--The Browns have been busy shrinking their front office staff in recent weeks. The poor economy was blamed for dismissing more than 15 employees, including director of communications Amy Palcic and director of media relations Ken Mather.
--Shaun Rogers arrived in Cleveland with the reputation of being difficult for the media to get along with when he played for the Lions. The media covering the Browns never had a problem with him. Rogers credited Amy Palcic with making him feel comfortable in his new surroundings. He thanked her by making her a guest of him and his wife at the Pro Bowl.
--Coach Eric Mangini hoped to hire Bill Callahan as offensive line coach so Callahan could instill some West Coast offense in the Browns' offensive system. Callahan, though, is still under contract to the Jets and the Jets wouldn't let him out of it. Instead the offensive line coach is George Warhop. Warhop coached the 49ers offensive line the last four years.
--If nothing else, the Browns should be strong and well-conditioned. Three strength and conditioning coaches are on Mangini's staff. Tom Myslinski was retained as strength and conditioning coach, and Alan DeGennaro was retained as his assistant. Rick Lyle, who coached under Mangini with the Jets, was also hired as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't think there's any timetable you need to put on a team, I think it starts with day one. And then it goes to day two and you've got to improve every day." -- General Manager George Kokinis on turning the Browns around.
