THE SIDELINES : Browns Talk to Ross About Job

Browns owner Art Modell has talked with Georgia Tech Coach Bobby Ross about the Browns’ head coaching vacancy but has not offered him a job.

Ross was at Modell’s home Tuesday night, and there have been several reports locally and nationally that he is a leading contender to become the Browns’ head coach.

“We had exploratory conversations,” Modell said today. “It was very pleasant. Bobby Ross is a hell of a man. But at this point, we decided not to pursue it further.”

Modell fired Coach Bud Carson on Nov. 5 and replaced him with offensive coordinator Jim Shofner. The Browns went 1-6 under Shofner, who took himself out of the running for the permanent coaching job and has instead accepted a position as the Browns’ player personnel director.

Under Ross, 54, Georgia Tech went 11-0-1 and was ranked No. 2 in the nation behind Colorado.

Others rumored to be candidates for the Cleveland job include Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Greg Landry and defensive coordinator Vince Tobin, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Bill Cowher, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Holmgren and New York Giants defensive coordinator Bill Belichick.