TOM WITHERS
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 file photo, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs against Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif. When he hit free agency, Malik Jackson's list of teams the defensive tackle would consider signing with was short and they all had to fit one requirement. Super Bowl contender. The Browns were a match. Jackson signed with Cleveland and said free agent Jadeveon Clowney might want to follow his lead.(AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Browns' Jackson: Clowney could 'hop on' Super Bowl contender

By Tom Withers Mar. 31, 2021 07:22 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — When he hit free agency, Malik Jackson had a short list of

FILE - Cleveland Indians fan Mike Margevicus waits to enter Jacobs Field for the team's home opener in Cleveland, in this Friday, April 10, 1998, file photo. While moving forward with a plan to change their name, the Cleveland Indians said they will not permit fans inside Progressive Field wearing headdresses or inappropriate face paint. The team announced the new guidelines on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in advance of Monday's home opener against Detroit. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)
Indians not allowing headdresses, painted faces at games

By Tom Withers Mar. 31, 2021 01:06 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — While moving forward with a plan to change their name, the

FILE - Former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson speaks during the first day of the House of Athlete Scouting Combine in Plantation, Fla., in this Wednesday, March 3, 2021, file photo. Jackson said owner Jimmy Haslam gave him a contract extension midway through a winless season and that he was lied to about the team's rebuilding plans. During a wide-ranging interview Monday, March 29, 2021, on ESPN 850, Jackson, who went 0-16 in 2017 and 3-36-1 in two-plus seasons with the Browns before being fired, said the team's efforts to improve while he was with the team were flawed by philosophical differences.(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Ex-Browns coach Hue Jackson says team lied about rebuild

By Tom Withers Mar. 29, 2021 02:47 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Former Browns coach Hue Jackson said owner Jimmy Haslam gave

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers' Ryan Switzer (18) returns a punt in an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers in Pittsburgh. Browns wide receiver Ryan Switzer said his 9-month-old son is being transferred to a Boston hospital specializing in rare children's illnesses. Switzer provided an update Wednesday, March 24, 2021 on his Instagram account from his son Christian's hospital room at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Infant son of Browns' Switzer stable after surgery in Boston

By Tom Withers Mar. 29, 2021 01:57 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns wide receiver Ryan Switzer said his infant son is

FILE - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland, in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. Rashard Higgins moved on from his critical game-swinging play. He couldn't leave the Browns. Higgins recently turned down more money in free agency from other teams and signed a one-year, $2.3 million contract to stay with Cleveland. "I knew where I wanted to be,” the wide receiver said Friday, March 26, 2021, on a Zoom call while sitting in his car at the team's facility in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Return man: WR Higgins ready to 'run it back' with Browns

By Tom Withers Mar. 26, 2021 02:45 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Rashard Higgins insists he has moved on from his critical game

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers' Ryan Switzer (18) returns a punt in an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers in Pittsburgh. Browns wide receiver Ryan Switzer said his 9-month-old son is being transferred to a Boston hospital specializing in rare children's illnesses. Switzer provided an update Wednesday, March 24, 2021 on his Instagram account from his son Christian's hospital room at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Son of Browns WR Switzer going to Boston hospital for care

By Tom Withers Mar. 24, 2021 07:03 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns wide receiver Ryan Switzer said his 9-month-old son is

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 file photo, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) looks on during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. The Browns are taking another run at Jadeveon Clowney. The free agent defensive end visited Cleveland on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 reviving a courtship that began last year before the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 signed with the Tennessee Titans. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sides couldn't meet last year.(AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
Clowney a Brownie? Free agent edge rusher visits Cleveland

By Tom Withers Mar. 24, 2021 05:38 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns are taking another rush at Jadeveon Clowney.

FILE - Indianapolis Colts linebacker Anthony Walker (54) runs to the sidelines during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, file photo. Free agent linebacker Anthony Walker agreed to sign a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Cleveland, which has improved its secondary, pass rush and linebacking corps this week in free agency. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
Walker: Browns 'perfect fit' after leaving Colts

By Tom Withers Mar. 22, 2021 07:44 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Anthony Walker walked on to Northwestern's campus for his only

FILE - This Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, file photo shows the exterior of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Goodell will announce the names of this year's rookie draft class within shouting distance of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The league announced some its plans for this year's event in Cleveland, which will include some of the prospects being in person after last year's draft in Las Vegas was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of Cleveland's iconic downtown locations, including the Rock Hall, FirstEnergy Stadium and the Great Lakes Science Center will be incorporated from April 29-May 1.(AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
No basement blues: Goodell on hand for draft in Cleveland

By Tom Withers Mar. 22, 2021 10:38 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Roger Goodell's leaving his man cave for this year's NFL draft

FILE - In this Aug. 19, 2020, file photo, then Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ryan Switzer attends practice at NFL football training camp in Pittsburgh. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Switzer said his 9-month-old son is stable after undergoing surgery to stop bleeding. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Infant son of Browns WR Ryan Switzer back in hospital

By Tom Withers Mar. 21, 2021 11:32 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Browns wide receiver Ryan Switzer said his infant

FILE - Indianapolis Colts linebacker Anthony Walker (54) runs to the sidelines during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, file photo. Free agent linebacker Anthony Walker agreed to sign a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Cleveland, which has improved its secondary, pass rush and linebacking corps this week in free agency. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
Browns continue defensive makeover, add Walker, Jackson

By Tom Withers Mar. 19, 2021 12:12 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Takk McKinley showed up at the Browns' headquarters in a suit

FILE - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins celebrates after the team defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Cleveland, in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. On Wednesday night, March 17, 2021, the Browns reached agreement with wide receiver Rashard Higgins on a one-year, $2.3 million deal. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
AP source: Browns agree to terms with former Rams CB Hill

By Tom Withers Mar. 18, 2021 02:30 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns continued to upgrade their secondary by agreeing to

FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 file photo, Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III, right, breaks up a pass intended for Chicago Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif. The Cleveland Browns made their agreement with free agent John Johnson III official on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 adding the safety to a secondary that was ravaged by injuries in 2020 and lacked a seasoned leader.(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo, File)
Browns bolster secondary, officially add safety Johnson

By Tom Withers Mar. 17, 2021 05:32 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — There's still work to be done with the front of Cleveland's

FILE - Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (98) works during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Atlanta, in this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, file photo. Looking to bolster their pass rush to complement All-Pro Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns plan to sign free agent Takkarist McKinley, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
AP source: Browns to sign DE McKinley to help Garrett

By Tom Withers Mar. 16, 2021 03:56 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns had Takk McKinley on their radar last season. He'll

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III runs during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif. As the market for top-tier edge rushers shrunk early in NFL free agency, the Cleveland Browns agreed to terms with Johnson, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
AP source: Browns signing S Johnson, edge rushers elusive

By Tom Withers Mar. 15, 2021 05:13 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Weakened by injuries and lacking experienced depth, the Browns

File-This Sept. 17, 2020, file photo shows Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, in Cleveland. Stefanski's first season as an NFL coach was sublime, almost storybook. He ended Cleveland's long playoff drought, won a postseason game _ while watching from his basement as he recovered from COVID-19, and guided his team around endless obstacles in a global pandemic to almost the AFC championship. An unforgettable year, indeed. And as far as Stefanski's concerned, nothing to celebrate.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Stefanski, Browns back at 'square one' after '20 turnaround

By Tom Withers Mar. 02, 2021 07:08 PM EST
CLEVELAND (AP) — Kevin Stefanski's first season as an NFL head coach was

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) dives for extra yardage ahead of Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional round football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Browns GM praises Mayfield, won't discuss plans for QB

By Tom Withers Jan. 20, 2021 01:35 PM EST
CLEVELAND (AP) — Baker Mayfield checked every box for the Browns this season:

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Browns, Mayfield expecting to build upon 2020 successes

By Tom Withers Jan. 18, 2021 06:44 PM EST
CLEVELAND (AP) — On their wild ride of an unforgettable, almost unimaginable

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 22-17. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Browns' comeback comes up short, fall to Chiefs in playoffs

By Tom Withers Jan. 17, 2021 08:50 PM EST
Just like so many painful playoff losses in their past, the Browns came up

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) runs off of the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland. Garrett has nothing but respect for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a generational talent on another level from other players in the NFL. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin, File)
Browns' Garrett 'due,' wants to leave impression on Mahomes

By Tom Withers Jan. 15, 2021 06:33 PM EST
CLEVELAND (AP) — Myles Garrett has only respect for Chiefs quarterback Patrick