PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AFC : Cleveland’s Timing Seems a Bit Late

The city of Cleveland delivered to the Browns a proposal for a $175-million stadium renovation meant to keep the team from moving to Baltimore or to attract a new NFL club, but didn’t get to see any team officials.

Mayor Michael R. White said the sweetened package included enhanced team revenues in the form of excise and parking taxes, state support and a voter-approved alcohol and tobacco tax extension. All but the tax extension are new incentives.

The city’s hand-delivered proposal was accepted by a security guard at the team’s training facility.

The proposal also included corporate VIP seating worth $8 million, $19 million to reimburse the team for its spending on stadium renovations and a rent waiver at the city-owned Cleveland Stadium, White said.

White said the package would put the Browns among the top one-third of NFL teams in profits.

*

Buffalo Bill linebacker Bryce Paup has been fined $12,000 for a hit on Indianapolis Colt quarterback Paul Justin in the Bills’ 16-10 victory Sunday. . . . Jim Harbaugh said that he’s ready to start at quarterback for the Colts, groin injury or not, Sunday against New Orleans. Harbaugh, injured as the Colts defeated the New York Jets on Oct. 29, tried to play in Sunday’s game with Buffalo but took only 16 snaps before leaving.