NFL ROUNDUP | News and notes

State of the Browns: Romeo Crennel knows what he's facing as Cleveland coach. "We're starting from a pretty low point," Crennel acknowledged. "When you only win four games, you know you have to add talent. We have a few solid players there, but we have to upgrade." Crennel and Phil Savage, the new general manager, have begun by subtraction, dumping two failed high draft choices. Defensive end Courtney Brown, the No. 1 overall pick in 2000, was released after being plagued by injuries throughout his career. Defensive tackle Gerard Warren, third overall the next year, was traded to Denver for a fourth-round pick. In fact, the Browns are turning over the team so much they decided to do away with their annual scrimmage sessions with Buffalo. "We have too much to teach in a short period of time," Crennel said. "When you play another team, even in a scrimmage, you have to spend some of that time getting ready for them."
Steelers: Backup offensive lineman Barrett Brooks signed a one-year contract Tuesday. The nine-year veteran, who appeared in seven games the last four seasons, agreed to the contract that will pay him $665,000, including a $25,000 signing bonus. The contract will count $510,000 under the salary cap. Brooks becomes the team's top backup to left tackle Marvel Smith and Max Starks, who's expected to replace departed free agent Oliver Ross at right tackle.
Bengals: Safety Anthony Mitchell, an unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year contract. Mitchell is a sixth-year player who was with the Bengals for the final 12 games last season after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played for Bengals coach Marvin Lewis for two seasons in Baltimore, when Lewis was the Ravens' defensive coordinator.
Patriots: Linebacker Don Davis was re-signed Tuesday. Davis, an unrestricted free agent who is entering his 10th NFL season, played mostly on special teams during two seasons with the Patriots. In 2004, he started at safety for the final two games of the regular season. The 32-year-old Davis has also played for St. Louis, Tampa Bay and New Orleans. A starter in 17 of his 120 career games, he had 32 tackles in 16 games last season and has one interception and 140 tackles in his career.
Packers: Guard Matt O'Dwyer agreed to a contract after missing all but the final four games last season with Tampa Bay because of a chest injury.
Romanowski trial: A jury ordered Bill Romanowski to pay former Raiders teammate Marcus Williams $340,000 in damages for smashing the tight end's face with a punch during a practice drill in 2003. Williams had been seeking millions of dollars in damages for the Aug. 24, 2003, attack, saying it broke his left eye socket, shortened his memory, gave him double vision and depression, and ended his career after less than two seasons. Williams received $40,000 in medical expenses and $300,000 for lost wages -- about one season's salary.
Associated Press
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