DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns To Aquire Williams????

Corey Williams reportedly will be traded

http://www.packersnews.com/includes/newspaper/blogs/insider/index.shtml

Packers defensive tackle Corey Williams will be traded to the Cleveland Browns, according to a report tonight on the Washington Post website. The trade is expected to become official sometime after 11 p.m., when the NFL trading period begins.

The NFL Network is reporting the Packers will receive a second-round draft choice from the Browns, which would be the 25th pick in Round 2 and the 56th overall choice.


Williams was set to become an unrestricted free agent this off-season, but the Packers slapped the franchise tag on him last week which guaranteed a one-year salary of $6.363 million.

Good news!

Boy, this is going to make for a BORING draft day for all Browns fans (unless DA is traded).

Need something official....... thought that was Packers.com but it's a fan site.

Saw a report from John Clayton about New Orleans contacting the Giants regarding the availability of Shockey. Interesting.

Maybe Phil has something up his sleeve and like someone said before he already has talked to someone who wants DA. If we pull of the Williams trade and do get a 1st and 3rd for Anderson Phil Savage is my God!!!

I've seen the links, but they're blogs and in cities other than Cleveland/Green Bay. I want to see an "Adam Schefter reports" saying the deal is done officially.

well, the one was from washinton there was another one on page 3

Got a feeling DA is going somewhere else... You don't dump your top 2 picks in the draft and expect to be competitive.

Either that or Lance Briggs is coming here...

Saw this on rotoworld.com. It has nothing 'official' about Williams, but he is mentioned:

The Browns will keep Shaun Smith at nose tackle in 2008.

It's where they originally brought him from Cincinnati to play, until Orpheus Roye got hurt again. Smith, who'll likely be bookended by Robaire Smith and Corey Williams on the ends, had 62 and two sacks tackles last year.


The part I like best is that Smith had '62 and two sacks tackles last year'. Now I know what they meant, but it struck me funny, its almost like he had 64 sacks. It must be late, or just me, either way still funny.

Jay Glazer is now reporting it on FoxSports, so it looks to be official.


Looking to improve its defense, Cleveland has acquired an anchor for the front four.

The Green Bay Packers have agreed in principle to trade defensive tackle Corey Williams to the Browns for a second-round pick.
The Packers designated Williams as their franchise player last week. He was due to receive a one-year contract tender offer worth the average of the league's top five defensive tackles in 2007. As part of the trade, Williams will sign a lucrative long-term deal with the Browns.

Williams played in all 16 games last season, including nine starts. He set career highs with 51 tackles and 32 solo stops and tied his career high with seven sacks.

Source

As has been said....In Williams we would be acquiring a Proven talent....No matter how good our scouts are , Draft Day is always a Hit or Miss Scenario , so in that sense IMHO acquiring Williams is a sound move ....

Heres the Sporting News comment onnit:

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=365187

Packers dealing DT Williams to Browns
E-MAIL PRINT COMMENTS 1 WATCH THIS TOPIC
Posted: February 29, 2008
Corey Williams became the first big-name player to change teams Friday, the first day of the free-agency period.

Williams, a defensive tackle who had been the Green Bay Packers' franchise player, was traded to the Cleveland Browns. A source close to the situation confirmed to Sporting News that the deal will be completed early Friday.


It is believed the Packers will receive a second- or third-round pick in the 2008 draft for Williams, who leaves Green Bay after four seasons.

The Browns need Williams to strengthen a defense that was 30th in the NFL last season and was particularly awful against the run. Closing that wound was the team's first priority this offseason.

Without a first-round pick to acquire a young stud for the middle of their defensive line, the Browns did the next best thing: They went for experience.

As the Packers' franchise player, Williams would have brought two first-round picks from a team signing him as a free agent.

Instead, Williams will sign a long-term contract with the Packers and the Browns will pick up the contract.

The Browns were 27th in run defense in 2007 and allowed an average of 136.8 rushing yards in the first 10 games. Their defensive line was onion-peel thin. They had little behind right end Robaire Smith and nose tackle Shaun Smith.

Orpheus Roye was released on Wednesday and Ted Washington, who will turn 40 in April, was ineffective in five games last season before going on the injured reserve list.

During a briefing with the Cleveland media Thursday, general manager Phil Savage joked that the Browns were going to a 2-5 defense. But with the addition of the 6-4, 313-pound Williams, who is expected to play nose tackle, they will stick with their 3-4 alignment.

There's not a lot of quality defensive tackles in this year's free-agent class, which means the Browns likely will overpay for Williams, who has started 20 games in four seasons. Williams can play both the 3 technique and nose tackle positions. He is better than average against the run and had seven sacks in each of the past two seasons.

In addition to the Browns, Williams drew interest from the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers.

The Packers appear to be deep at defensive tackle, which is one reason they believed Williams was expendable. Ryan Pickett is a starter, end Cullen Jenkins moves inside on passing downs, and Johnny Jolly and Daniel Muir also are in the picture.

Then there is Justin Harrell, the Packers' first-round pick in 2007. Harrell didn't light up the league as a rookie, but he could develop into a top tackle.

Defense cost the Browns a playoff spot last season. They went 10-6, their best record since returning to the NFL in 1999, but didn't qualify for the postseason.

It wasn't because of a lack of playmakers on offense. In addition to the improbable performance of first-year starting quarterback Derek Anderson, the Browns were led by running back Jamal Lewis, wide receiver Braylon Edwards, tight end Kellen Winslow and rookie offensive tackle Joe Thomas.

Anderson could be a problem. The Browns could not get him re-signed on Thursday, and he hit the open market Friday as a restricted free agent. If Anderson gets a high-dollar offer, the Browns will be reluctant to match it.

If the defense can hold up its end, the Browns could march into the playoffs in 2008. The acquisition of Williams was the first step toward that destination.

Dennis Dillon is a senior writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.

Looks more and more offical now.


http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2008/02/reports_browns_trade_for_packe.html
Browns trade for Pack DL Williams
Posted by Tony Grossi February 29, 2008 00:57AM
Categories: Browns

The Browns acquired Green Bay defensive lineman Corey Williams in a surprise trade after midnight this morning.

Williams, 27, supposedly was taken off the free-agent market when the Packers gave him the franchise tag of $6.3 million. But they shied from investing long term in the fifth-year player and actively shopped him late in the week.

The deal requires the Browns to sign Williams to a multiyear contract. The price tag for Williams would be steep. Earlier in the day, Oakland re-signed Tommy Kelly to the largest contract ever for a defensive lineman -- seven years for $50.5 million, including more than $18 million in guaranteed money. Williams was not expected to exceed that contract.

The Browns also had to surrender their second-round draft pick to Green Bay. That would temporarily leave the Browns without picks in the first two rounds of the draft. They traded their No. 1 last year to Dallas for quarterback Brady Quinn.

But that could change if restricted free agent Derek Anderson receives an offer from another team. Earlier Thursday, General Manager Phil Savage said he suspected Anderson would reject the Browns' three-year contract and test the market. Savage said he told Anderson's agents he would not trade Anderson for less than first- and third-round picks.

Williams, 6-4 and 320 pounds, would probably play left end in the Browns' 3-4 defense. He played tackle in Green Bay's 4-3 alignment and was known for his quickness in getting to the quarterback. He had 14 sacks the last two years.

The pursuit of Williams falls in line with Savage's determination to upgrade the defense through free agency and the draft.

"Defense is going to be a big part of our off-season," he said Thursday morning. "I think the next four to five days will probably dictate how our off-season goes, in terms of how it impacts the draft, what holes we get filled over the weekend."

The Browns had approximately $37 million in salary cap room when the free-agent signing period dawned at 12:01 this morning. Some of that must be preserved for rookie signings later in the summer. As of Thursday afternoon, Savage was preserving another chunk for the signing of Anderson to a three-year contract -- a possibility that was diminishing as the evening wore on.

Savage said he wouldn't feel bad if Anderson left in free agency because it would free up more money for the team to spend on defensive help. Also, he is convinced that Quinn can pick up the slack in 2008.

The salary cap room was just one reason Savage was optimistic about rebuilding the defense in one off-season. He said that coach Romeo Crennel's lofty reputation around the league has made the Browns an attractive team for defensive players.

"We feel pretty good about some of the players we have targeted," Savage said. "We feel it might be a good fit for them, if we can get them here. It's not as hard as a sales job as three years ago. We have a lot of positive things going here.

"I think this is going to be an attractive place for defensive players because they know they're going to have a chance to make a big impact. I think that's an attraction."

So whom besides Williams will the Browns target to upgrade their defense? Linemen and linebackers are the obvious answers.

The Browns entered free agency with only two experienced linemen on the roster -- Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith. Savage said the team hoped to keep Shaun Smith at nose tackle this year, which means they prioritize defensive end as a greater need.

Other linemen of interest could include Tennessee's Randy Starks and Chicago's Antonio Garay (a former Browns draft choice). Also, former Raven Marques Douglas, who defected to San Francisco three years ago, has played inside though he is 20 pounds lighter than preferred.

At linebacker, the Browns are looking for another run-stopper inside and an outside edge rusher to complement Kamerion Wimbley. Two of the best have been franchised by their teams -- Terrell Suggs of Baltimore and Karlos Dansby of Arizona.

Among the outside 'backers available are Pittsburgh Clark Haggans and recently released Rosevelt Colvin of New England. Inside prospects could include Chicago's high-priced Lance Briggs and Cincinnati's Landon Johnson.

Savage said if he fails to land the defensive players on his list, he might direct his resources toward offense. It's possible he could shop for another receiver. If so, Chicago's Bernard Berrian would be on top of the list. Local product Drew Carter of Carolina is another possibility.

If Anderson defects to another team, acquiring a third quarterback would become a minor priority. More than likely, that would not happen until after the draft, when more players become available.

beautiful things i'm readin fellas(and ladies). I'm lovin it!!

Robaire, Shaun, and Corey Williams looks so good. and at 315. I wouldnt be surprised to see Corey shuffle into the middle and rush the passer while Robaire and Melila? or someone else that we can maybe nab chases down Big Ben or someone.

Looks so much better. Now, we just need a solid pass rusher comin from the OLB spot opposite Kam and an ILB to challenge for the starting spot. and we could be dynamite on D.

Being reported a contract in the 6yr and 38M range...

Chump change compared to The Senile One in Oakland for Kelly...lmao...

There's about 4M of our Cap...33M and rollin'...

Travis LaBoy scheduled to come in...Contacted Pace...Calvin...lol...

Going forward as tho Anderson WILL NOT be a Brown...TWO teams contacted DA's agent...

It certainly appears like we're not going to have much if anything to watch on the first day of the draft, so I hope the weather is nice and I can get in some golf.

Quote:

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Defensive tackle Brian Young is considering an offer to re-sign with the Saints

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This is being reported as a done deal...Take him off the list...No biggie...

Quote:

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A 2nd round pick for a NT who's going to start for 4 years is a sound trade. Remember, he's not been a full-time starter, so he's got plenty of tread left on his tires.

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Remember we picked big money with a first round pick and we all know how he ended up, so spending a 2nd round pick on a known players is smart moves, ya never know know whats gonna be availible with the # 56 pick.

j/c

I don't like this trade. I'd rather we spent the money to bring Holcomb back here.

Looks like Phil is at it again! Man, that guy just refuses to allow a free agency deadline to pass without getting a big name player who can actually help us. I love it!!

Quote:

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I don't like this trade. I'd rather we spent the money to bring Holcomb back here

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..I feel your pain....where is Phil's head...

Phil's the man with the master plan.

While very unexpected, not a bad way to bring in FA this year for us! When I first heard this as soon as I turned on my radio this morning, I was shocked that we'd give up our only Day One pick, but yeah, if he's as good as everyone says he is, then I don't have a problem with it. Let's keep rollin' Phil.

I'm so happy that I'm in tears. This is GREAT!!! When I first saw that he could probably be had for a 2nd rounder I was very intrigued.

DnD: I like what you have to say.

Does it seem to anyone else that it's really still a foreign feeling that we are able to acquire people who we need? Last year, we needed OL and a good RB. We get a Pro-Bowler, an Alternate Pro Bowler, and a 1,300 yard rusher.

This year, we realize we need help on the DL and we already, on the first day of free agency, get a D-lineman who should help us immensely.

It's like I don't really know what to think. I keep waiting for the sky to come crashing down or something, fire and brimstone.

Yeah, I've come to realize that anything is possible with Phil. He has even indicated several times that he'd be willing to give up next year's first rounder to move up and get a guy in the first round this year. So just because we currently don't own a first day pick, I find it hard to imagine that it will stay that way on draft day.

Hope Opie has it in his hip pocket. Not familiar with the guy in question. But we need some high pick 1st day. Maybe Tuna and the fish can help us out. I officially remind everyone: I do not care who wins games for us.

I am very happy right now. Trading Anderson would just be icing on the cake.

Seriously, while I hate the idea of (so far) not picking until the 3rd round, this is a great trade. We just got a lot better against the run on one side of the ball.... and we also now know why the trigger was pulled on Roye.



Like I said I usually don't like giving up draft picks..but we had to have a mayjor upgrade on the Dline..and I know Phil had to think even with that second pick which wasn't a high one..to get a linemen of starting quality and needed experience wasn't going to be there...it lessens the blow..

Somehow I doubt we have to wait till the third to get our first pick..