After a week of free agency, here is a rundown of what's transpired. These players left from the Browns to go to another team:
- T.J Ward (S), an unrestricted free agent, signs with the Broncos
- D'Qwell Jackson (ILB), cut, signs with the Colts
- Oniel Cousins (OL), an unrestricted free agent, signs with the Buccaneers
- Shawn Lauvao (OL), an unrestricted free agent, signs with the Redskins
- Brandon Weeden (QB), cut, signs with the Cowboys (hooray!!)
This next group of players are looking for new homes, or possibly retirement:
- Jason Campbell (QB), cut
- Davone Bess (WR), cut
- Paul Hazel (LB), cut
- Brian Tyms (WR), cut
- Willis McGahee (RB), unrestricted free agent
There's a special category for this player:
- Alex Mack (C), transition tag
Unlike the franchise tag, the transition tag allows a player to talk to other teams. Once an offer sheet is signed by the player, this allows the Browns 5 days to either match the offer and keep the player or to let him go. It's similar to a restricted free agent. This way, the player is allowed to seek out other options and let the market dictate his price. It also allows the team to show a little leniency to the player to allow him to seek out other options that may be substantially better. I've been advocating for a long time now that Mack's offer needs to be matched, no matter what it is.
Here are the players we've re-signed:
- Billy Cundiff (K)
And now, the fun part! Here are who the Browns have picked up (or just about) from other teams:
- Donte Whitner (S), from the 49ers
- Karlos Dansby (ILB), from the Cardinals
- Isaiah Trufant (CB/SPT), from the Jets
- Jim Dray (TE), from the Cardinals
- Ben Tate (RB), from the Texans
- Andrew Hawkins (WR), from the Bengals
- Paul McQuistan (G), from the Seahawks
There were reports that the Bengals were going to match Hawkins offer sheet, but new reports have surfaced saying that they're not since they have some depth at WR. If he ends up signed, I think there's less of a chanc the Browns pick up a WR in the draft. I think we should, though. Watkins, Evans, and Benjamin are all going to be studs in the NFL. We still have Benjamin and Little, but adding another elite WR to the mix can't hurt.
The Browns have pretty much wrapped up their non-draft acquisitions this year. There are reports of Matt Schaub potentially being acquired via trade. The Browns have enough cap room to cover his contract, but are they willing to part with a draft pick to get him? As long as Hoyer starts the season and we draft a rookie QB, I don't care who else we bring on.
What does all this mean for the Browns this year? Well, we lost D'Qwell Jackson, the captain and leading tackler on our defense. We replaced him with Dansby, who's probably just as good, but new to the system. We lost T.J Ward, a pro-bowl caliber player who was our second-leading tackler. We replaced him with a hometown guy in Whitner, who is also about as good as Ward. Whitner is coming from a winning organization who can bring some intangibles with him.
So for those two guys, we basically swapped out two good guys for two good guys.
Looking at the list, we lost a S, ILB, OL, OL, QB, QB, WR, WR, LB, and RB. We picked up a S, ILB, CB, TE, RB, and may pick up a WR from the Bengals. So going by the guys we've lost, we still need to replace an OL, OL, QB, QB, WR (possibly two), and LB. We've also added a CB and TE. The Browns have ten draft picks to use to replace six guys. I don't know if we take two QB's, but we'll pick up at least one OL, at least one LB, maybe a WR like Watkins, Evans, or Benjamin, and probably some D-linemen.
Browns fans have reason to hope. This is the best team they've seen in years. There are pro-bowlers all over the place, and potential pro-bowlers. Dansby wasn't in the pro bowl game, but he was second team all-pro last year. Haden, Gordon, Cameron, Thomas, and Mack are all pro-bowlers. Whitner is close. Gipson may come close with another good season. Tate could have a breakout year. And even if Hoyer isn't the answer at QB, which I think he could be, count on the Browns drafting at least one potential franchise QB this year. The Browns finally have premier talent. Probably not the deepest roster out there, but good enough to make a run at the playoffs right now. Add in ten players from the draft with maybe just two or three ready to see some playing time this year, and Cleveland will be a tough out.
I think the best move made so far is the front office. I didn't love Chud and I don't love the Pettine move, but I think Pettine will ultimately be better for the Browns. I love Farmer in the office and I love that Haslam, despite making mistakes, is still trying to do good things. Every coach/owner/GM misses on some things. The great organizations keep trying until they get it right. The Browns just may have gotten it right this time.
