Browns go berserk in free agency

[Arlos]

With money to spend and holes to fill, the Cleveland Browns struck quickly in free agency Saturday, reaching agreements with a several of high-profile unrestricted free agents who will dramatically alter the landscape of the team's offensive line unit.

The Browns have signed center LeCharles Bentley of New Orleans, the top-rated player overall in ESPN.com's ratings of unrestricted free agents.

The team also reached an agreement in principle with Atlanta Falcons left offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer, ESPN.com's 26th-rated free agent.

In addition, the Browns also signed veteran wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, who got a four-year deal.

Both Bentley and Jurevicius are Cleveland natives who are excited about the prospect of returning to their hometown. Bentley attended the city's St. Ignatius High School, and is a longtime Browns fan.

"I can die happy now," said Bentley, who wore a Browns jersey under his sports coat. "This has been my dream."

Bentley's contract is for six years at $36 million, and includes $12.5 million in guarantees. Shaffer's deal is for six years, totaling between $36 million -$37 million and includes $12 million in guarantees. The value of Shaffer's first three years will be $17.5 million.

"This is where it all started for me," said Jurevicius. "I had opportunities to go to a couple different places. First and foremost, I wanted to become a Cleveland Brown, put on the orange helmet, play in front of Lake Erie and enjoy the feelings.

"This is going to add years to my career because of excitement that comes along with it."

Jurevicius, who played at Lake Catholic High School on Cleveland's east side, has 233 career receptions for 3,010 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also played on Super Bowl teams with the New York Giants and Tampa Bay.

Cleveland officials had suggested as the free agency signing period approached that they would be very active, and early on, in addressing key needs. The Browns had about $20 million in salary cap room even before the extension to the collective bargaining agreement added $7.5 million more per team. General manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel moved quickly in 2004 at the outset of free agency, and their Saturday forays will aid an offense that statistically ranked No. 26 in the league in 2005.

Landing the highly regarded Bentley is a huge acquisition for the Browns, who wanted more bulk and power on the interior of their offensive line.

It had been rumored for about two weeks that Bentley would sign with Philadelphia once the free agent market opened for business, but those reports proved erroneous.

Bentley, 26, was the Saints' second-round pick in the 2002 draft. He began his career at guard and then moved to center in 2004. He earned one Pro Bowl berth at each position and scouts leaguewide agree that his best football is still ahead of him. The former Ohio State standout is a mauler, the sort of road-grader blocker the Browns need. At 315 pounds, he can take on the NFL's biggest nose tackle and has the power to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage.

In four seasons with the Saints, he played in 57 games, all as a starter.

The intention of the Browns at left tackle was to re-sign L.J. Shelton, who started all 16 games in 2005, while playing on a one-year deal. But when they could not land an extension with Shelton, the Browns quickly turned to Shaffer, a four-year veteran.

Although he struggled against speed-rushers at times in 2005, Shaffer is an emerging pass protector, as former seventh-round choice who made himself a solid player through hard work. The former Tulsa star moved into the Falcons' starting lineup midway through the 2003 season. A very good technician, and a player who figures to keep improving, Shaffer has played in 53 games and started 39 of them.

-Arlos

[Phlegm]

Here's the rest of the free agency signings today. From ESPN:

Packers on the defense: The Packers continue to fix their defense, making their second key signing in two days.

The Packers reached a five-year, $10 million deal with Seahawks safety Marquand Manuel. Included in the deal is a $2 million signing bonus.

The Seahawks have been trying to re-sign him for the past five days but didn't get an agreement when free agency started Friday night. Manuel is scheduled to head to Green Bay on Sunday and he will sign the deal then.

On Friday night, the Packers re-signed defensive end Aaron Kampman to a five-year, $25 million deal that included $11 million in guarantees. On Sunday, they are scheduled to have Rams defensive tackle Ryan Pickett in for a visit.

Ravens find a replacement: The Baltimore Ravens wasted no time in replacing defensive end Anthony Weaver Saturday, reaching a five-year, $25 million agreement with former Broncos defensive end Trevor Pryce.

Pryce has been one of the most dominating defensive linemen in the league whether he has played at defensive end or defensive tackle. The Broncos cut him in a cap-related move last week that saved the Broncos $8.5 million of cap room.

Included in the deal for Pryce is $10 million of guarantees.

Longwell on the move:The Vikings made the first major strike in the free-agent kicker market by reaching a five-year, $10 million deal with Packers kicker Ryan Longwell. Included in the deal is a $3 million signing bonus.

The Packers were trying to re-sign him but have now lost their kicker to an NFC North rival.

The Bucs pursued Longwell on Saturday but the Vikings stepped up and took the offer to $2 million a year and gave him a $3 million signing bonus and the deal was done.

The Vikings also announced the acquisitions of Chargers linebacker Ben Leber and Ravens halfback Chester Taylor.

Taylor received a four-year deal worth $14.1 million and included guarantees of $5.6 million.

Leber received a five-year deal worth around $20 million that included a $4 million signing bonus.

Bidding for Brees: After a visit in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday morning with Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban and general manager Randy Mueller, Chargers quarterback Drew Brees flew to New Orleans to visit the Saints, where negotiations have heated up.

Brees is considered the top free-agent quarterback available even though he's coming off shoulder surgery.

Dr. James Andrews, who performed Brees' surgery, said Brees is on schedule with his rehab to be able to throw in May and participate in minicamp. If the Saints sign Brees, they will release quarterback Aaron Brooks.

Bills nab two: Tight end Robert Royal signed with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

Royal, who spent the past four seasons with Washington, agreed to a reported five-year, $10 million contract that includes a $2.5 million bonus. The move came shortly after he visited the team at its Orchard Park headquarters.

The Bills need a veteran tight end after releasing three-year starter Mark Campbell on March 1. Royal is expected to compete with backup Tim Euhus and Kevin Everett for Buffalo's starting job.

The Bills made their second acquisition of Saturday by reaching an agreement with Colts defensive tackle Larry Tripplett. Terms of the deal weren't available, but defensive tackles who were being signed Saturday have been getting contracts in the $4 million range.

Tripplett is a former second-round pick of the Colts but he probably didn't have much of a chance to return to Indianapolis. The Colts re-signed defensive Raheem Brock for big money and there has been some thought of using him a little at defensive tackle.

Clancy a Card: The Arizona Cardinals have signed unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, who had the best season of his career in 2005, to a four-year, $8.1 million contract, ESPN.com has confirmed. The deal will pay Clancy $3.5 million in 2006 between his signing bonus and base salary.

Clancy, 27, had started only four times in his 53 appearances with the Pittsburgh Steelers 2000-2004, and the Giants signed him to a one-year contract last spring more for depth. But the former University of Mississippi standout started in 15 of 16 games in New York last season and registered 39 tackles and two sacks, while providing an inside presence against the run. Clancy entered last season with just 30 tackles and no sacks for his career.

The Giants had hoped to keep Clancy, a third-round pick of the Steelers in the 2000 draft, but the Cardinals brought him in for a Saturday visit and struck a quick deal.

Kosier shaking up Cowboys: In a move that could affect their two veteran guards, the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday reached an agreement with unrestricted free agent offensive lineman Kyle Kosier, a versatile four-year veteran who has started at tackle and guard during his career.

Kosier, who played for the Detroit Lions in 2005 after spending three seasons in San Francisco, agreed to a five-year contract that includes $5 million in bonus money.

The Cowboys have told Kosier that they expect him to play guard and it remains to be seen how that affects the tandem of Larry Allen and Marco Rivera. Allen is due a $2 million roster bonus on April 1 and that will push his 2006 salary cap charge to more than $7 million. It's possible the Cowboys could move Allen from left guard to right tackle, a longtime problem area for the team.

Running with it: The Texans added a fullback in Jameel Cook of the Bucs on Saturday in what could be adding to an enhanced backfield.

Domanick Davis is the starting running back but the Texans are looking at drafting Reggie Bush with the first pick. The signing of Cook gives them a blocking back in what should be an upgraded running game.

The Texans will decide in a month whether or not to draft Bush or take quarterback Vince Young.

Nedney staying put: The 49ers announced Saturday that kicked Joe Nedney has been re-signed. Terms of the contract were not announced by the team.

Nedney, a 10-year NFL veteran, is in his second season with San Francisco. He finished 26-of-28 on field goal attempts and 19-of-19 on extra point attempts for a team-leading 97 points last season. Nedney owns a career field goal percentage of 77.2 (153 of 198) and has converted on 98.6 percent of his extra-point attempts.

Vikes get bitten: The Vikings overplayed their hand a bit Friday by putting a deadline on three of the teams they were talking to in trade conversations for quarterback Daunte Culpepper.

All three had the perception from the Vikings that one of the teams were offering a second-round pick.

The Raiders dropped out and were only considering a conditional third-round choice before they got too heavy into the bidding. The Dolphins weren't going to go that high, but might have been willing to give a solid third.

Titans general manager Floyd Reese officially notified the Vikings that he is no longer interested and won't do any more bidding for Culpepper. Reese labeled the talks exploratory and said he liked the current group of Titans quarterbacks. He said that the Titans will concentrate on longer term solutions in the future as opposed to a short-term acquisition.

Steve McNair remains their starting quarterback with Billy Volek as the backup.

[Lyion]

woohoo..

They'll still be the 3rd best team in the AFC North though.

[Ouchyfish]

Someone wake the fuckin Dolphins GM up please....

[Tadpole]

Someone wake the fuckin Dolphins GM up please....

Daunte Culpepper or Drew Brees by tonight or tomorrow.

[mofish]

Brees probably coming to the Saints, unless the Dolphins can do better than 5 years 40 million.

I dunno whether I like that or not. Guess we dont have to take Leinart with the 2nd pick if we sign Brees. Sounds ok to me.

[Lyion]

Signing Brees would be the best move N.O. could make. But word is they want him on a 2 year deal, and he wants a 4-5 year one, so he can groom Leinart.

He'll probably sign with Miami.

[Arlos]

Browns continue going berserk:

For the Cleveland Browns, the second day of free agency apparently is just an extension of the first, with the only difference being a shift toward addressing defensive shortcomings.

One of the NFL's most aggressive franchises at the outset of the free agency period, the Browns on Sunday added two more players, reaching an agreement with veteran defensive tackle Ted Washington and signing punter Dave Zastudil. The moves continue the momentum generated on Saturday, when the Browns signed center LeCharles Bentley, left offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer and wide receiver Joe Jurevicius.

Contract details on the Zastudil deal were not immediately available. Washington will sign a two-year contract worth $7 million. Cleveland entered free agency with $27.1 million in available cap funds, the fourth most in the league, and general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel have used that advantage to quickly upgrade their roster.

In Washington, who was recently released by the Oakland Raiders for cap reasons, the Browns have netted one of the NFL's most effective interior defenders against the run. The only downside with Washington is that he will be 38 years old next month. But he started all 16 games for Oakland in 2005 and the Browns obviously feel he can still provide muscle at the nose tackle spot.

A 14-year veteran, Washington will be joining his seventh different franchise in a long and productive career that has included four Pro Bowl appearances. A few other teams, notably the Baltimore Ravens, had demonstrated interest in Washington over the past week, since his release.

The former Louisville standout has appeared in 215 games and has registered 685 tackles, 34½ sacks, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He has always been an inside anchor against the run, and the kind of wide-bodied player who occupies plenty of blockers. Washington has played in the past with San Francisco (1991-93), Denver (1994), Buffalo (1995-2000), Chicago (2001-2002), New England (2003) and Oakland (2004-2005).

Zastudil is a four-year veteran, the Ravens' fourth-round pick in the 2002 draft, and blessed with a strong leg. He and Jason Baker of Carolina were viewed as the top two punters in the free agent pool and it had been rumored that the Browns would pursue him.

Like Jurevicius and Bentley, he is a Cleveland-area native, played at Bay Village (Ohio) High School, and now will have an opportunity to perform in his hometown.

Zastudil, 27, has averaged 41.6 yards gross and 37.1 yards net on 327 punts. He has 89 kicks inside the opponents' 20-yard line and just 32 touchbacks, but has had three punts blocked in four seasons. The former Ohio University has allowed 160 punts to be returned for an average of 9.3 yards.

Meanwhile, the 49ers, with arguably the biggest set of needs in the entire NFL, AND with tons of available cap room, has announced a grand total of 2 signings: 1 of their own LBs, 1 of their Kicker. Color me thoroughly unimpressed. Fuck York. I wish I had a friend with season tickets still, so I could see if I could get on camera hanging York in effigy.

-Arlos

[Phlegm]

The Niners also traded their best wide receiver away.

[Lyion]

Cleveland might be going a bit too far overboard. This is more the Daniel Snyder approach, but we'll see how it turns out. The guys they've nabbed are all players, so it should be interesting.

San Fran I guess is building for the future, versus going after high priced vets.

[Phlegm]

Cleveland was about 26 million under the cap so they had a lot of money to spend and spend they did.

[Minrott]

Chester Taylor? Wtf the Vikings must have 40 halfbacks now. Maybe they'll stick with him this year. Runningback by commity bullshit.

[Spliffs]

It's a week FA year. Seriously, the #1 FA canidate as Lecharles Bentley? (Honestly, it's TO if you can get past his retardation)

Anyways, the way I see it - the cardinals are going to be drastically better on offense if they can sign or draft a couple decent O-linemen.

Everyone else - eh.

Edgerin James and TO are the two big playmakers in this F.A. class. So, whoever gets TO will be second runner up.

Personally, as much as I hate his bullshit, I hope Dallas gets him, because at some point I believe he is going to come around and try to leave a lasting legacy. He is egocentric, and knows that playoff success will all but wipe his slate clean.

[Lyion]

Chester Taylor? Wtf the Vikings must have 40 halfbacks now. Maybe they'll stick with him this year. Runningback by commity bullshit.

Taylor could be the best free agent pickup this year. He has size and speed, and knows how to pickup a blitz. It's a good move for Minnesota.

[Phlegm]

Chester Taylor? Wtf the Vikings must have 40 halfbacks now. Maybe they'll stick with him this year. Runningback by commity bullshit.

Taylor could be the best free agent pickup this year. He has size and speed, and knows how to pickup a blitz. It's a good move for Minnesota.

He better pick up the blitz especially with Johnson as quarterback.

[Phlegm]

Edgerin James and TO are the two big playmakers in this F.A. class. So, whoever gets TO will be second runner up.

Personally, as much as I hate his bullshit, I hope Dallas gets him, because at some point I believe he is going to come around and try to leave a lasting legacy. He is egocentric, and knows that playoff success will all but wipe his slate clean.

Owens won't become a free agent until the Eagles cut him which could come today since he will be owe a 5 million dollars roster bonus.

[Tikker]

I would love to see the Eagles eat his salary and just sit the fucker the whole year

[numatu]

cut

[Xaiveir]

I would love to see the Eagles eat his salary and just sit the fucker the whole year

They actually couldnt do that, would be funny as hell if they could though. Under the CBA he has faced the maximum penalty for "conduct detrimental to the team".

If they did make him inactive again it would go to an arbitrator again, and because it was for the same offense the arbitrator would either have the eagles reinstate him to the team with full benefits as a player (practice facilities etc) or have him cut.

[Spliffs]

He was already cut, but technically - they could have made him a special teams player, or a 4th receiver on the depth chart. :D

[Phlegm]

He was already cut, but technically - they could have made him a special teams player, or a 4th receiver on the depth chart. :D

Yeah but they would have wasted a shitload of cap space to spite him.

[Tikker]

He was already cut, but technically - they could have made him a special teams player, or a 4th receiver on the depth chart. :D

Yeah but they would have wasted a shitload of cap space to spite him.

I'd be willing to go door to door to refund the eagles the money to have TO sit on the bench

that'd be better than making him inactive


beat him the fuck up in practice every week, then sit on the bench during the game

[Phlegm]

He was already cut, but technically - they could have made him a special teams player, or a 4th receiver on the depth chart. :D

Yeah but they would have wasted a shitload of cap space to spite him.

I'd be willing to go door to door to refund the eagles the money to have TO sit on the bench

that'd be better than making him inactive


beat him the fuck up in practice every week, then sit on the bench during the game

I think they rather use the cap space to sign players that can help the team rather than sticking it to some dumbass.

[Reynaldo]

Browns really look like they're doing a good job filling gaps from last year. Washington has always been a great plug up the middle for Crennel's 3-4, in which Fisk was horrid last year.

Upgrades to the O-line are welcome and you get Frye a reliable #3 WR with Joe-J.

If they can keep Braylon healthy and get anything out of Winslow IMO they'll be in the 8-8 / 10-6 range this year

[Arlos]

Browns continue to be berserk in free agency Ted Washington AND Willie McGinest:

Unrestricted free agent linebacker Willie McGinest has found a new home with an old friend.

The former New England Patriots linebacker, released last week for salary cap reasons after 12 years with the team, reached a contract agreement with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday afternoon, ESPN.com has learned. He will be reunited in Cleveland with Browns head coach Romeo Crennel, an assistant in New England for seven of McGinest's 12 seasons there.

McGinest, who visited with Browns coaches and team officials on Tuesday as his first stop in free agency, will sign a three-year, $12 million contract that includes $6 million in bonuses and guarantees.

The two-time Pro Bowl performer and three-time Super Bowl champion should provide the Browns with the outside pass rush dimension the team sorely lacked in 2005. His familiarity with the 3-4 defense, the scheme in which he enjoyed so much of his success in New England, is also a huge plus. McGinest told ESPN.com last weekend that while he felt he could play in a 4-3, he hoped to sign with a 3-4 team.

McGinest, 34, has 78 career sacks and his six sacks in 2005 were one more than any Cleveland player managed in Crennel's first season, as the Browns struggled to create pressure. As a team, the Browns registered just 23 sacks, the fewest in the NFL. Crennel and general manager Phil Savage had publicly reiterated the need to improve the Cleveland pass rush. McGinest also had 4½ sacks in the postseason, all of them coming in a wild-card round victory over Jacksonville (he had eight tackles in all).

Cleveland officials were negotiating earlier this week with unrestricted free agent Kalimba Edwwards, a defensive end with the Detroit Lions who would have moved to linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. The Browns felt he could fill a McGinest-type role for them. But when Edwards re-signed with the Lions, the Browns turned their attention to McGinest, and it didn't take long to strike a deal.

Several other teams had contacted agent Gary Uberstine to inquire about McGinest. It is unknown how many other teams would have met with McGinest had he not completed an agreement with the Browns. Among the interested teams were the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets.

It is certainly no coincidence, though, that his initial trip was to Cleveland. Along with the presence of Crennel, the Browns have been among the league's most aggressive teams in the opening days of the free agency period. McGinest becomes the seventh player acquired by Cleveland since Saturday morning. He is the second new defensive starter, joining nose tackle Ted Washington.

McGinest was scheduled to make $7 million in 2006 with the Patriots between his base salary and a roster bonus. But the Patriots felt that compensation was a bit too rich for them. Although there was speculation the Patriots might contact McGinest about signing a more palatable deal, there were no such discussions after he was released.

The Browns, who have posted just one winning season since returning to the league in 1999, and who were 6-10 under Crennel in 2005, certainly present the kind of challenge McGinest seems to be seeking at this late juncture of his career.

"That's part of what excites me, really, is the chance to maybe help a team and help other players achieve some of their goals," McGinest said during a Saturday interview. "You name it and I've pretty much been there and done that. At this point in my career, the individual [accomplishments] aren't as important, not any more. I'm developed. I'm primed. I'm a team guy who knows his role. If that role is with a new team, well, so be it."

-Arlos