AFC Notes: Browns, Jets, Ravens, Steelers

Browns

• According to Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, they informed Sashi Brown 5-6 weeks ago that they needed to find a stronger football man to add to their front office. (Scott Petrak)
• Haslam said he’s “very excited” about retaining HC Hue Jackson: “I’m very excited. It’s not only Hue’s record. It’s on all of us, including ownership. Really excited to see what Hue and John can do working together.” (Scott Petrak)
• New Browns GM John Dorsey says he’s looking forward to reawaking the sleeping giant that is the Browns’ franchise. (Scott Petrak)
• Haslam confirmed that they will have more of a traditional model with Dorsey in place as the team’s GM: “Clearly we’re moving toward a more traditional model. Excited about Paul DePodesta remaining with the organization. Will play a key role going forward.” (Scott Petrak)
• Regarding rookie QB DeShone Kizer, Dorsey says he was a fan of his coming out of Notre Dame last year: “I liked Kizer coming out. Had him on a visit in K.C. Have to sit down with the group after the season, begin to build plan moving forward. QB-driven league, we all know that. It’s an evaluation period, will take a little while to make a plan.” (Scott Petrak)
• As for the role that analytics will plan in their approach moving forward, Dorsey explained that he thinks there’s a place for analytics, but it comes down to determining the scale: “I’m excited to meet Paul DePodesta. I’m a forward enough thinker. Want to see programs in place. Think there is a place for analytics in football, it’s determining the size of the role.” (Scott Petrak)
• Haslam says he met with Peyton Manning earlier in the week, but they primarily discussed the University of Tennessee. Haslam added that he didn’t try to hire Manning as team president. (Scott Petrak)
• According to Haslam, Jackson, Dorsey, and DePodesta will each report to him directly. (Scott Petrak)

Jets

• According to Howard Balzer, the Cardinals brought in RB Roy Finch for a tryout on Thursday.

Ravens

Ravens OC Marty Mornhinweg mentioned that Joe Flacco getting healthy has really been key in the improved play they’ve seen from him the past few weeks.

“I think he’s a little bit more healthy than he has [been],” Mornhinweg said, via BaltimoreRavens.com. “I think people forget [that] he came in with a little back issue. Three or four days of practice to start the season. My thought, looking back on it, was let’s be in the thing about midseason and [have] Joe healthy, because I thought that would be key. Here we are, and he’s about as healthy as he’s been all year.”

Steelers

• The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving OLB Arthur Moats to inside linebacker for Week 14 to help bolster their depth at the position. Moats has played outside linebacker the past four years. (Aditi Kinkhabwala)
• The Pittsburgh Steelers officially ruled out CB Joe Haden (fibula), LB Tyler Matakevich (shoulder) and LB Ryan Shazier (back) for Week 14’s game and have S Mike Mitchell (ankle) down as questionable.