Browns set to hire Heckert

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have hired Tom Heckert as their general manager, luring him away from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Heckert had been with the Eagles since 2001, spending the past four seasons as GM. He helped build them into a perennial NFC power, but did not have complete control over roster decisions. It’s not immediately known how much power he’ll have in Cleveland, where he will report to new team president Mike Holmgren.

The 42-year-old Heckert takes over a Cleveland team that started 1-11 but won its final four games under first-year coach Eric Mangini. Last week, Holmgren decided to retain Mangini and his staff for a second season.

The Browns have been without a GM since George Kokinis was fired in November.