Browns' plans trapped in NFL's limbo
Free-agent period delayed three days as owners, union keep talking
Friday, March 03, 2006
Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter
The Browns are all dressed up with no place to go.
Armed with $20 million in salary cap room - fourth-most among the 32 NFL teams - they were poised to schedule visits with free agents today and hoped to have one or more signed to deals by the weekend.
But they will have to wait at least three more days to attack their wish list after the NFL abruptly announced a delay in the start of free agency until 12:01 EST Monday morning.
"If it had started tonight, we would've been in a better position, but we're in a good position and we feel good about where we are," coach Romeo Crennel said. "It might take a couple guys off the table by pushing it back a couple days, but I think it's OK, too."
The announcement came hours after NFL owners voted unanimously to reject a union proposal to extend the collective bargaining agreement.
The delay in free agency - something Gene Upshaw, players union chief, vowed would not happen a week ago - raises hopes of a settlement to avert the demise of the salary cap system.
Without an extension, 2006 would be the last year of the salary cap. The cap would be abolished for 2007 and labor strife would likely ensue in 2008.
A settlement also would raise the 2006 salary cap from the announced figure of $94.5 million to about $104 million. While that increase would allow other teams to keep some starting-caliber players off the market, it would raise the Browns' free agency bankroll to close to $30 million.
"If there's an 11th-hour agreement, we'd have even more room to operate and we might be able to accomplish things we're hopeful of doing, plus something else," Phil Savage, Browns general manager, said.
Savage made his comment before the delay announcement was made. Even after settlement talks broke off in the morning, Savage refused to believe owners and the union would not resolve their differences.
With a full season as GM under his belt, Savage has been readying for free agency since December. He has identified club needs at defensive line, linebacker, receiver and punter.
Players who would fit those needs include:
Nose tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu of Baltimore; defensive ends Anthony Weaver of Baltimore, Aaron Kampman of Green Bay and Brett Keisel of Pittsburgh; linebacker Bart Scott of Baltimore; linebackers Julian Peterson of San Francisco and Matt Wilhelm of San Diego; receivers David Givens of New England and Joe Jurevicius, a Chardon native, of Seattle; and punter Dave Zastudil of Baltimore, a native of Bay Village.
Prior to the announced delay, Savage said he would be "disappointed" if he didn't sign at least one player over the weekend. He said he expected to sign half the number of additions he made last year. In his first year as GM, Savage signed eight players in free agency and traded for two more.
"We're hoping for a little more quality than quantity this year," he said.
Reached in New York, where he attended an emergency meeting of NFL owners, Browns owner Randy Lerner declined to comment on the status of CBA talks. But he shared Savage's enthusiasm about plunging into the free-agent season.
"I am looking forward to it the way any Browns fan would look forward to it," Lerner said. "I know Phil's been working his tail off and his guys have gotten a lot accomplished and I think they have some real clarity.
"There's no shortage of interest and there's no shortage of guys. We may not get the guys, obviously, but they're very enthusiastic and they have a real plan."
Savage has admitted an urgency for the franchise to start stringing together a series of correct decisions. With their cap room, the Browns have a chance to make dramatic strides if they spend wisely.
"I look at this off-season simply as the second year in which we have continuity in key positions, namely GM and head coach, as well as a variety of critical positions, particularly on offense," Lerner said. "And I'm looking forward to all the benefits of continuity. I think that will lead to having a stronger team."
The delay in free agency gives the Browns three more days to re-sign offensive left tackle L.J. Shelton and keep him off the market. Savage said he talked Friday with Shelton's agent and is hopeful they can reach a deal.
Plain Dealer reporter Mary Kay Cabot contributed to this report.
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