CLEVELAND — The Browns have signed general manger Phil Savage to a three-year contract extension through the 2012 season.

Savage, whose new deal was announced today, has spent the last three seasons overhauling the Browns roster through draft-day trades and free agent acquisitions. He was hired in 2005 to rebuild a team that had made the playoffs only once since returning to the NFL in 1999.

Although they missed the playoffs last season, the Browns finished 10-6 and had one of the NFL's top offenses. They had been 10-22 in their first two seasons under Savage and coach Romeo Crennel.

Crennel already has received a two-year extension through the 2011 season.