Browns quiet on ouster of GM

Everyone inside Cleveland Browns team headquarters was pretty quiet on Tuesday concerning the convoluted ouster of George Kokinis as Cleveland's general manager.

Browns coach Eric Mangini offered no details about the team's decision to move on without his longtime friend and hand-picked GM.

"Anytime a decision like this is made it is difficult personally and professionally," Mangini said. "George is a friend of mine and I respect him and I wish his family well. I can tell you that for a variety of reasons things didn't work out. You never go into a situation like this with the intention of it not working out.

"We felt that, organizationally, this was the best decision in order to move forward."

That was about as deep as Mangini would venture into the Kokinis matter. Mangini spent most of his news conference politely deflecting questions about why the decision was made.

Browns owner Randy Lerner, who following Sunday's loss in Chicago said he planned to hire a "serious, credible" football authority to help run his fumbling franchise, was not available for comment. A team spokesman said there was no immediate plans for Lerner to address the media.

Lerner did spend two hours meeting with two disgruntled season-ticket holders, who have been urging Cleveland fans to stay out of their seats for the Nov. 16 kickoff against Baltimore in protest of the team's futility. "Dawg Pound Mike" Randall said Lerner was open to their ideas and gave them a few of his own.

Randall said they were still going forward with the "Brown out" despite their meeting with Lerner.

Bucs sign ex-UNC kicker: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed former North Carolina kicker Connor Barth and released kicker Shane Andrus.

Barth was cut by the Miami Dolphins in August after kicking in 10 games for Kansas City last season. He made 10 of 12 field goals and converted all 24 of his extra-point attempts with the Chiefs.

Former Pack guard released: The Bengals have released reserve offensive guard Scott Kooistra, ending his seven-year career in Cincinnati.

Kooistra was a seventh-round pick in 2003 out of N.C. State. He appeared in 82 games with Cincinnati, including two this season. He was inactive for the other five games.

Seahawks release James: The struggling Seattle Seahawks have released running back Edgerrin James.

The Seahawks made the move Tuesday, two days after a lackluster 38-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

James signed with Seattle in late August hoping to revitalize his career.

In seven games as the backup to Julius Jones, James had just 46 carries for 125 yards and no scores. He averaged just 2.7 yards per carry.

James gained 17 yards at Dallas to pass Marcus Allen for 10th place on the NFL's all-time rushing leaders list with 12,246 yards.

Goodell to join labor talks: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell tells The Associated Press he'll participate in the latest round of labor negotiations with the players' union.

Goodell says he will be present Wednesday in New York for talks about a new collective bargaining agreement. He spoke to the AP after testifying before a congressional committee Tuesday.

NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith also is to attend Wednesday's session.

The NFL opted out of the collective bargaining agreement last year, although the contract won't expire until after the 2010 season.

Bills' McGee has surgery: Bills starting cornerback Terrence McGee had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair minor damage and expects to be out for about two weeks.

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