BEREA, Ohio — If the Browns are running a West Coast offense as Patriots coach

Bill Belichick

says they are, it's news to them.

More likely, it was a jab by Belichick at his estranged protege, Browns coach Eric Mangini. Perhaps Belichick's way of saying, "Hey, Mike Holmgren's running the show over there and not you."

During his news conference in New England on Wednesday, Belichick said: "This is probably more of a West Coast team offensively than what we saw last week [in Minnesota] with [coach] Brad Childress. "[I'm] not sure exactly who's doing what, but the foundation of this offense is clearly from the roots that Mike [Holmgren] had and what he did in Seattle."

He went on to drive the point home, saying, "They run a West-Coast type of offense and that's nothing like what they ran at New York."

Said a league source, "that's Bill being Bill."

Mangini, when asked about the remarks, laughed and said, "Yes, sure I understand why he would do it."

Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who also worked for Belichick in New England and then left to join Mangini in New York, said this can't be described as a West Coast offense. "No, I'm sure [Belichick's] seen some plays that we've implemented."

Did he think it was a veiled slam from a man at odds with Mangini?

"I don't know," said Daboll. "That's up to him. We have, as I told you before, obviously a variety of systems, whether it's from stuff that Eric wants -- or like I told you guys in the spring, of course you're going to pick the brain of Mike and ask him about certain plays and put some plays in that have been successful for him. You'd be moronic not to. But in terms of the overall scheme, I think it's our offense. However he wants to describe it, that's fine for him."

Flattering Flashes: Belichick had great things to say about the Kent State program, the alma mater of Patriots receiver/returner Julian Edelman, who broke some of Josh Cribbs' records as a running quarterback there. Edelman was drafted by the Pats in the seventh round in 2009. He filled in for injured Wes Welker last year and caught 37 passes for 359 yards and a TD. In the playoffs, he caught two TD passes against the Ravens.

"It's pretty impressive what they've done and what a lot of those players from Kent State have done in the past few years," Belichick said.

Hodges hot: Browns punter Reggie Hodges, who faked a punt and ran 68 yards against New Orleans, leads the league with nine punts inside the 10 and is tied for sixth with 14 inside the 20. His 40.2-yard net average is seventh in the NFL.

Dawson's house sold: Kicker Phil Dawson, whose contract is up after this season, said he sold his house in Westlake.

What does it mean?

"It means I sold my house," he said. "It means we're lucky. It's a tough housing market out there."

It's been no secret Dawson wants a contract extension.

Ryan's ordeal: While defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has been preparing for the Patriots, his middle-school-age son Matthew was in the hospital for eight days after having part of his small intestine removed. Matthew came home Thursday.

"He's doing great, he's back home now," Ryan said. "Eight days is a long time for a kid, but he's doing great and I appreciate it, but [heck] he wants us to beat the Patriots, too."