NFL Reminds Teams That Players Cannot Meet With Coaches, Receive Playbooks

The Browns were "one of several teams" reminded by the NFL last week that players are "not supposed to 'meet' with coaches or be given playbooks during this period of the off-season," according to Tony Grossi of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Sources said that the issue came up after a report that Browns QB Colt McCoy "had been meeting with new coach Pat Shurmur since the Super Bowl," and that the Browns "intended to give McCoy a portion of Shurmur's offensive playbook before the possible owners lockout on March 4 so that McCoy would have something to study during the work stoppage." However, Shurmur "denied that he and McCoy have held 'meetings' to discuss the team's new offense." Shurmur said that some Browns players "working out in the team's headquarters have simply stopped in to meet their new head coach" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 2/27).

PLANNING AHEAD: In West Palm Beach, Ben Volin reports Dolphins QB Chad Henne "has worked diligently with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to learn his offense before the lockout potentially begins on Friday." Henne and a Dolphins spokesperson "stressed that the meetings have been voluntary." A lockout would prevent players "from working with their coaches this offseason," so Dolphins players have "organized their own off-season practices to prepare for the 2011 season." They "already found a field to hold the practices, and hope to start on March 28, usually the same date in which the off-season workouts begin." Henne: "That's when I'll try to help install the offense and get the guys on the right page, because who knows how long this could last? Hopefully a lot of guys will come back and we can work out and build some bonding and camaraderie there." Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross said that the potential lockout is an "unfortunate reality." Ross: "You all realize you're flirting with danger, but I think the way it's going it needed some changes and hopefully we'll get those changes. ... I think calm heads will meet and hopefully we'll get beyond that and have a season" (PALM BEACH POST, 3/1).