Scott Fujita Meeting With Roger Goodell, Discussing Saints' Bounty Scandal

Cleveland Browns Offseason 2012: D'Qwell Jackson Could Receive Franchise Tag If Contract Talks Fail

One of the bigger questions for the Browns, aside from the Peyton Hillis situation, has been contract talks between Cleveland and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. The 28-year-old had a resurgence in the 2011 season, returning from torn pectoral muscles to record 158 tackles.

Jackson's contract status was a frequent topic of conversation, but the Cleveland front office continually assured that it would be worked out. General Manager Tom Heckert has wanted to extend the former 34th overall pick's contract for awhile, but was unable to do so during the season.

It is now being reported that Jackson will be given the Franchise Tag if a multi-year deal is not worked out. It is pretty clear that the sixth-year player is a top priority for the Browns, and that they are looking to keep him on the roster for not just next year, but beyond.

The Browns have until March 5 to decide which player to Franchise. Free agency starts on March 13.

Brad Childress To Become New Cleveland Browns Offensive Coordinator

They were patient and took their time, but the Browns have finally found the man to run their offense. Brad Childress will be the new Cleveland offensive coordinator, according to the NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora.

The Browns were down to Mike Sherman and Brad Childress earlier this week, but Childress emerged as the front-runner, especially after the Tampa Bay Bucs hired former Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano.

Childress, for better or worse, fits the Holmgren Tree: he worked for the Eagles under Andy Reid from 1999-2005, first as quarterbacks coach and then as offensive coordinator. He helped develop Donovan McNabb, a mobile quarterback with a big arm.

The Minnesota Vikings hired Childress in 2006, and he spent five years as head coach, compiling a 39-35 record, before being fired after the 2010 season.

This will give the Browns some much-needed stability with their signal-calling. Pat Shurmur struggled to manage offensive and head coaching duties, and it was clear before the season even started that Cleveland was making a mistake going into the year without an offensive coordinator.

Although it is a bit frustrating to see Cleveland unwilling to step outside the Holmgren (and, largely, Eagles) box, hopefully this homogeneity will bring about some consistency and success in year two of the Shurmur era. Lord knows the Browns need it.

With questions at quarterback and the rest of the offense still lingering, it is good that the Browns will be able to put their coordinator questions behind them and start to turn their focus to personnel and improving the team through the draft.

Browns Could Be Close To Hiring Brad Childress As Offensive Coordinator, According To Report

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially made their head coaching hire, that narrowed down the list of serious candidates for the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator position to two people: Mike Sherman and Brad Childress. There previously wasn't much out there in regards to which one that Pat Shurmur preferred, but now it looks like Sherman might land the same job with the Miami Dolphins.

And as The Plain Dealer reports, that would make Childress the team's No. 1 option to become the first offensive coordinator under Shurmur. Childress was the offensive coordinator with Philadelphia for two seasons while Shurmur was the quarterbacks coach there. Altogether, they spent seven years together on the Eagles staff. According to the report, the hiring of Childress could happen "in the next few days."

In 2011, the Browns struggled mightily with Shurmur running the offense and calling his own plays. Not only did they seem to get away from their strength as a power running team with Peyton Hillis, they relied far too much on quarterback Colt McCoy early on and it hurt them big time.

For more on the Cleveland Browns, go to Dawgs By Nature. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NFL hub at SBNation.com/NFL.

With Tampa Bay Finding Its Head Coach, Mike Sherman Or Brad Childress Could Be Hired As Browns OC

The Cleveland Browns have been searching for an offensive coordinator for ... about a year now, give or take. When Pat Shurmur was brought in as the head coach, the Browns did spend time searching for a true offensive coordinator, but took their time, not wanting to settle for a candidate they didn't back 100 percent. Then the 2011-12 season happened, and the Colt McCoy-led offense struggled mightily in just about every way. From issues with the play-calling to the game-planning, the Browns simply weren't effective running or passing the football.

So the search has been going this offseason, albeit at a snail's pace. Two of the biggest names, Brad Childress and Mike Sherman were also factored in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coaching search. Sherman was considered a finalist for that gig in Tampa Bay, but it looks like the team is going to go with another candidate. Childress was linked as a potential offensive coordinator for Sherman if he got the hire, so now the two of them are once again on the open offensive coordinator market.

NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora believes that one of the two will end up landing in Cleveland "almost certainly," as the offensive coordinator. There's been other names linked to the job, but again, those are the leading names and it does seem likely. Shurmur wants to announce his choice sooner rather than later by all accounts, and now that Tampa Bay seems to be wrapping up its head coach-hiring process, the announcement could be around the corner.

For more on the Cleveland Browns, go to Dawgs By Nature. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NFL hub at SBNation.com/NFL.

Report: Tony Grossi Out As Plain Dealer Browns Beat Writer

Cleveland Browns Offseason: Mike Sherman A Finalist For Tampa Bay Bucs Head Coach

Former Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman is high on the Browns' list in their search for an offensive coordinator. Unfortunately for Cleveland, he is on another team's wishlist: as a head coaching candidate.

Sherman was fired after putting together a .500 record in four seasons with the Aggies. He is one of the finalists for the vacant Tampa Bay coaching job after a potential deal with Oregon Coach Chip Kelly fell through, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The Bucs are scheduling second interviews from a list of known candidates that include [Sherman,] former Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, former Vikings coach Brad Childress, former Browns, Chiefs, Redskins and Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer, Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements and Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

Childress is also in the conversation to take over playcalling duties for the Browns, which finished 29th in offense under first-year head coach Pat Shurmur.

The Browns were criticized all year for their lack of innovation and inability to move the football in Shurmur's west coast offense. Although the offense opened up a bit near the end of the year, a combination of headscratching calls and an absence of playmakers only added to Cleveland's ineptitude.

One thing can be said for Sherman: even though A&M found ways to blow every lead imaginable in 2011, it wasn't for a lack of scoring. The Aggies averaged 39 points a game.

D'Qwell Jackson Wants To Re-Sign With Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson overcame quite a bit of adversity these past few years to be a force on the Browns' defense this past season. After missing 26 games due to the torn pectoral muscles, Jackson finished this year leading the NFL with 115 solo tackles, was second in the NFL with 158 total tackles, and added 3.5 sacks and an interception.

Jackson's injuries didn't make him a coveted free agent this past lockout shortened offseason, so he re-signed with the Browns for one year to prove he could return to form and propel himself amongst the top unrestricted free agents March 2012. After his comeback season, he would now like to stay with the Browns:

"I want to be in Cleveland,’’ he said. "Yeah, I want to be in a new deal. I feel like I’ve proven to myself and the rest of my teammates that I can still play. If it’s the franchise tag, it’s the franchise tag. As long as I still have my health, that’s what is most important.’’

For more on the Cleveland Browns, check out SB Nation's Browns blog Dawgs by Nature. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NFL hub at SBNation.com/NFL.

Browns Add Nolan Cromwell As Offensive Assistant

The Cleveland Browns have made some changes to the coaching staff, but nothing big in comparison to the changes going around the rest of the league. According to The Plain Dealer, the Browns have added Nolan Cromwell to Pat Shurmur's coaching staff as a senior offensive assistant. Keith Gibertson formerly held the title, but he has retired, according to the piece.

Cromwell was the former wide receivers coach of the St. Louis Rams, joining them in 2010, when Shurmur was still the St. Louis offensive coordinator. He has experience with Mike Holmgren with two other teams, so go ahead and make that three, now. So far, the Browns have seriously struggled under Holmgren and Shurmur, but the team has been adamant that they get plenty of time to turn the organization around. Can't argue with them bringing in people that they're familiar with.

There's also a connection with Mike Sherman, who is a candidate for the Browns' offensive coordinator position. Bringing on Cromwell might be able to help those talks, if they are in fact going on.

For more on the Cleveland Browns, go to Dawgs by Nature. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NFL hub atSBNation.com/NFL.

Kevin Kolb Could Be At The Top Of Browns Wish List If Available

With Colt McCoy already facing an uncertain future as the starter of the Cleveland Browns, most are taking a look at potential replacements. Folks are first looking at the 2012 NFL Draft, where the Browns hold the No. 4 pick, with the three teams in front of them not likely to take Robert Griffin III. Many are suggesting that Griffin will be heading to Cleveland with that pick, and it is a scenario that makes sense, though we have quite a long way to go until the draft and much can change before than.

One thing that could change is the fact that the Browns could find themselves a quarterback in free agency. There's not a slew of big names available, but there is one name in particular that could find himself available, as the Plain Dealer notes. Kevin Kolb might be on his way out of Arizona, if the Cardinals elect to go with John Skelton and cut their losses with Kolb, the Browns could be the team that goes after him.

Why exactly?

Because Kolb was originally drafted by none other than Pat Shurmur and Tim Heckert. Well, they weren't the final say on the selection of Kolb in Philadelphia, but as the then-quarterbacks coach and general managers, respectively, their input was definitely in on it. Kolb is more used to the west coast offense, which Arizona doesn't run. It seemed like his time with the Cardinals was simply "throw the ball up in the air where nobody could possibly ever catch it," and Larry Fitzgerald did what he always does, and caught a few of 'em for big yardage.

In Cleveland, he'd be in a west coast offense under two prevalent people who utilize it: Shurmur and Mike Holmgren. It's not a foregone conclusion that he get cut or even that the Browns go after him if he does, but if the shoe fits ...

Colt McCoy Still In Doubt As Browns Starter

Brown general manager Tom Heckert continues to play coy with who will start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns next season. On Friday, he stated that Colt McCOy would be "the guy", but only as of right now. That is hardly a vote of confidence for the incumbent starter as the team holds the No. 4 in a loaded draft at the quarterback position:

"We’ve seen enough of Colt," he said, "that we think he has a chance to be a good player for us."

He was quick to insert the name of Seneca Wallace into the equation, and even raises the possibility this season’s No. 3 quarterback could be more than that at some point.

Most NFL Draft experts believe the Browns will pursue Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor, who officially declared for the draft this week.

For more on the Cleveland Browns, go to Dawgs by Nature. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NFL hub at SBNation.com/NFL.

2012 NFL Draft Order: Robert Griffin III Officially Leaves Baylor For NFL, Becomes Browns' Draft Option

The Cleveland Browns' options with the fourth pick in the NFL increased greatly on Wednesday when Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III officially announced he will leave college to enter the NFL draft.

The dynamic quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner may be too valuable for the Browns to pass up with the fourth pick after a disappointing, injury-plagued season from incumbent quarterback Colt McCoy. According to Griffin, he had done enough at Baylor and didn't want to utilize the additional year of eligibility he had after redshirting in 2009 due to a knee injury.

"I just felt it was time for me to go," Griffin said.

Griffin had a breakout season, throwing for 4,293 yards and 37 touchdowns as the Bears finished 10-3 and he won the school's first Heisman Trophy.

SBNation.com's latest 2012 mock draft has Griffin going No. 4 to the Browns. There will surely be much speculation on Griffin and team's possibly moving ahead of the Browns to take a chance on the quarterback who appears to have all of the on and off-field tangibles to thrive as a team leader.

Plus, he has a killer collection of socks.

For more on the Browns, visit Dawgs By Nature. For more on RG3, visit Baylor blog Our Daily Bears. For more NFL Draft, head to Mocking the Draft.

With Robert Griffin III Reportedly Turning Pro, Could Browns Be Eyeing Him?

The Cleveland Browns are in a very interesting position with the No. 4 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Aside from being guaranteed who they think is at least the fourth-best player in the nation, there are so many ways they can go with it. Cleveland needs playmakers on offense, with needs at wide receiver and a potential need at running back. But on top of all of that, the Browns could be looking at a big need for a quarterback.

One of the best quarterback prospects, who some think is the best, Robert Griffin III out of Baylor, will reportedly enter the 2012 NFL Draft. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported, citing a family source, that Griffin planned to tell his coach on Tuesday that he intended to turn pro.

It's pertinent to the Browns due to the nature of holding the No. 4 overall pick. With the Indianapolis Colts picking at No. 1 and reports of their selection being Andrew Luck, that leaves Griffin as the top quarterback on the board by most. With the St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings in front of them, Griffin stands little chance of being picked there, barring a trade. Sam Bradford and Christian Ponder are the quarterbacks of the future for those franchises. It's very possible that a trade happen though, but for now, Cleveland is in that spot.

SB Nation even had Griffin going to the Browns in their 2012 NFL Mock Draft on Monday:

4. Cleveland Browns, Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

At this point, I would more shocked if Cleveland kept Colt McCoy than if they traded up in the draft to secure RG3. Washington and Miami (and maybe others), will be circling RG3, so trading up is the only sure way they can nab him. They need some talent to pair with him, but this is a big upgrade for Cleveland.

Colt McCoy Won't Be Named Browns' Starter Prior To 2012 Season

For more on the Cleveland Browns, check out Dawgs By Nature.