Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns beat reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reported earlier tonight that New England's Scott Pioli is "very interested" in the general manager's opening in Cleveland. She cited multiple NFL sources for the story.

Just hours after the Browns lost their season finale yesterday, owner Randy Lerner fired GM Phil Savage; today, former Pats' defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel was let go as head coach. Lerner then asked for and received permission from New England to speak with Pioli about the opening.

If Pioli interviews with Lerner, it will be the first time he interviews with another team; both Seattle and the Giants have asked for and received permission to speak to the 43-year old New York native in the past, but Pioli declined the opportunity. Despite not interviewing him, in 2005 the Seahawks offered him a five-year deal to be their general manager.

Pioli may also interview with both Detroit and Kansas City. A multiple winner as the league's executive of the year from various organizations, Pioli's name in recent years has always come up when a team has a GM opening. This year, the rumors started early, as the Lions fired Matt Millen in late September, and local writers immediately started calling for Pioli to be brought in to right the moribund franchise.

During a breakfast with Patriots' beat writers in California in October, Pioli firmly but politely declined to discuss the possibility of his leaving the Patriots to take over another team.