Continuing our previous reporting, and that of the National Football Post, the OBR’s John Taylor reported late Monday night in the OBR’s Insider Blog that the Browns continue to get closer to a contract with quarterback coach Carl Smith. While no announcements have been made, Smith’s arrival in Cleveland now seems extremely likely.
Here is John’s blog entry from Monday night:
Smith and his agent spent part of today going over the particulars of a contract with the Browns that will make him the next QB coach of the club.
He is expected to agree to the deal at some point tomorrow; it's unknown when the Browns will officially announce Smith's hiring.
A USC source tells The OBR that Smith informed Trojan head coach Pete Carroll over the weekend that he will be taking the Cleveland job. The move by Carroll to hire Jeremy Bates away from the Broncos was caused in part by Smith's decision.
Bates will be responsible for offensive play-calling for the Trojans, but will not carry the title of offensive coordinator. Smith was originally slated for USC game-day play-calling duties, but, like Bates, would not have held an official OC title.
A Browns source tells The OBR that Smith is valued by Eric Mangini as "an experienced sounding board" for Brian Daboll, who will be in his first year as an NFL coordinator.