Finding new QB Browns’ priority
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam didn’t mince words or waste time. He introduced John Dorsey as the general manager Friday, then removed any doubt about what must be done.
“The Cleveland Browns are not going to be successful until we get a quarterback,” Haslam said. “We’re going to look at free agency, we’re going to look at the draft, we’re going to do whatever it takes to find a quarterback. That willbe John’s No. 1 priority.
“He would tell you if you asked him, ‘What did Jimmy ask you more than anything?’ over the last several weeks. It was about quarterbacks.”
The Tennessee businessman restarted the quarterback carousel one day after firing top football executive Sashi Brown and replacing him with former Chiefs general manager Dorsey. The Browns are 0-12 this season and 1-27 in two years under coach Hue Jackson, who will return in 2018.
Cleveland has a 4-45 record since Nov. 30, 2014 — the worst 49-game stretch in NFL history — and a different quarterback has led it in yards passing in seven seasons in a row.
Rookie DeShone Kizer will remain under center Sunday when the Browns play host to Green Bay. He is the franchise’s 28th starting quarterback since 1999, but Haslam made it clear he is already planning for No. 29.
Dorsey, who helped Kansas City earn three playoff berths in four seasons, exercised much more caution on the subject.
“To be fair, you do not want to be the guy that comes in and blows things up automatically,” said Dorsey, who was unexpectedly fired by the Chiefs in June. “Let’s give everybody a 5½-month window to show what they can do. In my past job, I used that same formula and it worked out well.”
Cardinals
For the second week in a row, Arizona will be without running back Adrian Peterson because of a neck injury. The 2012 NFL MVP, acquired in a trade with New Orleans early this season, has been ruled out for Sunday’s home game against the Tennessee Titans. Peterson did not practice all week after sitting out Sunday’s home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He was hurt two Sundays ago in the Cardinals’ victory against Jacksonville.
Raiders
Wide receiver Amari Cooper practiced for the first time since suffering a concussion and a sprained ankle two weeks ago. The twotime Pro Bowl receiver ran and caught passes during the light workout before the team left for Kansas City. Cooper is listed as questionable on the Raiders injury report.
Packers
Tight end Lance Kendricks has been charged with possession of marijuana stemming from a traffic stop in early September. The Journal Sentinel reports the 29-year-old Kendricks was stopped for speeding in the early morning hours of Sept. 2. Though he only received a warning for driving 81 mph in a 70-mph zone, a state trooper said he smelled marijuana through the passenger window.
Chiefs
Kansas City cornerback Marcus Peters was fined $24,309 by the NFL for throwing a penalty flag into the stands against the New York Jets. Peters also was suspended one game by Kansas City coach Andy Reid earlier in the week for his antics last Sunday in the 38-31 loss.