The Browns have released wide receiver Donte Stallworth just a day after he reinstated back into the league. Stallworth pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter for driving drunk after he struck and killed a man early March 14, 2009.


Stallworth had just 17 receptions in his one season on the field with the Browns. By releasing Stallworth now the team avoids paying Stallworth a $ 1 million roster bonus that was due on March 20th.

(Berea) - The Cleveland Browns  announced Friday that season ticket prices for the 2010 season will not increase.

Season ticket prices for the Browns, which continue to rank among the lowest in the NFL, have not increased in five of the last seven years. In fact, this year prices for select seats will be lower than they were in 2009.

For the first time ever, each Season Ticket Account Holder will have their own Personal Ticket Services Representative. They will also receive in-stadium discounts on items such as concessions and team merchandise, in addition to discounted season parking.

“Having faced the Browns several times in Cleveland as a head coach, I know what a home field advantage our stadium can provide,” said Browns President Mike Holmgren. “We're excited about continuing to build the type of team that our fans can be proud of. I know that they will be an integral part of any success that we have and that is why we are pleased to keep our ticket prices as affordable as possible for our fans.”

For the first time, season tickets are available in the Cleveland Browns Family Zone – a family-friendly, alcohol-free area in Cleveland Browns Stadium. Prices in the Family Zone are set at $32 per game on a season basis, making them one of the most affordable in the NFL.

Renewal information for current Season Ticket Holders will be mailed later this month.
The Browns 2010 regular season home schedule includes games against the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, New York Jets, and AFC North rivals Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.

(Copyright © 2010 Clear Channel. All rights reserved.)

The Cleveland Browns today announced the addition of Matt Thomas as Vice President – Football Administration. He takes over the role previously held by Dawn Aponte, who accepted the position of Senior Vice President of Football Operations with the Miami Dolphins.

Thomas joins the club after spending the past 12 seasons with the Dolphins (1998-09), including 2009 as Vice President – General Counsel and Football Administration. During his tenure with the team he held numerous football administrative functions, which included assisting with the management of the salary cap, player contract negotiations, football budgeting and acting as a liaison with the NFL Management Council on salary cap compliance and other labor and legal matters. Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver, University of South Dakota School of Law and the New York University School of Law.

 (AP)—In its new role as a warmup to the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl became a series of wind sprints. Long gains were the rule and hard hitting was the exception as the AFC beat the NFC 41-34 on Sunday night. Light showers fell for much of the game, stirring memories of a rainy Super Bowl in Miami three years ago.

But uniforms remained mostly spotless, with more pushing and shoving than tackling. “It’s different. It was like 7 on 7,” NFC linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “Everybody came out here trying not to get hurt and give the fans a good show” Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans threw for 189 yards and two AFC scores, and was chosen the most valuable player. “It’s a game you watch growing up as a kid and wonder if you could ever be in,” Schaub said. “To actually be a part of it is incredible.” Aaron Rodgers also threw two touchdown passes, and NFC teammate DeSean Jackson had two scoring catches.

From the standpoint of ticket sales, this year’s new venue and slot on the league calendar was a success. The crowd of 70,697 was the largest for a Pro Bowl since 1959 in Los Angeles. Spectators included Peyton Manning Drew Brees and other Pro Bowl players from the Super Bowl teams. Manning and the Indianapolis Colts will face Brees and the New Orleans Saints on the same field next Sunday in the biggest game of the season.

The NFL sought to transform the Pro Bowl into a bigger game by playing it before the Super Bowl for the first time. In a one-year experiment, the league also moved the game from Honolulu, its home since 1980. The stadium was half empty by the third quarter, perhaps partly because of the rain and temperatures in the 60s. It was sunny and 82 in Honolulu at game time.
 
Did the weather dampen the players’ enthusiasm for Miami? “It’s beautiful. It’s paradise,” NFC receiver Steve Smith said. “Too bad it’s not Hawaii.” Eager to host more big events, the Dolphins have proposed adding a roof that would cover fans as part of stadium improvements that could cost $250 million or more.
 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the upgrades are needed if South Florida is to remain competitive in bidding for future Super Bowls. Nearly 40 percent of the players originally selected for the game didn’t play.

One of the AFC replacements, David Garrard , threw for 183 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown to Vincent Jackson. “It’s so awesome,” Garrard said. “One of my goals coming into the game was to just be relevant and show all the people who said, `What is he doing in there? The Pro Bowl has dropped off a few pegs,’ that I do belong.”
 
Vincent Jackson made seven catches for 122 yards. Chad Ochocinco had a 40-yard reception but didn’t do any kicking after practicing placements and punts for the AFC during the week. “That’s OK. It was fun anyway,” Ochocinco said. DeSean Jackson scored on a 7-yard pass from Rodgers and a 58-yard pass from Donovan McNabb his regular quarterback with the Eagles. “I’m just out here having a great time,” Jackson said. “And at the same time I’m trying to put out a little effort.” There were plenty of other big plays.

Joshua Cribbs caught a punt at the goal line and returned it 65 yards. A penalty negated LaMarr Woodley’s 64-interception return for a touchdown. “I slowed up to get a little camera time,” Woodley said. The AFC totaled 517 yards and the NFC 470. Both teams threw for more than 400 yards.
 
Redskins linebacker London Fletcher a 12-year veteran playing in his first Pro Bowl, found the AFC’s offensive approach exhausting. “They came out with a bunch of screens and had us running around,” Fletcher said. But there were no complaints from Fletcher’s teammate on defense, first-time Pro Bowler Justin Smith of the 49ers. “The pace is nice,” Smith said. “You don’t have to worry about working too hard.”

The game will return to Honolulu in 2011 and 2012, but the league hasn’t decided whether to hold those games before or after the Super Bowl. The Pro Bowl site for 2013 and beyond hasn’t been determined.

The Cleveland Browns announced today the additions of Kent Johnston as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and Mark Schiefelbein as Vice President – Football Operations.

Johnston brings more than 25 years of coaching experience on both the collegiate and professional levels to the Browns, most recently spending two years as the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Alabama (2004-05). He spent the last four years in the non-profit and business sector.

Prior to his tenure in Tuscaloosa, Johnston spent 17 seasons in the NFL as the strength and conditioning coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987-91), Green Bay Packers (1992-98) and Seattle Seahawks (1999-2003). In 1997, he was honored as the "Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year" by the Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Coaches' Society. Johnston also had collegiate stops at Northwestern State University (1979-80), University of Louisiana at Monroe (1980-81) and Alabama (1983-86). Born in Mexia, Johnston is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin where he played defensive back.

Schiefelbein spent the previous 20 years in the NFL, including the last 18 with the Green Bay Packers (1992-2009), most recently serving as the Director of Football Administration/Communications. He also spent two years (1990-91) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his NFL tenure he has worked public relations, community relations and operations. He broke into the league as an intern with the Packers in 1989. A native of Reedsburg, Wis., Schiefelbein is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Wide receiver/defensive back Mike Furrey has been selected as one of three finalists for the 2009 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, it was announced today by the NFL. Renamed in 1999 after legendary Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, this honor is the only league award that recognizes a player’s off the field community service activities as well as his playing excellence. The honor marks the first time the Browns have had one of the three finalists since their return in 1999. Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher and Kansas City Chiefs guard Brian Waters join Furrey as the three finalists.

The winner will be announced live on CBS before Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday, February 7. Furrey, Fletcher and Waters will be in South Florida during Super Bowl week and will participate in a press conference on Friday, February 5, along with Payton’s family.

“The Browns are thrilled that Mike Furrey is among the three finalists for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which in my mind is one of the most prestigious individual honors because of what it stands for,” said Browns President Mike Holmgren. “Mike epitomizes what it means to be a true professional athlete. His tireless efforts on the field and in the community are inspirational, and we are proud that he is a member of the Cleveland Browns.”

“It’s an honor to even be in the category, let alone be in the final three for this award,” said Furrey. “To be able to go down to the Super Bowl and represent the Browns is a huge honor.” The three finalists were chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from the 32 team nominees for the award, all of whom receive a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice. The three finalists will receive an additional $5,000 donation in their name. The selection panel is comprised of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Connie Payton, Pro Football Hall of Fame members Frank Gifford and Anthony Munoz, Giants great and Executive Director of the NFL Alumni Association George Martin, 2008 winner Kurt Warner and Sports Illustrated football writer Peter King.
 
The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will receive the Gladiator statue, an original art creation by the noted sculptor, Daniel Schwartz. In addition, the player’s favorite charity will receive an additional $20,000 donation in his name. Since joining the Browns in May, Furrey has made his presence felt both on and off the field. He has volunteered his time with the Cleveland Foodbank, Cleveland Christian Home, Cleveland Clinic Rehab Hospital, NFL Hometown Huddle and made numerous school visits, among other community events.

Furrey supports the Cleveland Browns Foundation through annual fundraisers including the Browns Foundation Golf Outing. He encourages kids to Play 60 through Browns Fitness Zone installation projects, has autographed more than one hundred items that were sent to local auctions/fundraisers and embraces the Browns Backers Worldwide, the official fan club of the Cleveland Browns. Furrey is the spokesperson for Children’s Hunger Alliance and visits schools to speak on the importance of healthy food choices and staying active.

He created a game day ticket program to offer incentives for some and retreat from medical treatments for kids and individuals at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital for Rehabilitation, City Mission and the Cleveland Christian Home. Guests attending Browns home games through Furrey’s Fanatics program receive tickets, food vouchers, game programs and custom shirts on his behalf.

On the field, Furrey played in all 16 contests and picked up starts on both offense and defense. He finished third on the team with 23 receptions for 170 yards, while also totaling 14 tackles and two passes defensed on defense.

The Cleveland Browns today announced the additions of Jon Sandusky, Keith Gilbertson, John Spytek and A.J. Durso to the clubs personnel department. In addition, the team signed defensive back Chris Roberson as a free agent for the 2010 season.

Sandusky joins the Browns as Director of Player Personnel after spending the previous nine seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, with the last two as Director of Pro Personnel. He spent his first six seasons with the club as a pro scout after joining the Eagles as an intern in the personnel department in 2001. A native of State College, Pa., Sandusky was a safety for Penn State from 1996-99.

He is the son of former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Gilbertson, who brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to Cleveland, joins the team as Director of Pro Personnel. He previously spent four seasons (2005-08) in multiple capacities with the Seattle Seahawks. He spent his second tenure with the team as an offensive consultant (2005), assistant offensive line coach (2006-07) and wide receivers coach (2008).

During his career, he has made collegiate coaching stops at Utah State (1977-81), Idaho (1982, ‘86-88), Washington (1989-91, ’99-04), and Cal-Berkeley (1992-95). His previously coached professionally with the Seattle Seahawks from 1996-98 and with the L.A. Express of the USFL from 1983-85. He is a native of Snohomish, Wash.

Spytek joins the Browns as a Personnel Executive. He spent his previous five seasons in the Eagles’ personnel department, including the last three as a college/pro scout. He spent the 2006 season as Philadelphia’s college scouting assistant and 2005 as an intern in the pro personnel department. He also spent the 2004 season as an intern in the Detroit Lions’ football operations department. Spytek attended the University of Michigan, where he lettered four seasons at linebacker.

He is a native of Pewaukee, Wis.

Durso joins the team as a pro scout after spending the previous four seasons with the Seahawks. He spent his first three in football operations (2006-08), as an assistant to Head Coach Mike Holmgren and the 2009 season as an offensive assistant. In 2005, he interned in the Seahawks’ operations department. He is a graduate of the SUNY Institute of Technology, where he was a member of the baseball team. He grew up in Utica, N.Y.

Originally drafted in the seventh round (237th overall) of the 2005 NFL draft by Jacksonville, Roberson spent the final four weeks of the 2009 season on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad. He previously spent time with the Jaguars (2005-06) and Detroit (2008), appearing in seven games, totaling three tackles. A four-year letterman (2001-04) at Eastern Michigan University, he appeared in 46 games, totaling 101 tackles and one sack. A native of Detroit, Mich., the 5-11, 190-pounder attended Harrison High School in Farmington Hills, Mich.

The awards continue to roll in for the Browns 2 All Pro players. Today Browns kick returner Josh Cribbs and left tackle Joe Thomas were named to the Pro Football Weekly/ Professional Football Writers of America all NFL team.

This is the 3rd time the Browns duo has received post season awards this off season. Both players will play in the Pro Bowl in two Sundays in Miami. And both were named first team All Pro last week.
 
Rookie center Alex Mack was named to the PFW/PFWA all rookie team. Mack started all 16 games for the Browns in his first season after leaving the University of California.