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Cleveland fires coordinator

Todd Grantham and the Browns had the NFL's 30th-ranked defense. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Todd Grantham and the Browns had the NFL's 30th-ranked defense. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

The Cleveland Browns have another gaping hole to fix on defense.

Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, once considered a possible successor to coach Romeo Crennel, was unexpectedly fired Friday after Cleveland’s defense finished the season as one of the NFL’s worst units.

Grantham’s dismissal was a surprise because it came just months after the fiery 41-year-old signed a two-year contract extension. It also followed Cleveland’s turnaround 10-6 season, which ended just shy of the AFC playoffs.

But Grantham’s stock steadily plummeted as the Browns’ defense struggled almost the entire season before ending up ranked 30th. The Browns apparently felt Grantham wasn’t getting the most from his players and decided to part ways.

The team put out a short statement announcing that Grantham “will not be retained for the 2008 season.”

Owens removes tape

Terrell Owens warmed up for practice, then went to see a trainer about his injured ankle.

Owens felt so good he wanted the protective tape he’d been wearing cut off. Then he ran to join his teammates who were lined up to stretch, slapping hands and practically doing a victory lap on his way to his spot at Cowboys practice in Irving, Texas.

The team’s official report listed his participation in practice as limited and his game status as questionable.

Around the league

Kyle Shanahan was promoted to Houston offensive coordinator, making him the youngest coach at that position in the NFL. The 28-year-old son of Denver coach Mike Shanahan replaces Mike Sherman, who spent two seasons with Houston before being named the head coach at Texas A&M. … Denver tight end Daniel Graham was arrested on a charge of harassing his former girlfriend in Aurora, Colo., who said the player hit a bedpost after an argument about the sale of their home. … The Buffalo Bills’ training staff was chosen the NFL’s best, following the treatment of the spinal cord injury to Kevin Everett. The staff, led by Bud Carpenter, was selected by the Pro Football Athletic Trainers Society and will be honored on March 11 in Baltimore.