Browns owner Randy Lerner remains hopeful the team can repair its relationship with Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown. The Hall of Famer angrily skipped the team's inaugural Ring of Honor ceremony last month after his role as an adviser was reduced by president Mike Holmgren. Lerner called Brown "the most visible symbol of what we're most proud of at the Browns."

Browns coach Eric Mangini won't commit to a starting quarterback for this weekend's game against the Patriots on Nov. 7. Cleveland is off this weekend. McCoy has started two consecutive games in the wake of injuries to veterans Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. Mangini will consult with team president Mike Holmgren before making any decision on his starter.

A member of the officiating sideline chain crew was injured during Sunday's game between the Browns and Saints. Paramedics rushed to the aid of Al Nastasi Jr., giving him intravenous fluids and carting him off the field. New Orleans' Courtney Roby was running at full speed after a Saints punt when he was shoved out of bounds and collided with Nastaci, who appeared to be conscious but was not moving as he was taken from the field.

Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Saints because of a concussion he suffered in a helmet-to-helmet hit. Massaquoi was hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison on Oct. 17 after dropping a pass over the middle. Harrison was fined $75,000 for the hit.

Cleveland's Josh Cribbs is defending Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who was fined in part because of a hit laid on the wide receiver last Sunday. Cribbs said Harrison's job is to simply "knock people out." The two players were teammates at Kent State.

Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will start for the second straight week. Cleveland faces New Orleans on Sunday. McCoy has been thrust into the role due to injuries to both Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. The third-round pick threw for 281 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a 28-10 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 6.

Browns center Alex Mack has chimed in on the play of Steelers linebacker James Harrison. Harrison inflicted two hits on Cleveland players that were highlighted this past weekend. He was fined and briefly claimed that he considered retirement because of new league rules on physical play. "If you watch the game film, (Harrison) was doing that to everyone on every play," Mack said. "People would be on the ground and he would try to spear them. There's a play on film where Peyton Hillis is tackled and he comes up and spears him. It's like you're being cheap, you're being dirty."

The Browns are expected to start rookie quarterback Colt McCoy on Sunday against the Saints. "If there's no progress with Jake [Delhomme] or Seneca [Wallace], Colt will start," Cleveland coach Eric Mangini said.

The Browns will place defensive end Robaire Smith on the injured reserve with a back injury, according to a report. Smith was inactive for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh.

The Browns could start rookie quarterback Colt McCoy again in Week 7 against the Saints. McCoy made his NFL debut on Sunday in a start against the Steelers. "You can tell he's a natural-born leader," left guard Eric Steinbach said. "It's good to have him in the huddle. A lot of rookies can't come in right away. They might want to be a leader, but he's got that 'it.' If he's our guy from here on out and we can build off what we started ... we'll be all right." Cleveland coach Eric Mangini wouldn't commit to any quarterback following the loss to Pittsburgh. Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme are both injured. "We'll see what our quarterback situation is next week before I can even say that," Mangini said.