Browns’ Crennel earns extension
Willie McGinest always believed Romeo Crennel would turn the Cleveland Browns into winners.
For a long time, though, it seemed like the linebacker was about the only who did.
“There was a lot of prejudgment about Romeo,” said McGinest, who played for Crennel in New England. “And it was really unfair. It takes time. It takes players, and it takes a coach to do that.”
Crennel did it.
The 60-year-old former defensive assistant, whose future in Cleveland was shaky after two forgettable seasons, signed a two-year extension on Tuesday with the Browns, who won 10 games in Crennel’s third season and finally appear repaired.
Crennel had two years remaining on the five-year deal he signed in February 2005. The extension, believed to be worth about $4 million per season, takes Crennel through 2011.
The Browns were one of the NFL’s surprise teams in 2007. One season after going 4-12, they went 10-6, won a franchise-record seven home games and missed the AFC playoffs only because of a tiebreaker.
Owens still owes Eagles
Terrell Owens should set aside part of his roster bonus from Dallas to pay his old team a debt.
An arbitrator ruled in favor of the Philadelphia Eagles last Friday on a grievance that was filed by the NFL players’ union on Owens’ behalf in 2005.
A team spokesman said the Eagles would not comment. Owens’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return a phone message.
The union disputed the Eagles’ effort to recover $1.725 million of the $2.3 million signing bonus the team paid the wide receiver when it signed him to a seven-year, $48.97 million deal in 2004.
Owens was kicked off the team seven games into the 2005 season for a series of infractions, including repeated criticism of quarterback Donovan McNabb and lashing out against management. He was suspended four games without pay and the team withheld his final five paychecks, totaling $955,880. That means Owens still owes the Eagles $769,120.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said this month he plans to pay Owens a $3 million roster bonus.
Dallas has 13 in Pro Bowl
Make that record number of Pro Bowl players for the Dallas Cowboys 13, not 12.
Linebacker Greg Ellis became the latest addition when he was selected to replace Chicago’s Lance Briggs. It’s the first such honor for the 10-year veteran, who earlier this month was named the NFL’s comeback player of the year. He had a career-best 12 1/2 sacks despite missing the first three games while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
When the Pro Bowl rosters were announced, the Cowboys tied a record with 11 honorees. They broke it when safety Roy Williams was added, and they’ve stretched it again.
McNeill makes Pro Bowl
San Diego Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill was notified that he’s been added to the AFC Pro Bowl team.
It will be his second trip to the Pro Bowl in as many seasons. McNeill originally was a second alternate. He earned the trip after Buffalo’s Jason Peters and then Baltimore’s Jonathan Ogden pulled out.
Around the league
Tight end Teyo Johnson signed with Buffalo, attempting a comeback after missing all of last season with a calf injury. … Indianapolis defensive coordinator Ron Meeks interviewed again for the Washington coaching job. … Former Cowboys coach Dave Campo rejoined the staff, returning to his roots as coach of the secondary. … Jacksonville defensive tackle Tony McDaniel has settled a civil lawsuit lingering since his playing days at Tennessee over a fight during a pickup basketball game in 2005. … Former NFL player Alonzo Spellman, 36, was arrested after Tulsa, Okla., police fired pepper-spray pellets into his car following a nearly 20-minute chase.