AFC North Notes: Browns, Benjamin, Ravens

When the Browns hired Paul DePodesta away from the New York Mets, there was an assumption from observers and fans that Cleveland would be relying more heavily on an analytics-based approach going forward. However, that’s not exactly the case, as executive VP of football operations Sashi Brown explains (link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal).

“We have a talented analytics group already in place,” Brown said. “Paul’s strength, to us, was the ability to think about, build, execute on putting together championship-caliber organizations. He understands people. He understands processes. He understands standards and accountability. His talents aren’t limited to analytics That’s really what Paul’s role is here — to help us set a vision, set strategies, execute on those, keep us on strategy and aligned.”

Here’s more on the Browns and one of their AFC North rivals:

• The Browns are adding former Jets assistant Ryan Slowik to their coaching staff, according to Doug Samuels of FootballScoop (Twitter link). Alex Marvez of FOX Sports adds (via Twitter) that Slowik will become Cleveland’s outside linebackers coach.
• Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com wonders if the Browns’ new decision-makers will be more inclined to sign the team’s own free agents than previous regimes have been. Grossi also identifies a handful of potential free agents who Cleveland should try to bring back, including wide receiver Travis Benjamin.
• Although Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has said he’d like to add two receivers this offseason, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun believes the club would be satisfied with one, assuming that player is a high draft pick or an established veteran. Zrebiec also notes that, given the Ravens’ fondness for compensatory picks, the team is more likely to sign a receiver who is cut by another team, rather than a true unrestricted free agent.