Lerner met with New England vice president Scott Pioli on Wednesday and is scheduled to interview Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay Thursday.
Browns President Mike Keenan joined Lerner -- but did not sit in on the Pioli interview -- raising speculation that a deal was near.
Adam Schefter of
NFL.com reported the Browns wanted an answer from Pioli before they left him. But that report was discounted by a source familiar with Lerner's process, who said, "I would be surprised" if Lerner did not hold off a contract offer until he interviewed McKay, as scheduled.
...
Shapiro weighs in: Indians GM
Mark Shapiro has close ties to two of the Browns top two candidates: He's Mangini's brother-in-law and Pioli's close friend.
During a conference call Wednesday, Shapiro said, "I'm well aware of what's going on with Eric and Scott. They're important people in my life. I've got my hands full right now with the Indians and my family, but I'm a strong advocate of each guy. It would be special to have one or both of them in Cleveland."
Ferentz take: Iowa coach
Kirk Ferentz responded to a report in the Boston Herald that he'd be Pioli's first choice for a head coach during his Outback Bowl press conference.
"(The NFL speculation) seems to be a drill right now," Ferentz said Wednesday. "So be it."
On Pioli, he said, "We've been great friends all the way through and I have tremendous respect for Scott as a football guy. ... I would just caution everybody don't try to predict what Scott's going to do either. He's got a great job and he's well aware of that."