BROWNS BYTES
Just to put the finishing touches on the Julian Peterson signing with
Seattle, a team source tells The OBR that the Browns remained
interested in the former Pro Bowl linebacker right up until a deal was completed
with the Seahawks.
As we have been reporting for nearly a week, the Browns refused to engage in
meaningful discussions with Peterson's agents until the asking price came closer
to the club's value of the LB.
The interest on the part of the Browns has always been there. That interest,
though, was tempered by the Peterson camp seeking $18-$20 million in guaranteed
monies. Holding out seems to have paid off for Peterson, however, as he
reportedly received $18.5 million in “bonuses” from Seattle, although it remains
to be seen exactly how the money will be meted out and if it's simply a deal
that looks good in the headlines.
Also, according to the source, Cleveland's interest in LaVar Arrington
is “essentially the same as it was with (Peterson).” Meaning, of course, that
the Browns are keeping their eyes on Arrington, but his camp has essentially
priced their client out of the Browns financial comfort zone.
Both Peterson and Arrington are represented by the Poston brothers.
It's highly unlikely that they would allow Arrington—who is viewed by the
Postons as being on the same level as Peterson—to sign for much, if any, less
than the $54 million over seven years Peterson received earlier yesterday.
That, obviously, would keep the Browns on the outside looking in on
Arrington.
Or, as William Shakespeare was quoted as saying when asked about the
Browns interest in Peterson.
“It was much ado about nothing.”
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Browns running back Reuben Droughns gained some semblance of a victory
in a Medina Municipal courtroom yesterday as the judge in his DUI case tossed
out two key pieces of evidence against him.
Judge Dale Chase ruled that two field-sobriety tests did not meet national
standards and
could not be used by the prosecution.
Droughns, whose trial is scheduled to start on May 9, has pleaded not guilty
to all three charges stemming from his October arrest: DUI, failing a
breathalyzer test and speeding.
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Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum columnist Roy Kline has written
a rather lengthy and informative piece on what the Browns have accomplished thus
far this off-season, and also speculates on what the club may attempt to
accomplish in the upcoming April draft.
It's well worth the read.
(Plus, he credits The OBR in his story, so he deserves a little
dap.)
(And, if I ever publicly use the word “dap” again, feel free to repeatedly
beat me about the head and face.)
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Congratulations are in order for Browns quarterback Lang Campbell, who
has been named NFL Europe's Offensive Player of the Week.
Campbell completed 16 of 26 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown in the
Berlin Thunder's 33-29 win over the Amsterdam Admirals.
The 24-year-old Campbell signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent
out of William & Mary after the 2005 NFL draft. Campbell was released shortly
before the start of the regular season, and then re-signed with the club on
January 6 of this year.
Campbell was one of three homegrown national players to earn Player of the
Week honors for their performances last Sunday. It marked the first time in NFL
Europe history that had occurred.
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The Browns have re-signed offensive tackle Kirk Chambers to a one-year
contract. Chambers, drafted in the sixth round of the 2004 draft, has appeared
in 21 games (no starts) during his two years in Cleveland.
Chambers also gave the Browns' official website (www.no-explanation-needed-for-message-board-being-down.com)
an “exclusive” glimpse into his
plans for a career after football.
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From the “How
The Hell Did I Miss This” department: Denver Rocky Mountain News
columnist Dave Krieger lends an interesting perspective to the Broncos
recent signing of Kenard Lang, who became the fifth member of the 2004
Browns defensive line to sign with/be traded to Denver in the last 12 months.
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At the beginning of free agency, Sportsbook.com had the Browns
listed as a 100-1 long shot to win the Super Bowl. Now, with the addition of
several highly-respected and talented free agents, the online gaming site has
dropped their odds to 60-1.
And who does the website favor to hoist the Lombardi Trophy this year? The
Colts, at 6-1, followed by the Steelers at 10-1.
I must ask, though: will these gaming sites ever factor in Peyton Manning's
anti-Jenna playoff gag reflex when setting their betting lines?
AFC NORTH NOTES
The Baltimore Sun weighs in this morning with their thoughts on
how
the Ravens would react should quarterback Vince Young unexpectedly
fall to them at 13th in the upcoming draft.
“He's not as clean a prospect as some other quarterbacks that have come out
over the years but his upside and ceiling are tremendous,” Ravens' director of
college scouting Eric DeCosta told the paper.
“If you hit on him, you could have a trendsetter in the NFL. Plus, we've got
to get Kyle Boller the hell out of Baltimore.”
(OK, that was poetic license on that last sentence. But, c'mon, you know
that's what they're thinking.)
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Tim Dwight's decision to sign with the Jets comes as somewhat of a
disappointment to the Steelers as the club had some interest in the free-agent
wide receiver. Pittsburgh viewed Dwight as a less-pricey—and
less-talented—replacement for the departed Antwaan Randle El.
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The Steelers aren't the only AFC North team disappointed this morning as
Cincinnati target Brian Griese has reportedly reached an agreement on a
five-year contract with Chicago. The Bengals had been in contract talks with
Griese agent over the course of the past two days.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals will now
turn their backup-QB situation to either Jamie Martin or former
Steeler Tommy Maddox.
SPORTSWRITER LINE OF THE DAY
“In other free agency news, Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest,
tired of winning, joined the Cleveland Browns, and Detroit signed QB Jon Kitna in the club's continuing effort to be really bad.”
---Miami Herald columnist Greg Cote
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Chris Crocker is a talented, young safety. Our personnel people
identified him as a potential trade option early in free agency, and we are
thrilled to have a chance to add him to our team.”
---Falcons head coach Jim Mora