Cleveland Browns:

• "Greg Little working his way back into Browns’ plans and fans’ hearts" (Beacon Journal) - "When a reporter began asking Browns coach Pat Shurmur a question about Greg Little on Tuesday by saying the second-year receiver was playing better as of late, Shurmur interrupted the reporter by quipping, 'Shhh, don’t say anything.'"
• "Brandon Weeden ready for a rest heading into bye week" (Chronicle-Telegram) - "Quarterback Brandon Weeden entered the bye week fresh off his worst two games since the fall-flat-on-his-face opener. He’s headed back to Oklahoma to enjoy the sunshine, maybe play some golf and reflect on a promising but rocky first nine games of his career."
• "Joe Banner says wins, losses won't decide who stays and goes after season" (Plain Dealer) - "Cleveland Browns CEO Joe Banner sat down with The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot on Thursday for an hour-long one-on-one interview on a wide range of topics, including his critieria for his first Browns staff, his own role with the organization and the future of Brandon Weeden."
• "Three Browns named Midseason All-Rookie" (AFC North Blog) - "Matt Williamson from ESPN.com does an excellent job in tracking rookies all season. That's why his Midseason All-Rookie team is as solid as they come."

NFL:

• "Anonymous, mean-spirited quotes and player polls in NFL need to stop" (Yahoo! Sports) - "Confidential player surveys and anonymous front-office evaluations are good for cheap, easy Internet traffic. Few of us can resist scanning the results, even if it's akin to some pathetic grade-school slam book or anonymous Internet bullying."
• "Calvin Johnson: Hard to grip ball" (ESPN) - "Calvin Johnson said Thursday that he suffered nerve damage from hits suffered in the Detroit Lions' loss to the Minnesota Vikings in September, which has made it hard for him to grip the ball, the Detroit Free Press reported."
• "Harvin, Peterson miss practice for Vikings" (PFT) - "On offense, the Vikings have two reliable weapons. Neither practiced on Thursday. Via Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com, receiver Percy Harvin missed another day of practice with an ankle that he says was sprained in three places. It casts real doubt on his ability to play Sunday against the Lions."
• "2013 NFL Draft: Midseason Top 50" (SI.com) - "The top of the 2013 NFL Draft looks like an inspired class with plenty of solid talent, but no dominant player in the mold of Andrew Luck, Calvin Johnson or Von Miller. Even considering that, there's an abundance of talent at the defensive tackle position, as well as offensive guard."