Palmer Gets Second Look by Cleveland

Chris Palmer spent much of Wednesday meeting with Cleveland Browns executives for a second time in owner Al Lerner’s office, fueling reports that he will become the expansion team’s coach.

Without citing sources, WOIO-TV reported that Palmer, 49, the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, will be hired as the Browns’ coach today and will get a five-year contract worth $8 million to $12 million.

Team spokesman Alex Martins said he did not know if the parties had agreed to a contract, and that negotiations continued.

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Green Bay Packer offensive coordinator Sherm Lewis interviewed with Bear President Michael McCaskey for Chicago’s coaching vacancy, created when Dave Wannstedt was fired three weeks ago. Arizona Cardinal defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis will meet with McCaskey today.

Three other coaches--Jacksonville defensive coordinator Dick Jauron, Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Pendry and Kansas City defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham--already have interviewed. The Bears also have permission to talk with New York Jet assistant head coach Bill Belichick.

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Kansas City Chief owner Lamar Hunt is being treated for prostate cancer.

Hunt, 66, said that he has not had surgery to remove the prostate, but has had “treatment of several different varieties.� He said the cancer was detected in September.

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Trying to recharge a front office left in disarray by the departures of its top people, the San Francisco 49ers reached into their past for stability and direction by hiring Bill Walsh as general manager.

Joining Walsh in the front office will be Terry Donahue, 54. The former UCLA coach and broadcaster was hired as the team’s player personnel director. Walsh said Donahue will be groomed to eventually succeed him as general manager.

The team also hopes to hire former 49ers receiver Gene Washington as an executive vice president.

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The Minnesota Vikings named Chip Myers the team’s new offensive coordinator. . . . The Vikings also named Ray Sherman to replace Myers as quarterbacks coach.. . . San Diego Charger cornerback Charles Dimry has been re-signed to a two-year contract worth about $1.5 million. . . . Mike Sheppard, offensive coordinator and receivers coach with the Chargers this season, has been chosen as the quarterbacks coach of the Seattle Seahawks. . . . Bob Bratkowski, the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator for four years, was hired as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ receivers coach. . . . Atlanta quarterback Chris Chandler and his wife, Diane, are celebrating the birth of their third daughter.