nfl roundup News and notes

Browns fill vacancy: Coach Eric Mangini has filled the most notable vacancy on his staff by hiring Missouri’s Matt Eberflus as his linebackers coach. Eberflus, hired Sunday, spent the last eight years at the school, where he was most recently associate head coach, defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Before he was at Missouri, Eberflus, a three-year starter at linebacker for Toledo, was an assistant with the Rockets. A captain his senior year, Eberflus led Toledo in tackles his last two seasons. In 2004, Eberflus was inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame.

Crabtree delays surgery: Michael Crabtree was quick on his feet Sunday, and if he does the same thing for NFL scouts next month the stress fracture in his left foot might soon be forgotten. In an odd scene at the league’s annual scouting combine, Crabtree strolled quickly across the media room moments after Patriots coach Bill Belichick finished speaking. He walked up a couple of steps, smiled at reporters and then gave a 20-second statement confirming the decision to delay surgery so he could run in front of scouts during next month’s personal workout. “It’s an old injury that I’ve been having, but I never had any pain in it,” he said. “I will run my 40, and after that I will have surgery.” Crabtree came to the combine not planning to work out but still hoping to prove he was the top receiver in the draft and worthy of a top five pick. Instead, he measured in almost two inches shorter than his listed height of 6-foot-3 at Texas Tech and then the medical examinations revealed the stress fracture. Many general managers consider medical tests the most important part of this week’s combine.

Smith leaves early: Andre Smith, the offensive tackle from Alabama, who couldn’t be found for Saturday morning’s workouts. Apparently, Smith moved up his flight and left town early without telling combine officials. His absence was announced on the public address system inside the stadium, where reporters are not permitted with the exception of those from NFL Network. It’s not unusual for players to leave Indianapolis early, though they normally provide that information before departing. Smith is considered by many to be the top tackle and possibly the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

Associated Press