(Editor's note: This is the first of what we hope will be a daily column.
While at first it will be simply links—with an OBR twist and flava--to news
stories associated with the Browns and other AFC North teams, we will
eventually be branching out into original material ala the NFLtalk
Rumor Mill and the old BTNG Sunday Morning Massacre.
Of course, the usual smarminess and snarkiness that has been associated with
the above two mentioned columns will continue in liberal/heavy doses.)
BROWN BYTES
In spite of the Jets officially announcing their intention to
place the franchise tag on John Abraham for the second consecutive
off-season, all is not lost for Browns fans hoping to acquire the talented
but enigmatic defensive end.
According to various print and league sources, the Jets have every intention
of, at the very least, making an effort to trade the highly disgruntled Pro
Bowler. Those same sources list the Browns as being on the list of teams
interested in a potential deal.
While it is unlikely that general manager Phil Savage would be
willing to part with draft picks--even for a player the caliber of
Abraham--a league source tells The OBR that “all avenues will
be explored to improve (the Browns), including trades that
involve draft picks.”
The Chargers, Redskins and Texans are also listed as potential players in
the Abraham sweepstakes.
* * * * *
A week or so ago, the agent for current/former Browns wide
receiver Antonio Bryant groused to a local fish wrap regarding the
lack of communication with the Browns.
Yesterday, Savage commented to the assembled media that “we could use a
veteran receiver” through free agency.
Now, I'm no mathema… mathama… guy who's good with numbers, but I do believe
that one plus one equals toodle-loo* Antonio.
* * * * *
The “acquire a veteran WR” drum was also beaten loudly today by
Terry Pluto in his
Akron Beacon Journal
article. Additionally, in the same piece, Pluto officially began his
long-expected “Start Charlie Frye In `06” campaign, a crusade that is
expected to last until head coach Romeo Crennel relents to the writer's
incessant whining about the Akron product.
* * * * *
In other veteran free-agent WR news, Tony Grossi of the
Plain Dealer, citing a
source close to Dennis Northcutt, is reporting that the Browns will
pick up the $1.25 million roster due to the receiver by March 15.
* * * * *
The name A.J. Hawk has been tossed around more than anyone
not named “Paris” as a potential fit for the Browns in '06. In fact, it's
safe to assume that the OSU linebacker has a stranglehold on the #1 spot on
nearly every Browns fan's must-have draft list. Unfortunately, Savage put
the kibosh on any such thoughts.
“(Browns fans) all tell me they'd love to see
A.J. Hawk in a Browns uniform,”
Savage said. “Guys ... Hawk's not gonna be there.”
To quote Jack Bauer after yet another CTU miscue: “Dammit!!!”
* * * * *
During Savage's informal press conference yesterday, he made note
that the Browns have every intention to “strike quickly in free agency…We'll
be fairly disappointed if we're not able to make a couple of moves fairly
early.”
With that in mind, there are three free agents who currently sit atop the Browns
wish list: linebacker Will Witherspoon, nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu,
and wide receiver Joe Jurevicius. All three will be the first
targeted and courted heavily upon the commencement of free agency on March
3.
Take that to the bank.
(OK, maybe the credit union.)
* * * * *
Very, very interesting listening to Savage discuss doubling up on
the nose tackle position during free agency and the draft.
Especially when you consider he wasn't prompted; he was simply asked about
improving the position via free agency or the draft.
Hmmmm…
* * * * *
Perhaps the most uplifting words to come from Savage yesterday
were in regard to, finally, realizing that
if you can't compete in your own division,
you simply can't compete.
Cue the choir…
“We talk about Pittsburgh a lot. I've made it a point
every time we've had a personnel meeting since that meeting at Thanksgiving,
be it pro or college, to say, `Let's not worry about covering ourselves and
making sure we know about 489 college players. Let's make sure we know the
ones we think can beat Pittsburgh and help us beat Baltimore and
Cincinnati.' The Steelers and the Bengals set a standard for us. If we can
compete with Cincinnati and Pittsburgh and Baltimore, then we can compete
with the rest of the league.”
…choir slowly fades
Amen, Phil. Amen.
AFC NORTH NOTES
The current unrest between the Ravens and Pro Bowl linebacker
Ray Lewis could have been avoided as far back as 2002, the
Baltimore Sun is
reporting.
According to The Sun, the Ravens wanted Lewis to sign a
four-year deal at the time, but Lewis and his camp held out for the current
longer-term deal. If Lewis had followed the Ravens line of thinking, he
would be set to become a free agent in a little more than a week.
As it stands now, Lewis is attempting to get a restructure of his contract
(read: one last shot at huge upfront jack) and is beginning to rock the
trade-or-release boat.
* * * * *
Speaking of Lewis, teammate Deion Sanders--who graduated magna
cum loudly from the prestigious Henry Kissinger School of Diplomacy and
currently sits on their Board of Regents—is fretting that this situation may
gasp cause some type of shudder public backlash against Lewis.
“Now everyone in Baltimore is upset,” Sanders told Sporting News Radio.
“All of those fans, what do they say? How do they feel about you? Are you
able to come back without being booed? That's just not the way to go about
doing business.”
* * * * *
According to the
Cincinnati Enquirer, the
Bengals have re-signed punter Kyle Larson to a one-year contract.
That joyous sound you may have heard coming from…ehhhh, who am I kidding.
He's a friggin' punter.
NFL NOTES, TIDBITS AND OTHER ASSORTED BLING
National Champion quarterback and recently-named Davey O'Brien Award
winner Vince Young has
elected to be a non-participant at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Young, who is expected to fall no further than third overall to the Titans
in the April draft, will be in Indianapolis but will simply interview with
interested teams… The Lions are strongly considering using the franchise or
transition tag on offensive lineman Jeff Backus. Needless to say,
Backus would prefer to test the free-agent waters while not “closing
the door on coming back”… Vikings
running back Michael Bennett is about to add an “ex” to his title,
according to himself. “They told my agent they're going in another
direction, so I won't be coming back," the fifth-year back told the
St. Paul Pioneer Press… The
Chargers have released 32-year-old safety Jerry Wilson. The ten-year
veteran started all 16 games during the '03 and '04 seasons, but lost his
starting job last year to free-agent acquisition Bhawoh Jue… Broncos
safety John Lynch reached terms on a deal yesterday that will keep
the seven-time Pro Bowler in Denver through the 2008 season. Additionally,
the team has re-signed defensive end John Engelberger to a
three-year deal that includes a $750,000 signing bonus.
* EDITORS NOTE: The author used the word “toodle-loo". On purpose. You
can let him know what this infers about his manliness on the new
OBR Football Roundtable
forum.