TOM WITHERS
FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2020, file photo, Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Cleveland Browns have signed rookie tackle Wills, their first-round draft pick who will try to slide over to the left side in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Browns sign 'Bama tackle Wills, team's first-round pick

By Tom Withers 21 hrs ago
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jedrick Wills has slid into place for the Browns.

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon fights past a block by New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, rear, in the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. The Browns have reconstructed defensive end Olivier Vernon's contract for next season, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. Vernon's future with the Browns seemed uncertain as he was set to make $15.25 million in 2020. But the club reworked his deal and he'll earn $11 million, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team is not publicly disclosing the agreement.(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
AP source: Browns restructure DE Olivier Vernon's contract

By Tom Withers Jul. 07, 2020 11:42 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Olivier Vernon's status with the Browns has more certainty. So

FILE - In a Sunday, July 28, 2019 file photo, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona, left, has words with pitcherTrevor Bauer, right, as Bauer is taken out in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Francona said Sunday, July 5, 2020 that he believes the Indians need to change their name. “I think it's time to move forward,” Francona said Sunday. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)
Indians manager Francona favors nickname change for club

By Tom Withers Jul. 05, 2020 01:48 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland manager Terry Francona won't sidestep the hot-button

FILE - The new logo for the 2019 All-Star Game is displayed, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, in Cleveland. The Indians are reviewing their contentious nickname. The team released a statement on Friday, July 3, 2020 saying it is committed to “making a positive impact in our community and embrace our responsibility to advance social justice and equality.” The club said it plans to review a nickname it has had since 1905.(AP Photo/Tony Dejak, file)
Cleveland Indians look into changing name amid pressure

By Tom Withers Jul. 03, 2020 08:49 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — They've been known as the Cleveland Indians since 1915. Those

FILE - Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku celebrates after the Browns defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 27-19 in an NFL football game, Dec. 8, 2019 in Cleveland. Agent Drew Rosenhaus has asked the Browns to trade tight end and former first-round draft pick David Njoku, a person familiar with the request told the Associated Press on Friday, July 3, 2020. (AP Photo/David Richard, file)
AP Source: Agent asks Browns to trade tight end David Njoku

By Tom Withers Jul. 03, 2020 04:29 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Agent Drew Rosenhaus has asked the Cleveland Browns to trade

FILE - This Feb. 5, 2020, file photo shows Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, left, and general manager Andrew Berry posing for a photo after speaking during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility in Berea, Ohio. Dismayed by George Floyd's tragic death in Minneapolis yet strengthened by the nationwide wave of protests that followed, Berry, one of only two Black general managers in the NFL, felt compelled to do more. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, Fle)
GM Berry, Browns launch racial justice initiative for change

By Tom Withers Jun. 25, 2020 01:28 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Andrew Berry was moved emotionally, and eventually into action

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz. Scared he jeopardized his NFL career when police found a small amount of marijuana in his car during a traffic stop, Hunt, who served an eight-game league suspension last season for physical altercations while with Kansas City, said Monday, June 22, 2020, that he's grateful the Browns have stood by him.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Browns' Hunt 'blessed' for another chance after traffic stop

By Tom Withers Jun. 22, 2020 02:27 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Kareem Hunt knows he's run out of second chances.

This undated photo provided by the San Francisco 49ers shows Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Adofo-Mensah got a surprise when he was hired by the Browns. The team's new vice president received numerous congratulatory notes from strangers, proud black men like himself. He was hired in May 2020 as the new vice president of football operations for the Cleveland Browns after seven seasons with the 49ers. (San Francisco 49ers via AP)
Browns executive proud to be part of diverse front office

By Tom Withers Jun. 11, 2020 02:57 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The messages of congratulations came from complete strangers.

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns NFL Football head coach Kevin Stefanski answers a question during a news conference at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. When Stefanksi was hired by the Browns in January, the first-time NFL coach knew he'd face major challenges while preparing for his first season. Stefanski never imagined doing it in the midst of a global pandemic and nationwide civic unrest. (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)
Coach Stefanski bonding Browns amid pandemic, social unrest

By Tom Withers Jun. 10, 2020 06:31 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — When Kevin Stefanski was hired by the Browns in January, the

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns NFL Football head coach Kevin Stefanski answers a question during a news conference at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. As part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, the Cleveland Browns have welcomed six young coaches, including two women and former NFL player Leonard Hankerson, to take part in the final three weeks of their offseason program. "The Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship is the type of program that can be very impactful to the coaching hiring process,” said Browns first-year coach Kevin Stefanski. (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)
Browns welcome 6 coaches as part of diversity program

By Tom Withers Jun. 09, 2020 03:57 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have welcomed six young coaches,

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) laughs during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. Beckham, who skipped Cleveland's program last spring after being acquired from the Giants, has been a “model guy” during the team's virtual program. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
OBJ a "model guy" during Browns' virtual offseason program

By Tom Withers Jun. 03, 2020 05:20 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Odell Beckham Jr. practiced his own version of social

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2016, file photo, then-Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson has been named a senior advisor for the Cleveland Browns, reuniting with vice president of football operations Andrew Berry, who has filled out his front office. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Ex-Colts GM Ryan Grigson joins Browns' staff as top adviser

By Tom Withers May. 29, 2020 11:41 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson was hired Friday as

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield reacts during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland. The Browns quarterback said being away from football has given him time to reflect on his career and made him more determined to rebound from a tough second season in the NFL. Mayfield spoke Wednesday, May 27, 2020, on a Zoom call for the first time since the end of last season. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Quieter Mayfield knows Year 3 vital for him after rough '19

By Tom Withers May. 27, 2020 05:33 PM EDT
Baker Mayfield went back to his roots during this strange offseason, a time he

In this Jan. 26, 2020 photo AFC wide receiver Jarvis Landry, of the Cleveland Browns, runs the ball up the field during the NFL Pro Bowl football game against the NFC in Orlando, Fla. The Browns wide receiver has made the most of being quarantined the past two months and said he's ahead of schedule as he recovers from off-season hip surgery. Landry, who has never missed a game in his NFL career, said on a Zoom call Wednesday, May 20, 2020 that his rehab has gone well and that he envisions being back in the field in August _ assuming players are allowed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Browns' Landry ahead of schedule in rehab from hip surgery

By Tom Withers May. 20, 2020 06:10 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Quarantine has allowed Browns Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. Tretter never expected his first days in office would include the sports world being shut down by a global pandemic. But Tretter said he’s committed to the health of players and focused on battling a “contact disease.” Tretter said the NFL has the luxury of time before the season starts to make sure every precaution is taken because “this virus isn’t going to kneel down to almighty football.” (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFLPA pres Tretter says "hurdles" remain before NFL's return

By Tom Withers May. 19, 2020 06:22 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns center JC Tretter is cautiously optimistic the NFL

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry, center, poses for a photo with owners Jimmy Haslam, left, and Dee Haslam, right, after speaking during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility in Berea, Ohio. The Cleveland Browns have hired former 49ers executive Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as their new vice president of football operations under first-year general manager Andrew Berry. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
Browns hire former 49ers exec Adofo-Mensah as assistant GM

By Tom Withers May. 15, 2020 11:38 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have hired former 49ers executive Kwesi

FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2018 file photo Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and tight end David Njoku (85) celebrate after a touchdown reception by wide receiver Rashard Higgins (not pictured) in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. Mayfield isn't waiting around for the NFL to re-open the Browns' facility. Cleveland's quarterback invited several teammates, including tight end David Njoku and wide receiver Rashard Higgins, to work out with him in Texas during the COVID-19 shutdown. Like the rest of the league, the Browns haven't been able to conduct organized offseason programs due to the virus outbreak. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Mayfield huddles Browns teammates in Texas for workouts

By Tom Withers May. 14, 2020 06:42 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Baker Mayfield isn't waiting around for the NFL to re-open

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins gestures before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland. Higgins has agreed to a one-year contract to stay with the Cleveland Browns, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Browns re-sign WR Higgins after stunted 2019 season

By Tom Withers May. 08, 2020 12:40 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Rashard Higgins is back on Cleveland's roster. It remains to

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2018, file photo, Stipe Miocic, right, lands a right hand against Francis Ngannou during a heavyweight championship mixed martial arts bout at UFC 220 in Boston. Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic welcomes the UFC's planned return. The fighter and firefighter does have some worries, though. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File)
UFC champ Miocic welcomes octagon's return, has concerns

By Tom Withers Apr. 30, 2020 04:59 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic welcomes UFC's plans to

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins gestures before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland. Higgins has agreed to a one-year contract to stay with the Cleveland Browns, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
AP source: Browns, WR Higgins agree to 1-year contract

By Tom Withers Apr. 28, 2020 03:42 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Rashard Higgins is getting a chance to reconnect with Baker