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Last year the Browns were very
smart with their offseason
plans, spending money in free
agency on only those veterans
who knew their system and could
help develop the younger
players. Now it will be time to
take the next step
Nose
Tackle: Romeo Crennel
brought Ted Washington with him
from New England as a stop-gap,
knowing he only had a few years
left in him. And that age is
showing much quicker than they
had hoped. His eventual
successor is going to need to be
his immediate replacement
Cornerback: Gary
Baxter’s double knee surgery has
made it dire. He wont be back
for an estimated 18 months and
there is not a true lock-down
corner on the roster that has to
play in a division with
receivers like Chad Johnson and
Hines Ward. No depth either.
This is the most important fix
they can make quickly in the
draft or free agency.
Wide Receiver: Braylon
Edwards has proven that he can
be a legitimate primary wideout
in the NFL, and Joe Jurevicius
is a capable possession
receiver, but the Browns need
another threat on the outside
Offensive Line:
LeCharles
Bentley could possibly be out
for the duration of next season
since the infection that
hit Bentley in August might have
damaged his surgically repaired
knee to the point he will
require another surgery,
plus OT Kelly Butler is a
restricted free agent, and
although he should not be signed
away by another team, he may
only play one more year for the
Browns if he just signs his
qualifying offer. Depth is
needed at the tackle position
and they need to get someone to
start grooming to replace
Butler.
Defensive Line: Simon
Fraser has stepped up and proven
himself useful in the 3-4
alignment, notching 4.5 sacks
from the left side. But the rest
of the roster has accounted for
only one sack from the position.
The Browns could get lucky and
find that “tweener” DT/DE who
slips in the draft due to the
lack of a true position that
would fit nicely in the 3-4.
They need to get younger as
well. With
defensive tackle Ted Washington
heading towards his forties,
they are running out of time.
Notes: The ownership
is going to have to spend some
money on high quality free
agents while continuing to draft
smartly. The Browns may also
benefit from the return of last
year’s prize free agent signing,
center LeCharles Bentley, who
missed all of 2006 due to
injury. The big question is
whether he will make it back or
not and that is now in serious
question. It is also going to be
key for management to find
quality in the second day of the
draft as well as free agency to
add depth to a team that was
devastated by injury.
Cleveland Browns Free Agency
Notes: Offensive
linemen and a shutdown
cornerbacks are top priorities.
Center LeCharles Bentley will
likely miss his second straight
season with a knee injury,
making it critical the club find
someone to anchor its weakest
unit. Versatile guard Eric
Steinbach is expected to be an
early target for the Browns, who
will have approximately $30
million to spend. DB Gary
Baxter's uncertain future
following two torn patellar
tendons forces the club to look
for alternatives, giving
Cleveland native Nate Clements -
the best cornerback on the
market - another bargaining
chip. Bringing in a veteran
quarterback either through free
agency, the draft or a trade, to
compete with Charlie Frye and
Derek Anderson is a strong
possibility.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
S Brian Russell; C Hank Fraley;
CB Ralph Brown; DEs Nick Eason
and Alvin McKinley; Gs Cosey
Coleman and Lennie Friedman; WR/KR
Dennis Northcutt.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
DT Ethan Kelly; LB Mason Unck;
OL Nat Dorsey
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