NFL Franchise Notes: Browns Upgrade HQs Despite Recent Layoffs

In Cleveland, Tony Grossi reports while the Browns this offseason laid off about 18 employees, not including "firings as a result of their regime change," the team also is "sinking more money" into their HQs in Berea, Ohio. Sources indicated that the highest-price change "involves moving the team's video department from the first floor to the second to be closer to the coaching offices," which is expected to cost around $500,000. Another source said that the figure was "'very inaccurate,' but wouldn't elaborate." Grossi noted the moves were made "to coach Eric Mangini's specifications," including enlarging the locker room to "create a more open environment" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 3/1).

TAG -- NOT IT: Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross "shot down rumors" that friend and former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue would join the team's front office. Ross: "Certainly, there's nobody (better) you could ask for advice about the (NFL) than Paul Tagliabue. The opportunity I have in calling upon him is something I'd be a fool not to take advantage of." Ross said Tagliabue probably will serve as a "permanent adviser to me." Ross: "He's certainly not joining the executive ranks of the Miami Dolphins, I'll tell you that" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 3/3).

FLYING AWAY? YAHOO SPORTS' Charles Robinson wrote with free agent QB Kurt Warner yesterday meeting with 49ers officials, Cardinals Owners the Bidwill family again is "poised to strike down its own success." Warner last season led the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl, but the prospect of him joining the 49ers "only tells us what we already know: The Bidwill family can't be counted upon." Rather than "step up and find a way to pay their most important player what he's truly worth, they've allowed the front office to put on a poker face and force Warner into an awkward free agent walk of shame." Robinson: "This is what makes other executives in the NFL roll their eyes, all too familiar with the way the Bidwill family conducts its business" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/2).

WELCOME, MATT: In K.C., Blair Kerkhoff reports the Chiefs yesterday sold more than 100 new season tickets after trading for Patriots QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel. Chiefs Dir of PR Bob Moore: "If the question is, did we get a spike from the new acquisitions, the answer is yes" (K.C. STAR, 3/3).