Cleveland Browns players are not allowed to work out at team facility, asked to be patient

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Cleveland Browns players are not allowed to work out at team facility, asked to be patient

Published: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 1:30 PM Updated: Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 4:08 PM

By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

Updated at 1:30 p.m. with new information.

BEREA, Ohio --
Following instructions from the NFL's scrambling lawyers, the Browns would not allow three players who visited their facility on Tuesday to see new coach Pat Shurmur or anyone other than security personnel.

"I'm pretty disappointed," said receiver Josh Cribbs. "It's unfortunate. I did want to see my coach, get further acclimated with him and the receivers coach and special team coaches. But I wasn't able to."

Cribbs, tight end Benjamin Watson and punter Reggie Hodges arrived shortly after 10 a.m., hoping to go to work for the first time since NFL owners imposed a lockout on March 11. Browns President Mike Holmgren rolled in while reporters converged on the players.

Their visits were cleared the night before by linebacker Scott Fujita, the team's point man on the labor dispute, after Federal Judge Susan Richard Nelson ruled the lockout illegal on Monday.

Cribbs said they intended to work out in the team's lavish weight room. They were greeted with smiles by Lew Merletti, vice president of security, who said they were welcome to come in, but they couldn't do any work or visit with any coaches or staff.

"It was strange and awkward," Cribbs said. "We don't normally talk to security staff unless there's a security issue. So, the security issue was us. They were instructed by their attorneys not to let us engage in any activity with the coaches or staff, at all.

They didn't treat us bad. They told us they were excited to see us."
The players were handed a brief letter, unsigned, on Browns stationary that essentially asked for their patience while the team and league sift through the bizarre legal process that has paralyzed all NFL business except this weekend's draft.

"We're not locked out. We can go in the building, but there's not much going on," Hodges said.

The players visited the weight room and the locker room -- each making sure his nameplate was still attached to his lockers -- and departed after about 45 minutes.

Browns spokesman Neil Gulkis said the club would have no comment and deferred to a statement issued by NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.

Aiello's statement, delievered to the league-owned NFL Network, read in part, "We are going to proceed in an orderly way that is fair to the teams and players and complies with court orders. Players are being treated with courtesy and respect at club facilities. We do not believe it is appropriate for football activities to take place until there further rulings from the court."

Later in the day, the decertified players association formally asked Nelson to force the owners to reopen business. Besides freezing player transactions such as free agent signings and trades, the lockout has suspended workout and roster bonuses contained in player contracts and their health insurance.

In a phone interview from his home in southern California, Fujita said he expected the perceived league chaos to normalize soon and for free agency to begin shortly.

"I would hope we're one of those teams that makes a splash quickly (in free agency)," Fujita said. "I mean, we were 5-11. We need players."
Watson agreed with Cribbs that not being able to meet with Shurmur and other new members of his coaching staff was disappointing.

"We have a lot to work on, a lot to catch up on," Watson said. "But the coaches can't do what they're not allowed to do. For whatever reason, at this point, they're not allowed to meet with us. It's not quite business as usual yet. It's the first day and there's also some stuff pending."

Nelson is expected to rule Wednesday on the owners' request for a stay (or delay) of her injunction lifting the lockout. She may instruct the league to conduct business under temporary rules. The owners are fearful of installing rules that may further hamper their defense of an anti-trust lawsuit filed by the players association.

Meanwhile, the Browns and other teams are deep into final preparations for the three-day draft, which begins on Thursday night.

Watson, a former Georgia Bulldog, said he hopes the Browns add another Bulldog in the draft. He was referring to Georgia's A.J. Green, the top-rated receiver in the draft.

"It's going to be interesting because the guys who are drafted won't (be able to negoatiate) contracts yet. But stuff changes every 5-10 minutes."

Cleveland Browns players are not allowed to work out at team facility, asked to be patient | cleveland.com

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Tomorrow should be interesting.