Browns kicker Phil Dawson, who has missed the past five games with a right calf injury, appears to have a good chance of playing Sunday in Chicago. He was listed as probable on the injury report.

Dawson kicked field goals during the first 30 minutes of practice open to the media Friday, a first since he was hurt in practice on Sept. 27.
It also seems to be a good sign that Dawson has been constantly checking the Weather Channel for Sunday's forecast.

Keegan Kohorst, 7, from Mount Pleasant, Iowa attended Browns coach Eric Mangini's press conference Thursday and met his favorite player, Brady Quinn, after winning an essay contest through the Browns' Kids Club.

Accompanied by a friend and his mother, Kohorst and his mother Jennifer drove 9 1/2 hours and arrived in Cleveland late Wednesday night for their big day.

The Browns troubles have reached the point where fans are organizing a boycott and owner Randy Lerner thought that he had better respond.

Here is the boycott story.

He's listed as an offensive lineman, but Hank Fraley has played many fill-in roles for the Browns this season.

After starting all 16 games last season at center, the 10-year veteran has registered starts at guard and tight end so far this season and helped out in various other roles.

Hester grows into receiver role
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/devin-hester-10-28-09.mp3]

Smith, Bears try to rebound from Bengals loss
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/lovie-smith-10-28-09.mp3]

Marla Ridenour reviews the Browns Packers games and looks ahead to their next opponent, the Chicago Bears.

The Browns might have staved off the Packer avalanche a little longer in Sunday's 31-3 loss to Green Bay if they'd scored on their second possession.

But quarterback Derek Anderson's pass to Mike Furrey into triple coverage on third and goal from the 4 fell incomplete and was nearly intercepted. Anderson said running back Jerome Harrison, coming around the right side, was not a better option.

Former Browns receiver Braylon Edwards was charged Monday with one criminal count of misdemeanor assault by the City of Cleveland Prosecutor's Office.

According to a statement from the prosecutor's office, the first degree misdemeanor can carry up to 180 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

Mangini headline: Mangini sticking with Anderson
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/Mangini-post-gbay-10-26-09.mp3]

Anderson: Anderson: Everyone shares blame
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/da-post-gb-10-26-09.mp3]

Coach Eric Mangini had he will not make a quarterback change this week and is sticking with Derek Anderson for Sunday's game at Chicago.

He said not playing Brady Quinn has ''nothing, zero'' to do with the $11 million in escalators Quinn would earn if he takes 70 percent of the snaps this season.

CLEVELAND BROWNS HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI TRANSCRIPT

(Opening Statement)- “It’s a really disappointing performance across the board. I don’t think we played very well. I don’t think we coached very well. The main thing to me is the way that we played. I thought that we had been making a lot of progress in terms of the type of football that we play. The intensity with which we play, the way that we finish plays, things like that and that wasn’t there today. It has to be there every week. It has to be there very week, regardless of what challenges you face throughout the week, because there are going to be challenges every single week that we play. You have to be able to get to that same level when it comes to Sunday, and we weren’t there. I thought Green Bay played well and we had some opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of, not being able to score on the one yard line, giving up big plays defensively with missed tackles, you can’t do that. You can’t do it and expect to be successful. You can’t.”

Browns linebacker David Bowens discussed the team's defensive struggles after giving up 460 yards in a 31-3 loss to Green Bay Sunday:

''We can't have half the guys playing for a shot and half the guys playing for a run and their backs are turned. A lot of it is man coverage. When we have man coverage, a lot of the secondary's backs are turned and they can't see if it's run or pass. We've got to raise our awareness level.''

Former Browns strength coach Dave Redding was called out of retirement by Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy, but it won't be for long.

After 31 years in the weight room, Redding has about had his fill. He lived on a boat while working for the San Diego Chargers. When that job ended, he moved to the mountains of Arizona.

The Browns' top two tight ends, Robert Royal and Steve Heiden, are both inactive for Sunday's home game against the Green Bay Packers.

Royal suffered from the flu last week, injured his hamstring last Sunday at Pittsburgh and also a ligament injury to a finger on his right hand. Heiden, inactive for the second consecutive game, seems to have had a setback after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery last December.

Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll on gun-slinging quarterback Derek Anderson's propensity to throw interceptions:
   "We've talked to Derek about playing within himself, being a smart distributor of the ball and trying to do the right thing on every play...(When he's) trying to do a little too much, is what sometimes puts the team in jeopardy."

Browns beat writers got their first look at the multi-million dollar renovations of the Berea headquarters by coach Eric Mangini Friday. The consensus was the upgrades brought the facility to the first-class status of some other NFL teams.

Because it was raining heavily when practice began, Mangini allowed the media to cut through the building to the indoor field.

The flu - including  two confirmed cases of the H1N1 strain - hit the Browns hard earlier in the week with the worst of it coming Wednesday when 12 players were told to stay home and take appropriate medicine. 

By Thursday, two of the  team's main players had returned to work in linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and nose tackle Shaun Rogers - two defensive players the Browns missed being 100 percent Sunday at Pittsburgh.

Wright knows he's lucky to be alive
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/ewright.on.accident.10-23-09.mp3 ]

Mangini discusses Wright's accident
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/mangini.on.ewright.accident.10-23-09.mp3]

Ten players remained home with the flu Thursday, but Browns coach Eric Mangini is optimistic that the worst
has passed.

Mangini said two players had tested positive for Influenza A, which is considered to be the swine flu. He said results were not back on the others.

Browns inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson underwent pectoral surgery Wednesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, his agent Brian Mackler said.

Jackson was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season. He was hurt late in the second quarter of Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh. He's led the Browns in tackles each of the past two seasons and was second as a rookie in 2006.

Browns kick returner extraordinare Josh Cribbs did not practice Wednesday and was listed on the injury report as out with a knee injury.

In addition, tight end Steve Heiden was out with a knee injury and kicker Phil Dawson with a strained right calf that has forced him to miss the last four games. 

Audio files from conference calls with Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy and linebacker Clay Matthews.

Matthews' son cherishes Browns legacy
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/64kbps_Clay_Matthews_10-21-09.mp3]

Combined audio clip below. On this clip you will hear:

Mangini tries to cope with flu outbreak and drops don't discourage Anderson.

Browns coach Eric Mangini spent the first portion of his Wednesday press conference not talking football, but instead giving an update on the health status for a team that has been hit hard by the flu.

The virus began to touch the team over the weekend when linebacker Kamerion Wimbley was sent home from Pittsburgh before Sunday's game even started and veteran defensive end Shaun Rogers struggled to play through the game while feeling under the weather.

The Browns signed free agent tight end Michael Gaines Wednesday to bolster the team's banged-up group of tight ends. They also added rookie Colin Cloherty to the practice squad.

Browns veteran tight end Steve Heiden, who was  inactive last week for the first time this season, could be feeling some residual effects from the major knee injury he suffered last season in a game against Philadephia on Dec. 15th. Heiden  had surgery to repair his ACL shortly afterwards.

The Browns placed inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson on injured reserve Tuesday, ending Jackson's season.

Jackson suffered a shoulder injury late in the second quarter of Sunday's 27-14 loss at Pittsburgh and did not play in the second half.

A second-quarter injury to Browns inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson meant the first significant action of the season for rookie Kaluka Maiava, a fourth-round pick from USC.

Surprisingly, Maiava was the coaches' choice over David Veikune, a second-round pick from Hawaii. Although he's now listed inside, Veikune worked both inside and outside during training camp, which may have slowed his development.

Browns rookie receiver Mohamed Massaquoi became the Browns' No. 1 receiver after the Oct. 7 trade that sent Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets.

But since then, the 50th overall pick from Georgia has caught six passes for 99 yards (five for 83 Sunday at Pittsburgh), but has dropped six more.

Listen:
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/mangini_10-19-09_post-pitt.mp3]

With the Browns dropping their 12th consecutive loss to the Steelers Sunday at Heinz Field, Browns offensive lineman Eric Steinbach had this to say about the losing streak: 

"Coach Mangini’s here, a new coaching staff, new coach, new players...I don’t care if it was 30 in a row, we’re starting fresh this year. There is no 11 losses in a row with this squad because it’s a new team."

Sunday proved to be a frustrating day of missed opportunities for Browns defensive back Brandon McDonald.

Not only was Cleveland's defense shredded for 417 passing yards by Steelers quarterback Ben Rothlisberger, but McDonald dropped an interception, missed a key tackle on a Pittsburgh reverse play and suffered an injury that left him unable to lift his right shoulder while dressing after the game. 

Veteran linebacker David Bowens enjoyed his best game in a Browns uniform Sunday in Cleveland's 27-14 loss at Pittsburgh.

Bowens, who signed with Cleveland as an unrestricted free agent in March after spending the previous season with the New York Jets, registered seven tackles (five solo), a sack, another quarterback hit, a pass defended and recovered a  fumble.

Browns veteran linebacker D'Qwell Jackson suffered a shoulder injury in the first half of Sunday's game in Pittsburgh.

After halftime, it was announced that Jackson would not return for the second half.

Browns owner Randy Lerner has asked ex-quarterback Bernie Kosar to spend more time around the organization and get feedback.

Kosar, 45, has been reluctant to assume an official position in the organization in the past because his four children live in Weston, Fla. and he hasn't been able to spend enough time in Cleveland.

Browns linebacker Kamerion Wimbley accompanied the team to Pittsburgh for today's game, but was sent back to Cleveland Sunday morning suffering from the flu-like symptoms.  Nordonia-native Jason Trusnik is scheduled to start in Wimbley's place.

In addition to Wimbley, seven other Browns players are inactive for the game: kicker Phil Dawson, quarterback Brett Ratliff, defensive backs Coye Francies and Gerard Lawson,  running back Chris Jennings, offensive lineman Billy Yates and tight end Steve Heiden.  

Browns coach Eric Mangini said Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers returned Thursday after missing two days of practice for personal reasons.

''He was here for afternoon meetings, worked extra with (defensive line coach) Bryan Cox, he’ll do some extra work here today and he should be caught up,'' Mangini said.

Browns coach Eric Mangini said Friday that he's not willing to trade Pro Bowl receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs, despite speculation Thursday night that Cribbs would be dealt before Tuesday's deadline.

''No interest in moving Josh Cribbs,'' Mangini said.

Trade rumors involving Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs have are swirling.

League sources told Jason La Canfora of NFL.com that the Dolphins, Colts, Chiefs, Raiders, Jaguars and 49ers have shown interest.

Browns coach Eric Mangini has seen rookie center Alex Mack make strides in the past few weeks.

"I think the main thing he’s done is slow down a little bit,'' Mangini said. ''That happens a lot of times your first few games in, you’re getting to the right spots, but you want to get there so quickly, you want to make sure you execute the assignment, you want to do all the things right, that sometimes you’re not as patient as you should be on the first level. You’re not as patient as you should be with the things that you have to do prior to executing that part of the assignment. He’s slowed down. The game has slowed down a little bit. As we go, it should get better and better.

Here is today's press conference transcript from Browns head coach Eric Mangini

Browns Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers did not participate in practice for the portion open to the media Thursday. But Rogers' absence, which also included Wednesday, was excused by the team.

Defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman (groin) and tight end Steve Heiden (knee) were limited after sitting out Wednesday. Mike Adams (groin), Lewis (hamstring), Anthony Madison (illness), Robaire Smith (calf), Kamerion Wimbley (shoulder) and Floyd Womack (ankle) participated fully after being limited Wednesday.

Q) House for sale indicate you're not going to be here?

"No, that indicates a house is up for sale. I appreciate the free advertising though. Hopefully I'll get a bid. But it doesn't have anything to do with what we're here for ... It's a private issue that doesn't have anything to do with what this team's preparing to do right now."

Browns coach Eric Mangini practically rolled his eyes when it was suggested that Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu seems likely to return this week after missing all but two quarters of the season with a sprained left knee.

That scenario appeared even more likely Wednesday when Polamalu participated fully in practice after being limited last week.

Big Ben no longer miffed by Browns slight
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/Ben_Roethlisberger_10-14-09.mp3]

Mike Tomlin
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/MikeTomlin-10-14-09.mp3]

[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/mike-tomlin-10-14-09.mp3]

Mangini audio: 'We're not looking to move Quinn'
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/Mangini-10-14-09-pre-pitt+wed.mp3]

With the trade deadline on Tuesday, Browns coach Eric Mangini addressed growing speculation that he will trade backup quarterback Brady Quinn.

Browns backup quarterback Brady Quinn has put his home in Avon Lake up for sale, according to the web site WaitingForNextYear.com.

According to the site, a blog dedicated to Cleveland and Ohio State sports, Quinn's four-bedroom, five-bathroom, 4,500-square foot house was listed Tuesday.

Marla Ridenour looks at last week's game against Buffalo and ahead to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In his first game with the New York Jets, former Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards was a big factor.

Against Miami last night, Edwards had five receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. While the Jets lost 31-27, several of Edwards' catches were difficult grabs. On a 34-yard completion from quarterback Mark Sanchez, Edwards tippy-toed down the sideline on a spectacular catch setting up a one-yard touchdown run.

With the wind gusting up to 35 mph Sunday during a 6-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Ralph Wilson Stadium and his targets dropping at least eight passes, it may have been hard to evaluate the performance of quarterback Derek Anderson.

In his second start of the season, Anderson completed 2 of 17 passes for 23 yards. He also threw an interception and finished with a 15.1 rating. That dropped his completion percentage to 46.4 and his rating to 39.0, with one touchdown and five interceptions.

Mangini sees progress in ugly victory
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/mangini-post-buffalo.mp3]

Lewis likes Browns' commitment to run
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/jamal-post-buffalo.mp3]

Browns coach Eric Mangini stuck to his story regarding the shoulder injury suffered by rookie running back James Davis.

According to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter, Davis suffered a torn labrum the week before the Cincinnati game in a post-practice ''opportunity period.'' Schefter said Davis was hit by a linebacker wearing pads when he was without pads.

Wimbley adds to sacks

Browns outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley notched his fourth sack of the season in the second quarter, equalling his total from all of 2008 and giving him one in three consecutive games.

The NFL is looking into the torn labrum suffered by Browns' rookie running back James Davis that ended his season and will require surgery, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday.

An NFL spokesman confirmed the league's scrutiny Sunday afternoon.

Rookie Mohamed Massaquoi and Joshua Cribbs were listed as the Browns' starting receivers on the flip card distributed for Sunday's game at Buffalo.

Outside linebacker Alex Hall and rookie defensive back Coye Francies are among the inactives for Sunday's game at Buffalo.

Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said Friday that Bengals' kicker Shayne Graham missed the 31-yard game-winning field goal that gave Cincinnati a 23-20 overtime victory Sunday.

When asked how Wednesday's trade of receiver Braylon Edwards would affect the team, Ryan answered, ''I thought you were talking about that missed field goal. Did I say that out loud? Somebody research it, I never said anything. That is disappointing.''

The Browns' leading tackler, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at Buffalo.

Jackson was jogging in the back of the Browns' fieldhouse during the portion of drills open to the media Friday. Jackson did not practice Friday for the second consecutive day with a hamstring injury he said happened in practice. He was limited on Wednesday.

Nordonia High School product Jason Trusnik's first interview Thursday as a Cleveland Brown. He was acquired Wednesday in the Jets trade for Braylon Edwards:

''Coming back home to the Browns, who I've rooted for since I was a little kid, being back with Mangini and also my family, that's nice.''

Bills Head Coach Dick Jauron
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/Dick-Jauron-0-7-09.mp3]

Wide receiver Lee Evans
[audio:http://media.ohio.com/audio/Lee-Evans-10-7-09.mp3]

Just-traded Browns receiver Braylon Edwards should love the reception he got from the Jets -- at least from their web site. Streaming across the top of the web page for most of the day was his picture with the headline, ''Braylon Edwards. Get your No. 17 jersey. New York's newest Jet.''

Jets coach Rex Ryan didn't seem concerned about a possible league suspension over the Monday morning incident in which Edwards allegedly punched promoter Edward Givens outside the View Ultralounge and Nightclub in Cleveland.

Linebacker Jason Trusnik, who grew up in Macedonia and graduated from Nordonia High School, should be on the field Thursday after being traded from the New York Jets in the Braylon Edwards deal.

Trusnik, 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, signed with the Jets in 2007 as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio Northern and has turned into the kind of special teams ace Browns coach Eric Mangini loves.

Update: Find beat writer Marla Ridenour's full story here.

ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter is reporting that the Browns have traded wide receiver Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets.

The Cleveland police department confirmed Tuesday that it was continuing to investigate the incident early Monday morning that involved Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards.

‘‘We have been asked by the city prosecutor to gather additional information relevant to this incident,’’ Cleveland Police spokesman Lt. Thomas Stacho said. ‘‘The case is still under investigation.’’

The NFL is investigating the alleged incident involving Browns receiver Braylon Edwards early Monday morning outside a Cleveland nightclub for a possible violation of its personal conduct policy.

Edwards is accused of punching Edward Givens, a local promoter and close friend of Cavs' star LeBron James, outside the View Ultralounge and Nightclub about 2:30 a.m.

The Browns' defense got ''a little bit wide in one lane'' on a 15-yard scramble by Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer that set up the game-winning field goal in overtime Sunday.

On fourth down and 11 from the Cleveland 41, Palmer rambled up the wide-open middle, setting up Shayne Graham's 31-yard kick with four seconds remaining in the extra period that gave Cincinnati a 23-20 victory.

Starting cornerback Brandon McDonald was benched in Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to Cincinnati, but it lasted only one series. Safety Mike Adams started in his place, then took over at nickel back for Hank Poteat. Receiver Mike Furrey was later inserted at safety in the dime defense.

The same thing happened to McDonald last year at Buffalo, but he sat out for only one play as the Browns picked off a pass on the first defensive snap.

Eric Mangini press conference- [Download]

Derek Anderson- [Download]

Eric Mangini- [Download]

Six-year veteran safety Mike Adams started at cornerback in place of third-year man Brandon McDonald Sunday against Cincinnati.

McDonald had been burned for big plays in each of the Browns' first three games. For Adams, it was the first start of the season and his sixth in three years in Cleveland. In his career, Adams has played in 71 games with 24 starts.

Browns running back Jamal Lewis and kicker Phil Dawson were listed as inactive for the second consecutive week as the Browns take on the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.

Lewis has been sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered at Denver, while Dawson suffered a strained right calf before last weekend's game at Baltimore. Ex-Cowboy Billy Cundiff will kick for the Browns. During warmups, he struggled with the wind when attempting field goals from 42 yards.

Browns owner Randy Lerner spent the first 30 minutes of practice Friday chatting with first-year head coach Eric Mangini off to the side.

Although the pair enjoyed a laugh and appeared to be having a light-hearted conversation, the national media's hailstorm of negativity about the team's 0-3 start remains.

Browns kicker Phil Dawson missed practice for the second consecutive day. Dawson was inactive Sunday at Baltimore with a strained right calf, first appearing on the injury report on the Friday before the Ravens' game, and did not practice Wednesday.

It was the fifth game missed by Dawson in his Browns' career, which began in 1999.