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Apparently not content to limit the applicant pool to rising NFL assistants, the Browns seem eager to jump into the deep end again.

After being spurned by Oregon’s Chip Kelly, the Browns might be ready to pursue Jon Gruden, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Cabot points out Gruden’s Sandusky, Ohio-roots, and the University of Tennessee link to owner Jimmy Haslam.

Both denied a previous report that Haslam offered Gruden a stake in his new team, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to this one.

It’s clear by the aggressive push they made for Kelly that Haslam wants the Browns to make a splash as much as find a football coach.

And at this point, Gruden’s probably the closest thing left to a cannonball that’s out there.

UPDATE 6:44 p.m. ET: A source with direct knowledge of the situation tells PFT that Gruden is not on the Browns’ radar screen. So it was fun while it lasted. Even though it barely lasted an hour.