Areas of Need: LB, CB, DE (Pass rushing was probably the biggest need on Defense)
Additions:
Paul Kruger, OLB
Previous team: Baltimore Ravens
Contract: 5 years, $41 mil
This is an excellent signing for the Browns, taking a great pass rusher from a divisional opponent. He understands the AFC North and provides the Browns with something that was incredibly lacking, a pass rusher. Paired with D'Qwell Jackson this could be quite an intimating line-backing corps. With the rumors that Jabaal Sheard will be switching to LB, Kruger could also provide good leadership, experience, and support for this transition. The thing I have enjoyed the most about Kruger is that he seems excited to be in Cleveland, he seems to get the passion of the franchise. While it could be argued that Kruger was overpaid, sometimes you have to overpay for an area of need in free agency. Great signing, well worth the investment.
Desmond Bryant, DE
Previous Team: Oakland Raiders
Contact: 5 years, $34 mil
When I heard the Browns signed the guy with the horrific mug shot, I was a bit surprised. I felt like that was a very Cincinnati move. Then I researched the incident. He is a young kid who made a mistake, it is not a serious enough crime for him to be in Cincinnati, and should be moved on from. He is an incredibly intelligent, articulate, and solid player. This signing is great. Bryant has the opportunity to be a part of a great line with Rubin (if not traded), Big Phil Taylor, Billy Winn, and John Hughes, with some shifts to LB being possible. The line is starting to look pretty solid, and very young. Big guy, fast, agile, and smart. Solid signing, wouldn't be surprised to see Rubin moved between now and draft day, he has become a bit dispensable, and a bit costly.
Quentin Groves, LB
Previous Team: Arizona Cardinals
Contract: 2 years, $2.8 mil
Three observations about this signing: 1. The Browns need copious amounts of linebackers to make this shift to the 3-4 work. 2. It is always a positive when you hire a coach/coordinator and they bring a player over with them. 3. The Browns really need pass rushers. This is a great signing and shows great value. He is a fast, athletic, hard-working linebacker. This is a good signing, I think that groves will do wonders for the locker-room, pass rush, and overall team in 2013.
UPDATE
Kevin Barnes, CB
Previous team: Detroit
Contract: 1 year
Not a bad signing because this is such an area of need, however this is a depth signing. He has been bounced around a good amount including being released by Detroit. He will probably make the final roster, but does not fill the hole of a shut down cornerback. I still think this is where Cleveland will be looking at pick 6 in the draft.
Chris Owens, CB
Previous Team: Atlanta
Contract: 1 year
Much like Barnes, Owens represents a depth-signing. He is a pretty versatile player who does experience from Atlanta, which has been playing at a high level, but the other available cornerback Brent Grimes would have been much sexier. This is not a bad signing and may indicate that the Browns want as much freedom in the draft as possible.
Review
This has been a very active free agency for the Browns. These signings are all areas of need. They found some very solid players and have used a moderate portion of the $48 million in true cap space that they had. I am excited to see the Browns helping with the pass rush. However, until this point one of the major areas of need remains un-addressed. The shut-down corner back position is still a one-man show. Joe Haden cannot defend three receivers by himself. This league is shifting to pass heavy offenses. This means you need two things: 1. Pass rush. 2. Secondary. TJ Ward and Joe Haden make up a great starting point for an amazing secondary. However, in this league it is essential to have a stable of corner backs and safeties. The Browns have filled the depth issue at CB, but need another Joe Haden like shut-down corner, but outside of him they do not have one true shut-down CBs.
Options going Forward:
Cornerback free agents: The market is going quickly for cornerbacks, as most teams realize the importance and value of a proven NFL cornerback. Understanding that the Browns may have an under 30 policy for hiring players this off-season, thus eliminating the majority of the market (Gamble retired, Asomugha, Winfield, are all out) the market is quite limited with the signings of Antoine Cason, (SD to Arizona per ESPN, seemed like a realistic option with Norv Turner connection) and a few other less desirable options. Here are a list of possible cornerbacks on the market as of 3/17/13:
Brent Grimes, Atlanta Falcons, Unrestricted Free Agent: This is the best remaining option for the Browns. The good news is that he interviewed over the weekend with the Browns and said he enjoyed his time in the Cleve. The Bad news, at least two other teams are actively pursuing Grimes, including the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins (According to Alex Marvez, Fox Sports). I say there is a chance they could sign Grimes because Cleveland does have more salary cap space remaining than Atlanta and Miami. This would be an excellent signing for the Browns. While Grimes is recovering from an Achilles injury last year, he is a shutdown corner, so much so he was franchised by Atl in 2012. Other than the filling of an obvious need at CB, Grimes would also allow the Browns much more freedom in the draft, instead of hoping that Milliner miraculously slides to them at 6. Grimes is 30 and coming off an achillies injury, so let's see how serious that is. Said he enjoyed his visit, but I think this would be a surprise. Update: Signed with Miami.
Captain Munnerlyn, Carolina Panthers, Unrestricted Free Agent: Many People out there are high on this guy and think the Chud connection will help out. I am not sold on that connection being that strong, but maybe? He in young, fast and versatile. I think he could be a solid signing, not having to be the number 1 guy helps him as well. I think this is probably the second, more likely, option. Probably a lower cap number as well.
DeAneglo Hall, Washington Redskins, Cut: I am not sure if his personality is something that Cleveland wants in the locker room, but he is still a viable option at CB. Maybe an option, but highly unlikely. He is still a better option than watching Milliner get drafted before pick 6. I am not sure why he has not been more of an option.
Corner Back Draft Options
Dee Milliner, CB, ALA: This would be better than any other option in the free agent market, however the odds of him being available at 6 are highly unlikely. If he slid to the Browns at 6, I think they would still take him no matter what free agent signings they make from here. His stats are impressive, (see below,all stats per Bleacherreport.com). He looks even better in game, he is an athlete and would look perfect across the field from his SEC counterpart, Joe Haden. He is the ideal fit, but not likely without a trade up, which seems even more unlikely at this point.
Height: 6 Feet
Weight: 201
40: 4.37
Vertical Leap: 36 inches
Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington: Fast and versatile, been around the PAC-10 for awhile. Not nearly as desirable as Milliner, however he is a player that if he were to slide the Browns could look at. If the Browns sign a decent free agent corner and decide to trade back in the draft and pick up a second rounder, he could be someone to look at. The Browns need depth at CB, they will be looking at many options in the draft.Good family pedigree with two brothers, Marcus and Isiah both playing in the NFL.
Height: 6 Feet
Weight: 190
40: 4.38
Vertical Leap: 37.5 inches
Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi: This is looking to the much deeper rounds of the draft. This guy is incredibly quick. Gritty, hardworking, athletic corner back with good recovery speed. Very viable if he slides into the later rounds to add depth to the position. A guy like this could provide great value in the later rounds, which is where a team can be built. Maybe a solid 3rd or 4th corner back at best.
Height: 6 Feet
Weight: 192
40: 4.36
Vertical Leap: 35.5 inches
If Milliner shows up in Cleveland the entire off season looks like a brilliant move. That is taking a huge risk that he would be available at pick 6. If the Browns do not sign a veteran free corner back, and Milliner is not there at 6, the entire season could look like the Dallas game last year, with a mediocre QB torching the Browns corners. They have addressed the pass-rush and the front seven as well, if not better than hoped. However, the secondary needs some love to. The team also needs to look at
Going into the draft the Browns have done a decent job of addressing the pass rush and many key elements in positions to make the 3-4 transition. However, corner back remains the biggest question mark. Joe Haden needs some help. The only legitimate corner back at the 6 spot is Dee Milliner. If he is off the board at this point, Dion Jordan the 6 foot 6 linebacker/end is another viable selection. He is very versatile and has major upside. Big, fast, and athletic, exactly what the defense could use.
Other than Milliner and Jordan there are few players that match with the Browns needs at the 6 spot. Having used a supplemental pick on Gordon (which was a solid pick), the Browns lack a second round pick. I would like to see the Browns trade back. The best case scenario is teams get into a bidding war to get Geno Smith. For example Buffalo and Arizona pick immediately after the Browns do. Both of these teams need a QB and are possibly high on Smith. I would like to see Cleveland trade back with one of these teams to get a second rounder as well. I would be happy even with a third! . Buffalo or Arizona may get jumpy and want to trade with Cleveland to secure the other does not get Smith. This would be ideal because the Browns do have many holes on both sides of the ball need attention. Cleveland should try to get picks this year if the players they like are not available at 6.
The defense has something that all Cleveland teams do at this point, potential. This team is talented. Last year, the defense was not the problem. The numbers may not reflect this, but the offense was so bad that the Defense was forced to do it all. I was hesitant to see another shift in schemes, coaches, and players. I thought the D was ok and could have continued to improve. I do like the pieces they are putting in place and think that the potential for success is there.
Offensive Off-season review to come in the next few days... Go Browns.
