Daily Dawg Chow (11/30/12)

Cleveland Browns:

• "Jimmy Haslam feels team is 'very close' to becoming a playoff contender" (Plain Dealer) - "Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, in an interview with The Plain Dealer on Thursday, said he's encouraged by the progress of his new team and feels it easily could be 6-5 right now and in the playoff chase."
• "Torrential rains, high winds expected to greet Browns in Oakland and stay for the game" (ESPN Cleveland) - "Pack your galoshes: What’s waiting for the Browns in Oakland besides a 3-8 Raiders team giving up points in historical numbers?"
• "Another streak for the Browns to end" (AFC North Blog) - "The Browns ended an 11-game losing streak (which matched a franchise record) on Oct. 14, when they beat the Bengals. That also ended a skid of 12 straight losses in the AFC North for Cleveland."
• "Jimmy Haslam won’t apologize for passion he has brought to franchise" (Beacon Journal) - "Browns owner Jimmy Haslam described himself as competitive and passionate when he held his introductory news conference Aug. 3."
• "Travis Benjamin ready to return kicks if Josh Cribbs can’t go" (Morning Journal) - "Travis Benjamin is ready to return kicks and punts in Oakland if Josh Cribbs cannot play against the Raiders on Sunday."

NFL:

• "Tyrann Mathieu to enter NFL draft" (ESPN) - "Former LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu announced Thursday he is entering the next NFL draft."
• "Eagles QB Vick again does not pass concussion test" (AP) - "Eagles quarterback Michael Vick did not pass a league-mandated concussion test this week and will not return to practice until he does."
• "Alex Smith wondering how he lost starting job" (AP) - "Alex Smith is trying to understand how he lost his job as starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers a month after being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week."
• "Roethlisberger testing hurt shoulder" (AP) - "Ben Roethlisberger doesn't sound like a guy who plans on playing against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday."