May 22, 2013

NFL Free Agency: Eric Wright Lands in Detroit

July 29, 2011 by 16 Comments

What started off as a promising, young career took a turn for the worst last season and now cornerback Eric Wright will attempt to make amends. With the Detroit Lions.

The physical and athletically-gifted Wright agreed to a one-year deal with the NFC North Lions early Friday morning. The signing comes shortly after Wright was granted unrestricted free agency following the newly designed NFL collective bargaining agreement. The Browns had attempted to tender Wright heading into the lockout, but the four-year veteran was one of the many players to enter the free agent pool once the lockout was lifted.

The Lions had reportedly been in play for former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Jonathan Joseph prior to the talented former Gamecock landed a lucrative five-year deal with the Houston Texans. Thus, the Lions opted to move up Interstate 71 and pluck another player with AFC North experience in Wright. After starting all four seasons in Cleveland, Wright is anticipated to join the starting unit of the much-improved Lions defense. 

Unfortunately, the same could not be said if Wright were to stay in Cleveland as the emergence of rookie Joe Haden (64 tackles and six interceptions despite only starting in seven contests) would have likely forced the former 2007 second-round selection to a reserve role in Dick Jauron’s defense scheme.

Wright amassed eight interceptions in his first three seasons with the Browns before falling flat on his face in 2010, plucking one pass while playing in only 10 games prior to his season ending in injury. One of the 10 is a game that will likely live on for a while as the Eric Wright game where Baltimore’s Anquan Boldin burnt the once-promising cornerback for three touchdowns.

Wright’s father recently tweeted that “issues with individuals within the Browns organization” made it impossible for his son to re-sign with the team.  Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer reports that Wright actually turned down more money and a longer offer from the Browns to sign with the Lions.

It was roughly one year ago today when Wright had joked with the Browns fans and front office, dubbing himself “Pay Da Man 2″ on the wake of Josh Cribbs’ PR-led campaign to get a new contract. The team added cornerbacks Haden and Sheldon Brown, adding some fuel to the competition fire, hoping that three starting-caliber cornerbacks would help the considerably weak pass rush. Alas, the Browns are now back in the hunt for a cornerback as the list of free agent names continues to dwindle day by day.

As of Thursday afternoon, per The OBR, the Browns had not spoken with the representation for Nate Clements; speculation is that the Browns will not spend an exorbitant amount of money on what will ultimately be a reserve corner. Top unrestricted cornerbacks remaining include former Raider Nnamdi Asomugha (whom the Browns have next to zero chance in signing), former Raven Chris Carr, former Steeler Ike Taylor, and former Redskin Carlos Rogers. 

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Photo via Scott Sargent/WFNY

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  • mgbode

    Probably best for both parties (player and team). I wanted him back because we need another CB, but he needs to get his head straightened out and that is usually easier to do with a change of scenery. And, they signed McDonald before the lockout, so if Brandon can make the team, Eric has an old friend to play with.

    also would like to note that Eric Wright thanked the fans and the city on his way out of town.

    so, who is next up? Of the guys you listed above, my favorite is Carlos Rogers. he won’t command the money because he catches the ball worse than a teenage girl that just had her nails done, but he can cover with the best of them and help on the run game as well.

    if we can get him and then Dashon Goldson to play FS (and move Usama to our 3rd Safety), then that would be a good under the radar FA session (and yes, I’m still hoping we get Barnett, but our FO is saying that DQ will be our MLB, so we need to look at WOLB and Barnett would not fit there)

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Craig Lyndall

    Ike Taylor reportedly re-signed with the Steelers, which should be a boost to the Browns up and coming wide receivers. :-)

  • mgbode

    Leigh Bodden is still out there too. Cinci needs a replacement for Joseph and likes to go cheap. Make it happen Mike Brown :)

  • Anonymous

    ok he’s 31 but… i’d love us to take a run at shaker’s own nate clements.

  • Harv 21

    Not a huge loss. Let’s not forget that his 2010 season of coverage issues that he could not correct was preceded by tackling and physical toughness issues in ’08 and ’09, as well as scuttlebutt re a sense of entitlement to a starting job and lack of preparation. Would have been fine as a back up but after watching him Heckert has obviously decided best not to pay him veteran starter money. Guy may just not have the requisite stuff in the heart and between the ears to be an ok starting CB at this level.

  • christopher

    even though being 31, i’m with you on taking a run on Clements..if the price is right. i would like to see some veteran presence in the backfield not named Sheldon “fall down” Brown with Haden, Ward and Young.

  • Ezzie Goldish

    Why is everyone assuming the Browns couldn’t get Asomugha? My understanding (from ESPN a few minutes ago) is he doesn’t love having to play in a spotlight (as he would here in NYC), and the Browns can offer a similar idea to the Jets (good corner on the other side) along with the idea that they have plenty of money to continue to go get great players on both sides of the ball and build something for a long time.

    I meant to add that they also can offer a bit more money along with lower state taxes.

  • Ezzie Goldish

    Why is everyone assuming the Browns couldn’t get Asomugha? My understanding (from ESPN a few minutes ago) is he doesn’t love having to play in a spotlight (as he would here in NYC), and the Browns can offer a similar idea to the Jets (good corner on the other side) along with the idea that they have plenty of money to continue to go get great players on both sides of the ball and build something for a long time.

    I meant to add that they also can offer a bit more money along with lower state taxes.

  • Anonymous

    The money required to land him is going to be outrageous. The last thing this team needs to do is tie up huge money in 2 CBs. We have money to burn here? Joe Thomas needs to be getting a phone call about a large extension.

  • Ghost To Most

    As good as Nnamdi Asomugha is, how many games did he help the Raiders win?

    Not many.

    Corners are grossly overrated in this league. You can have all the “shutdown” corners you want, without a strong pass rush it doesnt do you a whole lotta good.

    Even if a guy like Asomugha would come to Cleveland, youre absolutely right, the amount of money it would require simply is not worth it. Not to a team like the Browns anyway.

    Look at the 2007 Giants, they beat the highest scoring team in NFL history. Did they do it with “shutdown corners”? No. They did it with a fierce pass rush that was in Tom Brady’s face the whole game. Thats how you stop the pass in this league, by getting to the quarterback. I dont care how good your corners are, if guys like Manning and Brady have time to throw, they will pick you apart.

  • christopher

    agree with Ghost here.

    in today’s NFL it seems the scheme needs to be more focused on the quick defensive ends and outside linebackers as well as a strong middle linebacker with one shutdown corner (to take away each team’s stud receiver) and a no fear safety.

    if you speed on the defensive ends and pressure up the gut no matter who is behind the line taking snaps they won’t have time to make the read nor the throw they want.

    quick outside linebackers take away the short game and crossing routes while your one shutdown corner has the stud receiver locked down on the edge.

    the blitz the hell out of the safety when necessary

    ……hmm what other AFC team does this sound like?

    nope, if it were me spending the money it would go as follows:

    Joe Thomas, speed at the DE, quicker OLB’s (Fujita and DQ ain’t gonna cut it), more depth in the backfield (Nate Clements is a shot), and more depth at the offensive line.

    That’s not such a long list, is it?

  • mgbode

    you meant Nate Clements is shot, right?

  • mgbode

    oh, and as-in his best days are behind him; not in the Plaxico way.

  • deg4

    Ike Taylor re-signed in Pitt, remember we were all happy about it?

  • Anonymous

    We have decent depth at OL if we resign Yates. Womack is a plus too. Doubt we go too far out of the box for anyone else.

  • Anonymous

    I for one am disappointed. I like Wright and I thought he had all the potential in the world. I think he looked overwhelmed at times in Ryan’s defense and obviously had some mental barriers by the end of his season. I wish him luck and hope either Rogers or Clements head into town.