DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum New Brown Free Agents Thoughts (so far)

Let's evaluate our signings and please try to take off those Orange and Brown glasses:

Eric Steinbach: A
I think this was our first signing and most important so it should be first . Now if you look at his contract at first you think..whoa that's a lot of money, which it really is, but if you look at compared to some of the other guys you realize the browns got a bargain. The other guards who were signed most of them weren't in Steinbach's league. Another thing that made this a good signing is that he was acquired from a division rival.

A. Peak: C+
This guy appears to be a depth player or developmental player. He will probably start off as a situational pass rusher. He is young and hasn't accomplished a lot in his career but hopefully hanging out with McGinest with help him out.

R. Wright: C
This guy is older and will probably be our 2nd or 3rd corner which is kinda scary. I really hope we can acquire a corner in the draft because as of now the state of our corners is a nightmare. Hopefully when the season starts he will be our 4th/5th corner but it is very doubtful.

Jamal Lewis: B-
Whoa if only this happened before the 2003 season. This guy used to be a monster and has a running style that is perfect for Cleveland tradition and weather. However, he is no longer who he used to be. With that being said he does eliminate a need. We needed an upgrade and he will be an upgrade from Droughns.His contract is cap friendly and we acquired him from a divisional opponent who was rumored to have wanted to resign him. He may bust out or he may be our feature back for the next couple years but either way look for an investment in the later rounds this year or early rounds next year.

Seth McKinney: B-
I like this signing, this could have been a higher grade but he is returning from a pretty severe injury.With that being said if he can return to form he will be our starting RG (credit this to Toad) If we acquire a faster LT (Staley or Thomas) that will be our final giveaway that we are moving to a Denver style of offensive line/ running style. Their climate is similar to ours and always churn out 1000 yard rushers so whats not to like? Also they use more mobile QB's who don't always have the biggest arm in the league *cough Charlie Frye *cough

Robaire Smith: B
This signing will help out our defensive line tremendously. He will not get a lot of sacks but that is not his job. He will be required to eat up two blockers which he will do to perfection, besides our linebackers are suppose to be the stat getters/glory boys. The only problem is that he is older, which means we will need a draft investment.

This is an if IF we sign Shaun Smith: C+
This guy could be a very good find. He will semi-weaken a division opponent. He could be a future NT or he could ride the pine for the next couple years. Hopefully he will become our NT and let Mt. Washington retire (Maybe be our assistant D-line coach)

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Maybe be our assistant D-line coach

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Funny you say that because there was special on black coaches in the league on ESPN one day and they had interviews with Washington who has expressed that he would like to coach once his career is over.

I guess I agree with everything you said,

Still kinda wondering about the Lewis signing.. If Savage had signed him to a longer contract then it would have been clear that he expects Lewis to be the man for a few years.. But a one year deal kinda confused me a little. I'm not complaining or anything, but it does make me ask why?

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R. Wright: C
This guy is older and will probably be our 2nd or 3rd corner which is kinda scary. I really hope we can acquire a corner in the draft because as of now the state of our corners is a nightmare. Hopefully when the season starts he will be our 4th/5th corner but it is very doubtful.

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You are being awfully generous. From what I heard about this guy he will be lucky to see the field.

Washington isn't ready to retire quite yet. If we have a player or players that we can spell him with, I still think he can be rather effective. That was the problem, in my opinion is that we didn't have the depth to use him the way he can be used.

Although he wasn't a free agent. The signing of Hank Fraley was absolutely necessary and huge for the interior of this Oline to have any continuity as well.

All of the signings so far make sense, the Lewis signing didn't because we already had Droughns but then bye bye Rueben. If we take Peterson, I expect to see AP early sharing the carries with Jamal, as Jamal as the starter.

Building the guards is paving the way for the running game!

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A. Peak: C+
This guy appears to be a depth player or developmental player. He will probably start off as a situational pass rusher. He is young and hasn't accomplished a lot in his career but hopefully hanging out with McGinest with help him out.

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Back playing in 3-4, he might surprise a few of us on how effective he can be. JMHO

I have a feeling by the end of 2007 we will all be pleasently surprised by Jamal Lewis. He has a lot to prove and he knows it. Especially if he wants a long term contract.

lol, that's true. What if Jamal Lewis put up another like 2000 yard year; he's only like 28. Sure he's had a lot of carries, but at least he's a proven guy. He's been there. People seem to wanna cast him off to the pasture. He seems to not be thinking of retiring one bit; and with a chance to get a better contract next year he probably wants to show that he can handle the load.

I don't mind the signing one bit if we can improve our O-Line (although trading Droughns for Tim Carter seemed stupid to me considering that he's by far better than the other RBs on our team). This might be a good opportunity for him to revive his career.

Good Post. Interesting thoughts... I'll play too.

H. Fraley: A
We needed him and did not allow him to walk. Good signal caller, great motor downfield, good leadership qualities. Solid signing at a position of need.

E. Steinbach: A+
Huge need filled. Done. Instant upgrade of the run game and pass protection. The money is irrelevant, the cost of doing business. Charlie was getting blown up from this spot all year. Ultimately this signing could really hurt a divisional opponent.

A. Peak: C
Situational pass rusher. Question marks in terms of run support and smarts. Much remains to be seen with this guy, but fills a need at depth and relieves the immediate need to draft an OLB. Brought in IMO to get more sacks than Willie's 4. With this years draft class, entirely possible we come away with a DE conversion project so ultimate may be strictly a depth signing.

R. Wright: D-
Veteran leadership at the position and depth are all he may bring. Diminishing skills. Never a big producer, poor numbers throughout his team hopping career. Don't get the logic of not signing one of the younger FA's.

J. Lewis: C (could become a B+/A-)
Right now there are too many questions to give him a grade higher than a C. While he's a definite upgrade over Droughns, it remains to be seen how much of his earlier form he can regain after his surgery. If his bone spurs were the only thing holding him back, then the league (and fans) may be in for a nice surprise especially if we continue to improve the line.

S. McKinney: C
Looks like pure depth IF he can recover from the injury. Seems to get blown off the ball fairly regularly for a 300+ pounder. His best position is probably at center, and would not start him over Hank. Maybe he ends up being a nice surprise if we're looking for a more stunting, mobile line. Too many question marks at this point.

R. Smith: B+
Huge upgrade at a position of weakness. May even get to the QB once or twice this season. Veteran leader with the ability to play all three positions. Good man for the rotational type line play RAC uses. Stop gap maybe, but one that needed to be filled right now.

S. Smith: B (Will know at midnight Friday)
Better suited for the 3-4 NT spot than the 4-3 DT position, this guy may find a home here. Young, athletic, good at read recognition with upside potiential. Gets upfield, may even see a sack or two from him. Definite need area and a better signing than another late round rookie. Like Eric, depletes a divisional opponent and may force them to use a draft pick on a developmental replacement.

Overall: B-
A decent FA period addressing several need positions, but since we have so many not a shocker there. Wish we had gotten Adalius and a better corner, both would have made us instantly better on D. However this FA puts us in a fairly good position going into the draft.

JMHO

I FINALLY get a chance to chime in on the Brownies moves in free agency (damn school )

Eric Steinbach-A+ I was really surprised that he signed with the Browns and so quickly. It does hurt the Bengals, however not as significantly as some of you believe. Had it been Willie Anderson or Levi Jones, then we would be in a world of hurt. Steiny is a good guard and will turn the interior of your line from a weakness to a strength. He's also a good guy, I met him last year at training camp and he was very gracious and friendly. Congrats.

Peek B-Another good signing IMO...especially if can provide any kind of pass rush opposite Kamerion. It helps to have a veteran like Willie McGinest to tutor these guys. IMO any production from Willie is an added bonus, as he's already been worth his contract by tutoring Mr. Wimbley and the other young LB's you guys have.

Wright-F...Hate this signing, this guy is trash. Savage would have been better served to save the money and draft someone on day 2 (I think it's pretty much guaranteed that Phil will pick up a CB on the second day of the draft).

Jamal Lewis B-I still feel that Jamal Lewis is over the hill, however, if LCB comes back and everyone is healthy on your Oline this year, Jamal will have a big year. He makes the Browns redzone offense instantaneously better for the fact that he finishes drives that Droughns couldn't last year.

Robaire Smith A- Would have loved to get this guy in F.A. on Cincinnati. Did the Browns overpay. Yes, but he fills a position of need and will make the pass rush better by occuping two blockers. If Adam Carriker would somehow fall to the top of round 2 (still don't think he falls past the Stealers). The Browns could go from one of the worst Dlines in football to a solid line within a single offseason.

Shaun Smith C-Not a huge fan of him, I feel that he took plays off last year which cost him playing time at the end. However, when motivated, I think he could be a fairly decent NT for Cleveland. The Bengals released Kelly Gregg too, so hopefully for our sake, I hope he doesn't blossom into the player Kelly Gregg became in Baltimore.

Not following the Dolphins/Browns that closely, I don't really have any opinion on Hank Fraley or Seth McKinney. But in football it's always good to have reliable depth on the line.

I think the Browns are continuing to close the gap between rivals in the AFC North. Pittsburgh is starting to age, Cincinnati needs to get a defense, and Baltimore is aging as well. I look for Cleveland to have 7-9 wins next year depending on the draft.