Browns fullback Lawrence Vickers had hoped to be voted to his first Pro Bowl, but Baltimore's Le'Ron McClain was selected for the second consecutive season.

''I'm not mad about the situation, I'll use it as inspiration for next year,'' Vickers said. ''I know once I get in, I'm not letting anybody else go.

Browns receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs was voted to the second Pro Bowl of his five-year career as the AFC's return specialist and left tackle Joe Thomas was tabbed for the third time in three years.

Thomas became the first Browns player to be voted to three consecutive Pro Bowls since defensive tackle Michael Dean Perry in 1990-92. The last Browns' offensive lineman to achieve that feat was Hall of Famer Gene Hickerson from 1966-69.

New Browns president Mike Holmgren didn't say much about the future of quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn during a 25-minute conference call Monday.

Holmgren remembered Anderson's performance in the Browns' 33-30 victory over the Holmgren-coached Seattle Seahawks in 2007. Anderson completed 29 of 48 for 364 yards with one interception. That came during Anderson's Pro Bowl season.

Browns coach Eric Mangini said he's been talking to unofficial consultant Bernie Kosar about once a week and the former Browns quarterback has also been a sounding board for offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

''He's been great with Brian, talking to him and sharing ideas, bouncing ideas off of him,'' Mangini said.

New Browns president Mike Holmgren said he has not made a decision on coach Eric Mangini.

Speaking on a 25-minute conference call for the first time since he agreed to terms of a five-year contract a week ago, Holmgren said he will arrive in Cleveland Monday and will meet with Mangini next week. Holmgren anticipated he would meet the media in Cleveland on Tuesday.

Browns coach Eric Mangini had a few tricks up his sleeve in Sunday's 23-9 victory over Oakland.

The Browns ran a fake punt in the second quarter on fourth and 12 from the Oakland 49. But punter Reggie Hodges' pass for cornerback Brandon McDonald, lined up outside right, fell incomplete and the Raiders' Hiram Eugene was called for defensive offsides, nullifying the play. Hodges punted on the next one and Joshua Cribbs saved it from going into the end zone, tipping it to McDonald at the 1.

New president Mike Holmgren will make his first public remarks since agreeing to join the Browns on Monday at 5 p.m.

Holmgren will speak via speaker phone.

There was a fast and furious finish to the first half of the Browns game Sunday afternoon.

Cleveland took advantage of two Oakland personal fouls on their final touchdown drive to take a double-digit lead.

Browns receiver Mike Furrey will make his first start of the season at safety in Sunday's home game against the Oakland Raiders.

A seven-year veteran, Furrey played safety for the St. Louis Rams in 2005 and led them with four interceptions.

A local television blackout for Sunday's Browns-Raiders game was averted Saturday when the Browns elected to purchase the remaining unsold tickets and distribute a portion to local charities.

The 1 p.m. game will carried by WOIO Channel 19.

The Browns received an extension from the NFL to try to sell the remaining tickets for Sunday's game against the visiting Oakland Raiders

 Instead of the usual 24-hour reprieve, this time around the Browns actually have 48 hours to try to get the job done with most business closed Friday for the Chrsitmas holiday.
 The Browns previously received an extension before the  Dec. 7th game against the San Diego Chargers and teamed up to buy out the remaining tickets in time to avoid a blackout.
"Our fans have been great throughout the course of the season," Browns head coach Eric Mangini said. "They've been loud and they've endured cold when we played Pittsburgh, so I'm excited to have them there (Sunday) and I look forward to seeing them."

The Cleveland Browns have asked the NFL for an extension to try to sell the remaining tickets for Sunday's game against the visiting Oakland Raiders.

If an extension were granted again (the Browns previously received a 24-hour extension before the  Dec. 7th game against San Diego and had the remaining tickets bought out in time), it would in effect become  a 48-hour reprieve with a majority of business being closed Friday for the Christmas holiday.

Browns star Joshua Cribbs was named AFC special teams player of the week after returning kickoffs for 100- and 103-yard touchdowns Sunday at Kansas City.

Cribbs became the second player in league history to record two touchdowns of at least 100 yards in a game and the ninth in league history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns.

Browns coach Eric Mangini announced Tuesday morning that quarterback Brady Quinn has been placed on injured reserve with a left foot injury suffered on a bootleg run late in Sunday's 41-34 victory at Kansas City.

Mangini didn't rule out that Quinn might need surgery.

New Browns president Mike Holmgren served as coach and general manager of the Seattle Seahawks from 1999-2002. Here are his draft choices, thanks to fellow staffer Jonas Fortune.

1999
First round: 22 (22) Lamar King, DE Saginaw Valley State
Round three: 16 (77 overall) Brock Huard, QB Washington
Round Three: 21 (82) Karsten Bailey, WR Auburn
Round four: 20 (115) Antonio Cochran, DE Georgia
Round five: 7 (140) Floyd Wedderburn, T Penn State
Round Five: 19 (152) Charlie Rogers, WR Georgia Tech
Round Six: 1 (170) Steve Johnson, DB Tennessee

Former Seahawks and Packers coach Mike Holmgren has agreed to terms with the Browns to become club president, the Browns announced.

Holmgren's role will not include coaching.

Former Browns general manager George Kokinis filed arbitration against the Browns before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for breach of contract and
and fraudulent misrepresentation, his law firm announced Monday.

Kokinis is seeking in over $4 million in compensation and damages from the Browns.

Jerome Harrison broke Jim Brown's single-game rushing record of 237 yards Sunday at Kansas City.

With seconds remaining, Harrison had 286 yards, third best in NFL history behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson (296) and Baltimore's Jamal Lewis (295). Harrison's effort came on 29 carries.

Browns receiver Joshua Cribbs set an NFL record with his seventh kickoff return for a touchdown Sunday at Kansas City, going 100 yards with 3:56 left in the first quarter. Then he added another, a 103-yarder, with 2:31 in the second quarter that was the second-longest in Browns history.

It was the third and fourth returns for touchdowns this year for the former Kent State quarterback, three on kickoffs. Cribbs now has 10 returns for touchdowns in his five-year career.

Browns quarterback Brady Quinn saw his streak of 150 pass attempts without an interception snapped in the first quarter of Sunday's game at Kansas City.

On third down and 4 from the Browns 48, Quinn's deep throw for Mohamed Massaquoi fell in between Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie, going right to cornerback Brandon Carr. Carr returned it 31 yards to the Cleveland 49, setting up a Chiefs field goal.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that a ''decision appears to be coming on Monday'' from former Packers and Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren on whether to join the Cleveland Browns.

Mortensen said Holmgren ''join the Cleveland Browns, will run that operation and I don't think that spells very good news for (coach) Eric Mangini.''

Browns defensive end Robaire Smith is among the inactives for Sunday's game at Kansas City. Smith suffered a right groin injury in the Browns' last game, an upset victory over Pittsburgh.

Corey Williams will start at right end in place of Smith and Floyd Womack at right guard for Rex Hadnot (knee).

Former Seahawks and Packers coach Mike Holmgren said he plans to inform the Browns whether he'll direct their football operations, ''sooner than later.'' And he did not rule out serving in a dual role as coach and general manager.

Speaking on radio station KJR-AM 950 in Seattle Friday, Holmgren said, ''I'm not trying to leverage anybody.'' Holmgren has made it known that he wants to be considered for Seattle's vacant general manager position, but the Seahawks have hired a search firm and the process will go into January. Thus far he said the Seahawks have not reached out to him.

Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was linebackers coach of the New England Patriots from 2000-03 and former Walsh Jesuit and Ohio State star Mike Vrabel played for him for three seasons.

Vrabel, now with Kansas City, is still a fan of Ryan's and looks forward to seeing him Sunday when the Browns visit the Chiefs.

Browns receiver/returner/wildcat quarterback Joshua Cribbs elaborated Thursday on his comments on SIRIUS NFL Radio that he wants his contract renegotiated before the end of the season.

"I feel like if there's any person who would deserve a contract I feel like they would have to play and earn it first, then you should get it,'' Cribbs said. ''I feel like I've outplayed my current contract and things should be done.''

Browns vice president of communications Bill Bonsiewicz said Thursday that the team did not discuss money with former Seahawks and Packers coach Mike Holmgren.

Holmgren's two-day interview to direct the Browns' football operations concluded Tuesday. A WKYC-TV report Wednesday said the Browns had made Holmgren an offer of between $8 and $10 million per year. ESPN's Chris Mortensen continues to report that it could take $10 million per year to lure Holmgren, 61.

According to a Browns spokesman, talks are still ongoing with former Seahawks and Packers coach Mike Holmgren, who concluded a two-day interview with Browns brass Tuesday evening and flew home this morning.

WKYC-TV (Channel 3) reported on its 6 o'clock news that the Browns have offered Holmgren the position as top football executive at a salary of $8 to $10 million per year.

Browns rookie Mohamed Massaquoi has been the No. 1 receiver since Braylon Edwards was traded to the New York Jets on Oct. 7. But Massaquoi, the 50th pick in the draft, didn't receive a ringing endorsement from coach Eric Mangini Monday when he was asked if he views Massaquoi as a No. 1 receiver.

Massaquoi is second on the team with 29 receptions for 546 yards (18.8 average) and two touchdowns.

Browns fan Stephen Grachanin, a Campbell, Ohio native and Akron attorney, wrote this poem after attending the 13-6 victory over the Steelers. (Ironically, his wife is a Pittsburgh fan.)

'Twas 15 nights before Christmas, when all through the game

Browns quarterback Brady Quinn completed just 6 of 19 passes for 90 yards (48.1 rating) in Thursday's 13-6 victory over visiting Pittsburgh.

Coach Eric Mangini didn't give Quinn a pass for the performance, despite winds gusting from 25-48 mph.

Browns receiver/returner/wildcat quarterback Joshua Cribbs was the star of Thursday's 13-6 upset victory over Pittsburgh.

Although the win improved the Browns to 2-11, Cribbs believes it would be a mistake for owner Randy Lerner to blow things up and clean house after the season.

Kicker Phil Dawson is the longest tenured Brown, joining the team in March, 1999. He could hardly put into words what it meant to snap a 12-game losing streak to Pittsburgh Thursday. The Browns had also lost 18 of the last 19 and eight in a row at home to their arch-rivals.

''I can't describe what it means to finally beat those guys,'' Dawson said. ''It's been a good while now. It's special. You're not supposed to act like one means more than the other, but in this case it does.''

Defensive line coach Bryan Cox waltzed through the lockeroom after the Browns 13-6 win late Thursday night with a smile on his face and a fat cigar clenched between his teeth.

Indeed, it was a deserved cigar kind of night for the  Browns, who snapped a streak of 12 consecutive losses (as well as 18-of-19 and eight in a row at Cleveland for those ) losses to arch rival Pittsburgh with  a defensive-minded win that saw Steelers quarterback Ben Rothlisberger sacked eight times.

Steelers receiver Hines Ward will play Thursday night against the Browns, despite being questionable with a hamstring injury.

For the Browns, guard Rex Hadnot (knee) and defensive end Kenyon Coleman (knee) are among the inactives.

Fred Nance, who led negotiations to return a football franchise to Cleveland and was one of five finalists to become NFL commissioner in 2006, was hired by the Browns as their general counsel Tuesday.

A highly respected trial lawyer, Nance will remain a partner at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., where he has worked for 30 years and heads the firm’s sports and entertainment practice.

The Browns' furious 16-point fourth quarter rally in Sunday's 30-23 home loss to San Diego would have had more steam if quarterback Brady Quinn had found someone open on a two-point conversion attempt with 1:55 remaining.

Quinn had just hit running back Jerome Harrison on an 8-yard TD pass to close the gap to 30-20. But Quinn was forced to scramble up the middle on the conversion and was tackled about a yard short of the goal line.

After losing three players after the Nov. 29 loss at Cincinnati, the Browns added another in Sunday's loss to San Diego. Defensive lineman C.J. Mosley was placed on injured reserve Monday with a right ankle problem that may need surgery.

Mosley went down in the first quarter of the 30-23 loss to the Chargers and left the stadium on crutches afterward.

Browns defensive end C.J. Mosley left the game with 3:26 left in the first quarter with a right ankle injury. He started in place of Kenyon Coleman, who was out with a knee injury suffered last week at Cincinnati.

Mosley was helped off the field, but had to be carted to the locker room. Brian Schafering, promoted from the practice squad last week, took over at left end.

Outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (knee) and cornerback Eric Wright (left hamstring) are active Sunday for the Browns' home game against San Diego.

Wimbley was hurt last weekend at Cincinnati and missed practice Wednesday and Thursday. Wright was hurt in practice Thursday and sat out Friday.

Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said rookie receiver Brian Robiskie had a good week of practice. Robiskie has been inactive the past two games and four overall.

''He had good day today, made a lot of plays in the passing game. Most of it was on show team, but all that counts,'' Daboll said Friday. ''He's had a pretty good attitude. I told him, 'There's times where I get yelled at and at first I thought '(Bleep) that guy.' But take a step back and think about it, he's trying to get you better.

The Browns, WOIO-Channel 19 and several local establishments combined to purchase the few thousand remaining tickets to allow Sunday's 4:05 p.m. home game against the San Diego Chargers to be televised locally.

The Browns (1-10) were facing their first television blackout since the regular-season finale in 1995 against Cincinnati, after the team had announced the franchise was moving to Baltimore.

Browns cornerback Eric Wright did not practice Friday with a left hamstring injury he said he suffered in practice Thursday.

He was listed as questionable for Sunday's home game against San Diego.

Browns linebacker David Bowens isn't sure what the league should do next in its heightened stage of concussion awareness. But the 11-year veteran worried Thursday that changes would ''take away from the integrity of the sport.''

''This is a contact sport and that's why we have helmets on,'' Bowens said. ''I think if they had better testing to find out which helmets would prevent those type of injuries, that could be a step. They've already taken away so many aggressive moves that basically it's going to get where you can't hit anybody. It's going to be flag football."

It appears that the Browns will be without outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and defensive end Kenyon Coleman for Sunday's home game against San Diego.

Both Coleman and Wimbley missed practice for the second consecutive day after suffering knee injuries last weekend against Cincinnati. Wimbley rode the exercise bike in the portion of practice open to the media, while Coleman was not seen on the field.

The NFL granted the Browns a 24-hour extension of the television blackout deadline for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers.

The game must now be sold out by 4 p.m. Friday for the game to be televised locally. The Browns said ''a few thousand'' tickets remain.

Browns coach Eric Mangini said running back Jamal Lewis first reported concussion symptoms on Monday, following Sunday's 16-7 loss at Cincinnati.

''The first we were aware of it was after the next day,'' Mangini said. "We immediately started testing. We wanted to go through the whole process and talk to everybody as thoroughly as possible.''

   Asked about the next move for his former coach after Charlie Weis was fired at Notre Dame earlier in the week, Browns quarterback Brady Quinn was positive Weis would end up on his feet.
   "I'm sure he's got a very bright future whether it's in the NFL or coaching college football," Quinn said, oozing confidence and flashing his trademark smile. "I'm not worried about that."
   Then Quinn got a good laugh thanks to stand-up comic and back-up quarterback Derek Anderson, who used his orange Gatoraide bottle as a mock microphone to ask Quinn who he thought would be the next head coach at Notre Dame.
   "I don't know, but Derek Anderson should be a candidate," Quinn quickly retorted.

Needing to fill roster spots after four defensive players were injured in last week's game at Cincinnati - including losing defensive end Shaun Rogers for the remainder of the season - the team made three minor moves Wednesday.

Defensive lineman Brian Schaefering was added to the 53-man roster and running back Jed Collins and defensive back Michael Grant were signed to the practice squad.

Browns running back Jamal Lewis was placed on injured reserve Wednesday night with what the team called ''post-concussion symptoms,'' ending the 10-year veteran's career.

Apparently Lewis suffered a head injury in last week's game at Cincinnati. He was not in the locker room or at practice Wednesday. 

Browns free safety Brodney Pool was placed on injured reserve Wednesday night after suffering the fourth concussion of his five-year career Sunday at Cincinnati.

Pool, 25, may have to consider retirement because of his concussion history, but coach Eric Mangini said he had not discussed that with Pool.