May 23, 2013

NFL Free Agent News: Lions tag Avril, Texans sign Foster

March 5, 2012 by 11 Comments

The Detroit Lions used the franchise tag on Cliff Avril taking one of the best DE off the free agent market.

The Houston Texans signed Arian Foster to a five year deal, which may have shut the door on their chances of keeping DE Mario Williams. Houston reportedly won’t have the cap space to use the franchise tag on Williams, which would be around $22 million. The Texans have other free agents to worry about as well, and may find themselves on the outside of the Williams sweepstakes.

This is obviously good news for those Browns fans wanting the team to make a splash in free agency and find a dominating pass rusher to line up opposite Jabaal Sheard. While most fans would point to the offense as the biggest problem area for the Browns (and rightfully so) it would be hard to fault the team for taking a chance on an elite pass rusher. These players don’t hit the market in their prime very often.

[Related: NFL Free Agents- Defensive Ends]

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  • Kunal

    It would be HUGE if we could sign Mario Williams.  Here’s hoping H&H can figure out a way to make it happen

  • mgbode

    I am “all-in” on wanting it to happen.  I just have a hard time figuring out how we will be able to do it.  There are teams with alot more cap room (and will likely trump an offer from us), there are teams with a better chance to win, and there are teams with better weather (for a player who has spent his career in TX and college in NC).

    Hopefully, Holmgren can do it anyway.

  • https://twitter.com/jimkanicki jimkanicki

    so much for our avril hopes, bode.

  • mgbode

    I know.  I don’t think either of us expected him to get to FA though, right?  he was too good in that system for them to let go (and their DBs so bad that they need as good of a DL as possible)

  • kjn

     I think Mario is going to want (and get) a stupid amount of money. Not sure if he’s worth it.

  • mgbode
  • The_Real_Shamrock

    He’s a beast but I can’t see the Browns ponying up for him.

  • kjn

     Didn’t say he wasn’t good. Just questioned if he’ll be worth the contract he’ll undoubtedly get.

  • mgbode

    ok.  i’m willing to take that risk.  but, I don’t think he signs here.

  • Dylan

    lebron james..

  • Ezzie Goldish

    Worst news I think was Calais Campbell being franchised. He’s a great young FA DE who wasn’t quite as big of a name, and I was hoping the Browns would have a shot at him. Ah well.