ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Browns have fired coach Hue Jackson. The third-year head coach "had this and next year remaining on his contract," so the Browns will be "contractually obligated to him" through the '19 season. Jackson is the "sixth straight Browns head coach that has been fired after the second game of the season against the Steelers" (TWITTER.com, 10/29). Sources said that Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam III is "leaning heavily" on GM John Dorsey to "keep him in the loop when it comes to what exactly is going wrong" this season (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/28).
THINNING THE ROSTER: In S.F., Matier & Ross cited sources as saying that two of the three law firms that were "lined up to handle" the city of Oakland's suit against the Raiders and the NFL over their move to Las Vegas have "pulled out." That leaves only N.Y.-based attorney Jim Quinn, who in the past "successfully sued the NFL" over free agency and the '11 player lockout. However, he has "no standing in California’s courts, where the lawsuit would be filed." Quinn needs to "find in-state partners" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/28).
BUILDING BLOCKS: The Dolphins have made the playoffs just twice in the last 10 seasons and currently sit at 4-4, and in Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde asked, "Does anyone have big-picture vision in this organization to build a champion?" That is the "real issue" for the Dolphins, not "firing a defensive coordinator in midseason, just as it has been the prime issue for two decades inside the Dolphins." It is "not just that the roster talent hasn’t improved in three years" under the front office of Exec VP/Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum and GM Chris Grier. Everyone can "see ahead what’s for the Dolphins at this pace." It includes a "bad news conference" involving Owner Stephen Ross "discussing change" (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 10/28).
