CLEVELAND, Ohio — Few things went right, obviously, for the 2011 Cleveland Browns during their 4-12 season.

Two rookie defensive linemen, however, did provide some optimism for the team’s future.

First-round draft pick Phil Taylor showed promise, playing alongside solid veteran Ahtyba Rubin.

Defensive end Jabaal Sheard, a second-round pick, was even better, emerging as one of the Browns’ few playmakers on either side of the ball.

Mike Wilkening of ProFootballWeekly.com writes the Browns rookie report, including:

DE Jabaal Sheard — Sheard finished his first NFL season in fine form, recording another sack and six tackles. Sheard led the Browns this season with 8½ sacks, the second-most by a Cleveland rookie since sacks became an official statistics. Like fellow rookie Phil Taylor, Sheard started all 16 games on the Cleveland defensive line.

DT Phil Taylor — The Browns’ first-round pick recorded 59 tackles and four sacks in 2011, showing considerable potential. He made two tackles in Week 17.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Tony Grossi’s story on Browns coach Pat Shurmur beginning his search for an offensive coordinator; video, by David I. Andersen, of Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot discussing the offseason ahead for the Browns; a Starting Blocks poll asking what the most important offseason move for the Browns would be; “Bud Shaw’s Sports Spin;” and much more.

Goal to goal

The Browns’ problems lie with their offense. By Dave Hackenberg of the Toledo Blade.

The top job for Pat Shurmur is to bring back some hope for the team, writes Chad Conant for the Marion Star.

The Browns should keep Colt McCoy as their starting quarterback, Tom Misson writes for newsnet5.com.

Game-by-game review of the Browns’ season. A Bleacher Report slideshow.

Why the Browns shouldn’t pursue Peyton Manning. By Steve DiMatteo for the blog “Dawg Pound Daily.”

There’s not much to expect from a Mike Holmgren/Tom Heckert press conference, wriites Craig Lyndall for the blog “Waiting For Next Year.”

Browns players are still optimistic about the future, despite the 2011 win-loss record, writes Fred Greetham for Scout.com’s Orange and Brown Report.

Leave your comments on the news below.

Berea — As he makes plans for his second season, Pat Shurmur’s next decision might shape his future as Browns coach.

Shurmur said he will launch a search for an offensive coordinator, a position he chose not to fill in his first season.

Doubling as his own coordinator in his rookie season as a head coach, Shurmur’s offense finished 29th in yards and 30th in scoring, and suffered some in-game brownouts that were explained as “communication” problems.

These included a fumbled handoff to tight end Alex Smith, who was rushed into the huddle as a replacement for fullback Owen Marecic at a critical point in a 6-3 loss to St. Louis, and botched clock management that cost the Browns at least a short field goal try at the end of the first half in a 20-14 loss in Baltimore.

Shurmur said he intended all along to hire a coordinator in his second season when he failed to find “the right guy” a year ago.

“We’re going to work quickly, but I’m not going to be hasty,” he said of the search. “I want to get the right guy. That’s a relationship that’s very, very important.”

Shurmur seems more inclined to give the right candidate play-calling responsibilities — something he would not do last year. He said, “That’s one of the details we’ll get worked out as we go through the process.”

A year ago, Shurmur interviewed at least three candidates for coordinator. Two took jobs elsewhere — Bill Musgrave with the Vikings and Mike McCoy re-signed with Denver under new coach John Fox. The third reported interviewee was Mark Whipple, who joined Shurmur’s staff as quarterbacks coach.

Shurmur said Tuesday the new coordinator “may come from the staff,” which points to Whipple as a contender.

Whipple was offensive coordinator at the University of Miami in 2009 and ’10. He previously worked one season in Philadelphia with Shurmur on Andy Reid’s staff and was quarterbacks coach for the Steelers from 2004 to ’06.

Other potential candidates could include Brad Childress, who worked with Shurmur in Philadelphia for six years, the last four as Reid’s offensive coordinator; and Mike Sherman, who was a Mike Holmgren assistant coach in Green Bay and his offensive coordinator one year in Seattle before returning to Green Bay as head coach. Sherman was fired as Texas A&M head coach last month and reportedly will receive NFL head coach interviews.

Shurmur said he would not identify candidates for the job. He said of Childress: “I know Brad very well. He and I worked together for a long time. I think he’s a terrific coach.”

Asked if the candidate has to have experience in the West Coast offense, Shurmur said: “I’m trying to find the best guy, so a guy who speaks our language . . . I think might have a little bit of a leg up.

“The coordinator role is like having another decision-maker amongst your staff that has the title of being able to say we’re going to do this or do that. I think it’s important that I get the right guy. His final role . . . there’s a lot of different models. There’s eight or nine teams where the head coach calls the plays, and they have a coordinator. And then there’s other teams that have a different [setup].

“The offensive coordinator is responsible for the offensive coaches. He’s mainly responsible for putting the plan together, directing the offense and doing a lot of things that I did as a head coach.

“The game-day thing, calling plays, that’s a fun thing for all of us to do. I want the best guy I can get. If he’s outstanding at calling plays . . . listen, I want to win games, so I’m going to get the guy that helps us win.”

The hire comes at a critical time in the franchise’s endless search for respectability. In their expansion era, the Browns have ranked 23rd or worst in offense in 12 of 13 seasons. They were eighth in 2007 under coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who is being mentioned as a head coach candidate in Jacksonville.

The Browns are contemplating a thorough upgrade on offense, which could include a new quarterback, new receivers and possibly a new running back.

Shurmur declined Tuesday to speculate on the future of quarterback Colt McCoy and again refused to say he wanted potential free agent Peyton Hillis to return as the feature running back.

As for any other changes to his coaching staff, Shurmur said he didn’t plan any “at this point.” He left open the door, pending coaches being made available by other teams.

The Browns had several breakdowns on special teams — yielding two kick returns for touchdowns and a touchdown on a fake punt, having two field goals blocked and having two critical long snaps go awry. But Shurmur defended special teams coordinator Chris Tabor.

“I think as players and coaches, we all need to improve. And I did see some improvement in areas that make me think we’re going to get better,” Shurmur said of the special teams.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

At his season-ending press conference, coach Pat Shurmur said he will hire an offensive coordinator. He said he’d consider also allowing the coordinator to call the plays, something Shurmur did last season.

It was a mistake for team President Mike Holmgren to allow Shurmur — a rookie head coach — to also serve as the team’s offensive coordinator and play caller. Yes, Holmgren always called his own plays when he coached. Some head coaches still do it, Shurmur estimated that it’s “eight or nine.” But there are 32 teams, so the vast majority don’t.

This season, Shurmur probably fell into the same trap that snares many who are newly promoted. He tried to do both his old job and his new job.

He had been an offensive coordinator for two years in St. Louis before being hired by the Browns. He came to a new team. A losing team thin on talent. A team with Colt McCoy, a quarterback with only eight pro starts. A team preparing to radically change its offense.

Furthermore, there were no off-season practices or chances for Shurmur to build relationships with the players because of the NFL lockout.

Shurmur explained that he “couldn’t find the right guy” to be the coordinator last season, so he took the job himself. But he also said he knew that he’d hire a coordinator for 2012.

It seemed a strange approach, but that was the decision.

After a 4-12 record with an offense that ranked 29th, Shurmur and the Browns have taken the first step toward facing reality. The offense was not about to improve simply because the strategy was changed. It takes more than the West Coast approach featuring quick, short and mid-range passes to even raise the offense to mediocrity.

Shurmur likes to call the plays and indicated he still may keep that duty.

But it was encouraging to hear him say: “I want to get the best guy I can. If he’s outstanding at calling plays, hey, I want to win games.”

Former Minnesota head coach Brad Childress has been mentioned for the job. Shurmur praised Childress, whom he has known for years. But he declined to say if Childress (or anyone else) is a candidate.

The best approach for Shurmur would be to follow the model he used to pick a defensive coordinator. He selected Dick Jauron, who had extensive experience as both a head coach and a defensive coordinator. It paid off quickly as the defense became the strength of the team.

The Browns have experienced growing pains with so many rookie offensive coordinators: Brian Daboll, Maurice Carthon, Terry Robiskie, Rob Chudzinski, Jeff Davidson and Bruce Arians became NFL offensive coordinators for the first time with the Browns.

All six of these men have been coordinators here since 2001.

Experience isn’t everything, but it does count for something.

You can expect the Browns to make significant changes to their offense in terms of new players at key positions — anything from quarterback to running back to wide receiver. A veteran coordinator is crucial at this stage of development.

Just look at what Jauron did for the Browns defense, whose ranking improved from No. 24 to No. 10 this season.

So it’s encouraging that Shurmur is serious about his search for an offensive coordinator, and he also should give the coordinator the play-calling duties.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

By Tom Withers,

Associated Press

9:18 PM Monday, January 2, 2012

BEREA — The growing pains were agonizing, the mistakes numerous, the progress difficult to spot.

The Cleveland Browns had another one of those seasons.

Losing, though, has its rewards in the NFL, which compensates its worst teams with high draft picks to help them get better. After going 4-12, the Browns, with one of the league’s youngest rosters, will have the No. 4 overall selection in April and Cleveland fans are already frothing at the chance to bring in a college star like Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III to be their savior.

As he packed his bags for the offseason Monday, Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown issued a warning to that line of thinking.

“My thing is, if you’re dependent on a draft pick to come in here and change your life, then you’re kidding yourself,” he said. “This game is too hard.”

It certainly has been for the Browns, who haven’t made the playoff since 2002. They’ve lost at least 11 games in each of the past four seasons and a minimum of 10 in eight of the past nine. Green Bay (15) won more games this season than the Browns (14) have won in the past three seasons — combined.

And consider this stat: The defending Super Bowl champion Packers outscored the Browns 560-218.

It was a turbulent first season in Cleveland for coach Pat Shurmur, who because of the NFL lockout didn’t have an offseason to install his new West Coast offense or get to know his team on the field. He made his share of mistakes, but Brown, who was previously with Shurmur in Philadelphia, is confident Browns president Mike Holmgren hired the right coach.

Shurmur has his detractors, but there’s no denying the Browns, who went 0-6 in the rugged AFC North, played hard for him.

Shurmur will discuss his rollercoaster rookie year today, and Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert are scheduled to meet the media Thursday, when they’re sure to be grilled about the team’s quarterback situation.

Colt McCoy made 13 starts this season, but missed his final three games with a concussion. The Browns have a better sense of what McCoy is, and there’s a strong argument to be made for sticking with him in 2012 after investing so much time into his development. But if the Browns — particularly Holmgren — don’t think McCoy can take them to a Super Bowl, they may look for a starting QB in free agency, a trade or the draft.

Cleveland’s wild season included costly injuries, endless drama around running back Peyton Hillis, dropped passes, and tough losses. The Browns lost six games by seven points or less, dropping their final three by a total of 13 points.

Gotta run!.

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Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace will go out this season the same way he came in: determined to prove he should be the Browns’ starting quarterback.

With Colt McCoy officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers, Wallace will make his third straight start, and he indicated it shouldn’t have taken so long for him to get his chance.

“At the end of the day, I can control what I can control,” he said. “Yeah, I get frustrated that, hey, I feel like I deserve a shot or I want a shot. But at the end of the day, it’s just a matter of making sure I lead my teammates in the right direction. The rest will take care of itself.”

Asked if he should he have a chance to compete for the starting job next season, Wallace said: “Maybe so. I don’t know. I’ll let you guys evaluate that.”

Before the season, Wallace, who had just signed a new three-year deal worth $9 million, told The Plain Dealer that he’d do everything he could to beat out McCoy for the starting job in camp.

“I still want the opportunity to go out and be able to play myself, so I’m not just going to sit back and watch,” he said then. “I’d rather go out there and play.”

During an interview Thursday on FM/92.3, Wallace said it’s been “very tough” for him to sit all season.

“Do I feel like things always are fair? No. And that’s just the way it is. . . . It was Pat [Shurmur's] decision to give Colt an opportunity, and that’s what it was.”

A nine-year pro, Wallace reiterated what he told The Plain Dealer in June — that he wasn’t going to share all his knowledge of the West Coast offense with McCoy because he wanted to beat him for the job.

Asked during Thursday’s interview how much mentoring he’s done with McCoy this season, Wallace said: “Not much. Not much. That was Jake [Delhomme's] deal. He did a lot of some stuff with him last year. But that’s not my thing. It’s just one thing I don’t do. I came in with the mind-set I wanted to compete, whatever case that was.”

Wallace said he’d answer any questions McCoy might have about the West Coast offense, but he wouldn’t offer unsolicited help.

Also during his radio interview Thursday, Wallace changed his tune a little about the botched ending of the first half in Baltimore. Instead of assuming full blame for not spiking the ball as he did after the game, he put some of it on Shurmur. He said the players looked over to the sideline after tight end Evan Moore wasn’t ruled out of bounds and the clock was ticking down.

“I don’t know if Pat was ready to have his next call, or whatever the case may be,” Wallace said. “It was just a miscommunication between us, at that point.”

Jackson, Adams honored: The local chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America voted linebacker D’Qwell Jackson as the Browns Player of the Year, and safety Mike Adams was voted the winner of the Good Guy Award for his cooperation with the media and for the way he carries himself in the community and with his teammates.

“I guess it means a lot,” Adams said, laughing. “It also means you guys are slipping because I’ve been here for five years and you finally got it right. I commend you guys for finally getting it right. I appreciate it. It’s an honor. I always try to tell the truth and tell as much as I can without giving any secrets away. I try to be as honest as possible, straightforward and just try say what I’m feeling, and I guess a lot of people respect that.”

Adams, who’s contract is up after this season, said he’d love to be back with the Browns.

“It’s my first choice, but I have to embrace change if change happens,” he said. “I’ve been around this business a long time. I’ve seen guys I never thought would get released get released. I think I did a good job this year. I definitely think I showed I’m a starter and I showed that I can make plays, get my team lined up and make the right calls.”

He said the Browns have given no indication they want him back.

“There’s been no numbers, no contract talk,” he said. “But that’s OK because I didn’t want it to mess me up mentally.”

But he wants to be around when the good times roll.

“When we went 10-6, that feeling was like no other — and we didn’t even go to the playoffs,” he said. “I want to experience that here again.”

Hicks to start: Artis Hicks will start Sunday at right tackle in place of Tony Pashos, who has been out all week with a stomach issue. Pashos has also been battling an ankle injury.

“People always remember what they saw last, so you always want to leave your best stuff out there,” Hicks said.

He’s gearing up for outside linebacker James Harrison, who lines up all over.

“In their nickel packages, they’ll move him inside, he’ll come over, he’ll rush on the right side. When you have a guy like that who’s capable of creating havoc, you want to get him moved around and try to get matchups with him all game.”

Hicks said he won’t get hung up on trying to get revenge on Harrison for his hit on McCoy on Dec. 8.

“All I focus on is what’s happening right now in front of me,” he said.

Injury update: Several key Steelers are probable, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle), safety Troy Polamalu (knee), Harrison (neck), center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) and receiver Mike Wallace (ankle).

Thanks for reading! .

Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot hosts News and Notes with Colt McCoy, Peyton Hillis, D’Qwell Jackson, and Greg Little before they play the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

What are your opinions.

BEREA, Ohio — Forget everything Peyton Hillis has said and done this season. Well, most of it, at least. He’d appreciate if you didn’t remember the public missteps he had with Browns management about his contract renegotiations, the medical advice he took from his agent to skip a game when he was sick, and the closed-door meeting he had with teammates who reached out to the foundering running back.

And please, most of all, don’t recall the many times Hillis proclaimed he doesn’t believe in the Madden Curse.

Because he does.

“No doubt about it,” Hillis finally admitted Thursday. “Things haven’t worked to my favor this year. There’s a few things that happened that made me believe in curses. Ain’t no doubt about it.”

Blame the first 14 or so weeks of this season on Hillis’ picture on the cover of the “Madden NFL 12″ video game. He finally feels healthy after a nagging hamstring injury knocked him out for five games at midseason, and it showed in his season-high 112 yards rushing Sunday in Baltimore.

He finally feels happy, an attitude that manifested in his cheerful, “Howdy!” to media in the locker room Thursday — and in his declaration that he hopes this isn’t his final game with the Browns because he wants to prove last season’s 1,177 yards weren’t a fluke.

“I really enjoyed my time playing in a Browns uniform, and I hope I can continue to be here,” Hillis said. “I know these past couple games and this game, I’ll play my hardest. I’m going to play my best, and people are going to see that I’ve still got it and I want to be here.”

Hillis is performing not only for the fans he likened to a “second family,” but for Browns management, who appear uncertain on whether they want the running back to return. Head coach Pat Shurmur declined to say Thursday whether the Browns intend to re-sign the soon-to-be free-agent Hillis. On three separate occasions, Shurmur was asked about the possibility of Hillis’ return — including point blank whether he wants Hillis back — and each time Shurmur said that the decision will require off-season evaluation.

“I think, as we look at our roster and we look at building our team . . . we’ve got to consider everything,” Shurmur said. “One thing you’ve seen about Peyton is that, in the last month or so, he’s gotten himself healthy and he’s performed well. I think that’s the Peyton everyone was used to seeing a year ago.”

Last week’s 4.7 yards per carry against the Ravens was the highest mark for Hillis this season, surpassing last season’s 4.4 yards per carry. He’s averaged 105.5 yards per game the past two contests, bouncing back from just 25 yards in the most recent meeting against Pittsburgh, when he was also battling a hip injury.

“I just feel people can see, when I’m 100 percent, I am running hard,” Hillis said. “I can do pretty good. That’s what I want people to see. . . . I want people to see that I’m not a one-hit wonder.”

Madden Curse or not, Hillis said this season has been a learning experience, but he believes “there’s no such thing as accidents. . . . This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“It’s kind of funny how things worked out, but at the end of the day, I’m really happy with where I’m at,” Hillis said. “I’m a truly happy person. When I look back on this 15, 20 years from now, I’m probably going to just laugh.”

More than proving he can battle back from the Madden Curse, however, Hillis wants to use Sunday’s game against the Steelers to show his appreciation for Browns fans who have continued to support him through his trying season.

“I’d love to come back here,” Hillis said. “I’m a Cleveland Brown at heart. Ever since I’ve been here, I fell in love with the fans and the city and the people who live here. They’ve been nothing but 100 percent supportive. They’re everything. When I talk to them, it’s good to have a second-family backing like that. All I can do is go out there and do my best, and we’ll see what happens.”

Jauron back? Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron has already been a head coach in the NFL, but when asked Thursday whether he would like to return next season in his current position, he didn’t hesitate.

“I would love to do this again,” Jauron said. “Absolutely. I would obviously like to win a lot more games. To be in the NFL is an unbelievable honor and treat. . . . I really like it [being in Cleveland]. I like the old rivalries, I like the history. I’ve really enjoyed it. This is a great place to work.”

The Browns’ defense is 10th in the NFL, yielding an average of 330.5 yards per game.

Hardesty healthy but sitting: Last Sunday, for the first time in a long time, Montario Hardesty felt fully healthy. But the running back didn’t have a single carry.

Shurmur said Hillis’ resurgence is to blame.

“As we’ve always talked about, if Peyton Hillis is healthy, he’s our starting running back,” Shurmur said. “I think, at this point, Montario’s coming back from an injury he had that limited him for quite a while. There’s no real reason.”

For his part, Hardesty said he’s ready to play when needed, and he has made sure his coach knows he’s healthy.

“He knows I want to play. He knows I’m 100 percent,” Hardesty said.

Quick hits: Quinton Spears returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday after suffering a concussion against the Ravens. . . . Quarterback Colt McCoy (concussion), receiver Jordan Norwood (concussion) and offensive lineman Tony Pashos (stomach illness) missed practice Thursday. . . . Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (knee) hasn’t practiced this week. . . . Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) participated fully in practice for Pittsburgh each of the past two days. . . . Linebacker James Harrison participated fully in practice after missing Wednesday with a neck injury.

Leave any suggestions in the comment box.

That’s all for today.

Not much else going on in the NFL world today.

BEREA — Browns quarterback Colt McCoy spoke publicly for the first time Thursday since being diagnosed with his concussionafter the Pittsburgh game on Dec. 8.

He declined to re-create that fateful and controversial night, refusing to answer questions about what he does and doesn’t remember about the crushing hit by linebacker James Harrison and the aftermath.

McCoy did praise the Browns medical staff for their handling of the situation, despite the fact they didn’t see the hit and unwittingly sent him back into the game with the concussion. “Our medical staff does an outstanding job and that should never be in question.”

* He said the Browns won’t hold his father Brad McCoy’s comments to the Plain Dealer against him. McCoy said that his son had a concussion after the huge hit and should not have gone back into the game. ”I don’t think it has any effects here,” said McCoy.

* He said he’s addressed things with his dad, but chooses to keep them private.

* He declined to say what his lingering symptoms are but said ”I’m feeling a lot better. I can tell you that I’m making progress.” He wishes he could play Sunday but has no idea if he’ll be active. “I’d do anything to be out there. I’d love to. Hopefully I’ll be able to contribute to the team this weekend.”

* He said he wants to be a Cleveland Brown for the long-term.  “I love this place. I want to be part of the resurrection with the Browns.”

* He said the hardest part is not being around his teammates and not being able to help them in games.

* He said the feedback from the Browns about him “has been positive” but that he doesn’t know what their postseason evaluation will be.

* He said of the NFL’s handling of the situation, “I think that their first priority is safety of the players.”

* He said he’s not worried about the long-term effects. “I’m really close (to being healthy) and I feel good. I feel much better.”

* Asked if the hit was a cheapshot and if he has any animosity toward Harrison, he said, “No, I really have no opinion. I think the league has handled that. And I’m doing the best I can to move forward and to get healthy and get back and help our team.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

BEREA — Despite a strong desire to come back and finish the season against the Steelers, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy hasn’t been cleared from his concussion to practice or play.

It puts an end to speculation about whether the Browns would start McCoy if healthy. It also means that Seneca Wallace will most likely get his third straight start to finish the season, and first ever against the Steelers.

“He’s trying to get back as quickly as he can,” said coach Pat Shurmur. “And he’s expressed that. He wants to get out there and get competing. He’s expressed that, sure.”

Shurmur said McCoy’s feeling a lot better and is lifting and running, but he’s still not passing the concussion tests, which are administered daily. He did not specify what the symptoms are.

“Colt’s around,” said Shurmur. “He was in all of the meetings [Wednesday] but he was not at the walk-through, no. He’s exercising, doing rehab, taking care of what he needs to do to get back healthy.”

McCoy hasn’t played since Steelers linebacker James Harrison drilled him in the facemask with his helmet on Dec. 8, causing the concussion. McCoy was sent back into the game two plays later because the medical staff didn’t see the hit.

It has proven to be one of the worst of 11 concussions suffered by eight Browns this season. McCoy is about to miss his third straight game, which would tie him with tight end Ben Watson. Watson was placed on injured reserve after suffering his third concussion of the season against the Steelers. Most of the other players have missed only a game or two.

But Shurmur said he’s not surprised that it’s taking McCoy so long to come back.

“Nothing surprises me,” he said. “Injuries are all different. The length of time it takes players to come back is all different, so I’m not surprised. I know there’s a process you go through and we’re taking him through that process just like anybody else that’s injured.”

McCoy hasn’t spoken publicly since the concussion, but might do so this week.

“He’s taking it pretty rough,” said Josh Cribbs. “He’s a gamer. He wants to be out there on the field, he wants to be battling with his team. It’s hard for him to look at it at home. It’s unfortunate. It’s very unfortunate.”

Said center Alex Mack, “I know he’s disappointed. He wants to be out here, he wants to work hard, but it’s important that he’s healthy. It’s taking longer than we want it to and it’s not what you want, but in terms of health, it’s important.”

Shurmur stopped just short of naming Wallace the starter, but said, “He’s taking all the reps and the longer it goes in the week, there’s a pretty darn good shot he’ll be the starter.”

What’s cooking: McCoy can’t be with the team on the field, but he certainly made his presents felt in the locker room on Wednesday.

McCoy gave all of his offensive linemen The Big Green Egg: The World’s Best Smoker and Grill. He also provided the charcoal and matching green coats.

“That’s pretty cool,” said left tackle Joe Thomas. “I’m really excited to put it together. I know a lot of guys are foodies on the O-line as you can tell by the bellies on a few of us. It’s pretty neat and it sounds like it’s a great Christmas gift for a lot of guys.”

Ben practices: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) participated fully in practice on Wednesday, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he will potentially be able to play. Roethlisberger is still ailing from the high ankle sprain he suffered Dec. 8 when Browns defensive end Scott Paxson hit him legally. . . . Steelers linebacker James Harrison (neck), and safety Troy Polamalu (knee), receiver Mike Wallace (ankle) and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) were limited.

Norwood not cleared: Receiver Jordan Norwood has also not been cleared to practice with his concussion. Norwood, who suffered the concussion in Arizona, sat out last week’s game in Baltimore. . . . Right tackle Tony Pashos sat out Wednesday’s practice with an illness and ankle injury, but Shurmur expects him back today.

Cribbs up for award: Cribbs has been selected as the Browns’ 2011 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. It recognizes a player’s off-the-field community service activities as well as his playing excellence. The three NFL finalists will be announced at a later date, and each will be present at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Feb. 5 for the announcement of the NFL Man of the Year.

“We all know what he means to the community, and we all know what he can do on the field,” said Shurmur.

Cribbs was honored to be nominated.

“I just really want to show the guys how to conduct themselves off the field and do my duty as an athlete and as a human being,” he said. “Being in a position to give back, it’s just a must.”

Jackson honored: Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson was grateful to be voted a first alternate to the Pro Bowl.

“It’s definitely a great honor, but at the same time there’s a lot of guys on this team that are well-deserving of that award,” he said. “Ahtyba Rubin’s been playing lights out for us, a lot of young guys, Jabaal Sheard, Phil Taylor. Across the board, we’ve got a lot of young guys that are well-deserving. I’m greatly honored, but my focus right now is the Pittsburgh Steelers and getting a win before we take off.”

Cribbs was also happy to be named a second alternate as a returner and third as a special-teamer.

“I’ve got to do better if I want to make it,” he said. “We as a team do as well. If I deserved it, I would be first-team. It’s an honor still. It’s an achievement and it’s an honor. I’ve still got to do better to make first-team.”

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

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The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t afford a loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, but the Browns can feel better about themselves, especially during the offseason, with a victory.

Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich does this Q and A with Scott Brown, who covers the Steelers for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Q: What’s the latest injury update on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who missed the Steelers’ most recent game with a high-ankle sprain suffered Dec. 8 against the Browns?

A: Coach Mike Tomlin didn’t give a lot [Tuesday during his news conference]. He said he’s hopeful that Ben Roethlisberger and a couple other injured Steelers, center Maurkice Pouncey and outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, will play. But he’s very noncommittal when it comes to Roethlisberger. When asked if he will practice him Wednesday, he said that they’ll see, so not a whole lot of clarity when it comes to who will play quarterback for the Steelers. Although he did say if any of the injured guys are healthy and ready to go, they will play, which indicates they’re not gonna just sit Ben and give him another week to get healthy. Basically, if he’s cleared by the medical staff and thinks he can go, thinks he’s OK on the ankle he injured earlier this month, he’ll play against the Browns.

Ulrich also asks Brown how wasJames Harrison’s helmet-to-face mask hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy viewed in Pittsburgh?

A: As far as the hit, the Steelers are pretty tight-lipped about it. It’s something that’s been a point of contention, the way the league has come down on them in their eyes since that Harrison hit in the Browns game last year in October, when he knocked out [wide receiver] Mohamed Massaquoi and got fined $75,000 for it. They’ve been pretty vocal ever since then through the end of the season about how they thought the league was targeting them and targeting James Harrison. They’ve kind of changed their tune, and they’re not talking about it as much.   

More Cleveland Browns

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Joe Thomas makes another Pro Bowl (Cleveland.com).

Does Joe Thomas deserve the Pro Bowl nod (Cleveland.com)?

Despite the rivalry, two fans fall in love (Cleveland.com).

These Browns/Steelers fans enjoy the ride (Cleveland.com).

Mike Tomlin bring own approach (Tribune-Review.com).

Comment Below!.

By MIKE KEATING

The Review

CANTON TWP. — A former Cleveland Browns quarterback shared his thoughts on the current signal caller when he addressed the Pro Football Hall of Fame Club at its weekly luncheon Monday afternoon.

Before he suffered a concussion against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which forced him to miss the next two games, Colt McCoy was the daily focal point of attention by Cleveland sportstalk shows. Many of the hosts and the callers believe McCoy, who is in his second year with the Browns, isn’t the long-term solution.

Mike Pagel, a pregame analyst on the Browns radio network, is unsure, offering several reasons.

“I think it takes 3-5 years for a young quarterback to understand the game,” Pagel explained. “He’s playing with a bunch of young receivers in a complicated offense, guys who have to make adjustments on the fly. He’s also had to deal with the Peyton Hillis (strep throat and hamstring) issue.

There also are two rookie guards, two tight ends (Benjamin Watson and Alex Smith) are beat up, and he also has a third-year starting center (Alex Mack).”

Pagel, 51, who was the understudy to Cleveland starting quarterback Bernie Kosar from 1986 to 1990, says first-year head coach Pat Shurmur was delivered an unfair hand before his first Cleveland training camp, although he held him accountable for one decision.

“Two things went against him,” Pagel opined. “The NFL lockout killed the organization, because you have a new head coach with a new coaching staff who hasn’t worked together starting late. However, I thought he made a mistake trying to be both head coach and offensive coordinator. Head coach and offensive coordinator are two full-time jobs.”

When queried on the forthcoming NFL College Player Draft, Pagel offered his wish list for General Manager Tom Heckert.

“The Browns need another defensive end, a playmaking outside linebacker, another cover cornerback, four wide receivers and a running back,” he smiled. “I wouldn’t draft a running back in the first round, because I think you can find a good one later, unless you get a chance to draft a ‘can’t miss prospect.’ My guess is they will focus on the defense first and beef it up, drafting another defensive end and a playmaking outside linebacker.”

Since joining the NFL as an expansion team in 1999, the Browns sport an odious won-loss record. With one regular-season game remaining against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Browns are only 68-140. They have only posted two winning seasons in 13 years. This year’s team is 4-11, producing its 11th season of double-digit losses.

With five head coaches and four general managers, there has been no continuity with the expansion Browns. There also has been no philosophy, a topic Pagel expanded.

“There is no Cleveland Browns way of playing football,” he stated. “They have never had a method or set direction on how to play. They don’t have the right mentality on winning. They hope to win; they don’t know how to win.”

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

BEREA, Ohio — Colt McCoy is making progress from his concussion and still has a chance to start Sunday. But will the Browns start their second-year QB against James Harrison and the Steelers’ No. 1-ranked defense?

McCoy, who sat out games in Arizona and Baltimore, hasn’t yet been cleared to practice, but coach Pat Shurmur said Monday that if he’s able to practice on Wednesday “there’s a chance he can play.” But Shurmur was still unwilling to commit to McCoy, even if he gets the green light from the medical staff.

“I can’t cross that bridge yet,” said Shurmur. “We’ll know more Wednesday when we start practicing for the Steelers and then we’ll talk about it then. And I’m not trying to be vague. That’s the case.”

McCoy felt better last week, but not enough to make the trip to Baltimore. He did some physical activity, including using the elliptical machine, but apparently still had symptoms that prevented him from team practices.

Shurmur said McCoy has increased his activity this week, but wasn’t specific. The Browns are off on Tuesday and begin full preparation for the Steelers on Wednesday.

“Colt worked out [Monday] and was in all of the meetings,” said Shurmur. “He’s making improvement.”

If McCoy is cleared to start, will the Browns throw him back in there? Here are a number of things to consider:

1. He’d be going up against Harrison, whose helmet-to-helmet blow on Dec. 8 gave him the concussion.

2. Harrison was suspended a game for the hit, which cost him about $73,000. He spoke out last week, saying the Browns should’ve been fined for putting McCoy back in the game with a concussion. He’s probably not going to be in the holiday spirit this game.

3. Should the Browns risk McCoy so soon after the concussion — especially with the NFLPA still trying to decide whether or not to file a grievance against the Browns? A source said the union should make its decision the first week of January.

4. With nothing at stake for the Browns, should they just let McCoy rest and also avoid the second-guessing it will invite if he plays?

5. The Browns have said they’ve seen enough of McCoy to make a decision on whether or not he can be their quarterback of the future. If that’s the case, why play him?

6. Will one more game with Seneca Wallace help the Browns determine if the offensive woes this season can be attributed to a lack of playmakers and not so much the quarterback?

7. Has Wallace moved the offense well enough the past two games to earn him another start? He’s 0-2 in his two starts with an average of 12 points a game.

Wallace reiterated Monday what he said after the 20-17 overtime loss in Arizona on Dec. 18: the job should be McCoy’s if he’s healthy.

“Like I said before, I would’ve loved to have been able to try to help this team out longer … but coaches made the decision at the beginning of the season to have Colt as the starter,” said Wallace. “If he’s healthy enough, I feel like he should come back and finish the season like he did.

“If I was the leader of this team at the beginning of the season and got knocked out and had a chance to come back and play, I’d want to finish the season out.”

How much would Wallace like to bounce back from the Ravens loss?

“I’m excited regardless,” he said. “I don’t care who it is, if it’s Pittsburgh or the St. Louis Rams. You’re playing football. We can go out and compete another time. That’s the opportunity we love to go out and play football.”

Wallace is coming off a 20-14 loss to the Ravens in which the offense scored just seven points. He completed 19 of 33 attempts for 147 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He made two crucial mistakes: an interception on the opening drive and letting the first-half clock run out deep in Ravens territory without getting at least a field-goal attempt.

As for the interception, Shurmur said, “there was a little bit of heat inside. Seneca flushed to his right. We have to make sure we’re smart with the football. I have to do a better job of getting protection where he doesn’t get heat up the middle. I’ll take responsibility for that. But we can’t turn the ball over there.”

Shurmur said he needs to do a better job of communicating to Wallace to get the ball spiked at the end of the half. But Wallace took responsibility.

“It’s not all [Shurmur's] fault,” he said. “If you’re a man, you’ve got to take responsibility for what you do on the field. … He’s going to try to back us because he’s the head coach. But at the end of the day, we get on the field and we’re playing between those lines, we’ve got to take responsibility for what we do out there.

“So yeah, it was a communication error, but at the same time, it’s not 100 percent his fault.”

What injury? Browns linebacker Kaluka Maiava suffered a broken left hand on the opening kickoff of the second half in Baltimore. But he’ll play with a cast Sunday. He said he broke a little piece of his index finger and that it won’t require surgery.

It won’t be the first time he’s dealt with this kind of injury.

“I told the doctor I think I’ve been playing with a cast on my hand since my junior year in high school,” he said. “Every year I had something on my hand.”

Extra points: Shurmur said he’ll ask the NFL for clarification on why Evan Moore wasn’t ruled out of bounds on the second-to-last play of the first half. Moore was told he needed to take a step forward out of bounds. Shurmur seems to think he was out. … Pro Bowl teams will be announced Tuesday, and Shurmur said several Browns are deserving. He declined to say who. … Remember, the Steelers game has been moved from 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Sunday as a result of flex scheduling.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

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