NFL

Watson suffered three concussions in 2011. "I'm great," he insisted. "Three or four days after the last incident, I felt normal. I past all my cognitive tests. I didn't have any headaches." Watson recorded 37 catches for 410 yards and two scores. His role may diminish in 2012, as Evan Moore deserves more snaps.

"I know ' I know ' no one will work harder this offseason than Colt McCoy," Holmgren added. SIRIUS radio's Gil Brandt, a respected personnel guru, is skeptical that the Browns will trade up to select Robert Griffin III because it could cost both first-round picks as well as a second-rounder. "It really is" expensive, emphasized Brandt.

The Plain Dealer cautions that the Browns would only re-sign Hillis "at the right price," but their interest is renewed after a split looked inevitable in the season's first half. The Browns will begin contract talks with their free agents "over the next month or so." For the 26-year-old Hillis, a deal like Pierre Thomas' four-year, $11.2 million pact would be a reasonable starting point. Hillis may look more toward Ahmad Bradshaw's $18 million over four years.

Shurmur's playcalling didn't exactly evoke fireworks in 2011 (or 2010 with the Rams, for that matter), but the thought of Childress getting the nod is even less appetizing. According to reports out of Cleveland, Shurmur is tentatively expected to open the 2012 season calling plays. He could turn those duties over to Chilly if the offense struggles out of the gate.

Childress is a surface fit in Cleveland because of his West Coast offense background, but there's a lot to not like about this hire. Out of the league since his in-season firing in 2010, Childress' Vikings offenses from 2006 through 2010 ranked 23rd, 13th, 17th, fifth (Brett Favre year), and 23rd in terms of yards. In points, they were 26th, 15th, 12th, second (Favre), and 29th. Toward the end of Childress' Minnesota tenure, there was a feeling that the game had passed him by. Talent remains the roadblock standing in the way of Cleveland's offensive advancement. They need a new quarterback.

Head coach Pat Shurmur says calling plays is the "fun" part of running the team, but he's promised to forfeit those duties if he finds a coordinator who can do a better job. Based on Childress' play-calling track record in Minnesota, we're skeptical that he's an upgrade on Shurmur. The Browns' top two choices were Childress and Mike Sherman, who is expected to get the Dolphins job.

"I want to be in Cleveland," he said. "If it's the franchise tag, it's the franchise tag. As long as I still have my health, that's what is most important." Jackson missed all of 2010 with injury after being limited to just six games in 2009, but is a favorite for the Comeback Player of the Year award after racking up 158 tackles in 2011. His injury history makes it unlikely he'll land a long-term deal.