Going, Going….

According to the Washington Post, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell has told sources he intends to announce today that his football team has reached an agreement to move to Baltimore next season, a deal that still must be approved by at least 23 of his fellow National Football League owners.

Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening and Baltimore Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke will also attend the news conference, scheduled to be held at a parking lot outside Camden Yards - where a new, $200-million stadium would be built for the team.

For security reasons, Modell did not attend the Browns’ game Sunday against the Houston Oilers at Cleveland Stadium, the first home game he’s missed since he bought the club in 1961.

NFL owners will convene Tuesday in Dallas for their regularly scheduled annual fall meeting and Baltimore/Cleveland will be at the top of the agenda. A three-quarter majority of owners must approve the move.

A Maryland official familiar with the negotiations said he believes Modell will be able to move eventually.

“Art Modell is a popular and powerful owner,” the official said. “I think he’s done his homework. The league tries to hold you hostage for awhile until they can get what they want. There will be a lot of back and forth, but I can’t imagine him having any difficulty getting them to go along with the deal.”

Jim Brown, the Browns’ Hall of Fame running back who now serves as a consultant to the team, said the only time he felt sadder on a football field was in 1963 “when Kennedy got killed.”

“It was sort of like a dream out there,” Brown said after the Browns lost to Houston 37-10. “The fans cheered the team when they came out. It was almost sad to hear them cheer and say ‘We love you.’ It’s a terrible feeling.”

Packers hit hard

The Green Bay Packers lost four starters, including Brett Favre and Reggie White, during Sunday’s 27-24 loss at Minnesota. Then they lost Sean Jones in the locker room after the game.

Jones, who collided with White on the play on which White sprained his knee, became badly disoriented after the game. He did not respond to repeated questions from team officials, and had to be taken out on a stretcher, still wearing his full uniform.

Favre’s backup, Ty Detmer, led the team to a tying touchdown, but he threw a costly interception late in the fourth quarter and tore ligaments in his throwing thumb on the play.

Also, receiver Anthony Morgan left in the third quarter after a hard hit by Dewayne Washington.

Local watch

Former Washington State quarterback Drew Bledsoe completed 13 of 27 passes for 173 yards with no TDs and no interceptions as New England beat New York 20-7 on the road.

Monday night matchup

The Philadelphia Eagles pay a visit to Dallas to take on the Cowboys minus defensive tackle Leon Lett and defensive back Clayton Holmes. The two were suspended by the NFL earlier this week for testing positive for substance use. The game starts at 6 p.m. PDT.

, DataTimes