Almost before the ink was dry on Kerry Collins’ contract with the Titans,
the rumors began swirling regarding Billy Volek’s future with the Titans.
At least some of that speculation has centered around the Browns.
They have been mentioned as potential suitors by the likes of ESPN’s John
“For The 100th Time, No, I Don’t Suffer From Progeria” Clayton
and the NFL Network’s Adam Schefter.
The Nashville City Paper reported on Wednesday that the Browns
were
monitoring the situation but not aggressively pursuing a trade for the
veteran QB.
Then, yesterday, The OBR received a tip that the Browns might be one of
three teams who were seeking to pull the trigger on a deal with
Tennessee.
So, with all of the above data available, we did what any quality reporter would
do in that situation.
We headed to the bar to knock down a few stiff ones.
No, wait, that was the previous night. What we did last night was fire off
an e-mail to Phil Savage, asking the general manager if there was any
truth in what we were hearing.
Savage’s response?
“Not from a Browns’ standpoint,” the e-mail reply firmly stated.
So, there you have it. The Browns are not interested in a trade for Volek.
We think. Maybe.
*****
Here’s another data point to factor in when determining whether the Browns will
release either William Green or Lee Suggs—or both—at some point
before 4 p.m. this afternoon.
Suggs’ base salary for the 2006 season is $950,000, while Green’s is $585,000.
Additionally, Suggs has one year remaining on his contract ($545,000), while
Green is in the final year of his rookie deal.
And what about Jason Wright, who very well could have played himself onto
the 53-man roster based on the last two pre-season games? He’s scheduled
to make $425,000 in 2006 and 460,000 in 2007.
Not implying or insinuating anything. Just simply tossing some facts out
there for the sake of discussion.
*****
Speaking of Suggs, the Eagles and Dolphins will both take long, hard looks at
the running back if/when he is released.
The Eagles, in particular, have been keeping an eye on the Browns’ backfield
situation throughout the course of the pre-season.
*****
It’s becoming obvious to even the most casual observer of the Cleveland Browns
that rookie Kamerion Wimbley needs to be on the field. Alot.
And that’s not a swipe at Matt Stewart, either. The veteran
linebacker provides a modicum of veteran stability that head coaches—especially
Romeo Crennel—seem to crave.
However, Wimbley provides something that Stewart can’t and others at that
position haven’t in the last seven years. Play-making, game-changing
ability.
According to Savage, Wimbley replacing Stewart is simply a matter of when, not
if.
“It’s
just a matter of time before he’s a full-time player,” the general manager
told the Elyria Chronicle Telegram. “I wouldn’t be surprised if
Coach played him right away.”
*****
You can count Kellen Winslow II as being among the many fans of
quarterback Charlie Frye.
The third-year tight end, coming off back-to-back injury-plagued seasons,
continues to work on his both his chemistry with and defense of the Akron product, who has come under some mild
criticism with due to his uneven pre-season performance.
“People underestimate Charlie. He’s gonna be fine. I mean ...
he’s gonna be a star in this league,” the TE told the Canton
Repository.
“Charlie has great instincts. He’s a game player. He’s a game-breaker.”
*****
STAT OF THE DAY:
In four pre-season games last season, Frye completed 34 passes and gained 348
yards through the air. Although he only had nine fewer completions this
pre-season, Frye threw for exactly 200 fewer yards.
*****
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“I did what I was supposed to do, what the coaches asked. I leave it in their
hands. I’m nervous. I am nervous.”—rookie fullback Lawrence Vickers,
on his roster fate.
QUOTE OF THE DAY, THE SEQUEL:
“We’re gonna be fine, man. We kept it real basic. We didn’t want to show all
our cards. I think that’s a smart thing to do.”—tight end Kellen Winslow
II, on the team’s pre-season vanilla offense.