Daily Dawg Chow: Browns news (5/31/13)

Cleveland Browns:

• "More charges may come in case involving Haslams" (AP) - "Sudden guilty pleas by a pair of mid-level executives show the investigation into the truck stop chain controlled by the family of Tennessee's governor and the Cleveland Browns' owner is picking up steam, with prosecutors likely setting their sights on higher-ups at the company, experts say."
• "Turner brings hope, big plays to Browns" (AFC North Blog) - "The Cleveland Browns gave $35 million in guaranteed money to linebacker Paul Kruger and defensive lineman Desmond Bryant in free agency. The team used its top two draft picks on defense, including the No. 6 overall one on pass-rusher Barkevious Mingo."
• "Question and answer with Browns defensive backs coach Louie Cioffi" (Beacon Journal) - "Defensive backs coach Louie Cioffi joined the Browns with the hiring of defensive coordinator Ray Horton in January. It’s his third tour of duty with Horton, the most recent with the Arizona Cardinals where Cioffi served two seasons as defensive backs coach."
• "Eyes on Berea: OTAs Week 3" (ESPN Cleveland) - "Keeping Weeden sharp – Brandon Weeden had another very good day of OTAs in Berea. He was quick and decisive delivering the ball into a multitude of different places on the field. He looks like a completely different quarterback from who he was at the tail end of the 2012 season."

NFL:

• "Dwight Freeney believes owners were holding back cash" (CBS Sports) - "Dwight Freeney hit free agency this offseason, and like me and many others, expected the phone to ring rather quickly. He's had 107 1/2 sacks in the past 11 years and although he had a pedantic five sacks last season, low for him, there's no question Freeney is still a pass rushing force in the NFL."
• "Rosenhaus says Gronkowski back surgery not serious, doesn’t change timetable for return" (PFT) - "It’s alarming, to say the least, to know that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski needs back surgery after a quartet of arm procedures. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, downplayed the gravity of the situation on WQAM radio in Miami earlier today."
• "Robert Griffin III continues rehab" (AP) - "Robert Griffin III had switched from a long-sleeved, black shirt to a white one, but his role in Washington's organized team activities at Redskins Park remained the same from a week ago."
• "Panthers WR Smith: I want to play 15-16 seasons" (AP) - "Steve Smith said the competition at the Panthers wide receiver position this year is ''cut throat,'' and the 13-year veteran receiver plans to stick around to see how it shakes out. Smith, 33, told The Associated Press on Thursday he wants ''to play 15 or 16 years'' in the NFL, which would take him through the 2015 or 2016 season."