Morning Dawg Chow (2/1/12)

Cleveland Browns:

• "Hillis Will be Back if He Wants to Be Back" (Waiting For Next Year) - Craig Lyndall of WFNY essentially breaks down whats in the title. "It's all on Hillis." He talks about some of the contract issues during the season and the numbers that were thrown out at the time. It could end up coming down to how much guaranteed money Hillis is willing to take.
• "Browns' first-round bust makes Super Bowl" (ESPN AFC North Blog) - In a bit more depressing news, Jamison Hensley has a pretty good article over on ESPN about how our old friend Gerard "Big Money" Warren has finally made it to a Super Bowl. Honestly, I'm happy for the guy, *sigh* I guess.
• "Plain Dealer's Cabot to represent NE Ohio's HOF vote" (Plain Dealer) - With Tony Grossi moved off of the Cleveland Browns beat, there was a vacancy left in the Pro Football Hall of Fame committee for this region. One thing we can hope that she takes from Grossi is an effort to keep Modell out of the Hall.
• "Cleveland Browns’ Future at Running Back: A Fan’s Look" (Yahoo! Contributor Network) - This article here isn't bad, but still serves as a striking reminder as to why the Browns really should do what it takes to resign Hillis. Paul Rados takes a look at some of the possibilities at RB if we don't bring back Hillis, which includes Trent Richardson, Michael Bush, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

NFL:

• "Bears say Forte will not hit free agency" (Pro Footall Talk) - Just in case you had your eyes set on Matt Forte in the event that Hillis walked, Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips did his best to shut the book on that possibility. "...We obviously will at least consider placing the franchise tag on him. We don’t have any intention of letting Matt hit the open market." Forte was the one of the few players that would not have bothered me replacing Hillis.
• "Aaron Rodgers bummed by NFC's effort" (ESPN.com) - Today in rather pointless news Aaron Rodgers states the obvious, "I felt like some of the guys on the NFC side embarrassed themselves." He goes on, but it's not really news to the fans. We know a lot of the players aren't trying. I'm surprised that this is new to Rodgers.
• "Tom Brady not as great as advertised" (ESPNNewYork.com) - First, remember to consider the source, this did come out of ESPNNewYork.com after all. Rich Cimini attempts to make the case that Tom Brady is overrated. "That's right: Tom Brady, average." Well, I think his attempt is, that's right: below average.
• Justin Tuck’s Nerves Had Him Throwing Up During The Super Bowl (Deadspin) - I figured that I should throw in at least one bit of Super Bowl related "news." Here, Deadspin transcribes an excellent radio interview between Justin Tuck and Mike Francesa of WFAN in New York. The last part serves as a reminder that NFL players are human too, albeit amusing sometimes. It really is a good interview.