Cleveland Browns:

• "Browns quarterback: Weeden yes, Mallett no" (FS Ohio) - "Trying to interpret the statement of every Browns official about their quarterback situation this offseason proved to be a wearying experience. Words can be overstudied, expressions misinterpreted and intentions confused."
• "Chudzinski’s ability to bring brainchild to Browns hinges on team’s quarterback plans" (Beacon Journal) - "Browns coach Rob Chudzinski introduced the read-option offense to the NFL, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if he’s reluctant to completely abandon his brainchild."
• "Trent Richardson on new crown rule: 'I feel like it's my fault'" (Plain Dealer) - "Trent Richardson, whose helmet-to-helmet smash on Eagles safety Kurt Coleman was used as Exhibit A to get the NFL's new crown rule passed today, feels responsible for ruining things for his brethren."
• "Horton wants Haden to be elite" (ClevelandBrowns.com) - "Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton likes what he sees from fourth-year defensive back Joe Haden, both on film and in person. By spending three seasons in the AFC North Division, Haden has gotten to compete against Pro Bowl-caliber wide receivers in former Baltimore standouts Anquan Boldin and Lee Evans, as well as one-time Steelers wideout, Mike Wallace."

NFL:

• "Outrage over new helmet rule much ado about nothing" (SI.com) - "Emmitt Smith, Matt Forte, Eric Dickerson and running backs everywhere may squawk, but every change the NFL makes these days on behalf of player safety makes somebody squawk, doesn't it? Should the league really care? Not if it feels like it's on solid ground, as it does with the common-sense proposal that would ban players from using the crown of their helmet in the open field."
• "Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears part ways after 13 years" (NFL.com) - "It's rare that a press release takes your breath away. The email from the Chicago Bears on Wednesday did just that. In bold letters, it read: 'Bears unable to reach agreement with Urlacher for 2013.'"
• "Texans snagging Reed brilliant move" (CBS Sports) - "I know there are people who think safety Ed Reed is done. They think he's slowed. They think he's hanging on to make cash and pad his legacy. There are those who believe all of that. I am not one of them."
• "What will Geno Smith turn out to be?" (ESPN) - "The baby had everything: 'Toy Story' sheets and Barney curtains and a chalkboard for Christmas so he could learn the alphabet from his grandma. He had an uncle who taught him football in the park, a teenage dad who held him awkwardly, as if he was afraid of dropping him, and a mom who was naive and confused but never embarrassed."