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Stallworth's contract terminated

by Marla Ridenour on February 8, 2010

in Uncategorized

The Browns have terminated the contract of receiver Donte' Stallworth, they announced in a one-sentence press release today.

Stallworth was reinstated by the league after Sunday's Super Bowl after being suspended for the 2009 season by commissioner Roger Goodell after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter. Driving in Miami Beach on March 14, Stallworth struck and killed pedestrian Mario Reyes. Stallworth served 24 days of a 30-day jail sentence and also reached a financial settlement with the Reyes family.

Goodell addressed Stallworth's reinstatement Friday, saying he talked with Stallworth when he was in Miami for the Dolphins' final game Jan. 3.

"Donte' and I spent about 45 minutes to an hour together," Goodell said. "I wanted to see how he was doing, what he had been focused on during his time away from the game and I think he’s in a better place than he was. I think he recognizes what he did and the horrific nature and the unfortunate outcome and I think he’s prepared himself to get back in and play."

Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before the 2008 season. But he spent much of that year injured and caught just 17 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown.

The Browns had been expected to release Stallworth before March 20, when he was reportedly due a $1 million roster bonus. He now becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Stallworth posted on his Twitter page Monday evening, "I LOVE TOM HECKERT!!!!! He was my guy in Philly & he's my guy now … always … nothing but love from me to him."

Heckert, the new Browns' general manager, spent the past nine years with the Eagles. Stallworth played for Philadelphia in 2006.

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The NFL season may be over, but it's never too early to begin making bets for next season. Gambling Web site Bodog.com says the Browns are 100/1 long shots to make the Super Bowl.

No team has worse odds, but the same odds are given to Buffalo, Detroit, Kansas City, Oakland, St. Louis and Tampa Bay. They give the Colts the best odds at 13/2. Last night's big winners, New Orleans, is given a 10/1 shot of returning to the Super Bowl.

Here is how they have the odds for the four AFC North teams:

Pittsburgh Steelers 11/1
Baltimore Ravens 20/1
Cincinnati Bengals 30/1
Cleveland Browns 100/1

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Stallworth reinstated Sunday

by Marla Ridenour on February 5, 2010

in Uncategorized

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed during his state of the league press conference Friday that Browns receiver Donte' Stallworth will be reinstated "after the Super Bowl on Sunday."

Stallworth was suspended for the season after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter for a March 14 incident when he struck and killed pedestrian Mario Reyes in Miami Beach. Stallworth also served 24 days in jail and reached a financial settlement with the Reyes family.

The Browns are expected to release Stallworth, although perhaps not immediately after he's reinstated.

Goodell said he met with Stallworth in Miami when he was in town for the Dolphins final regular-season game against Pittsburgh Jan. 3.

"Donte' and I spent about 45 minutes to an hour together," Goodell said. "I wanted to see how he was doing, what he had been focused on during his time away from the game and I think he’s in a better place than he was. I think he recognizes what he did and the horrific nature and the unfortunate outcome and I think he’s prepared himself to get back in and play."

Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before the 2008 season. But he spent much of that year injured and caught just 17 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown.

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Browns will not increase season ticket prices

by Marla Ridenour on February 5, 2010

in Uncategorized

Browns season ticket prices will not increase for 2010 and the cost for select seats will be reduced, the team announced Friday.

In the past seven years, the Browns have raised prices only twice and their prices remain among the lowest in the NFL. In a 2009 study by Team Marketing Report, the Browns' average ticket price was $54.65 and its average for a premium ticket was $198.47, below the NFL averages of $74.99 and $226.23, respectively.

Seats with prices reduced are the last five rows in sections I and J and the last 15 rows in section F, which went down $5 per game.

Two changes have been instituted under new president Mike Holmgren. Season tickets will be available in the Family Zone, an alcohol-free area, at $32 per game if purchased for the season. Also, each season ticket account holder will have a personal representative and will receive in-stadium discounts on concessions, team merchandise and season parking.

"Having faced the Browns several times in Cleveland as a head coach, I know what a home field advantage our stadium can provide," Holmgren said in a statement. "We're excited about continuing to build the type of team that our fans can be proud of. I know that they will be an integral part of any success that we have and that is why we are pleased to keep our ticket prices as affordable as possible for our fans."

Renewal information will be mailed later this month, but can also be done online at ClevelandBrowns.com. Flexible payment options and renewal prizes will again be offered there.

For more information, call 440-824-3434.

In addition to their division foes, the Browns will host Atlanta, Carolina, Kansas City, New England, the New York Jets and the New England Patriots.

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An official release from the team is after the jump.

[click to continue…]

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Cribbs to appear on Rome is Burning

by Marla Ridenour on February 4, 2010

in Uncategorized

ESPN's schedule for Friday's live programming from the Super Bowl includes an appearance by Browns' Pro Bowl returner Joshua Cribbs.

At 4:30 p.m., Cribbs will be a guest on "Rome is Burning" with host Jim Rome. Also scheduled to appear are Vikings defensive end Jared Allen and Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

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Browns hire two

by Marla Ridenour on January 27, 2010

in Uncategorized

Kent Johnston was hired as strength and conditioning coach and Mark Schiefelbein as vice president of football operations, the Browns announced Wednesday.

Schiefelbein, the Packers' director of football adminstration/communications, brings 20 years of NFL experience, 18 with the Packers (1992-2009) and two with the Buccaneers. A Wisconsin native who started as an intern in Green Bay in 1989, Schiefelbein has worked in public and community relations and operations.

Johnston spent the past four years in the non-profit and business sector, most recently working as strength coach at the University of Alabama in 2004-05.

He has 17 years of NFL experience, 12 of those with Browns president Mike Holmgren in Green Bay and Seattle. Johnston served as strength coach for Tampa Bay (1987-91), Green Bay (1992-98) and Seattle (1999-2003). In 1997, he was named "Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year" by the Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Coaches' Society.

Johnston's college resume includes stops at Northwestern State (1979-80), Louisiana-Monroe (1980-81) and another at Alabama (1983-86).

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Holmgren's thoughts may soon turn to Cribbs

by Marla Ridenour on January 27, 2010

in Uncategorized

Browns president Mike Holmgren will leave Thursday for the West Coast and spend about a week completing his move to Cleveland.

But when he returns, Holmgren will dive into Browns' roster issues and its evaluation, he said in a telephone interview Wednesday. Among his priorities will be negotating a new contract for Pro Bowl returner Joshua Cribbs, who has three years remaining on his current deal.

"I talked to Josh's representatives about a week ago and said I'd like to reopen the talks," Holmgren said. "'Let's kind of wipe the slate clean and see if we can get this thing done. We'd like Josh to be here, I believe Josh wants to be here. Let's try and do this.' We're going to try."

According to Cleveland.com, Cribbs' agents J.R. Rickert and Peter Schaffer were pleased by that progress.

"They came out with something that said we had talked and were encouraged by it. I thought that was a good first step," Holmgren said. "Now we're going to try and get that done sometime down the road."

Asked if that would be before the NFL Combine, which runs from Feb. 24-March 2 in Indianapolis, or the scheduled start of free agency March 5, Holmgren said, "There's not a timetable, but there are some natural things that make it better, timing-wise, because we kind of know who we have then. But I think this thing stands alone. We'd like to get it done and hopefully they want to get it done, so we'll see."

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Furrey selected Payton finalist

by Marla Ridenour on January 24, 2010

in Uncategorized

Playing in his native state last year for the first time since his days at Hilliard High School, Browns receiver/safety Mike Furrey was named one of three finalists Sunday for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

The 2009 award has a distinct Ohio flavor. Also selected as finalists were Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, a Cleveland native and product of Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School and John Carroll University, and Chiefs guard Brian Waters.

The winner will be announced live on CBS before Super Bowl XLIV Feb. 7. The three will be saluted during a press conference with Payton's family in South Florida on Feb. 5.

Furrey is the first Browns player to be selected as a finalist for the Payton award since the team returned in 1999. It recognizes a player's community service activities and playing excellence. Furrey started on both offense and defense, contributing 23 catches for 170 yards along with 14 tackles and two passes defensed.

Furrey was also the Browns' nominee for the Ed Block Courage Award.

"The Browns are thrilled that Mike Furrey is among the three finalists for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which in my mind is one of the most prestigious individual honors because of what it stands for," Browns president Mike Holmgren said in a statement. "Mike epitomizes what it means to be a true professional athlete. His tireless efforts on the field and in the community are inspirational, and we are proud that he is a member of the Cleveland Browns."

Furrey said in a statement, "It’s an honor to even be in the category, let alone be in the final three for this award. To be able to go down to the Super Bowl and represent the Browns is a huge honor."

The finalists will receive a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice, with an additional $20,000 going to the winner's charity. Each team representative earns $1,000 for his charity.

A seven-year veteran signed as a free agent in May after playing in Detroit and St. Louis, Furrey threw himself into community causes. Among those he supported were the Cleveland Foodbank, Cleveland Christian Home, Cleveland Clinic Rehab Hospital and NFL Hometown Huddle.

He made frequent school visits and is the spokesperson for Children’s Hunger Alliance. He also created a gameday ticket program for those receiving help from the Cleveland Clinic Hospital for Rehabilitation, City Mission and the Cleveland Christian Home. As well as getting tickets, "Furrey's Fanatics" received food vouchers, game programs and custom shirts.

Furrey was also a driving force in the Browns' Toys for Tots effort, which raised $45,500 worth of toys.

"I never felt it’s something we should be getting rewarded for. I
believe it’s something we should be doing every day," Furrey said in December when he learned he was the Browns' Payton nominee. "When you're blessed to be in this league, it’s great to be out in the community to give back and serve and help others that might not have that foundation you had growing up."

A native of Galion, Ohio, Furrey said he and his wife Koren adapted to Cleveland quickly.

"A lot of things clicked real well in this community, we picked up on a lot
of things and it’s been great," he said last month.

Current and former NFL commissioners Roger Goodell and Paul Tagliabue were on the committee that selected the finalists, along with Connie Payton, retired players Frank Gifford, Anthony Munoz and George Martin, 2008 winner Kurt Warner and Peter King of Sports Illustrated.

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Personnel department taking shape

by Marla Ridenour on January 20, 2010

in Uncategorized

Four men hired to the Browns' personnel department Wednesday have ties to the Seattle Seahawks or the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Browns announced the additions of player personnel director Jon Sandusky, director of pro personnel Keith Gilbertson, personnel executive John Spytek and pro scout A.J. Durso. All either worked with new Browns president Mike Holmgren in Seattle or new general manager Tom Heckert in Philadelphia.

A native of State College, Pa. and the son of former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, Jon Sandusky spent the past nine seasons with Eagles, the last two as director of pro personnel. He joined the organization as an intern in the personnel department in 2001, then was hired as a pro scout.

Gilbertson, who brings more than 30 years of coaching experience, worked under Holmgren in Seattle in 2005-08 as offensive consultant, offensive line coach and receivers coach. He also coached for the Seahawks from 1996-98 and with the USFL's L.A. Express in 1983-85, whose 1984 team included future Browns running back Kevin Mack. Gilbertson's college coaching resume includes stints at Utah State, Idaho, Washington and Cal-Berkeley.

Spytek spent the previous five seasons with Heckert in Philadelphia, the last three as a college and pro scout. He also got his start as an intern with the Detroit Lions in 2004 and with the Eagles' pro personnel department in 2005. Spytek played linebacker at the University of Michigan.

Durso worked for the Seahawks from 2006-09, serving as an assistant to Holmgren for three years and as an offensive assistant last season. A member of the baseball team at the SUNY Institute of Technology, Durso was an intern in Seattle's operations department in 2005.

Seahawks' CEO Tod Leiweke told ESPN.com that director of pro personnel Will Lewis, who interviewed for the Browns' GM job, will remain in Seattle.

The Browns also signed free agent defensive back Chris Roberson, a seventh-round pick of Jacksonville in 2005 out of Eastern Michigan who spent the last four weeks of the 2009 season on the Eagles' practice squad.

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Browns return specialist Josh Cribbs turned his Twitter following into help for Haiti on Sunday.

Cribbs announced early in the day on Sunday that for every follower of his postings by midnight he would donate $1. By the end of the day, Cribbs said he ended up donating more than $17,000.

He also said he would donate the check he'll receive for being selected to the Pro Bowl.

Cribbs wrote that he got the idea from suspended Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth. By midnight, Stallworth reached 34,200 followers. His amount was matched by New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker for a combined $68,400.

The money from Cribbs, Stallworth and Welker will be donated to Project Mediashare, an organization started in 1994 to help health care in Haiti.

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Thomas, Mack, Cribbs on PFWA teams

by Marla Ridenour on January 18, 2010

in Uncategorized

Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, kickoff returner Joshua Cribbs and center Alex Mack were among those selected to the Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America All-NFL teams.

Thomas and Cribbs were named to the All-NFL team, while Mack was selected to the all-rookie team, along with Arizona Cardinals running back Chris "Beanie" Wells of Garfield High School.

A list of the teams follows:

All-NFL team
Offense
QB Peyton Manning / Colts
RB Chris Johnson / Titans
RB Adrian Peterson / Vikings
WR Andre Johnson / Texans
WR Wes Welker / Patriots
TE Dallas Clark / Colts
C Nick Mangold / Jets
OG Steve Hutchinson / Vikings
OG Jahri Evans / Saints
OT Ryan Clady / Broncos
OT Joe Thomas / Browns

Defense
DE Jared Allen / Vikings
DE Dwight Freeney / Colts
DT Kevin Williams / Vikings
DT Haloti Ngata / Ravens
OLB Elvis Dumervil / Broncos
OLB DeMarcus Ware / Cowboys
ILB Patrick Willis / 49ers
CB Charles Woodson / Packers
CB Darrelle Revis / Jets
S Darren Sharper / Saints
S Adrian Wilson / Cardinals

Specialists
PK Nate Kaeding / Chargers
P Shane Lechler / Raiders
PR DeSean Jackson / Eagles
KR Josh Cribbs / Browns
ST Kassim Osgood / Chargers

Most Valuable Player — Colts QB Peyton Manning
Defensive MVP — Packers CB Charles Woodson
Coach of the Year — Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis
Rookie of the Year — Texans LB Brian Cushing
Offensive Rookie of the Year — Vikings WR Percy Harvin
Most Improved Player of the Year — Cowboys WR Miles Austin
Comeback Player of the Year — Patriots QB Tom Brady
Executive of the Year — Colts president Bill Polian
Assistant Coach of the Year — Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer
Golden Toe (Best Placekicker or Punter) — Raiders P Shane Lechler

All-Rookie team
Offense
QB Mark Sanchez / Jets
RB Knowshon Moreno / Broncos
RB Beanie Wells / Cardinals
WR Percy Harvin / Vikings
WR Austin Collie / Colts
TE Brandon Pettigrew / Lions
C Alex Mack / Browns
OG Andy Levitre / Bills
OG Louis Vasquez / Chargers
OT Michael Oher / Ravens
OT Phil Loadholt / Vikings

Defense
DL Tyson Jackson / Chiefs
DL Terrance Knighton / Jaguars
DL B.J. Raji / Packers
DL Matt Shaughnessy / Raiders
LB Brian Cushing / Texans
LB Clay Matthews / Packers
LB Brian Orakpo / Redskins
CB Vontae Davis / Dolphins
CB Jacob Lacey / Colts
S Jairus Byrd / Bills
S Louis Delmas / Lions

Specialists
PK Ryan Succop / Chiefs
P Pat McAfee / Colts
PR Quan Cosby / Bengals
KR Percy Harvin / Vikings
ST LaRod Stephens-Howling / Cardinals

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Keenan appears to have left Browns

by Marla Ridenour on January 15, 2010

in Uncategorized

Former Browns president Mike Keenan, named the team's chief financial officer last month, appears to have left the organization.

Keenan's name is no longer listed on the Browns' web site, first pointed out Friday night by an online reader of profootballtalk,com.

The Browns' list seems to be recently updated, because it no longer includes members of the pro personnel department, who were relieved of their duties Thursday by new general manager Tom Heckert.

Bryan Wiedmeier, announced Tuesday as the Browns' executive vice president of business operations, is listed below new team president Mike Holmgren. When Holmgren agreed to join the Browns on Dec. 21, Keenan was reassigned.

A certified public accountant, Keenan joined the Browns in January, 2006 after serving as senior director of labor finance for the NFL Management Council.

Keenan's most memorable moment was his uncomfortable introduction of coach Eric Mangini at a press conference on Jan. 8, 2009.

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In an interview with Tom Pedulla of USA Today, Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said he's interested in being head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

Many expect current Raiders coach Tom Cable to be fired by owner Al Davis, perhaps as soon as today.

"Hell, yeah, I'd have interest," Ryan told Pedulla. "I haven't talked to Mr. Davis because he has a coach. Let's see what happens."

Ryan was defensive coordinator for the Raiders from 2004 to 2008. In Ryan's first year as defensive coordinator with Cleveland, the Browns finished 31st in the league in total defense and 21st in scoring defense.

Ryan interviewed for the Raiders' head coaching job four years ago.

"I will be a head coach in this league, and I will be damn successful, too," Ryan said.

Rob's brother, Rex Ryan, is in his first season as head coach of the New York Jets and helped lead the team to the playoffs.

Rob Ryan may have tried to plant the seed in Davis' mind that he'd like Cable's job before the Browns hosted the Raiders on Dec. 27.

Asked what it was like to coach in Oakland, Ryan said, "It was like a dream come true for me. Me and my brother, that’s something we always dreamed about, being the bad guy. It was great.

"I learned a ton of football from Mr. Davis. It was a great experience. We didn’t win and that’s the thing, like I said, nothing is guaranteed in this business. Even though they have the teams of the decade and had all of those Super Bowls, it didn’t work out when I was there five years."

Ryan said Davis didn't interfere as much as it is perceived.

"That’s the biggest misconception there is," Ryan said. "Not at all. Not at all until the season is over. Then he wants to know what you did and why you do it and things like that and the personnel. I never saw all of that, what people say. Maybe he changed when I got there. I don’t know. He didn’t like to be around me or something.”

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Free agency won't be the answer

by Marla Ridenour on January 13, 2010

in Uncategorized

The best move Browns coach Eric Mangini may have made in his first season was stockpiling 11 picks for the April 22-24 NFL draft.

The uncertainty of an upcapped year in 2010 may make NFL teams hesitant to do much in free agency, which begins March 5. Unless a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached before then, 212 players (according to the Associated Press) who thought they would be unrestricted free agents will now be restricted. That group includes the Browns' Abe Elam, Brodney Pool, Jerome Harrison, Lawrence Vickers, D'Qwell Jackson and Matt Roth.

New general manager Tom Heckert said Tuesday that teams may also shy away from big-name players because the salary cap may return in the future.

"Those are the things you have to weigh," Heckert said. "Are you going to pay a guy an exorbitant amount of signing bonus or salary and hope for the best and see what happens? We'll come up with a salary structure not only for this year, but for the next two or three years out. We'll see where we are cap-wise, see what we can handle and what we can't."

Asked his top priority, Heckert said, "Draft well, that’s how you sustain success."

According to Jason LaCanfora of the NFL Network, there are virtually no highly regarded quarterbacks who will be unrestricted. His list, as of Dec. 30, included Charlie Batch, Kyle Boller, Mark Brunell, David Carr, Daunte Culpepper, A.J. Feeley, Rex Grossman, Josh McCown, Chad Pennington, Chris Redman and Brian St. Pierre.

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Browns' four horsemen look impressive

by Marla Ridenour on January 12, 2010

in Uncategorized

New Browns' president Mike Holmgren was surrounded by his right-hand men Tuesday — coach Eric Mangini, general manager Tom Heckert and executive VP of business operations Bryan Wiedmeier — and Holmgren seemed thrilled by the lineup.

"The decisions this organization makes going forward will be handled by these fellas right here," Holmgren said. "I trust them. I believe in them. They're good football people. Responsibilities will be defined.

"If we make a decision releasing a player, whatever it happens to be, that decision is not a Mike Holmgren decision, an Eric Mangini decision, a Tom Heckert decision, it's a Cleveland Browns decision. That's how we're going to do business from now on. Hopefully then we make enough good decisions to get it going in the right direction."

Holmgren wouldn't agree with ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer, who once described the Browns as a "dysfunctional" organization. But Holmgren said he will analyze the current staff to find people "who will buy into our vision."

"I don't want to lose good people," Holmgren said. "My job is to make sure everyone's thinking the same way. Was it dysfunctional? I won't say that. Do we have to improve? Absolutely, absolutely. That's what our job is."

Holmgren told a story from when he came to Green Bay in 1992 and the Packers hadn't been a playoff contender since the Vince Lombardi era ended 25 years before. No coach in that span had lasted more than four years other than Bart Starr.

"The controller of the company gave me my first cell phone and said, 'Listen, when you get fired, give this cell phone back,"' Holmgren said. "I had been there three days, but that was kind of the thinking with a lot of people. The challenge for me and (general manager) Ron Wolf at the time was to flip that thinking."

Holmgren said he tried to hire Wiedmeier away from the Miami Dolphins five years ago when he was in Seattle. He said he wasn't sure he'd ever be able to pry Heckert away from close friend Andy Reid in Philadelphia.

"Even though I promised Kathy I took this last year off, when she was going shopping I was making my lists," Holmgren said. "These fellas clearly were at the top of that list. Hope springs eternal and here we did it.

"That's why I'm so excited about this. These are really quality men who are good at their jobs. Now we just move forward."

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Staff changes up to Mangini

by Marla Ridenour on January 11, 2010

in Uncategorized

Browns president Mike Holmgren said any changes in assistant coaches would be up to Eric Mangini.

Holmgren was speaking on a conference call for the first time since he decided to retain Mangini Thursday. The only coach who won't be back at the present is receivers coach George McDonald, who was hired by Rutgers last week.

"That will be Eric's call. He's going through that right now," Holmgren said of the coaching staff. "He was pleased with how the guys did this year. That's not to say if someone became available that a change might take place.

"All in all, I think we're still a little bit away from that. As of right now, things are pretty much as they were last year. There could be a couple changes, though, down the road, but not yet."

Holmgren said there may be a couple other front office positions he hopes to fill. Hired Monday were general manager Tom Heckert and executive vice president of business operations Bryan Wiedmeier.

"If possible I'm looking at how the organization was set up, if I could streamline a little bit," he said. "There are a couple positions we could categorize in operations. There are a couple things in the business side that I'm looking at. Bryan just got here today. We're going to sit down in the next couple days and go over that with a fine-tooth comb and see how he wants to set it up as well.

"It was very important to get these two men in place because in the organizational chart they're two of the three or four who will report directly to me and who have a lot of responsibility throughout the organization."

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Quinn may have Lisfranc injury

by Marla Ridenour on January 11, 2010

in Uncategorized

Browns quarterback Brady Quinn may not need surgery for the left foot injury he suffered on a bootleg run Dec. 20 at Kansas City.

But the news about Quinn from Browns president Mike Holmgren Monday was not all good.

Holmgren said Quinn may have a Lisfranc injury, which involves the ligaments in the mid-foot and could include a fracture and/or dislocation in that area.

"I just talked with our training staff today," Holmgren said on a conference call. "I don't believe he's going to need surgery. He needs some time, clearly. As far as the specifics of the injury, again, we can talk about that a little bit tomorrow, but I don't believe he's going to have to have surgery."

Asked specifically if it was a Lisfranc injury, Holmgren said, "That's the first thought, yeah."

Quinn was last seen at practice on Dec. 22, sitting on the sideline in the Browns' indoor facility with a boot on his injured foot and using crutches.

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Heckert, Wiedmeier named

by Marla Ridenour on January 11, 2010

in Uncategorized

The Browns announced Tom Heckert Jr. as general manager and Bryan Wiedmeier as executive vice president-business operations.

Heckert has spent 18 seasons in the NFL, the past nine with the Philadelphia Eagles, including the previous four as general manager.

Wiedmeier has been a member of the Miami Dolphins front office for the past 29 years, the past three as president and chief operating officer.

The two will be formally introduced at a 2 p.m. press conference Tuesday in Berea. Coach Eric Mangini will also be present.

President Mike Holmgren is about to conduct a conference call with local media to give details.

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Tees for Cribbs' fans

by Marla Ridenour on January 11, 2010

in Uncategorized

When Joshua Cribbs jumped into the end zone after his weaving, 14-yard touchdown run in the Browns' season finale against Jacksonville, an idea was born.

"My buddy and I were there to catch him," said Tony Madalone, 25, of North Ridgeville. "We starting thinking, 'We really want to keep him here."'

Madalone was already printing T-shirts through his company, Fresh Brewed Tees. But with Cribbs upset about the Browns' failure to renegotiate his contract, Madalone came up with the idea for a "Pay Cribbs" shirt.

Fortunately he got them printed in time for Cribbs' appearance on ESPN's "First Take" Monday as host Jay Crawford, a long-time Browns fan, showed the shirt on the air.

Madalone said names can't be copyrighted, and the likeness of Cribbs is just an outline with his No. 16.

"I tweeted to him on Twitter and on the program he didn't say anything," Madalone said. "I assume he doesn't have a problem with it. Anything we can do to keep him here."

Madalone is not a Browns season-ticket holder, but attends games when he can.

"I've never seen a winning team," he said.

His company also produces shirts that say, "We're Going to Party Like It's 1964" in reference to the city's last professional championship, "Rock & Roll Capital of the World, Cleveland, Ohio" and "Cleveland: At Least We're Not Detroit."

Cribbs' shirts are $15 and are available in sizes from small to 3XL. For more information, go to paycribbs.com.

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