will be going into Year 4.

Who's the quarterback, the feature running back, the playmaking wide receivers, the play caller? Does anyone in Berea feel a sense of urgency? Could they, you know, show it in free agency?

Maybe Randy Lerner bought the idea of a five-year plan, but it's a non-starter with people who've been invested emotionally and financially since 1999. People who've seen things turn around more quickly in other NFL cities. People who've seen a head coach's passion become contagious.

Since it's clear this flat-lining head coach is being afforded time to learn on the job and isn't going anywhere, it's incumbent on Holmgren and Heckert to give their customers a quick review of The Plan. What would really help is if they recognized the need to hit the accelerator on it. They clearly didn't care about winning this season. Their moves said as much, starting with Shurmur's hiring.

In the meantime, they can't talk about being close one minute when it fits their agenda and roll their eyes the next at everyone's lack of understanding and patience.

Realistically, you'd settle for the Peyton you already have...

If ESPN "speculation" that the Browns would probably be interested in Peyton Manning if he were available can pass as news, then here's something else for you.

First, let me say I am not reporting this. Let's be clear about that. This isn't a report or even a rumor. I'm just putting it out there.

If, say, Adrian Peterson were healthy and available, I would expect the Browns to have some interest in pursuing him.

Yes, even if that means making room by cutting Chris Ogbonnaya.

http://www.cleveland.com/budshaw/index.ssf/2012/01/the_cleveland_browns_have_a_pl.html

Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur launches search for offensive coordinator

By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer

Berea -- As he makes plans for his second season, Pat Shurmur's next decision might shape his future as Browns coach.

Shurmur said he will launch a search for an offensive coordinator, a position he chose not to fill in his first season.

Doubling as his own coordinator in his rookie season as a head coach, Shurmur's offense finished 29th in yards and 30th in scoring, and suffered some in-game brownouts that were explained as "communication" problems.

These included a fumbled handoff to tight end Alex Smith, who was rushed into the huddle as a replacement for fullback Owen Marecic at a critical point in a 6-3 loss to St. Louis, and botched clock management that cost the Browns at least a short field goal try at the end of the first half in a 20-14 loss in Baltimore.

Shurmur said he intended all along to hire a coordinator in his second season when he failed to find "the right guy" a year ago.

"We're going to work quickly, but I'm not going to be hasty," he said of the search. "I want to get the right guy. That's a relationship that's very, very important."

Shurmur seems more inclined to give the right candidate play-calling responsibilities -- something he would not do last year. He said, "That's one of the details we'll get worked out as we go through the process."

A year ago, Shurmur interviewed at least three candidates for coordinator. Two took jobs elsewhere -- Bill Musgrave with the Vikings and Mike McCoy re-signed with Denver under new coach John Fox. The third reported interviewee was Mark Whipple, who joined Shurmur's staff as quarterbacks coach.

Shurmur said Tuesday the new coordinator "may come from the staff," which points to Whipple as a contender.

Whipple was offensive coordinator at the University of Miami in 2009 and '10. He previously worked one season in Philadelphia with Shurmur on Andy Reid's staff and was quarterbacks coach for the Steelers from 2004 to '06.

Other potential candidates could include Brad Childress, who worked with Shurmur in Philadelphia for six years, the last four as Reid's offensive coordinator; and Mike Sherman, who was a Mike Holmgren assistant coach in Green Bay and his offensive coordinator one year in Seattle before returning to Green Bay as head coach. Sherman was fired as Texas A&M head coach last month and reportedly will receive NFL head coach interviews.

Shurmur said he would not identify candidates for the job. He said of Childress: "I know Brad very well. He and I worked together for a long time. I think he's a terrific coach."

Asked if the candidate has to have experience in the West Coast offense, Shurmur said: "I'm trying to find the best guy, so a guy who speaks our language . . . I think might have a little bit of a leg up.

"The coordinator role is like having another decision-maker amongst your staff that has the title of being able to say we're going to do this or do that. I think it's important that I get the right guy. His final role . . . there's a lot of different models. There's eight or nine teams where the head coach calls the plays, and they have a coordinator. And then there's other teams that have a different [setup].

"The offensive coordinator is responsible for the offensive coaches. He's mainly responsible for putting the plan together, directing the offense and doing a lot of things that I did as a head coach.

"The game-day thing, calling plays, that's a fun thing for all of us to do. I want the best guy I can get. If he's outstanding at calling plays . . . listen, I want to win games, so I'm going to get the guy that helps us win."

The hire comes at a critical time in the franchise's endless search for respectability. In their expansion era, the Browns have ranked 23rd or worst in offense in 12 of 13 seasons. They were eighth in 2007 under coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who is being mentioned as a head coach candidate in Jacksonville.

The Browns are contemplating a thorough upgrade on offense, which could include a new quarterback, new receivers and possibly a new running back.

Shurmur declined Tuesday to speculate on the future of quarterback Colt McCoy and again refused to say he wanted potential free agent Peyton Hillis to return as the feature running back.

As for any other changes to his coaching staff, Shurmur said he didn't plan any "at this point." He left open the door, pending coaches being made available by other teams.

The Browns had several breakdowns on special teams -- yielding two kick returns for touchdowns and a touchdown on a fake punt, having two field goals blocked and having two critical long snaps go awry. But Shurmur defended special teams coordinator Chris Tabor.

"I think as players and coaches, we all need to improve. And I did see some improvement in areas that make me think we're going to get better," Shurmur said of the special teams.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/cleveland_browns_coach_pay_shu.html

Despite their 4-12 record, Browns believe they have foundation to become successful

By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer

BEREA: The Browns packed their bags for the offseason and played the patience card on their way out the door.

Fans are tired of being told success is on the horizon, and who could blame them? The Browns have finished with a record of 4-12 for the third time in the past six seasons.

Still, the players who surfaced in the locker room Monday stressed the importance of continuity and stability. They believe the team is not far from turning the corner, even though the six-game losing streak at the end of coach Pat Shurmur’s first season in Cleveland suggests otherwise.

“Very close,” cornerback Sheldon Brown said. “One or two plays each game. You just have to find your playmakers, and they just have to understand the sense of urgency and make the plays.

“I didn’t tell you this last year. I thought we were way off last year from a lot of other things that we were having to deal with, but I think this organization is heading in the right direction.”

The Browns suffered six defeats by seven or fewer points this season, and they lost their final three games by a combined 13 points. On Sunday, they fell 13-9 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular-season finale for both teams.

“We were in a lot of games,” kicker Phil Dawson said. “It’s death by inches, though. How are you going to look at that? Are we that close, or is that just the nature of the league? It depends on your personality, how you’re going to view that. In my little world, if my plant foot misses the spot by a quarter-inch, I miss the kick. That will probably tell you how I look at it. Everybody looks at themselves critically and figures out how they can improve. If we do that, now these close games are coming out in our favor. Hopefully, that’s the way guys respond to it.”

Tight end Evan Moore cited the team’s youth as a reason to believe it will develop.

With an average age of 25.9 years, the Browns are one of the youngest teams in the NFL. The Browns finished the season with 29 players on their active roster who were rookies, first- or second-year players.

The NFL’s lockout might have delayed the growth of those young players. The work stoppage prevented Shurmur from meeting his entire team until late July. This year, the Browns will begin their offseason workout program April 16.

“With no offseason to prepare, and granted [every team] dealt with no offseason, we have a young core of players on offense that are trying to learn a new offense, and there’s not a whole lot of experience in general at the skill positions, and so when you put all that together, it makes it tough,” Moore said. “We weren’t able to get it done. I’m not trying to make excuses — 4-12 is by no means a success. We might have had some successes in our own inner circles, but 4-12 is 4-12. That’s what you guys see, that’s what the public sees and fans see, and that’s something we need to try and fix.”

President Mike Holmgren hired Shurmur to spearhead a turnaround. Although Shurmur had one fewer win this season than his predecessor, Eric Mangini, had in each of his two years with the Browns, Shurmur’s players insist he’s the right man for the job.

“Shurmur’s one of those guys where you can tell everything he says, he really means it,” defensive lineman Brian Schaefering said. “He’s not just saying it to be a scripted guy or because that’s what somebody above him was telling him to say. Everything he says is exactly what he means. That’s something that makes guys want to play for him.”

Shurmur should receive ample time to reverse the fortunes of an organization that has had only two winnings seasons since its rebirth in 1999. Shurmur will “absolutely” coach the Browns in 2012 and “he’s going to be the coach around here for a long time,” Holmgren said Dec. 14.

“The worst thing that I’ve known of the history of the Browns is one or two years and they want to blow it up,” Brown said. “People want to think that it changes in one or two years. There’s a process that you have to go through in this league, and you have to be patient to do it.

“[Shurmur] kept this football team fighting, and for me, that’s how I judge a head coach. If a football team goes out there and competes their tail off week in and week out through thick and thin — it was very thick this year — but we didn’t quit. So that tells me the leader is in place, and the guys believe in him.”

As for the talent Shurmur has at his disposal, it’s no secret the Browns must add some key pieces to improve, and owning the fourth overall pick in April’s draft should help. But Brown isn’t waiting for Baylor University quarterback Robert Griffin III, or another elite draft prospect, to save the franchise.

“I’m definitely not,” he said. “And if you are, you’re crazy.

“If you’re depending on a draft pick to come in here and change your life, then you’re kidding yourself. This game is too hard, and there’s too big of a jump.”

Instead, he believes progression from the team’s young nucleus will yield success.

“Everybody needs to play better,” Brown said. “When you lose close games, you can go back and point to maybe one or two drops or one or two miscues. When things like that happen, I bet you go back and you say, ‘[It’s] a young player that hasn’t been in this situation, hasn’t experienced it.’ Well, now he’s experienced it, and he won’t do it again.”