Browns getting defensive
March 1, 2008Newble, Take Two?
March 1, 2008Browns Nab Wideout From The Patriots
It’s been a busy free agency period so far for the Browns. First, they re-signed running back Jamal Lewis. Then, as free agency opened, the Browns signed quarterback Derek Anderson to a 3 year deal. Next they traded for defensive lineman Corey Williams and defensive lineman Shaun Rogers. Now, GM Phil Savage has gone out and given the Browns’ QBs a nice new weapon to help out the offense even more. According to ESPN.com, the Browns have signed WR Donte Stallworth to a 7 year deal worth $35 million, $10 million of which is guaranteed.
We knew that defense would be priority number one for Savage, but we also knew that WR was a position that was going to have to be addressed as well. This isn’t Randy Moss that the Browns signed, but Stallworth will fill a key role on the offense. Coming out of Tennessee, Stallworth was taken by the Saints as the 13th overall pick in the 2002 draft. Stallworth has never really lived up to expectations as that high of a draft pick. He’s never had a 1,000 yard receiving season, coming the closest in 2005 when he finished with 945 yards. He’s bounced around a bit lately, as the Browns will be his 3rd team in 3 years after one year stints with the Eagles and the Patriots.
While Stallworth may not be an elite WR, the good news is that the Browns don’t need him to be. They already have Pro Bowler Braylon Edwards. Stallworth is still extremely fast and what he does do is pose a serious deep threat…something the Browns offense has been lacking. Stallworth’s ability to force defenses to keep an eye on him downfield will be huge for the Browns as it should help open up the middle for guys like Braylon, K2 (assuming he doesn’t holdout), and Joe J. Last season Stallworth had 46 catches for 697 yards and 3 touchdowns for the high powered Patriots offense. More importantly he helped stretch the field and helped keep defenses from loading up on Randy Moss. Donte can fill that same kind of role this season for the Browns.
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9 Comments
When I first saw the ticker that read “Stallworth signs 7-year deal with the Browns”, my jaw nearly hit the floor. Ask any fantasy football player about Donte Stallworth and they probably have a “that bum killed me story”. But after I cooled down a minute, I remembered that in the NFL the length of the contract is pretty unimportant because you can cut players.
I was hoping for a deal around 3.5 million per, but I suppose the contract isn’t that bad, and only 10 million guaranteed is good. I just hope he doesn’t turn out to be another Tim Carter.
Well, the good news is the Browns don’t need him to be a fantasy stud. As long as he keeps defenses from loading up too much on Braylon and K2, I’ll be happy with this signing. He’s a nice 3rd option at WR to have.
Stallworrth > Carter
WOW,
THATS ALL I CAN SAY! GREAT JOB PHIL. I WANT A DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR. I REALIZE WE HAVE A REALLY TOUGH SCHEDULE BUT, WITH THESE PLAYERS,WE HAVE A SHOT. BEAT THE SQUEELERS! GO BROWNS !
Told you so. Apparently, LeBoy is still in Cleveland and cancelled a visit to the Saints to stay here and work out the particulars. Word is, the Browns are interested in possibly trading for Lito Shepard. Or so I’ve heard.
I gave you props in my last post Jeremy, and I’m glad to hear that they aren’t finished with the defense. I wonder though, if Chicago was able to sign Briggs for 6 and $36, couldn’t the Browns have lured him for say 6 and $42? An extra million a year you would think could have been enough to bring him here, and I would have rather seen the Browns invest in him than Stallworth…
Yeah, but from what I’ve heard they don’t think he’d fit in too well in the 3-4 defense. I hear their interest is more along the lines of Clark Haggans from the Steelers . They want someone who will be a strong inside backer. Maybe Andre Davis isn’t cutting it. Orpheus Roye also said he’d come back if he doesn’t sign else where. I think his cap figure was too much to keep him around at anyway. He would be nice at a much smaller number though.
I’d welcome Roye back, and I went on record a few posts ago as wanting Haggans. Andre Davis does not meet the running back in the hole. He is around the ball, I’ll give him that- but he is not fast enough to catch a runner on the edge, nor step up and plug the hole. His best games this year were in the snow when everyone was the same speed, only then did he have really good games.
I absolutely agree. He makes a ton of tackles, problem is, he’s 4-6 yards past the line of scrimmage when he does. Haggans would be a welcome addition.