Conley, Gasol, Third Quarter Woes Too Much For Recovering Cavaliers
March 9, 2013Steelers cut Browns nemesis James Harrison
March 9, 2013Fred Greetham and Lane Adkins of The Orange and Brown Report (OBR) are reporting this morning that while the Browns have not spoken to the reps for Ravens LB Paul Kruger or Steelers WR Mike Wallace, they have spoken to the reps of several other players. They include Lions DE Cliff Avril, Patriots WR Julian Edelman, Raiders TE Brandon Myers, Steelers CB Keennan Lewis, Chargers CB Antoine Cason, Dolphins CB Sean Smith, and Eagles CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
#Browns have talked with agents for CB Keenan Lewis, Antoine Cason, Sean Smith & Rodgers-Cromartie acc to @TheOBR @LaneAdkins
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham) March 9, 2013
#Browns have spoken with reps for DE/OLB Cliff Avril & TE Brandon Myers @TheOBR @LaneAdkins
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham) March 9, 2013
#Browns have spoken with reps of Julian Edelman @TheOBR @LaneAdkins
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham) March 9, 2013
#Browns have not spoken to reps of Mike Wallace or Paul Kruger @TheOBR @LaneAdkins as of 1am Sat.
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham) March 9, 2013
Most of these names should come as no surprise to Browns fans as they address the needs of a second cornerback beside Joe Haden, a 3-4 linebacker, and another receiving option, respectively. Edelman would be a receiver with experience (280 rushing/receiving yards combined , 4 total TD last season) needed to add to a young core of Josh Gordon, Greg Little, and Travis Benjamin. Myers (806 receiving yards, 4 TD) would allow the Browns to potentially move on from Ben Watson and develop Jordan Cameron, who showed some potential late last year. Avril had 35 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles last season, and he could be an option as a linebacker in the new 3-4 scheme. Lewis (23 passes defended, 0 INT), Smith (12 PDEF, 2 INT), Cason (11 PDEF, 2 INT), and Rodgers-Cromartie (17 PDEF, 3 INT) would all be upgrades over Buster Skrine or Trevin Wade as a starting corner.
Related: Banner Report: Defensive Backs
12 Comments
I like all of the players mentioned in particular Avril, Myers and DRC…if true.
Same here. I wouldn’t mind seeing any of these guys in a Browns jersey next season.
I thought Ed Werder reported that the Browns would be going after Kruger? Wouldn’t the first step be to contact his agent? Strange.
i think DRC would be great, but probably too over-priced. However, I know that teams are against big $ WR’s in free agency but I think a guy like Wallace is worth spending for.
We don’t need an Edelman-type guy to run underneath, those guys are everywhere.
Avril would be a nice pickup, too. If we got him and then went LB in the draft, it would mean we improved our secondary (DRC or a few others who are available in FA), pass rush, and LB corps. Throw in Wallace and a third round OG, and you’re hosting a playoff game.
I have high hopes for the Browns this season if they can make a splash in FA. Normally, I would say that FA can be overrated, but the Browns can get some serious pieces this year. They can set themselves up for the next 5-7 years with the right moves.
Go BROWNS!
I heard that DRC can’t really tackle, and he was the 2nd CB in Philly. Cason, Lewis, and Smith would be more worth it (i.e. cheaper) and put up similar stats. Avril will command a big contract but the Browns have the most cap space of anybody (Bengals tagged M. Johnson at roughly $11M), hopefully we use it given that Banner isn’t inclined to sign any of our FAs.
I like how we havent spoken to Wallace, he’s too expensive, let him go to the NFC and get overpaid. If Edelman can move the chains, bring him in. He’ll probably replace Cribbs once again in is career (another former undrafted Kent St QB turned WR and ST stud, crazy). Wouldn’t be surprised if we contact Jennings or Welker, but I bet they will eventually be too expensive for us.
Myers is intriguing, I trust NorvChud to find a decently priced TE who will work in this O. The more we pay, the more upside I bet the eventual signing/draftee will have (meaning if they pay more for a TE or draft a guy a tad too high, I bet they like the guy a whole lot more than I know). I’m hearing a lot from Jared Cook, but he seems to want a ton of money. I trust the guys in charge to make a smart choice at TE.
Avril is a beast. Get him. Im sure we will contact Kruger and we will be involved there for awhile, but I like Avril a whole lot more.
Out of the CBs, I would put Lewis at #1 and try to get him. He probably won’t be as expensive as Smith or DRC, and he would be weakening our rival. As a number 2 Cb, he would be a good grab. Cason seems like good, youthful depth. I would love to grab 2 CBs in FA, a starter like Lewis and a nickel like Cason or Toler(haven’t heard if we contacted him yet) would be ideal. Then we can grab a corner with upside in the draft in either round 3 or 4 and BOOM. Turn a weakness into strength.
“Browns have not spoken to the reps for Ravens LB Paul Kruger or Steelers WR Mike Wallace”
if their reported pricetags are correct, then I hope it remains that way
I would hope Cason and Edelman would be dirt cheap or I would pass. DRC is iffy. The rest I like.
at $12mil/year, let Indy have him
Don’t know if Edelman would be a WR or FS here (Belichick influenced this posting), but either way he would be a reliable ST player and decent at his position. Again, try not to overspend for guys (Wallace, Kruger) when less expensive FAs can put up similar stats like Hartline at WR. Avril at OLB would cost as much as Kruger, but Avril would be more flexible I think.
Agree on DRC, Lewis is the one to grab for the double dip.
Improve us and weaken Division opponent.
If by some miracle, the Browns could walk out with:
1. Avril- Det. DL/OLB
2. Ellerbe- Balt. ILB
3. Cook/Davis/ or Meyers- TE
4. Felton- Minn. FB
5. Toler/Lewis/Cason- CB
6. Vazquez- Chargers Guard or Legursky- Pitts Guard
I would be about as happy as I could be with the off-season.
and because I’m an OSU homer, throw in Nugent as our kicker and I would be thrilled