Browns rookie Armonty Bryant was arrested and charged with DUI. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Cleveland Browns rookie defensive end Armonty Bryant was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol less than a week after being drafted, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.

According to the report, Bryant repeatedly refused to adequately blow into an Intoxilyzer after being stopped by police last Friday.

The Browns selected Bryant in the seventh round despite coming into the draft with baggage. Bryant was suspended for three games last season at East Central Oklahoma University in Ada, Okla. after being arrested in October for selling $20 of marijuana twice to an undercover officer, both times in an ECU parking lot.

“We are aware of the incident and are now in the process of collecting more information,” Browns vice president of media relations Neal Gulkis said in a statement after the Beacon Journal asked for a comment. “We will not have any further comment.”

More from the Beacon Journal:

Pool then arrested Bryant and tried to get him to submit to the state’s breath test. Bryant, 22, repeatedly refused to adequately blow into an Intoxilyzer, though two deficient samples read 0.10 and 0.09, according to the report. Bryant also declined to submit to the state’s blood test.

“During my interactions with Armonty I observed him to have slurred speech, to have a strong odor associated with an alcoholic beverage coming from about his person and to be unbalanced on his feet,” Pool wrote in the report.

According to the report, Pool pulled Bryant over at 3:46 a.m. Friday because Bryant made a left turn after failing to signal until his vehicle had come to a stop at a stop sign near East Central University’s Norris Field, where he became a Division II college football standout. Bryant initially told Pool he was driving a friend home from a party and had not been drinking, but he later “stated that he had a few drinks earlier in the evening,” according to the report.

Oregon linebacker Dion Jordan and Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner are expected to open training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The two are among the highest rated defensive players of this year’s draft, and both underwent surgeries for torn labrums during the offseason.

For Milliner, it was his fifth surgery, which may affect his draft stock. His other surgeries include a right knee scope, sports hernia, right tibia stress fracture, and shoulder.  The Browns and Jets have both shown interest in the cornerback, and the Jets may look to use Milliner as a replacement for the recently traded Darrelle Revis.

Oregon LB Dion Jordan and Alabama CB Dee Milliner, who underwent off-season labrum surgery, are expected to open training camp on PUP list.—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2013

Several teams are reportedly interested in the New England Patriots backup QB Ryan Mallett (left). (AP)

Several teams have called the Patriots inquiring about the team’s backup quarterback Ryan Mallett, according to the Boston Globe. The Patriots have not confirmed that they will trade Mallett, a 2011 third-round pick. But three league sources said it was more likely that Mallett would be traded than kept by the Patriots.

The team has been heavily scouting quarterbacks leading up to the draft.

The Browns are considered the favorite to land Mallett. From the Boston Globe report:

Not only did Browns general manager Mike Lombardi gush about the trade on NFL Network, but behind the scenes, Lombardi pushed Bill Belichick to take Mallett.

Mallett, 24, played in four games last season and had one completion in four attempts.

BURKE: More rumors on NFL Draft day

According to the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe, the Patriots would want at least a second-round pick for Mallett:

Source: The Browns have called again about Ryan Mallett. The Patriots want at least a second-round pick in return.—
Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) April 25, 2013

Cleveland Browns linebacker Quentin Groves was arrested last Wednesday for solicitation, the Cleveland Plain Dealer‘s Mary Kay Cabot reports on Twitter.

#Browns linebacker Quentin Groves has been arrested for solicitation, Plain Dealer confirms. Story on cleveland.com soon.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 24, 2013

Groves’ arrest came after he allegedly responded to an ad that appeared to be from a prostitute but was really part of a police operation. Groves allegedly agreed to pay for sex in a phone call before he went to a hotel, where he was arrested. He was reportedly one of 14 men arrested during the three-day sting.

The linebacker signed a two-year, $2.8 million deal with the Browns in March. He started seven games for the Cardinals last season.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is facing a class-action lawsuit for fraud. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

A Georgia trucking company called Atlantic Coast Carriers is suing Browns owner Jimmy Haslam’s family business, Pilot Flying J. Atlantic Coast Carriers claim that the company was duped by Haslam’s salespeople in a “rebate program for fuel,” per Cleveland.com.

From Cleveland.com:

Atlantic Coast Carriers, a tiny trucking company in Hazlehurst, Ga., says in the suit that Pilot Flying J “has benefited from inaccurate rebate procedures for certain clients, including Atlantic Coast and several other clients.’’ The suit, filed in Knox County, Tenn., Circuit Court on Saturday, alleges Haslam’s company “derived funds from a pattern of racketeering activity.’’

The lawsuit was filed after the FBI raided the homes of Pilot salespeople and offices to gather information about the company’s fuel rebate program.

The suit claims that Haslam’s company worked to manually reduce the money due to Atlantic Coast and other companies, to increase Pilot’s profits and sales commissions of its salespeople.

In an affidavit seeking a federal judge’s permission to search properties, an FBI agent working in public corruption and white-collar crime stated that Haslam knew about the fraud for years. The document states that Pilot defrauded multiple trucking companies to the tune of several millions of dollars.

Haslam gave a brief response to reporters on Friday, saying “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Browns owner Jimmy Haslem (right) is expected to make a statement to media. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The NFL says it has ”no such plans” to ask Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam to step aside and remove himself from operational control of the team while the Federal Bureau of Investigation looks into his company’s alleged fraud scheme, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Haslam’s Pilot Flying J travel center company is accused of participating in a fraud scheme for “many years” to keep millions of dollars owed to customers in gas rebates. The FBI says that Haslam knew about the illegal scheme.

Haslam is scheduled to make a statement to the media today at 4 p.m.., but will not take questions.

More from the Plain Dealer:

Haslam was at the Browns facility as planned on Thursday for draft preparations, but did not meet with the media. He’s expected to be here all next week for the draft, which is Thursday through Saturday.

Browns CEO Joe Banner, in a predraft press conference on Thursday, said it’s business as usual for the club.

“Browns operations are the same as they’ve always been, will be the same,” Banner said. “As he (Haslam) expressed, he’s very confident that this will take some time, but it will work out and that they’ve done nothing wrong. ‘’

Colt McCoy says the 49ers have a winning attitude. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colt McCoy knows his role with his new team and that is to backup starter Colin Kaepernick.

The Cleveland Browns shipped McCoy and a sixth-round pick to the 49ers for their fifth-and seventh-round draft picks earlier this month.

McCoy’s three seasons in Cleveland were less than spectacular as the Browns went 14-34, including 6-15 with McCoy as their starter. He says that the attitude about winning was pretty evident once he got to his new team.

“When I walked in the building in San Francisco, it was the same feel [as at the University of Texas],” McCoy told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “It’s a great organization and their only focus is: we want to win and we want to win now. That’s obviously different than some of the things that I’ve been apart of the last few years.”

McCoy will make $1.5 million in the final season of his rookie contract.

More from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

“That’s my role — to backup Colin,” McCoy said. “We all want to play. I think everybody’s career takes a different path. Ultimately, starting is the goal, but coach Harbaugh and [Greg] Roman are great offensive minds. There are so many positives there that I’ll go in and learn. I’m in my playbook right now. That’s kind of my job right now — get familiar with the system.”

“

Matt Barkley announced on his Twitter that he is heading to Cleveland and Buffalo for team visits. It would seem natural for a well-known draft pick to visit teams with top 10 draft picks, but Barkley has likely slid past that range.

What’s more, one NFL GM told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he predicts the QB draft prospects “are going to fall like logs.” The Cardinals, Raiders and Bills, all previously lacking the in the quarterback department, have recently made moves to rectify that. The Jets and Jaguars could possibly draft quarterbacks, unless the teams instead choose to stay confident in their starters.

The Cardinals worked out Barkley, but their coach admitted he’s not in consideration for their first pick. Arizona’s second pick is 38th overall, a possibility for Barkley that hasn’t been ruled out yet.

The Bills are more determined to draft a quarterback for the future, making Barkley’s Buffalo visit more reasonable.

An AFC executive recently compared Barkley to Chad Pennington, who went 18th overall in 2000. From the Yahoo! Sports report:

“[Matt Barkley] has all the intangibles you could imagine,” the executive said. “You couldn’t ask for a better kid or a harder worker. But he just doesn’t have the arm on the deep stuff. … That’s what people said about Pennington (in 2000).”

Generally, quarterback draft picks go higher than expected, but the 2013 quarterback draft prospects have been widely acknowledged as a lowly regarded draft class.

Heading off to Cleveland and Buffalo this morning for team visits—
Matthew Barkley (@MattBarkley) April 08, 2013

After AZ, OAK and BUF each made QB moves last week, one NFL GM predicted "these quarterbacks in this draft are going to fall like logs."—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 08, 2013

Browns backup quarterback Colt McCoy was traded to the 49ers. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns traded backup quarterback Colt McCoy and a sixth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers Monday, loosening the logjam the Browns had at the position, reports CBSSports.com.

The Browns will receive a fifth and seventh round pick for McCoy.

In three NFL seasons, McCoy is 6-15 as a starting quarterback for the Browns, and went 4-9 in 2011 when he won the job. He’s thrown for 21 touchdowns, 20 interceptions for 4,388 yards and has a career 74.8 quarterback rating. McCoy is scheduled to make $1.5 million next season because of escalators in his contract that raised his pay due to incentives reached in 2011.

McCoy lost the starting job last season when the team selected Brandon Weeden in the first round of the 2012 Draft.  The team signed veteran quarterback Jason Campbell last month to backup Weeden, making McCoy expendable.

The Miami Dolphins still have to find a replacement for Sean Smith after the cornerback signed a deal earlier in March with the Kansas City Chiefs. As CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason LaCanfora tweeted, that hole could be filled by the Atlanta Falcons’ Brent Grimes.

Grimes, a 2010 Pro Bowler, made $10 million last season with the Falcons despite sitting out most of the year with an injury to his Achilles tendon. Josh Katzowitz of CBS Sports points out that the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also reportedly shown an interest in Grimes. But it’s the Dolphins who would see Grimes as the biggest upgrade to their secondary assuming they start Richard Marshall, who is coming off of back surgery, and Nolan Carroll.

The Dolphins have had a fairly active free agent period so far, signing receiver Mike Wallace, tight end Dustin Keller, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, linebacker Philip Wheeler and receiver Brandon Gibson.

Dolphins still not done in free agency – very much in on CB Brent Grimes, who played on franchise tag in '12. could land there soon—
Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 28, 2013

Colt McCoy’s time in Cleveland could be coming to an end. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns are expected to release or trade quarterback Colt McCoy soon for a late-round draft pick, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

McCoy is 6-15 as a starting quarterback for the Browns, and went 4-9 in 2011 when he won the job. He’s thrown for 21 touchdowns, 20 interceptions for 4,388 yards and has a career 74.8 quarterback rating. McCoy is scheduled to make $2.325 million next season.

More from the Plain Dealer:

McCoy, a third-round pick of the Browns out of Texas, has become expendable now that the Browns have signed former Bears quarterback Jason Campbell to a two-year contract.

McCoy, the backup last season to Brandon Weeden, is not a match for the downfield, vertical passing game of Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner, and would fit better in a shorter passing game.

McCoy went into last season expecting to be the starter, but was replaced after the team drafted Brandon Weeden in the first round.

The team signed veteran quarterback Jason Campbell this week to backup Weeden, but could be in play for the starting nod.

The Cleveland Browns signed veteran quarterback Jason Campbell on Tuesday to backup starter Brandon Weeden, the team announced. 

Campbell signed a a two-year deal and financial terms were not disclosed.

Campbell spent the last two seasons with the Oakland Raiders. He also spent a season with the Chicago Bears after playing his first five seasons in the NFL with the Washington Redskins, who drafted him in the first round of the 2005 draft.

From ClevelandBrowns.com:

“Jason is an established leader who has started a number of games in this league and has had success,” said Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski. “He brings us a veteran presence and a good set of physical tools. He played in a similar system when he was in Oakland and that will help in his transition.”

Campbell, 31, has thrown for 14,682 yards and 76 touchdowns and 52 interceptions in 71 career starts over eight seasons.

The Browns expect rookie RB Trent Richardson back soon. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson was named in a civil lawsuit with four others by two women alleging they were verbally and physically assaulted at Richardson’s home last year, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. 

The other defendants in the lawsuit includes Richardson’s brother, his girlfriend and two others.

The lawsuit claims that the incident began on Dec. 9, 2012, at Rumors night club following a Browns victory and continued into the early hours of Dec. 10 when the defendants invited Krystal Jones of Maple Heights and Kathleen Hunter of Cleveland to Trent Richardson’s home in Columbia Station, according to the complaint.

Trent Richardson asked the two women to leave, but as they were leaving, Christman said Richardson became enraged, cursing the two women for “slamming a door” and “disrespecting his house,” according to the complaint.

The complaint accuses Richardson of slamming his fist onto the hood of one of the women’s vehicle, denting the hood and causing $1,500 in damage.

Team spokesman Neal Gulkis said the team is “aware of the situation, but will not comment at this time.”

Richardson was selected third overall by the team in the 2012 NFL Draft and rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns in his rookie season.

Phil Dawson, who has kicked for the Browns since 1999, announced via Twitter that he will become a 49er.

Dawson will replace David Akers, whom the 49ers released after he struggled in 2012.

Dawson made his first Pro Bowl this year after producing one of the most accurate seasons of his 14 NFL years, hitting 29 of 31 field goals for a conversion percentage of 93.5 — second best among NFL kickers in 2012. The 38-year-old doesn’t appear to be losing strength in his leg after making seven kicks of at least 50 yards last season.

The 14-year veteran will reunite with former Browns special team coordinator Brad Seely in San Francisco.

Dawson also tweeted his thanks and respect to the Browns and their fans.

I am humbled & thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my career with my new team, the SF 49ers!—
Phil Dawson (@phil_dawson_4) March 19, 2013

Hey, Cleveland. Thank you for a tremendous ride. Your love, support & encouragement have blessed me deeply.—
Phil Dawson (@phil_dawson_4) March 19, 2013

Playing for you has been one of the great joys of my life, and I wish you all the best.—
Phil Dawson (@phil_dawson_4) March 19, 2013

The New Orleans Saints have signed tight end Benjamin Watson to a three-year contract, the Saints said on Monday. Watson played for the Cleveland Browns last season, hauling in 49 receptions for 501 yards with three touchdowns in 14 games.

Watson joins one of the best offensive teams in the NFL. The Saints ranked second in total offense with 6,574 yards from scrimmage including a league-leading 4,997 yards through the air last year.

The 32-year-old tight end was drafted with the 32nd overall pick by the New England Patriots in the 2004 NFL draft before signing a three-year deal with the Browns in 2010.

The Saints have signed TE Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) to a 3-year deal #FreeAgency http://t.co/voifBIwAAv—
New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 18, 2013

The Cleveland Browns have agreed to a two-year contract with free agent linebacker Quentin Groves, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Twitter.

Cleveland back at it bright and early: Browns reached agreement with former Cardinals LB Quentin Groves.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2013

Groves played in all 16 games for the Cardinals last season, starting seven. He finished with four sacks and 34 tackles.

Groves has been a part-time starter throughout his five years in the NFL. He is the second linebacker signed by Cleveland in the past two days. The Browns brought in pass-rushing specialist Paul Kruger on Tuesday.

Cleveland also added defensive tackle Desmond Bryant on Tuesday.

For more on the latest signings, check out SI.com’s NFL Free-Agent Tracker. 

The Browns signed Desmond Bryant to a 5-year deal. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns agreed to terms with free-agent defensive tackle Desmond Bryant Tuesday on a five-year deal, $34 million deal, according to multiple reports.

Bryant spent the last four seasons with the Oakland Raiders, recording 25 tackles with 3.5 sacks in eight starts last season.

Last month, Bryant made news for different reasons.  Miami-Dade police said Bryant went a neighbor’s house drunk and caused a ruckus. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief and was held on $1,000 bail. He also took this memorable mug shot.

#Browns have agreed to terms with Raiders DT Desmond Bryant, according to multiple reports. PD reported last week #Browns wanted him.—
Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 13, 2013

The Colts and Browns are expected to enter into a “bidding war” for defensive end Paul Kruger. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts are prepared to enter a “bidding war” for Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Paul Kruger, The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson reported Sunday.

Kruger will be one of the most highly coveted free agents on the open market. SI.com’s Peter King ranked Kruger second among all free agents behind fellow pass rusher Cliff Avril of the Detroit Lions.

The Ravens will not be able to afford Kruger due to salary-cap constraints. The Browns and Colts — who are looking for a replacement for defensive end Dwight Freeney — are two natural fits.

One source told Wilson that Kruger could earn as much as $10 million to $12 million per season on the free-agent market. The 27-year-old is coming off his best season of four with the Ravens, and he played a key role in leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Kruger had nine sacks in 2012. In the postseason, he had 4.5 sacks, including two of 49ers scrambling quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the Super Bowl.

The Seattle Seahawks have replaced John Idzik with former Browns exec Matt Thomas (Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks have replaced John Idzik, who left the team to be the new Jets GM. Idzik’s replacement is former Browns exec Matt Thomas, who served as Cleveland’s vice president of football administration since February of 2010. Prior to that, Thomas spent 12 years with the Dolphins.

Seahawks’ General Manager John Schneider commented on the hire in a statement released by the team:

“Matt is a well-respected salary cap expert and was recommended by many top-ranking NFL executives. I am excited to welcome him to our football family.”

The Cleveland Browns have hired Michael Lombardi as vice president of player personnel, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

Lombardi, currently an analyst for NFL Network and NFL.com, previously directed player personnel for the Raiders and Browns. His NFL front-office resume also includes terms with the 49ers, Eagles and Broncos.

Lombardi’s history with the Browns linked him to the team’s search for a new general manager/player personnel chief since new owner Jimmy Haslam fired GM Tom Heckert and head coach Pat Shurmur on Dec. 31.

The Browns hired Rob Chudzinski as head coach on Jan. 11 and hired Norv Turner as offensive coordinator Thursday.

Lombardi worked with the Browns during Bill Belichick’s term as head coach (1991-1995) and is believed by some to still provide scouting for Belichick’s Patriots game plans.

“He still puts the game plans together for Bill Belichick,” Brian Baldinger, Lombardi’s NFL Network colleague, told 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland in December.

“I see the stuff being used week in, week out. There’s no question that Bill uses the advanced scouting Mike delivers to him.”

Browns hired Michael Lombardi as GM.—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 18, 2013

Update: Michael Lombardi's title in Cleveland will be VP player personnel.—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 18, 2013

Norv Turner is the new Browns offensive coordinator. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Former San Diego Chargers coach Norv Turner has been named the new offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, according to a report Thursday afternoon from Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com.

It will be a bit of a role reversal for Turner as he will now report to head coach Rob Chudzinkski, who worked under Turner in San Diego. Chudzinkski hailed Turner as one of the most respected offensive coaches in the NFL in the past 25 years and said the knowledge he gained by working for him will now be put to the test as the new coach of the Browns:

“Norv has been one of the most respected offensive coaches in the NFL over the last 25-30 years, and he has had a tremendous amount of success at each one of his stops as a position coach, coordinator and head coach. I was able to learn a great deal in the time that I worked for him in San Diego, and I expect that having him as our offensive coordinator will make a big impact on that side of the ball.”

The Chargers fired Turner at the end of December after his sixth season with the team, having taken the reigns from Marty Schottenheimer in 2007. He had previously won two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys as an offensive coordinator.

ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski told a Philadelphia radio station on Monday that former NFL coach and current Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden would be interested in the Eagles’ vacant head coaching job.

Jaworski told The 97.5 Fanatic that Gruden would be intrigued by the job, noting that he and Gruden have discussed the possibility, according to John Clark of local television station NBC10. But Jaworski told the station that the Eagles have not yet reached out to Gruden to talk about the opening, a day after they were one of the teams spurned by Oregon coach Chip Kelly when he decided to stay with the university.

Ron Jaworski on 975 Fanatic says he talked with Jon Gruden. Eagles havent reached out to Gruden, and says Jon would be interested

— John Clark NBC10 (@johnclarknbc10) January 7, 2013

Gruden, the former coach of the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a Super Bowl title in his belt, has been surprisingly absent from coaching rumors this offseason.

But on Monday, in addition to Jaworski’s comments, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported that the Browns might pursue Gruden after being passed over by Kelly. But Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio promptly threw water on that report, suggesting it was smoke and mirrors from someone in the Gruden camp.

Gruden compiled a 95-81 record over 11 seasons with the Raiders and Buccaneers. He hasn’t coached in the NFL since 2008.

Chip Kelly’s 35-17 Fiesta Bowl victory over Kansas State might be his last win with the Ducks (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

On Monday, the Cleveland Browns fired head coach Pat Shurmur. Then on Thursday, Chip Kelly coached the Oregon Ducks to a 35-17 victory over Kansas State. Now on Friday there are reports that Kelly is “very close” to a deal with the Cleveland Browns.

Kelly said after the Fiesta Bowl that he hopes to have the interviewing process “wrapped up quickly.” Less than one day later is much quicker than most would expect.

NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport first reported that the Browns and Kelly were close to a deal to make him head coach.

BREAKING: Chip Kelly is close to a deal to become the #Browns coach, according to a source informed of his situation.

—
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 04, 2013

The Cleveland Browns have interviewed Penn State’s Bill O’Brien for their open head coaching position.. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns interviewed Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien this week in their search for a new coach, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot reported Thursday.

The report adds to the Browns’ college coach-heavy list of candidates for their open position. They are expected to meet with Oregon coach Chip Kelly on Friday, and ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that they interviewed Syracuse coach Doug Marrone on Thursday.

O’Brien’s interview is noteworthy, after the coach led Penn State to an 8-4 record in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal that rocked the university and the nation. O’Brien was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Before Penn State, O’Brien was the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, where he helped lead the team to the Super Bowl last season. He was hired before the NCAA handed down a four-year bowl ban and scholarship reductions as part of sanctions in the Sandusky scandal.

Mortensen reported that O’Brien’s buyout could be a significant roadblock if an NFL team were interested in hiring him. It could be worth up to $9.2 million, but Mortensen reported that it wasn’t clear if the buyout applied to an NFL gig.

Cleveland fired head coach Pat Shurmur after he led the team to a 9-23 record over the past two seasons.

Breaking: The #Browns interviewed Penn State coach Bill O’Brien this week, a source told the Plain Dealer today.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 3, 2013

Oregon head coach Chip Kelly will meet with the Browns after the Fiesta Bowl (Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Oregon head coach Chip Kelly will meet with Cleveland Browns execs on Friday. Cleveland fired head coach Pat Shurmur after he posted a 9-23 record over two seasons with the team.

Kelly met with Tampa Bay last year and came close to making the jump to the NFL. ESPN reports that Browns CEO Joe Banner is in Arizona and intends to interview Kelly on Friday. But first, Kelly has to focus on  Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl.

“I don’t expect anything,” he said. “I said this a million times. I’m never surprised by anything. I do not know what the future holds. I do know we have a football game tomorrow night and I’m going to be there.”

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam III has said the team will not confirm any interviews.

Read More…

Browns head coach Pat Shurmur will reportedly not return to the team next season. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

It looks like “Black Monday” has its first two casualties as Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner will clean house within the struggling franchise.

Browns head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert are expected to be let go by the team after the Browns complete their season Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. 

Shurmur has a 9-22 record with the team since taking over in 2011, after Eric Mangini was fired. Cleveland is 5-10 this season and have not made the playoffs since 2002. The team will be looking for their sixth head coach since the NFL returned to the city in 1999.

“Listen, I get this, and my concerns are for my team and making sure that we do all the right things during the game to give our guys the best chance to win,” Shurmur said. “That’s where I’m at. We have not won enough football games, and I know that’s the way this things works, but in our situation I see improvement and I’ll leave it at that.”

According to the report, some of the coaches being looked at to replace Shurmur are Oregon head coach Chip Kelly and several NFL offensive coordinators to include the New England Patriots’ Josh McDaniels, the San Francisco 49ers’ Greg Roman and the Indianapolis Colts’ Bruce Arians.

Browns running back Montario Hardesty will start in place of injured Trent Richardson. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns will start quarterback Thad Lewis and running back Montario Hardesty in team’s season finale Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur announced Friday.

Rookie starting quarterback Brandon Weeden and backup Colt McCoy have been dealing with shoulder injuries and running back Trent Richardson missed practice again on Friday with an ankle injury and is unlikely to play. Richardson has run for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, while Hardesty has 51 carries this season for 234 yards and one touchdown.

Lewis, a third-stringer who has not played this season, took all the snaps with the first-team offense during the morning practice on Friday. Lewis will be making his first NFL start and is facing a Steelers’ defense that is ranked No. 1 overall in the NFL in yards allowed.  The team signed free-agent Josh Johnson this week to be Lewis’ backup.

Browns HC Pat Shurmur announced QB Thaddeus Lewis and RB Montario Hardesty will start Sunday vs. Steelers.—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2012

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Browns coach Pat Shurmur defended the pass plays called at the end of a 34-12 loss to the Broncos. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Browns coach Pat Shurmur staunchly defended his decisions during the team’s 34-12 loss to the Broncos on Sunday, according to the News-Herald.

With his team down by 22 points with 1:55 to play in the fourth quarter, Shurmur had quarterback Colt McCoy loading up from the shotgun. He was sacked on first down. Then, at third-and-13 on a pass intended for Josh Cooper, McCoy fell on rookie running back Trent Richardson. Richardson had X-rays done and left the locker room wearing a walking boot.

In response to criticism during a news conference on Monday, Shurmur said:

“So you just run the ball and get out of there, warm up the buses? …. We’re trying to do what we can to move the football. At that time, it was a three-score game. So typically that means throw it.

Nobody wants to be hurt in a game like that. But I think it’s important to try to do what we have to do to win the game. What are we going to do, stop playing? You know what I’m saying? You could run the ball, but then your running backs get hurt as well.”

The Browns (5-10) are in last place in the AFC North. They will play the Steelers (7-8) in their final game of the season.

London Fletcher accused Cleveland Browns Stadium security of escalating an incident involving family members. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Three relatives of Redskins linebacker London Fletcher reportedly were arrested and another family member suffered a neck injury after an altercation with Browns fans and security after Sunday’s game in Cleveland, according to a report by WEWS TV/Newsnet5.

Fletcher, a Cleveland native, told NFL.com his 13-year-old cousin was punched, family members assaulted and his aunt was hospitalized — while also accusing Cleveland Browns Stadium security staff of escalating the incident.

“I’m from Cleveland. I know Browns fans. They’re rabid fans and they love their team,” Fletcher said, “but I guess in the stadium, (my family was) being harassed. The situation that led to people being arrested was stadium security. One of the stadium security guys assaulted one of my family members. So instead of diffusing the situation, he escalated the situation.”

Nita Ashford, a relative of Fletcher and a Cleveland school teacher, told WEWS TV her family was attacked by angry Browns fans as they left Sunday’s game.

The family said Cleveland police used Tasers during the altercation that resulted in two of Fletcher’s cousins, Hasaan Robinson and Douglas Robinson, along with an 18-year-old nephew, being arrested by Tenable Security officers, according to the family.

“It’s my understanding from the moment they got out of their car, (my family members) were harassed by Brown fans and things like that, even all the way up into the stadium,” Fletcher said. “(I) had a 13-year-old cousin who was hit in the face prior to the game. … He wasn’t hurt like that, he is OK.”

Nick Saban was the Browns defensive coordinator under Bill Belichick in the early 90′s. (Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Nick Saban could be the Cleveland Browns’ next head coach if new owner Jimmy Haslam hires the right general manager, according to a Boston Globe report.

There have been a lot of rumors around the Browns that NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi could be the next general manager should new team president Joe Banner and owner Jimmy Haslam decide to make a switch after the season.

According to two NFL sources, there is indeed fire behind that smoke.

Lombardi would bring more than just an NFL resume that includes a term as Raiders GM under then owner Al Davis, and front-office positions with the Browns and Broncos.

There’s also the person Lombardi could deliver as head coach: Alabama’s Nick Saban.

According to the NFL sources, Saban has let it be known that if he returns to the NFL — where he flopped, going 15-17 with the Dolphins from 2005-06 — it would likely be with Lombardi playing Scott Pioli to his Bill Belichick.

Saban reportedly regretted accepting the Dolphins job and hiring general manager Randy Mueller, who was not a disciple of Belichick’s approach to acquiring and managing personnel. Saban left the NFL to take the Alabama job in 2007.

Mueller, who was a good personnel man when running his own ship with the Saints, had to learn Saban’s system on the fly, and it never really clicked.

Saban first got a taste of Belichick’s methods in the early-90′s as the Browns defensive coordinator. Lombardi was the team’s Director of Player Personnel.

Haslam’s role as an influential University of Tennessee booster, could come into play if he’s able to lure Saban away from SEC rival Alabama.

The Cleveland Browns released a statement on Wednesday denying reports that link Jon Gruden to an ownership stake in the team. (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

WREG-TV in Memphis Tennessee reported Tuesday night that MNF analyst Jon Gruden has received a coaching offer from the University of Tennessee.  As part of the offer, per the report, Gruden would get an ownership stake in the Cleveland Browns. While this might make sense because owner Jimmy Haslam is a Tennessee grad and booster, the Browns adamantly deny the claim.

Browns Vice President of Media Relations Neil Gulkis released the official statement.

“Jimmy Haslam has no involvement in the University of Tennessee head coaching search, and the report that Jon Gruden would potentially have an ownership stake in the Browns is completely erroneous.”

Gruden, former coach for the Raiders and the Buccaneers, has indicated an interest in returning to coaching and was linked to Tennessee and Arkansas a few weeks ago.

The Browns placed linebacker Scott Fujita on injured reserve ending his season, possibly his career. (Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Browns officially placed linebacker Scott Fujita on injured reserve, ending his season and promoted defensive lineman Brian Sanford from practice squad, the team announced Saturday.

Fujita has not played since sustaining a neck injury against the New York Giants on Oct. 7. Fujita said the injury could end his 11-year NFL career.

Fujita has played in four games this season, registering one sack and 14 tackles. Fujita signed with the Browns as a free agent in 2010 after spending four years with the New Orleans Saints.

Fujita’s 2012 season has been plagued by injuries and the NFL suspension accusing him of taking part in the Saints bounty scandal.  Fujita maintained his innocence from the bounty program and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reduced Fujita’s three-game suspension to one game.

Browns placed LB Scott Fujita on IR and signed defensive lineman Brian Sanford to the active roster.—
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 27, 2012

Scott Fujita will consider retiring after an MRI revealed a neck injury.(Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita has battled with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell all season and may have played his last NFL game.

Fujita is on the injured reserve list and done for the season after an MRI revealed nerve and disk damage that could also end his career.

“It’s still early in the process for that,” Fujita, 33, said. “I just want to get healthy and then it will be some private conversations between me and my wife and our doctors.”

Fujita said he has to consider his family’s wishes when making his decision. He and his wife, Jaclyn, have three daughters, 5-year-old twins and an 8-month old.

“We’ve had a lot of very private conversations and we will continue that dialogue,” said Fujita. “I almost didn’t even want to tell her that I was getting the MRI. There’s a big picture we’ve got to look at here, too.”

Fujita recovered from neck surgery in 1999 and played “relatively pain free” until he began experiencing stingers during his last NFL appearance, Oct. 7 against the Giants.

Now, he doesn’t want to risk another operation. And much as it will pain him to leave his teammates and the game he loves, Fujita is smart enough to know that one more ill-placed hit could haunt him the rest of his life.

Fujita was inactive for Cleveland’s past two games, but has remained in the NFL’s spotlight as one of four players suspended by Goodell for their roles in the Saints’ bounty scandal. He was in the process of appealing a suspension that had been reduced from three games to one, but now expects to put the issue behind him.

“That couldn’t be further from my mind right now,” Fujita said. “I fought that fight. I felt like I came out on the good side of it. They admitted publicly I had nothing to do with any of that. I feel good about that. Now it’s just a matter of whether I want to fight this silly redetermination that I didn’t stand up to my coach.

“At this point I don’t give it that much thought.”

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita’s season is over with a neck injury that could also keep him from ever playing again.

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita has been placed on injured reserve after a neck injury, ending his season. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that the neck injury could prevent Fujita from playing again, marking the end of an 11-year NFL career.

Fujita missed last week’s game with what the team called a shoulder injury, but had played four consecutive games prior to that with no indication that the linebacker was in any trouble.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur confirmed that Fujita’s season is over, but said he doesn’t know whether Fujita plans to retire.

Fujita’s season was marred by a three-game suspension for his alleged participation in the Saints bounty scandal, a sentence that was eventually reduced to one game. He is in the process of appealing the one-game suspension, which he sees as an unfair punishment that has affected his reputation.