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NFL notebook: Browns hire O’Connell as QBs coach
The Cleveland Browns hired former New England Patriots quarterback Kevin O’Connell as quarterbacks coach, according to reports Saturday.
The Browns also hired former Florida offensive coordinator Kurt Roper as a senior offensive assistant, according to FOXSports.com.
An ESPN.com source confirmed that the Browns’ revamped offensive coaching staff is now complete.
O’Connell, a third-round pick of New England in 2008, met with Cleveland on Wednesday.
O’Connell, 29, recently has been a quarterbacks tutor, and the Browns likely were interested in him because he worked with Browns rookie Johnny Manziel before the 2014 draft.
Roper was Duke’s offensive coordinator before taking the same job at Florida in 2014.
—The worst-kept secret in the NFL will finally become official on Tuesday when Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is named head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
For the past few weeks, it has been reported that the Falcons were waiting to hire Quinn to replace fired Mike Smith after Sunday’s Super Bowl. League rules prevent the Falcons from offering the job to Quinn until his current team’s season ends.
In the meantime, Quinn, 44, remains focused on preparing for the New England Patriots. He said this week he’s enjoying every moment and embracing the opportunity Sunday presents.
“I am having an absolute blast with these guys,” Quinn said. “If I didn’t enjoy the moment of this experience, that would be crazy. I am absolutely having a blast. This is such a cool experience that where else would you rather be?”
The Falcons have already decided on Kyle Shanahan as their offensive coordinator and Raheem Morris as assistant head coach in charge of defensive backs.
—The San Francisco 49ers reportedly have hired two more former NFL defensive coordinators to fill roles on new coach Jim Tomsula’s staff.
Tim Lewis will replace the departed Ed Donatell as the defensive backs coach and Clancy Pendergast will serve as inside linebackers coach, FOX Sports reported.
Lewis, 53, served as defensive coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2000-03) and New York Giants (2004-06) and has coached defensive backs in Pittsburgh, Carolina, Seattle and Atlanta.
Pendergast, 47, was defensive coordinator in Arizona from 2004 to 2008 and in Kansas City in 2009 before moving to the college ranks (Cal from 2010 to 2012 and USC in 2013).
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