Browns working on new deal for Hillis

Associated Press

BEREA

Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren says the club is “trying like crazy” to extend running back Peyton Hillis’ contract.

Holmgren said the club wants to wrap up Hillis “for a long time.” The 25-year-old Hillis rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, his first with Cleveland after coming over in a trade from Denver. A battering ram with the ball, Hillis has become a fan favorite in Cleveland, and last week, he said the city “represents who I am.”

Hillis is in the final year of his rookie contract, which will pay him $555,000 this season.

Pryor to appeal

NEW YORK

A person familiar with the case says Terrelle Pryor will appeal his five-game NFL suspension.

Pryor was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the supplemental draft on Aug. 22. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him, however, for the season’s first five games for manipulating his eligibility for that draft.

49ers’ new secondary

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

San Francisco will have four new starters in the secondary for Sunday’s season opener, and not one of them started a game for the team last year.

Strong safety Donte Whitner is one of two former high first-round draft choices the 49ers brought in as free agents this summer to upgrade the unit, joining left cornerback Carlos Rogers as the new leaders of the unit.

NFL OKs 9/11 gear

The NFL has relaxed its uniform policy for Sunday’s games, which will allow players some options to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

League spokesman Michael Signora tweeted that the league told its 32 teams on Friday that players may wear special shoes and gloves from official NFL equipment licensees for Week 1 games.