Leadoff with Lee 3.10.15 #Hartline #Browns

By @cleeverizon

The heartbeat of America finally has a Hartline. Brian Hartline will sign a 2 year, $6 million dollar deal with the Cleveland Browns today. The North Canton native from Glen Oak high school told Northeast Ohio Media Group, "I plan to compete at the highest level. I'm just starting to hit my peak.'' Hartline was courted by several teams including the Bears, Patriots and Texans. "It came down to a gut feeling. I did my due diligence. I'm very excited.'' Hartline had 1,000 plus yards receiving 2012 and 2013. He will be the taller, possession wideout that the Browns were looking for. I still see the Browns drafting a receiver for Hartline to mentor.

- Who said the Browns weren't going to be active one the free agency this year? The Browns have tendered qualifying offers to defensive backs Johnson Bademosi & Tashaun Gipson, defensive lineman Ishmaa’ily Kitchen & LB Craig Robertson. The Browns gave Gipson and Robertson 2nd round tenders (can match any offer from another team, if tender is not matched will receive 2nd round pick). Kitchen and Bademosi received low tenders and will get no compensation. All offers can be matched by the Browns. Tashaun Gipson didn't seem happy about his tender offer and tweeted this:

😐😐😐

— Tashaun J. Gipson SR (@Gipson_duos24) March 9, 2015

Obviously Gipson is upset and thinks he's worth 1st round tender money which would have paid him $3.356 million per year.

- Johnny  Manziel is in his sixth week of treatment. Mike Pettine said yesterday "We're giving him his privacy and let him do what he has to do," Pettine said. "It was something he was very resolute needed to get done." "Football is still an 'afterthought.'

- The Browns are still in contention for OLB/DE Trent Cole. He left Cleveland yesterday afternoon on his way to visit the Colts. Expect a decision to be made by Wednesday.

- The Houston Texans officially released WR Andre Johnson.

- Former Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas is expected to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars later today.

- Lineman Mike Iupati will be leaving the San Francisco 49ers and joining the Arizona Cardinals.

- The San Francisco 49ers released WR Stevie Johnson. Keep a eye out, as the Browns may make another move to sign the speedster.

- Brett Keisel, who has said he wants to play in 2015, was released by Steelers after playing all of his13 seasons with the team.

- Glenville Tarblooder and Ohio State alum Ted Ginn Jr signed a two-year deal with Carolina Panthers, worth $4.2 million. His first year salary is $900,000 and $1.4 million in the second year. He receives a $1.7M signing bonus, and up to $750,000 in incentives each year.