Citing a source close to the OSU situation, a report in Sunday's Plain Dealer suggested the Browns might be the only professional job that would interest Jim Tressel. The Browns are 1-5 this season under Romeo Crennel. ``I've not spent one day playing in the NFL or coaching in the NFL and I've got my hands full doing what I'm doing, so that's my reaction,'' Tressel said of the story.

Maurice Carthon was fired as the Browns' offensive coordinator Monday. Carthon was told by coach Romeo Crennel in a late afternoon meeting that he was being relieved of his duties, said Jim Donovan of WKYC-TV, who first reported the story Monday night. It's not clear who will take over for Carthon, but offensive line coach Jeff Davidson appears to be in line. He was given the title of assistant head coach to keep him from going to the New York Jets as offensive coordinator during the offseason.

CB Gary Baxter of the Cleveland Browns tore patellar tendons in both knees while trying to break up a pass in the first half of Sunday's loss to Denver. Baxter will undergo surgery on Tuesday at the Cleveland Clinic to repair both knees, coach Romeo Crennel said during his Monday news conference. Crennel, who has been coaching for more than 35 years, said he has never seen an injury like Baxter's. Crennel estimated that Baxter would be sidelined for at least one year.

Browns cornerback Gary Baxter was downgraded Saturday from questionable to out because of a strained left pectoral muscle and won't travel with the team for its game Sunday at Carolina. It will be the third straight game Baxter has missed with the injury. He missed 10 games last season with a torn right pectoral.