Provided by Paul Thiel (appeared in GCBB Newsletter)
Looking forward to free agency to begin on February 29, the Browns faced a lot of concerns for a 10-6 team. Their starting quarterback was about to become a free agent, even if a restricted one. Their only proven running back was about to become a true free agent. Unknown to us, their number two wide receiver had expressed that at age 33 he no longer considered himself up to the rigors of being a starting wide receiver. Their proven veteran depth on the offensive line in the form of Lennie Friedman and Seth McKinney was about to become free agents. Their defensive line boasted possibly two NFL quality starters when they need a rotation of at least four and preferably six. They lacked both run stopping ability inside and, aside from Kamerion Wimbley, pass rush ability outside at linebacker. Add to all this the lack of a first round draft choice to fall back on in areas where free agency failed, and Phil Savage clearly had his work cut out for him.
And so free agency began. After going back and forth on the years, the Browns finally relented and inked Jamal Lewis to a three year deal worth about $17 million with six to seven million of it guaranteed. This signing solidifies the Browns’ running back situation for 2008. The concern is that Lewis’ production will thereafter decline quickly because of his age – 29 in August – and his punishing running style. Very often runners decline in a hurry at age 30. (See Shaun Alexander.) Let us hope that the Browns do not end up paying Lewis millions after he is shot.
Having re-signed their own key free agents, the Browns next turned their attention to their beleaguered defensive line. After reviewing draftable players, the Browns decided that they were unlikely to get immediate defensive line help late in the second round and beyond. They also saw the top defensive line free agents either unsuited to a 3-4 or restricted. They therefore decided on trades. First the Browns sent their second round pick to Green Bay for franchised defensive tackle Corey Williams, 6-3½ 313 27 a 2004 sixth round draft choice out of Arkansas State. Williams is big and quick, and he will hustle and chase, but despite his size there are questions about his ability to hold his ground and his durability. The Browns turned around and signed Williams to a six year contract for $39 million.
The Browns next completed an off then on trade with Detroit for two time pro bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, 6-4½ 340 29 on March 12 a 2001 second round draft choice out of Texas. Rogers is huge and powerful, a freakish athlete for his size, has explosive strength and quickness and will rush and chase. But Rogers has also always carried the fat and lazy tag. He has played at a Romeo-esque 370 pounds and at anywhere near that weight tires easily and is ineffective. How good Rogers will be is completely up to him and his weight. This trade was risky enough in that the Browns gave up both their third round draft pick and also starting cornerback Leigh Bodden. The Browns then redoubled their risk by signing Rogers to a six year contract for $42 million. It is only a slight exaggeration to say that this deal could make or break the Browns’ defense for years to come.
The Browns next turned their attention to real free agency signing ex-Patriot wide receiver Donté Stallworth to a seven year deal worth $35 million. Stallworth, 6-0 200 4.4 27, was a 2002 New Orleans first round draft choice out of Tennessee. He is a top athlete with tremendous balance and body control. He is very quick, fast and strong for his size, has great explosive speed and strength. He runs good routes, breaks tackles, can make the exceptional catch, is a dangerous runner after the catch and can be a game breaker. Despite all this, Stallworth has never been a top wide receiver possibly because of ball dropping, consistency and durability issues or possibly because of the quarterbacks and systems he played with/in. Stallworth is still young and talented enough that if the Browns’ offense is right for him, he could be a hall of famer. I was amazed that the Browns were able to sign him as their number three receiving option. This should complete the making of a top five offense.
On March 10 the Browns signed offensive guard/center Rex Hadnot, 6-2 325 26 a Dolphins 2004 sixth round draft choice out of Houston to a two year contract. Hadnot is a smart, tough, aggressive overachiever who lacks height and athletic ability. He was an ordinary starter for 55 games for the Dolphins and figures to be a backup replacing Seth McKinney for the Browns. On March 11 the Browns followed up by re-signing backup center Lennie Friedman thus solidifying the veteran backups on the offensive line.
Having lost linebacker Chaun Thompson to Texas in free agency, the Browns turned around on March 21 and signed linebacker Shantee Orr, 6-1 259 4.75, a five year veteran who went undrafted after coming out of Michigan early in 2003. Orr is quick and has a great motor and football intelligence, but he lacks the movement skills to excel as a traditional linebacker. Expect to see Orr on special teams and perhaps as a pass rusher in passing situations
Having missed out signing rush linebackers Travis LaBoy and Antwan Odom, the Browns still have work to do in free agency. They still need to beef up their defensive line rotation. No one should be reassured that the fifth and sixth defensive linemen will come from Rams reject Louis Leonard and 2007 Browns draft choices and practice squaders Melila Purcell and Chase Pittman. The Browns still need a big, run stopping inside linebacker and probably still a pass rushing outside linebacker. Plus they now have at least a question mark at cornerback without Bodden. There is still time in free agency, and I expect the Browns to sign more free agents. But with the draft rapidly approaching, don’t expect anything until after the June 1 cuts provide a new batch of free agents on the market.