PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : Rumor of Day: Buccaneers Will Become the Browns

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could become the Cleveland Browns, freeing the current Browns to move to Baltimore to play as the Baltimore Buccaneers, according to broadcast reports Thursday.

Numerous television and radio stations in Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio, Baltimore and Tampa, Fla., reported variations of the same story, despite denials from Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White and Tampa Bay officials.

“I’ve been in this business long enough to listen to anybody about just about anything,” White said. “Am I interested in having a detailed, businesslike conversation about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today? No, I am not. I’m interested in getting the Cleveland Browns back--with or without Art Modell--and the team colors, and the name of the team.”

Buccaneer spokesman Chip Namias also downplayed the reports, saying, “It’s just another rumor, another story that’s out there. When we have something firm and definitive, we will share it.”

Meanwhile, White was in New York, ostensibly to meet with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue about the city’s continuing efforts to block the Browns move. Some stations reported that White actually was meeting with Tampa Bay owners, the NFL, or both to discuss the Buccaneers’ move.

“I think the people of Cleveland have been pretty clear,” White said. “They’ve said, ‘We want the Cleveland Browns, we want the name, we want the colors and we want them in Cleveland.’ ”

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New York Jet defensive linemen Marvin Washington and Erik Howard each were fined $12,000 by the NFL for illegal hits on St. Louis quarterbacks.

Linebacker Marvin Jones also was fined $7,500 for a hit against Seattle quarterback Rick Mirer.

All three players said they will appeal and Washington and Howard threatened legal action through the NFL Players Assn.

Washington, ejected from Sunday’s game for a helmet-on-helmet hit on Chris Miller, was fined for that incident which left Miller with a concussion. Howard was cited for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Mark Rypien, who replaced Miller and Jones was disciplined for going after Mirer’s knees in a game Nov. 26 game. He was penalized on the play.

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Mirer said the Seahawks were picking up an $8-million option to extend his contract for two years, through 1997, including a no-trade clause. Had the team opted not to extend the deal, Mirer would have been a restricted free agent available to any team under certain conditions.

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Miami Dolphin linebacker Bryan Cox has filed a $15 million lawsuit against Miami radio station WIOD-AM and talk show host Phil Hendrie, who parodied Cox and said he is gay.