The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Pryor won’t receive franchise tag
The Browns won’t use the franchise tag on wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, but they’re hoping to sign him long-term. Also, Sashi Brown is open to trading the No. 1 pick in the draft.
INDIANAPOLIS » The Browns chose not to use the franchise tag on wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, and that in reality means he’s a free agent.
Free agency does not begin until March 9, but on March 1 at the NFL Scouting Combine Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown said Pryor is basically free now.
The Browns want to resign Pryor to a long-term deal and will meet with agent Drew Rosenhaus at the Combine to make that happen. But there are no guarantees.
“We’d like to have Terrelle back and that’s a priority for us,” Brown said. “That said, we’re not going to panic if he’s not back, also. But he’s a good player, works hard, we think he fits in our system, had a lot of success with our coaches, so we think this is a great place for him to continue his career.
“I appreciated his remarks with the press about wanting to stay in Cleveland, and then it’s on us in this process here to try to make sure we can exhaust all options to make that happen.”
Pryor caught 77 passes for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns in 2016 in his first year as a wide receiver. When he was cleaning out his locker on Jan. 2 he said he wants to return to the Browns.
Corey Coleman and Andrew Hawkins were second among Browns receivers with 33 catches each. Hawkins was cut on Feb. 27.
Brown willing to trade first pick
The Browns had the second pick last year and traded it to the Eagles. They have the first pick this year, and if a team overwhelms them with an offer, Brown will be ready to deal.
“We’re going to responsibly listen to any opportunities that are out there,” Brown said. “I think we have to do that. It’s not a design of ours. We would have to wait and see what might come, and what player might be available there as we get through this process.”
Most mock drafts have the Browns taking Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett with the first pick.
Gordon wants another chance
Wide receiver Josh Gordon will apply for reinstatement again with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported.
Gordon was suspended each of the last two seasons. He was suspended 10 games by the league in 2014 and one by the Browns that season. He was suspended all of 2015 and the first four games of 2016. He was set to return to the Browns for the fifth game but checked himself
into a rehab center in New Hampshire.
Last season coach Hue Jackson said the Browns have “moved on” from Gordon, but Brown did not write Gordon off as quickly on March 1.
“I just don’t know enough right now about what that process would look like,” Brown said. “I do understand that he’s able to reapply at some point here in March. As I understand
more, I might be able to shed more light. Right now, it would just be premature for me to say.”
It still seems unlikely the Browns would give Gordon another chance.
Boys being boys
Brown said he is not worried about Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson saying they want the Cowboys to draft them with the first pick — which can be interpreted as they don’t want the Browns picking them.
“I don’t think you can take some of this stuff too seriously,” Brown said. “We’re realistic about where are as a brand and a roster. More importantly, I think these are young men who are eager to play in the NFL. They want to go different places, perhaps, but I think more important is you just can’t take it too seriously.
“Obviously it’s been welldocumented and explained. Some of the representatives of the players called to explain some of the comments, and I explained to those guys at the time that we don’t take it too serious. You look forward to having an opportunity to meet them. They’re both high character young men. Move forward, manage yourself with class and go from there. I think there’s some lessons all around to be learned.”