Culpepper going the solo route?
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/football/13850757.htm

T.O. talk amuses Richardson
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/13846290.htm

TALKIN' BROWNS:

• As of now, the Browns have no intention of making any major changes in the football end of the front office or the coaching staff. General Manager Phil Savage believes that the organization desperately needs stability and a chance for his key people to grow. This is the first time since 1999-2000 that the Browns will have two consecutive seasons with same the GM, head coach, coordinators and top scouts in place.
• Some fans thought offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon should be in trouble. The Browns were 32nd in points scored and had the worst performance in the red zone. Savage believes in allowing his head coach a lot of freedom to make major decisions. So far, Romeo Crennel remains committed to Carthon.
• The challenge will be for the coaching staff to improve the offense because it appears the Browns will concentrate much of their draft and free-agent signings on defense.
• The Browns believe that they are set at running back with Reuben Droughns. They wish Lee Suggs could stay healthy, because they believe that his speed makes him an ideal change of pace from the bullish Droughns, but they can't trust Suggs' durability.
• The Browns have been extremely pleased with the attitude and behavior of William Green. But they consider him a pure backup, a straight-ahead runner. With Droughns, Suggs and Green, they have depth at the position.
• Droughns has another year at $1.2 million on his contract. The Browns are talking about an extension. It could be tricky because his agent is the infamous Drew Rosenhaus, but Droughns has indicated that he wants to stay here. He actually can't leave, all he can do is sit out and not get paid while demanding a new deal. The Browns don't think it will come to something that extreme.
• The Browns appreciate that Droughns has gained more than 1,200 yards in two consecutive years with two teams. This season, he proved he was not just a product of the Denver Broncos' offensive line.
• They like fullback Terrelle Smith, ``one of our really tough guys,'' a Browns operative said.
• Crennel might not announce a starting quarterback going into next training camp, but it's obvious the Browns want to develop Charlie Frye. They are happy with Trent Dilfer as a backup, and Dilfer is a tremendous supporter and teacher for Frye. So there are no plans to seriously tinker with quarterback.
• They believe tight end Kellen Winslow will finally be healthy enough to play by summer training camp. So far, he's coming back strong from his various injuries. Braylon Edwards is recovering from knee surgery and might not be close to 100 percent until the regular season starts.
• Antonio Bryant is a free agent. The Browns seem in no rush to sign him. Despite his 69 catches, they are not overwhelmed with the idea of keeping him for big money. They seem more interested in shopping for some veteran free-agent receivers. If Bryant leaves, they might bring in two.
• L.J. Shelton is a free agent. While the left tackle seemed so-so at best, he started all 16 games and rarely missed any plays. Decent left tackles are so hard to find, so Shelton could get a fairly lucrative offer somewhere else. The Browns are talking to him.
• Don't expect the Browns to draft an offensive lineman in the first round. They probably will go defense. But they do know that they have to get some depth on the offensive line.
• The only backup left tackle is Nat Dorsey, a player acquired from the Minnesota Vikings for Melvin Fowler. But he played so little last season, it's hard to know if he can start right now. Savage likes Dorsey and believes that he can eventually develop into a starter.
• Talks continue with free-agent defensive lineman Orpheus Roye. Talking to one football executive about which Browns players could make the starting lineup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, only two names came up -- right tackle Ryan Tucker and Roye. Roye had knee surgery after the season. He is 33 and is headed into his 11th year, so he has a lot of wear on his body. The Browns still want him back.
• Savage said fans keep coming up to him and saying, ``Draft A.J. Hawk.'' He got the message. But picking No. 12 in the first round, the Browns believe that the Ohio State star will be gone. But as one Browns executive told me, ``We'd love Hawk to slide. That's a no-brainer. You take him, you start him. A lot of young linebackers have played well right away, and we think he can do it, too.''
• If anything, Hawk seems to be rising in the draft and might go in the top five.
• The Browns desperately need a nose tackle for the middle of their 3-4 defense. They are checking out Haloti Ngata, a 6-foot-5, 338-pounder from Oregon. The junior has declared for the draft. He was the Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. He blocked seven kicks in three years. He is a definite first-round pick.
• The Browns consider their secondary to be the team's strength. They believe that Brodney Pool will emerge as an impact safety in his second season. They are confident in their three cornerbacks: Daylon McCutcheon, Gary Baxter and Leigh Bodden. Other safeties are Brian Russell, Sean Jones and Chris Crocker.
• Jones did lead the team in special teams tackles. The question is if his athleticism can be harnessed to be an effective safety. Guess who was second in special teams tackles? Kent State's Joshua Cribbs. The Browns like Cribbs for his special teams work, kick returns and his speed.
• I've not heard much about it, but I keep wondering if the Browns will take Cribbs, the former KSU quarterback, and work him into an all-purpose player like Pittsburgh's Antwaan Randle El. It just seems obvious.
• Other than Andra Davis, no linebacker is a lock to start next year. It's no secret that Ben Taylor played hard, but seems ill-suited for the 3-4 alignment. Matt Stewart is decent and probably will start again, but he's not a big-play guy.
• The most interesting linebacker is Chaun Thompson, who has worked hard, is fast but doesn't bring the pressure on the quarterback the Browns would like. But neither does anyone else on the team. One of the top priorities is finding someone who can pressure the quarterback.