There is a chance former head coach Romeo Crennel will be retained in some capacity, but it is unlikely it would be as a position coach. Last week Mangini and Crennel met for dinner to catch up on old times, as Mangini put it. They coached together for the Jets and the Patriots. A job for Crennel was not discussed. Crennel was under contract through 2011 when he was fired on Dec. 29.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The Browns have a dozen players about to become unrestricted free agents. The player the Browns should have the most sense of urgency to re-sign is strong safety Sean Jones. Simply, if the Browns do not re-sign him they will have to either sign another safety in free agency or take one high in the draft. And with all their other pressing needs, using a second-round pick on a safety doesn't make a lot of sense.

Jones missed four games recovering from knee surgery and was still second on the team with four interceptions. He finished third in tackles behind inside linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Andra Davis.

Depth in the secondary is an issue, so consideration will be given to re-signing Mike Adams, who can play cornerback or safety, and cornerback Daven Holly. Holly had a chance to compete for a starting job last year, but blew his knee out on the first day of OTAs in May.

The Browns are not likely to pursue seven-year linebacker Andra Davis or 15-year veteran Willie McGinest.

TOP THREE TEAM NEEDS

1. Outside linebacker: The Browns had 17 sacks in 2008, a drop-off of 11 from the year before. They have to find a way to generate a pass rush from the left side. They do not have a starting left outside linebacker. They have the fifth pick in the draft and could use it on Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry.

2. Cornerback: Even though touchdown passes against the Browns dropped from 29 in 2007 to 19 in 2008, the Browns still need to upgrade the secondary. If they draft a starting cornerback or sign one in free agency they could move Eric Wright or Brandon McDonald to nickel back.

3. Running back: Jamal Lewis' production dropped by more than 300 yards in 2008 and he played in one more game than in 2007. The Browns do not have to spend a high pick on a running back, nor do they have to break the bank in free agency, but they better start grooming a replacement for Lewis soon.

MEDICAL WATCH: QB Brady Quinn had the pins removed from the index finger of his right (throwing hand). He is expected to be full throttle by the time the offseason conditioning program begins in March.

--QB Derek Anderson finished the season on injured reserve with a torn left MCL but did not require surgery.

--TE Steve Heiden has started his rehab after surgery to repair a torn ACL and MCL.

--WR Joe Jurevicius missed all of 2008 on the Physically Unable to Perform list because of complications from a staph infection. He feels fine now and is determined to play in 2009, if not for the Browns then somewhere else.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--S Mike Adams is versatile enough to play nickel back or safety. He's a player the Browns might re-sign at the right price, but General Manager George Kokinis and Coach Eric Mangini are mum on their player evaluation.

--CB Travis Daniels made one tackle in 2008 and will not be re-signed.

--LB Andra Davis has been a starter since 2003, but the Browns want to upgrade their linebackers and are unlikely to re-sign him.

--TE Darnell Dinkins might be resigned as a backup because Steve Heiden is recovering from major knee surgery and Martin Rucker is unproven.

--OL Lennie Friedman missed all of 2008 with a shoulder injury, lost weight during his recovery and is unlikely to be re-signed.

--LB Kris Griffin has a long injury history and won't be back.

--CB Daven Holly is worth re-signing if the price is right. He is coming off major knee surgery and doesn't have much bargaining leverage.

--S Sean Jones has to be a priority to re-sign. He would get more recognition if he did not play in the same division as Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu.

--LB Willie McGinest is expected to retire.

--OL Seth McKinney is valuable as a backup but will not be re-signed unless the Browns get him for a bargain.

--LB Shantee Orr made four tackles from scrimmage and six on special teams. He will not be back.

--RB Jason Wright carried the ball only 23 times in 2008. He won't be back.

--OL Scott Young is unlikely to be back.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: Unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.

PLAYERS LOST

--CB Terry Cousin (released).

--P Mike Dragosavich (released).

--QB Bruce Gradkowski (released).

--QB Ken Dorsey (released).

--LB Antwan Peek (released/failed physical).

--PK Jason Reda (released).

--OT Eric Young (failed physical).