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CLEVELAND -- Josh McDaniels second chance as an NFL head coach wont be with the Browns. McDaniels, labeled a favourite to take over in Cleveland, removed himself from consideration for the Browns opening Wednesday, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. McDaniels pulled his name after learning he was not the front-runner for the job, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. ESPN first reported McDaniels withdrawal. McDaniels interviewed with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner last weekend, when the Patriots had a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs. McDaniels, fired as Denvers coach in 2010 after 28 games, confirmed he met with the Browns but did not elaborate on the interview and said "Im fortunate to have the job I have and I love being here. I love doing what Im doing." NFL rules prohibited the Browns from offering their job to McDaniels, a Canton, Ohio, native -- or any other coach in the playoffs -- until their respective season ends. As McDaniels was removed from their list, the Browns interviewed Packers quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo, a person familiar with the meeting told the AP. McAdoo, who emerged as a surprise candidate in recent days, met with Browns officials Wednesday in Green Bay, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team is not publicizing information about the search. The 36-year-old McAdoo spent the past two seasons working with star QB Aaron Rodgers. The Browns search is in its second week after Haslam and Banner fired first-year coach Rob Chudzinski following a 4-12 season. McAdoo received strong endorsements form Rodgers and Packers coach Mike McCarthy. Although McAdoos resume isnt lengthy, its extensive enough to entice the Browns, and Rodgers said his position coach is a deserving candidate. "You cant help but respect Ben the more time you spend with him, because he really cares about his job," Rodgers said on a weekly radio appearance in Milwaukee. "He listens when you talk, he asks good questions. Im happy for Ben. Any opportunities he gets he deserves. Hes a guy that works extremely hard. Hes a guy who really puts the time in." McCarthy, too, believes McAdoo is qualified to move up the coaching ranks. "Hes prepared himself for opportunities potentially that are out there," McCarthy said. "I think the world of Ben, Ive been with Ben a long time, and seen him diligently prepare himself to move forward. So whatever opportunities that do come by, hell do a phenomenal job." Looking "to get it right" as they seek the franchises seventh full-time coach in 15 years, Haslam and Banner have also interviewed Seattle defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn and Arizona defensive co-ordinator Todd Bowles. Like McDaniels, Quinn met with the Browns while the Seahawks were off, and the 43-year-old relished the chance to discuss his football vision. Hes also a candidate in Minnesota and Tennessee. "It was an experience to go through something and I was fired up to do," he said. "It was nice it happened during a time that we were down. I was more fired up to have that chance, but now its back to it and getting a chance to talking about the game and moving forward. It was a good experience but were ready to rock here moving forward." Seattle hosts New Orleans on Saturday. Cleveland requested permission to interview Denver offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase, but he declined until the Broncos season is finished. Denver hosts San Diego on Sunday. The Browns are also reportedly interested in speaking with Auburn coach Gus Malzahn and Vanderbilt coach James Franklin, who has revived the Commodores and led them to consecutive nine-win seasons. Terrell Owens 49ers Jersey . 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One day after Barcelonas 4-3 win at Real Madrid featured three penalties, referees again dominated a wide-open game that saw Almeria ultimately move out of the relegation zone and one point ahead of Getafe which took its place.ATLANTA -- Braves third baseman Chris Johnson gets to keep his dream job for another three years. Atlanta was the team he cheered for while growing up in South Florida, and he idolized third baseman Chipper Jones. "In this game, not many times does a team tell a player they want him to be around for a really long time," Johnson said. "Im excited they feel that way about me and have the confidence in me to be around for a little while. Now I just want to work as hard as I can to prove theyre right." After agreeing to a $23.5 million, three-year deal announced Friday, Johnson is under contract through 2017. The 29-year-old was among the teams biggest surprises last season. A supposed throw-in to the Justin Upton trade, Johnson ranked second in the NL with a .321 average. He had 12 homers and 68 RBIs. His agreement continued Atlantas recent trend of signing a core of players to long-term deals. First baseman Freddie Freeman ($135 million over eight years), closer Craig Kimbrel ($42 million over four years), pitcher Julio Teheran ($32.4 million over six years) and shortstop Andrelton Simmons ($58 million over seven years) agreed to long-term deals before or during spring training, and right fielder Jason Heyward struck a $13.3 million, two-year deal. General manager Frank Wren said Johnsons agent approached the team early last month to see whether the sides could work out a new deal. Wren said the Braves arent placing unrealistic expectations on their third baseman. Johnson is off to a slow start, hitting .255 with one homer and four RBIs in 26 games. "I think what we saw last year -- maybe hes not going to hit .320, but weve always felt he was somewhere in the .280-.300 range as a hitter," Wren said. "His career will tell you that." In the first 304 games of his career with Houston and Arizona, Johnson hit .276 and averaged eight homers and 43 RBIs. "I think as we go forward," Wren said, "thats the kind of player he can be -- somewhere in that .dddddddddddd285-.300 range -- and hit 10-15 home runs, drive in 70 and play solid third base." Johnson was part of the trade that brought Upton, a slugging left fielder, to Atlanta and sent fan favourite Martin Prado, pitcher Randall Delgado and three minor leaguers to Arizona on Jan. 24 last year. "Theres not many people that are going to be traded with him that arent going to be the other guy, " Johnson said. "But Im fine with that. Its good because it doesnt bother me really to be the other guy. It kind of gave me the fire to prove I need to be here and was not just a name in the trade." Johnson is making $4.75 million this season under a one-year deal. The agreement includes salaries of $6 million next year, $7.5 million in 2016 and $9 million in 2017. Atlanta has a $10 million option for 2018 with a $1 million buyout. Wren is grateful that Liberty Media, the Braves owner, has committed the money to keep another part of the core group together as the team prepares to move into a new ballpark in suburban Cobb County in 2017. "You have to be careful," Wren said. "You have to have that combination of players and especially what we did all winter was looking at really high level young talent that was either pre-arbitration or first-year arbitration and extending them. It fits into that mould." Johnson, who would have been eligible for free agency after the 2016 season, met Jones was he played for Stetson and Jones father Larry was an assistant coach with the school. Johnson never imagined he would replace Jones the year after the longtime Braves star retired after the 2012 season. "Its nuts," he said. "Its crazy. I cant believe it. Its awesome, but Im going to try to make sure I keep grinding and keep working and try to get better every day." ' ' '