TOM WITHERS
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns QB Deshaun Watson feeling confident, less burdened a year after NFL suspension

By Tom Withers an hour ago
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The uncertainty shrouding Deshaun Watson has lifted along with the

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski shouts during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Browns defensive players robbed of jewelry, vehicle by masked men in downtown stickup

By Tom Withers Jun. 06, 2023 12:02 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski expressed relief that two

FILE - Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) against the Denver Broncos of an NFL football game Sunday, December 18, 2022, in Denver. The Arizona Cardinals released five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Hopkins in a salary cap move Friday, May 26, 2023, after they failed to find a trading partner in the offseason. (AP Photo/Bart Young, File)
Browns' Watson makes pitch for DeAndre Hopkins to reunite with him in Cleveland

By Tom Withers May. 30, 2023 01:20 PM EDT
ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (AP) — Standing a few feet from a golf green, Deshaun Watson made a

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up during NFL football practice, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Za'Darius Smith excited to have 'hand in the dirt' with Browns, paired up front with Myles Garrett

By Tom Withers May. 24, 2023 05:10 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Za'Darius Smith has dropped down to touch his literal football roots

FILE - Jim Brown, Pro Football League Hall of Fame running back, actor, and activist, center, talks with Rep. Mitch Needelman, R-Melbourne, chairman of the House committee on juvenile justice, right, and Walt McNeil, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, left, prior to the meeting of the committee, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, in Tallahassee, Fla. Brown addressed the committee regarding gang intervention and prevention. NFL legend, actor and social activist Jim Brown passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home on Thursday night, May 18, 2023, with his wife, Monique, by his side, according to a spokeswoman for Brown's family. He was 87. (AP Photo/Phil Coale, File)
Jim Brown Appreciation: Remembering Hall of Fame running back's lasting impact on and off field

By Tom Withers May. 20, 2023 03:02 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jim Brown was both extraordinary and extraordinarily complicated.

FILE - Jimmy Brown (32), running back for the Cleveland Browns, is shown in action against the New York Giants in Cleveland, Ohio, on Nov. 14, 1965. NFL legend, actor and social activist Jim Brown passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home on Thursday night, May 18, 2023, with his wife, Monique, by his side, according to a spokeswoman for Brown's family. He was 87. (AP Photo/File)
Jim Brown, all-time NFL great and social activist, dead at 87

By Tom Withers May. 19, 2023 03:22 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jim Brown was virtually unstoppable in every arena.

FILE - Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 in Minneapolis. The three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher officially joined the Browns on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, after the team agreed last week to acquire him from the Vikings in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2024 and 2025. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
Browns finalize trade for edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, exclamation point for defensive overhaul

By Tom Withers May. 16, 2023 12:55 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Za’Darius Smith has put a new edge on Cleveland's offseason

FILE - Washington Commanders offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (78) attempts to hold off Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Landover, Md. The Cleveland Browns have agreed to acquire three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za'Darius Smith in a trade from the Minnesota Vikings, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Friday night, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Browns agree to acquire Pro Bowl defensive end Za'Darius Smith from Vikings, AP source says

By Tom Withers May. 12, 2023 08:01 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns' defensive line has gone from disappointing to perhaps

Cleveland Browns rookie Dawand Jones speaks to reporters before the Browns NFL football rookie minicamp in Berea, Ohio, Friday, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Browns rookie tackle Dawand Jones defends love of football, commitment to game

By Tom Withers May. 12, 2023 06:28 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Like almost everything in his path, Dawand Jones wanted to flatten

FILE - Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (26) follows play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis. The Cleveland Browns added needed experience and depth to their secondary Thursday, May 4, 2023, agreeing on a one-year contract with veteran free agent safety Rodney McLeod. The 32-year-old McLeod has started 138 games in his NFL career. He spent last season with Indianapolis, finishing with 96 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)
Browns agree to terms with S Rodney McLeod on 1-year deal

By Tom Withers May. 04, 2023 12:46 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns added needed experience and depth to their

FILE - Cleveland Browns tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Wills Jr. is getting more time to prove to the Cleveland Browns he's worth a long-term investment. The team has picked up the fifth-year contract option for Wills. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
Browns pick up 5th-year option on LT Jedrick Wills Jr.

By Tom Withers May. 01, 2023 10:50 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jedrick Wills Jr. is getting more time to prove to the Cleveland

FILE - Baylor defensive lineman Siaki Ika runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. Ika was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
XXL draft: Browns get bigger with super-sized selections

By Tom Withers Apr. 29, 2023 09:38 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Along with the usual depth, talent and youth, the Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry speaks with the media during an NFL football news conference at the team's practice facility in Berea, Ohio, Friday, April 21, 2023. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns get Watson a new target, nab WR Tillman in NFL draft

By Tom Withers Apr. 28, 2023 10:25 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Browns are giving Deshaun Watson everything he needs.

FILE - Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey (97) stands on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 27, 2022, in Cleveland. According to court records, Winfrey was arrested Monday, April 10, 2023, in Texas, on a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly causing bodily harm to a women he was dating. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin, File)
Browns' DT Winfrey remains on roster amid legal troubles

By Tom Withers Apr. 21, 2023 02:16 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry is monitoring the

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks with the media during an NFL football news conference at the team's practice facility in Berea, Ohio, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns enter another NFL draft with needs, without top picks

By Tom Withers Apr. 20, 2023 11:59 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — For the Cleveland Browns, being on the clock in this year's NFL

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper speaks with the media during an NFL football news conference at the team's practice facility in Berea, Ohio, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns' QB Watson: 'Night and day' different from year ago

By Tom Withers Apr. 18, 2023 04:41 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — One year later, everything seems different, changed for Deshaun

FILE - Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith sits on the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins in Cleveland, Aug. 8, 2019. Former NFL defensive end Chris Smith, who was touched by tragedy while he played for the Cleveland Browns, has died. He was 31. Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and the Browns confirmed his passing Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Former NFL defensive end Chris Smith dead at 31

By Tom Withers Apr. 18, 2023 01:06 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Former NFL defensive end Chris Smith, who was touched by tragedy

FILE - FirstEnergy Stadium before an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland, Ohio, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. The Cleveland Browns and FirstEnergy reached an agreement to end their stadium naming rights agreement after 10 years. Terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed Thursday, April 13, 2023. The stadium will return to its previous name: Cleveland Browns Stadium. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Browns end agreement with FirstEnergy, change stadium name

By Tom Withers Apr. 13, 2023 12:25 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns ended their stadium naming rights partnership

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Seattle Mariners, Friday, April 7, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Super spike: Chiefs' Kelce bounces first pitch before opener

By Tom Withers Apr. 07, 2023 04:53 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Travis Kelce showed why he's best known for catching passes from

FILE - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Michael Woods II, right, and Nate Meadors takes part in drills during the NFL football team's training camp, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. Browns' Michael Woods II may have torn his Achilles tendon while working out with quarterback Deshaun Watson, a person familiar with his status told The Associated Press on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.(AP Photo/Nick Cammett, File)
Browns WR Woods ruptures Achilles tendon during workout

By Tom Withers Apr. 04, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Browns second-year wide receiver Michael Woods II likely