Cribbs'/Browns Negotiations Looking Up

The Canton Repository reports Josh Cribbs' agent, J.R. Rickert, was positive toward the two sides making a deal after an initial meeting with Browns' Executive Vice President, Bryan Wiedmeyer. A contract in the $2.5 million/year range for Cribbs is likely where this thing is headed. Earlier this month, former Browns' team representative, Dawn Aponte was involved in the early stages of negotiations with Cribbs and his agents. Her perceived "take it or leave it" low-ball offer of $1.4 million/year set off Cribbs and his agents, causing them to go on a mini-media tour, Twitter and all. Aponte is no longer with the team.

Rob Ryan and the Raiders?

The Browns could find themselves looking for a new d-coordinator. When asked if he would be interested in coaching the raiders Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator replied, "Hell, yeah, I'd have interest. I haven't talked to Mr. Davis because he has a coach. Let's see what happens." Ryan's been with the Browns since the beginning of 2009.

Six Fired by Homlgren

Gone from the Browns are all four men from the pro personnel department, Steve Sabo, Keith O'Quinn, Jim Jauch and James Kirkland. Also fired, were assistant trainers Danny Long and James Williams. Sabo had the longest tenure of anyone in the Browns' organization, starting with them in 1998, as a scout. The pro personnel department's job is to locate potential free agent acquisitions and/or trades from existing pro players.

It could be argued that a couple late-season moves (signing TE Evan Moore and LB Matt Roth) helped end the season on a positive note, but the bottom line is Holmgren and Heckert have their own people in mind for these positions. I wonder how long it's going to take them to fire Dawn Aponte.

Josh Cribbs' Contract Media Tour

Josh Cribbs should once again fire his agent. His first agent failed him by getting him into a bad deal. The second has failed by him by giving him bad advice. It was ridiculous for Cribbs and his agents to set their "deadline" for a new deal for the second day of Holmgren's presence in Cleveland. Maybe they should have waited for the guy to have an office and warm up the chair.

The Section 149 Report (Raiders Game Jan 3.)