Thursday, March 01, 2007
NFL's Free-For-All Begins
By John Chandler
Forever a damned destination for free agents, the Browns tugged at the hearts of the homesick last March to haul in the most local, if not lucrative, class of players in recent memory.
Phil Savage might have to play that card once more.
The shotgun start to free agency fires at 12:01 AM on Friday, and the Browns are ready to make a mad dash full of cash in the direction of CB Nate Clements. The former Buffalo Bill is the top defensive back available, and the Browns won't be alone in pursuit. Good thing Clements graduated from Shaker Heights High and Ohio State. But in a market flooded with mad money, a hometown discount isn't likely in this case.
On the surface, a free agent looks at a competitive offer from the Browns and wonders why he'd play in Cleveland when he could get the same cash, and save his sanity, somewhere else. The Browns have dug themselves a hole here, and will end up overspending to entice any player that can help them climb out of it. When you're perceived as the NFL's Bermuda Triangle, you have no choice.
But head coach Romeo Crennel believes his Browns aren't in that bad of shape.
"I think free agents that have done their homework, they know we've improved," said Crennel, on the eve of free agency.
Romeo points to the seven games lost by a touchdown or less, and he's right. The Browns showed signs of improvement before mailing in December. But how do you shake the reputation that you're a loser?
You spend.
Here's a look at who's for sale:
Nate Clements, CB, Bills - Worth every penny (right) by all accounts. He's the lockdown corner the Browns desperately need. But how much of the team's $26 million in cap room will he command? This could be the Browns only major purchase. But it'd be a good one.
Adalius Thomas, LB, Ravens - Baltimore GM Ozzie Newsome told him to go get his money, and he will. Paired with Kamerion Wimbley, he has the size and speed to be a handful. He's played just about everywhere in both the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, with 11 sacks in 2006. A beast of a ballplayer.
Joey Porter, LB, Steelers - A cap casualty in Pittsburgh (left) he leaves the Steel City still very capable of making noise. As coach Crennel put it, "Everybody should be interested in Joey, especially 3-4 defense teams." That, for the record, would include the Browns, who would have to move Porter to the left side.
Eric Steinbach, OG, Bengals - Reliable player who has missed just one game in four years. The Browns need that kind of consistency on their offensive line. A potential move to center?
Kris Dielman, OG, Chargers - An offensive lineman with a mean streak... what more can the Browns ask...er...pay for?
There are, of course, more names to consider. But most others come with a "buyer beware" tag. In an ideal world, the Browns land all three of their top targets. But considering market inflation, they're prepared for the possibility of one or --gasp-- none. Whatever they do, they must do it quickly, because the market won't wait for them.
"I think something can happen pretty quickly," said Crennel. "It's just like last year. I think that's the trend right now in free agency, to get it over with and done with."
Perfect scenario: Land Clements and either Steinbach or Dielman, then grab Porter.
Kind-of-perfect scenario: Land Clements, then see what's left over.
Worst-case-scenario: Introduce QB Jeff Garcia at a Saturday press conference.
Browns Nation, what do you think? If you had $30 million of Randy Lerner's money to spend, who would you grab? SoundOff with your thoughts, and tune into Sports Sunday at 11:35 PM for more Browns talk with the PD's Mary Kay Cabot this Sunday night on NewsChannel Five.
Forever a damned destination for free agents, the Browns tugged at the hearts of the homesick last March to haul in the most local, if not lucrative, class of players in recent memory.
Phil Savage might have to play that card once more.
The shotgun start to free agency fires at 12:01 AM on Friday, and the Browns are ready to make a mad dash full of cash in the direction of CB Nate Clements. The former Buffalo Bill is the top defensive back available, and the Browns won't be alone in pursuit. Good thing Clements graduated from Shaker Heights High and Ohio State. But in a market flooded with mad money, a hometown discount isn't likely in this case.
On the surface, a free agent looks at a competitive offer from the Browns and wonders why he'd play in Cleveland when he could get the same cash, and save his sanity, somewhere else. The Browns have dug themselves a hole here, and will end up overspending to entice any player that can help them climb out of it. When you're perceived as the NFL's Bermuda Triangle, you have no choice.
But head coach Romeo Crennel believes his Browns aren't in that bad of shape.
"I think free agents that have done their homework, they know we've improved," said Crennel, on the eve of free agency.
Romeo points to the seven games lost by a touchdown or less, and he's right. The Browns showed signs of improvement before mailing in December. But how do you shake the reputation that you're a loser?
You spend.Here's a look at who's for sale:
Nate Clements, CB, Bills - Worth every penny (right) by all accounts. He's the lockdown corner the Browns desperately need. But how much of the team's $26 million in cap room will he command? This could be the Browns only major purchase. But it'd be a good one.
Adalius Thomas, LB, Ravens - Baltimore GM Ozzie Newsome told him to go get his money, and he will. Paired with Kamerion Wimbley, he has the size and speed to be a handful. He's played just about everywhere in both the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, with 11 sacks in 2006. A beast of a ballplayer.
Joey Porter, LB, Steelers - A cap casualty in Pittsburgh (left) he leaves the Steel City still very capable of making noise. As coach Crennel put it, "Everybody should be interested in Joey, especially 3-4 defense teams." That, for the record, would include the Browns, who would have to move Porter to the left side.Eric Steinbach, OG, Bengals - Reliable player who has missed just one game in four years. The Browns need that kind of consistency on their offensive line. A potential move to center?
Kris Dielman, OG, Chargers - An offensive lineman with a mean streak... what more can the Browns ask...er...pay for?
There are, of course, more names to consider. But most others come with a "buyer beware" tag. In an ideal world, the Browns land all three of their top targets. But considering market inflation, they're prepared for the possibility of one or --gasp-- none. Whatever they do, they must do it quickly, because the market won't wait for them.
"I think something can happen pretty quickly," said Crennel. "It's just like last year. I think that's the trend right now in free agency, to get it over with and done with."
Perfect scenario: Land Clements and either Steinbach or Dielman, then grab Porter.
Kind-of-perfect scenario: Land Clements, then see what's left over.
Worst-case-scenario: Introduce QB Jeff Garcia at a Saturday press conference.
Browns Nation, what do you think? If you had $30 million of Randy Lerner's money to spend, who would you grab? SoundOff with your thoughts, and tune into Sports Sunday at 11:35 PM for more Browns talk with the PD's Mary Kay Cabot this Sunday night on NewsChannel Five.
Posted at 5:23 PM
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