GM: Browns open to deal with top pick
Cleveland expected to pursue veteran QB in free agency.
John Dorsey might make a deal for the top pick in this year’s NFL draft — if the price is the right.
At the league’s scouting combine on Thursday, the Cleveland Browns general manager took his sales pitch public.
“There are a lot of things we can do at No. 1 and not just get a quarterback,” Dorsey said. “If someone wants to come up and make a trade, I’d make a trade, too. Just give me a call and see what’s up.”
Cleveland’s constant quest to find the right quarterback has become perhaps the most-watched show in the league.
They’ve used 28 different starters since 1999, and it’s unclear if they’ll cast aside yet another youngster, DeShone Kizer, after he led the league in interceptions and went 0-15 as the starter.
Back home, anxious fans are still clamoring to find that elusive franchise quarterback.
They’re frustrated after watching Cleveland whiff on Johnny Manziel in 2015, trade the No. 2 pick to Philadelphia in 2016 that allowed the Eagles to choose Carson Wentz and pass last year on Deshaun Watson. Instead, they took Kizer in the second round.
And with a deep quarterback class and two of the top four picks in April, some think this could finally be the time. Coach Hue Jackson, who is 1-31 over the last two seasons, certainly isn’t advocating for more change.
“I would hope not,” Jackson said when asked Wednesday if he intends to start a rookie QB. “There’s going to be other opportunities as we all know.”
Finding a veteran quarterback in free agency, such as former Bengals backup AJ McCarron, remains a possibility, too.
Vikings: As the club goes through the process of determining its next starting quarterback, coach Mike Zimmer wants to make sure their choice doesn’t come at the expense of the rest of the team.
At the NFL scouting combine on Thursday, Zimmer underscored the importance of the well-rounded group that’s helped the Vikings win two division titles in the last three seasons. With quarterback prices continually on the rise — Washington’s Kirk Cousins, in whom the Vikings are believed to be interested, could command an average salary near $30 million as a free agent — Zimmer said he doesn’t want the position to impair the Vikings’ ability to keep their core group together.
“I do think we have a good nucleus as a team,” he said. “I think it’s really, really important that we understand — and I’m not just saying this — we’ve won 40 games in the last four years.”
Lions: Coach Matt Patricia said he has a strong relationship with Malcolm Butler despite the cornerback’s benching in the Super Bowl. But whether that means the Lions will be players for Butler in free agency next month is another story.
Butler is expected to leave New England when free agency opens March 14, and Patricia would not speculate whether the Lions would be making an offer.
Jaguars: Defensive end Dante Fowler has been sentenced to a year of probation and 75 hours of community service for a parking lot attack on a man. News outlets report Fowler was sentenced after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery, criminal mischief and petty theft. He could still be disciplined by the NFL.
Broncos: Colorado prosecutors say they have dismissed charges of harassment and non-physical domestic violence against Broncos safety Will Parks. A spokeswoman said the alleged victim in the case didn’t show up to testify when subpoenaed.
Concussions: The NFLPA has created a medical guide for players, a 107-page reference book with extensive material on concussion detection, treatment and the league’s game-day protocol for head injuries. The union’s inaugural “health playbook” was distributed electronically to players this week.
Wednesday’s Games Thursday’s Games
Lakers 131, (at) Heat 113: Isaiah Thomas scored a season-high 29 points and Julius Randle added 25 as the Lakers won in Miami for the first time since Feb. 10, 2008. The Lakers scored a season-high 73 points in the first half.
76ers 108, (at) Cavaliers 97: Joel Embiid scored 17 points and had 14 rebounds as the Sixers ended an 11-game losing streak against the Cavaliers. LeBron James scored 30 points for Cleveland.
Nets at Kings: Late
Timberwolves at Trail Blazers: Late
NBA notes
Spurs: Forward LaMarcus Aldridge suffered a sprained ankle in the first half of Wednesday night’s game and did not return. He finished with eight points, snapping a streak of 59 straight games in which he scored in double figures. The team is listing the six-time All-Star as day to day.
Thunder: Oklahoma City will sign former Lakers guard Corey Brewer once he clears waivers, Brewer’s agent confirmed. He will help fill the void created by Andre Roberson’s season-ending knee injury.
Suns: Phoenix’s 110-102 win over Memphis on Wednesday night snapped the Suns’ 10-game losing streak and extended the Grizzlies’ to 14. The game marked the sixth time in NBA history where two teams entered a game on double-digit losing streaks, according to STATS LLC.