DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Clements browns #1 target...

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Browns poised to pounce in free agency
TOM WITHERS
Associated Press
CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Browns spent more than $100 million on eight free agents last year and got little return on their investment.

That's not going to stop them from doing it again.

The perpetually rebuilding Browns, coming off a brutal 4-12 season, will be among several teams throwing big money at a few players when the NFL's free-agency signing period begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

General manager Phil Savage, who will start calling agents and faxing contract proposals immediately after midnight, doesn't expect to sign as many players as a year ago.

"But you still gotta take your shots," he said.

The Browns' first target will be cornerback Nate Clements, a Cleveland native and former Ohio State standout who made one Pro Bowl in five seasons with Buffalo. He is arguably the top available free agent in what is a thinner-than-usual market.

Cleveland also is expected to extend offers to offensive linemen Eric Steinbach (Bengals last season) and Kris Dielman (Chargers).

Clements has said he wants to be the top-paid player at his position. Denver's Champ Bailey set the standard for cornerbacks when he signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Broncos in 2004. That deal included an $18 million bonus.

The Browns may have to dish out even more.

With teams having additional money to spend under a record $109 million salary cap thanks to a new TV deal and the league's labor extension with players, Cleveland will have to outbid several other teams including Washington and Tennessee for Clements.

"You try to keep from being gun shy," Savage said. "You want to go ahead and get out there. We've got the cap room ($30 million) to do it. We're picking high in the draft. So we're going to keep working at it and try to get more right than wrong."

One plus in talks with Clements is that the Browns don't have to sell the championship-starved city to one of its sons or his agent, Todd France.

A year ago, the Browns made an early splash in free agency by signing center LeCharles Bentley, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius and punter Dave Zastudil - all grew up in the Cleveland area - and getting Clements would continue that homecoming vibe.

"The local ties help," Savage said. "I think you have to really want to be here."

Despite Cleveland's many problems the past few seasons, Jurevicius, who signed a four-year deal with the Browns to fulfill a lifelong dream, is confident the club will be able to lure free agents.

"Honestly, money talks sometimes," he said. "If the money is there, who is going to turn that down? There's a rich history of football here and I think guys see the talent that we have."

Browns coach Romeo Crennel, signing autographs at a car show, said much of the groundwork for free agency was done during last week's combine in Indianapolis. But even the most detailed plans can go askew once the bidding starts.

"You really don't know what it's going to be like," he said. "You might feel really good about a guy and then you get shot out of the water overnight."

As the start of free agency approached, several teams unloaded big-name players, giving the market a fresh and changing look. Crennel said the Browns would consider anyone available, including Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter.

"Everybody should be interested in Joey, particularly 3-4 teams," he said. "Along with that, you also have to look at what it's going to cost for some of those guys. Joey is into it late now so we have to see how he would fit."

The 27-year-old Clements has been a durable playmaker for the Bills. In Cleveland, he would be paired with the underrated Leigh Bodden and become the shutdown corner the Browns have lacked since Gary Baxter tore both patellar tendons last season.

Savage said last week that the offensive and defensive lines would be a priority.

Steinbach's versatility would allow the Browns to play him at either guard or tackle. Dielman was a left guard with the Chargers, helping to open holes for running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

With Bentley expected to miss his second straight season with a knee injury, the Browns don't have a seasoned center - for the moment.

Hank Fraley came to the rescue by starting all 16 games last season, and the unrestricted free agent has expressed his wishes to stay with the Browns. Savage has had talks with Fraley's agent, Ralph Cindrich, about re-signing him but so far the sides haven't been able to reach an agreement.

In addition to Fraley, the Browns must decide whether to re-sign any of their own free agents: punt returner/wide receiver Dennis Northcutt, safety Brian Russell, guard Cosey Coleman and defensive end Alvin McKinley.

Russell, who had his 2006 season ended prematurely by a staph infection in his elbow, wants to remain with the Browns.

"I want to stay with Cleveland, be a part of this organization when they turn it around," he said. "If we can work out a fair deal, I'd be ecstatic."

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KFFL.COM has the lastest up to date info, but no signing yet. It is reported that Steinbach is flying to Cleveland tomorrow, and some say Clements is as good as signed!

It should all be announced sometimes by early tomorrow afternoon.
Clements
Steinbach
Fraley
more...?

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TITANS BOW OUT OF CLEMENTS SWEEPSTAKES

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Yeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaayyyy

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how can you post that question and statement and not follow it up with what you heard


Edit: thank you

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Cuz I didn't wanna post a rumor.

If I get in trouble, it's on you guys

EDIT: If this does indeed go down, you'd better bet we're gonna steal Adalius Thomas from them as revenge.

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If I get in trouble, it's on you guys

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LOL O.K. that's a good enough reason for me.
props for thinking it through on a day like today when we are all over excited

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be very careful??? thats giving it to much credence .. that place is GARBAGE .. so anything from it doesn't even deserve to be considered ..

no need to even be Careful with it .... its WORTHLESS ..

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It is mostly a fan site. Any of us could tip them the Browns signed this guy or that guy and it would show up.

The stuff that comes true from over there is purely a shot in the dark.

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Or He could be pulling what Garcia did with us and Tampa Bay....

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But I would still want clements on the team.

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It is mostly a fan site. Any of us could tip them the Browns signed this guy or that guy and it would show up.

The stuff that comes true from over there is purely a shot in the dark.

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I understand that sentiment, but IMO once the ball is in the air and headed towards the receiver, the battle has already been lost 9 times out of 10. We need to spend money on getting to the QB and disrupting his accuracy or preventing the pass from even happening in the first place. Even the real Champ Bailey can't cover receivers for the amount of time we force them to.

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