The Browns did not explore trading for Randy Moss before New England dealt the receiver to Minnesota.
With the New England Patriots eager to find a trading partner for Randy Moss, the Browns were apparently never interested in the seven-time Pro Bowl receiver.BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns' top two receivers on their depth chart have six receptions in four games, but the front office did not explore a trade for Randy Moss.
"Not that I'm aware of," said coach Eric Mangini.
Moss is 10th all-time among receivers in receptions (935), fifth in yards (14,604) and fourth in touchdowns (151). He was traded on Wednesday by New England to Minnesota for a third-round draft choice in 2011. The Patriots reportedly also included a seventh-round pick in the deal.
It's speculative how Moss would have reacted to a trade to the Browns, of course. In being swapped to the Vikings, he'll rejoin the team that drafted him and run routes for quarterback Brett Favre, who strongly lobbied the Packers to acquire him when he played in Green Bay.
The Browns have consistently pledged confidence in their young receiving corps. Their leaders in catches among wideouts are Josh Cribbs with 12 and Chansi Stuckey with 10.
"It's not a function of us not looking at receivers," Mangini said. "We look at players every day. We brought Sam Aiken in [as a free agent on Sept. 25]. There's trades, waiver wires, guys on the street, guys in UFL, it's ongoing. ... if someone pops up that we have interest in, we'll bring him in on Tuesday or Friday.
"Sometimes it's just claiming them off waivers. There's also the practice squad groups. So there's a lot of guys you're looking at simultaneously. Trades are not always the easiest thing in the world to get to."
The other trade: The Browns did confirm the trade with Minnesota for defensive end Jayme Mitchell for an undisclosed 2012 draft pick.
Mitchell, originally an undrafted free agent from Mississippi, had five sacks and one forced fumble in 29 regular-season games. Mangini said Mitchell impressed him in the Browns' opening-game loss to Minnesota in 2009.
"I think he's got good natural pass rush ability," the coach said. "It's a very different system he's coming from but there are a lot of things we think he can help us with. I think he does good job at the line of scrimmage in the running game. It's a different pattern, so we have to see how it fits with us. It's a function of us getting him up to speed, get him a role and him learning the system before he can play."
Mitchell, 6-6 and 285 pounds, said he has never played in a 3-4 defensive system such as the Browns and has not played linebacker since high school.
"[The Browns' system is] a big difference, something I have to get used to," he said.
McCoy's take: Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy is best friends with Cincinnati receiver Jordan Shipley from their five years together at the University of Texas. Here's what McCoy said about T.J. Ward's hit on Shipley: "He's trying to make a play. I thought it was a great play. Unfortunately, [Shipley] got hurt. It was just one of those things. It's football. It's a violent sport."
As the QB turns: Jake Delhomme practiced on Wednesday -- first day of the work week -- for the first time in four weeks. If he proves he can move normally and doesn't have a physical setback, Delhomme would make his first start Sunday against Atlanta since suffering a high ankle sprain in the season opener on Sept. 12.
Mangini said Delhomme would split time at practice with Seneca Wallace. All things being equal, Mangini said Delhomme's familiarity with former division rival Atlanta should help.
But "we're not going to put someone at risk for reinjury of the same injury if they're not ready," he said.
Wallace, who's compiled a 1-2 record with a rating of 82.2 in the three games of Delhomme's absence, said, "Whatever happens, happens. I can't be upset about it."
Robiskie family reunion: Brian Robiskie, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, said he is back to full health and is excited about playing in his first NFL game opposite his father, Terry, who is Atlanta's receivers coach.
"Obviously, after seeing what he's been doing for so long and now to be on the other side of it is going to be fun," he said. "Some family competition. But at the end of the day it's the Browns against the Falcons."
Robiskie usually talks by phone with his father during the week and normally the night before a game, "but we'll see about this week," he said.
Dinner with dad on Saturday night is definitely not an option.
Brownie points: Not practicing Wednesday were defensive linemen Robaire Smith (back), Shaun Rogers (hip, ankle) and Kenyon Coleman (knee). Also out were offensive tackle John St. Clair (ankle), safety/special teams ace Nick Sorensen (calf) and center Alex Mack (shoulder). Mangini said he expected Mack and most of the others back later in the week. ... The Browns' 10-2 record against Atlanta (.833) is their best mark against any opponent.