Browns still not close with Suggs, Northcutt

Both players want more than Cleveland is ready to offer.
BEREA (AP) -- The Cleveland Browns aren't prepared to give rookie running back Lee Suggs or wide receiver Dennis Northcutt the contracts they want.
Browns president Carmen Policy said Tuesday that the team wants to sign Suggs, its fourth-round draft pick, to a five-year deal.
Policy dismissed the possibility that Suggs would sit out the season and re-enter the draft next year because he was frustrated by the team's insistence on a five-year deal.
"I don't think that's a reality," Policy said.
Suggs remains holdout
Suggs had shoulder surgery shortly after the draft. Policy said the Browns have not seen him since the last minicamp ended about two months ago and aren't sure how far along he is in his rehabilitation.
Policy said he didn't know if Suggs would be able to begin practicing immediately if he were signed.
A message requesting comment was left with Suggs' agent, Joel Segal.
Policy also said Tuesday that the club would like to sign Northcutt, one of the team's most valuable offensive weapons last season, to a long-term deal.
Northcutt will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.
His agent, Jerome Stanley, wants more than what the Browns re-signed Kevin Johnson for last season -- a four-year, $13.35 million extension, including a $3.5 million signing bonus.
"Dennis is better than Kevin Johnson," Stanley said Tuesday. "Dennis has more value in the National Football League."
Policy said the Browns couldn't offer Northcutt that kind of money.
"Kevin Johnson is the high-water mark for our receivers," Policy said. "I don't think you can make the argument that we have anyone as productive as he has been at that position."
Coming off good season
Northcutt had 38 receptions for 601 yards and five touchdowns last year. He also had a 36-yard touchdown run and was third in the league in punt returns with a 14.7-yard average and two touchdowns.
Johnson has led the Browns in receptions the last four seasons. His best year came in 2001, when he had 84 catches for 1,097 yards and nine touchdowns. Last year, he had 67 receptions for 703 yards and four touchdowns.
Stanley said he didn't expect to agree on a contract with the Browns.
"I'm not optimistic," he said. "I think they've decided to let Dennis Northcutt go."