Browns sign TE Gary Barnidge to extension

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports the Browns are nearing an extension with TE Gary Barnidge.

Wide receiver Travis Benjamin added, “Out of 1 to 10, it’s a 10”.

“It’s a tremendous honor that Cleveland has the faith in me”.

“He’s got what it takes to turn things around here and I believe he wants to turn things around or else I wouldn’t be here. We look forward to having him back and know that we have a viable fullback moving forward”.

BEREA, Ohio – Gary Barnidge felt the Browns gave him a chance, and he wanted to repay them for the opportunity.

Currently, Barnidge is third in the National Football League in receiving yards, receptions, touchdown catches, yards-per-catch average (13.6) and 25-yard catches (eight) by a tight end this season, and is tied for first, along with Washington’s Jordan Reed and Tennessee’s Delanie Walker, for the most receptions by a tight end on third down, 19.

“Gary goes about his business every single day sets a great example for all of our players”, coach Mike Pettine said in a release.

Sunday’s game will be Whitner’s first against his former team. “There are not enough good things to say about him because he’s done such a good job”.

So did DeFilippo ever think Barnidge could accomplish what he has this season?

“High alert is probably the best way I can sum it up”, Tabor said.

“When I saw Gary and our coaching staff saw Gary, we were like, ‘This guy’s good, ‘” said DeFilippo, who’s in his first season. He is productive. He works. Barnidge is one 100-yard game away from tying the franchise record for most in a season (four, by Milt Morin in 1968).

He leads the Browns with 60 receptions for 812 yards and seven touchdowns. “The Cleveland Browns just got better today”. “I told him the other day, he’s 30 but he doesn’t have a lot of tread on the tires”.

Barnidge was a fifth-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2008 before he was signed by the Browns as a free agent in 2013.

“Amazing guy”, Barnidge said of Haslam. Cameron has 26 catches for 306 yards and two touchdowns this season. Barnidge is an advocate for OhioGuidestone, a local non-profit organization that aids children and families in Cleveland as it relates to residential care, foster care and community-based services.