The Browns have hired Brad Childress as their OC.  He's expected to call the plays after HC Pat Shurmur handled those duties this past season.  Childress was just 39-35 in 5 seasons as Vikings HC, but he was more successful as OC with the Eagles before that.  With strong ties to Shurmur, Cleveland's offensive scheme won't change much going forward.

Rookie RB Armond Smith turned heads Friday night with an 81-yard TD scamper. The run came in the midst of what some have called an impressive camp. Smith brings terrific speed and has reportedly displayed confidence. Of course, he also fumbled twice in Friday's game. We'll see where things go from here, but Smith is not a fantasy target for anyone yet.

According to beat writer Tony Grossi, the Browns are looking to add "a third-down, change of pace, pass catcher, scatback" once free-agency opens.  RBs Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty will serve as Cleveland's primary ball-carries in 2011, but neither guy is a real homerun hitter on passing downs.  Darren Sproles, Cadillac Williams, and Brian Westbrook could all be options for the Browns.

Cardinals RB Beanie Wells says the knee surgery he underwent earlier this week was minor.  "Just a scope," he told beat writer Kent Somers.  Wells is already rehabbing at the team's facility, and Somers says he should be ready to participate in all offseason activities.  The procedure won't impact Wells' 2012 fantasy stock, but he'll still be a risky pick this summer.  Wells has missed 4 games and been limited in a bunch more through 3 NFL seasons.

Cardinals RB Beanie Wells announced via Twitter that he's undergoing knee surgery today.  Wells tweaked the knee back in late October.  The team never revealed the exact nature of the injury, but Beanie only averaged 4.0 yards per carry over his final 10 games.  We're expecting him to be fine for offseason activities, but durability will still be a major concern for Wells heading into 2012. 

Cardinals RB Beanie Wells (knee) is a surprise inactive for today's game against the Seahawks.  RB Chester Taylor will likely handle most of the early-down work, with RB LaRod Stephens-Howling stepping in on passing downs.  Neither guy is a strong fantasy bet.

According to his father, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is dealing with a high-ankle sprain.  The news is buried at the end of a story from a radio station in Williamsville (a suburb of Buffalo, Gronk's hometown), so we'd take the report with a grain of salt.  If Gronkowski does have a high-ankle sprain, his status for the Super Bowl would be in doubt.  All signs point to him being ready though.  We'll see what he does in practice this coming week.

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle) will not practice today.  When asked about his progress, HC Bill Belichick replied, "good... we'll take it day by day."  Gronk is unlikely to practice this week, but he'll be fine as long as he gets back on the field this coming Wednesday.  He's still fully expected to play in the Super Bowl.

A source close to New England's Rob Gronkowski tells the Boston Herald that the TE will be "ready to go" for the Super Bowl.  Gronk was in a walking boot after Sunday's win over the Ravens, but the fact that he returned to that game was a good indication that he only suffered a minor sprain.  He's unlikely to practice this week, but Gronkowski should get back on the field next week and then play against the Giants.

Giants TE Jake Ballard put in a full practice on Thursday and says his knee feels “better than it has in a while.” He added that he "should be pretty close to 100 percent by the game."  Ballard missed the final 2 games of the regular season with a sprained PCL.  He's caught just 3 balls for 33 yards in 2 playoff contests.  Ballard could be a key to next Sunday's Super Bowl though.  He hauled in 4 balls for 67 yards and a score against New England earlier this year.

Giants TE Jake Ballard (knee) is active for today's NFC Championship Game against the 49ers.  He took a pain-killing injection and didn't practice on Friday.  Ballard figures to be well below 100% today.

Giants TE Jake Ballard (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers.  He missed practice on Friday after aggravating the bum knee that's bothered him for the past month.  HC Tom Coughlin revealed that Ballard was experiencing swelling and had a "procedure" on the knee.  Consider him a game-time decision for the NFC Championship.  Even if he plays, though, Ballard is just a desperation fantasy option.

Update: Ballard expects to play this weekend.  "I should be ready to go," he said.

Seahawks WR Sidney Rice reportedly underwent surgery on both shoulders this offseason.  We know he had 1 procedure to repair a torn labrum, but it's unclear what the 2nd was for.  Rice's status for OTAs and training camp is also uncertain.  He'll certainly be a major red-flag injury-risk in 2012 fantasy drafts though.  In addition to the shoulder surgeries, Rice suffered a season-ending concussion this past November, and also underwent hip surgery back in 2010.

Seahawks WR Sidney Rice will undergo shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.  Recovery is expected to take 3-4 months.  He suffered the injury in early September and played through it until a concussion ended his season in Week 11.  Barring a setback, Rice will be ready in plenty of time for training camp.  But durability is a major concern here.  He's missed 23 games in his first 5 NFL seasons.

The Seahawks have placed WR Sidney Rice (concussion) on IR.  He's suffered 2 concussions over the past 3 weeks and was likely told by doctors to shut it down for the year.  Rice's tantalizing talent was on display a few times this season, but he was held back by QB play and durability problems.  He finishes his first year in Seattle with 32 catches, 484 yards, and 2 TDs in 9 games.  The Seahawks will move forward with Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu as their 2 outside receivers.  Neither guy is likely to be a fantasy factor down the stretch.  Slot WR Doug Baldwin figures to lead the way in targets.