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Cleveland Browns (2008 Season)

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Most of the Browns' internal discussions this offseason have been about improving the defense, more specifically the linebackers and line. The Browns are happy with linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and satisfied with Antwan Peek, but the inside linebackers are average. D'Qwell Jackson is the most valuable of the three. They would love to sign a Pro Bowl-caliber inside linebacker or lineman and would also like to sign an outside linebacker.
Chaun Thompson is an unrestricted free agent, and the Browns aren't likely to spend big money to bring him back. They could sign him for less money and use him as a reserve linebacker and special teams player.
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The Browns need a good ILB in addition to at least one good D-lineman through free agency and they need to pick up another lineman in the draft and hopefully a pass rushing OLB. Jackson is too small for the inside and Davis is too slow. Jackson made a lot of tackles last year but not many, if any, were made behind the line of scrimmage. Davis can not get from sideline to sideline fast enough plus he is no good in pass coverage.

I always thought that Thompson would have been a good OLB with his size and speed but I guess his football instincts or knowledge must be lacking.
 
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Cleveland Browns tidbits

The Orange and Brown Report's John Taylor reported this week that two teams, Chicago and Minnesota, have ruled out going after Derek Anderson despite well-publicized quarterback woes. The tape doesn't lie, and Anderson's second-half inconsistency is scaring teams off.


If Jamal Lewis is re-signed, the team's list of offseason priorities will look like this: 1. Defensive end. 2. Defensive end. 3. Best available talent, across the board (and for the price, of course). Ethan Kelley, a restricted free agent, will be back and share nose tackle duties with Shaun Smith. The Browns are comfortable with that duo, assuming, of course, the team upgrades around them. A name to remember: Packers defensive tackle Corey Williams might be a good fit as a 3-4 end.


A few more to keep in mind when free agency begins Feb. 29: Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said thanks fans in Tennessee on Thursday, shaking hands and signing autographs. The free agent-to-be wasn't saying goodbye, however: There's no chance the team doesn't slap a franchise tag on him. While the Titans are expected to have as much money to spend as anybody, Haynesworth will eat a big chunk of that and probably make it hard for the team to bring back free agent defensive ends Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy. Odom had eight sacks last year, is the bigger of the two and probably fits the Browns' scheme better.


The Round 2 mock drafts are starting to show up. Scout.com draft analyst Chris Steuber has an intriguing prospect falling to the Browns at No. 56 overall: 6-foot-4, 330-pound Texas A&M defensive tackle Joseph Bryant.
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DDN

Browns eyeing Senior Bowl MVP

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By Carlos "Big C" Holmes
Staff Writer

Monday, January 28, 2008

The Dayton Daily News reported on Wednesday that the Cleveland Browns had entered contract negotiations with representatives for veteran RB Jamal Lewis in an attempt to keep the runner in a Browns uniform.
Lewis revitalized his career this past season in Cleveland rushing for 1,304 yards and nine touchdowns. He played a larger part in the Browns' success this season and the team nearly made it to the playoffs. Lewis will likely be rewarded for his efforts, but that will depend on him and his agent.



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rumors are that dallas is shopping marcus spears for a day 2 pick. spears doesn't fit the wade phillips 3-4 style they play now, but was better suited for the parcells 3-4, which is what cleveland uses.

if they traded say a 5th for spears, and signed another DL via FA, that really bolsters the DL and gives them some flexibility come draft time.
 
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Cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns snapper Pontbriand added to Pro Bowl squad
Posted by Staff reports January 28, 2008 16:22PM

File photoThe Browns will have at least four representatives in the Pro Bowl after long snapper Ryan Pontbriand was added to the AFC squad today.
Pontbriand joins kick returner Joshua Cribbs, wide receiver Braylon Edwards and left tackle Joe Thomas as the first Browns players selected to the Pro Bowl since linebacker Jamir Miller in 2001 (2002 Pro Bowl). The last time the Browns had this many players in the Pro Bowl was the 1994 season, when six were selected.

"I'm thrilled," Pontbriand said in a team release. "Making the Pro Bowl is a goal I was always hoping for but never thought I'd see this early in my career. To be selected means a lot because there are several excellent snappers in the AFC and a lot of long-time veterans who have been snapping well for many years. Phil Dawson, Dave Zastudil and the rest of the special teams unit deserve most of the credit. It's going to be a memorable experience."

"Ryan (Pontbriand) has been amazingly consistent with his snapping ability over the years," General Manager Phil Savage said in the release. "He is considered by many to be the best in the NFL, so it is only fitting that he is receiving the recognition of being a Pro Bowler."
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The Cleveland Browns and head coach Romeo Crennel are close to finalizing a two-year contract extension through the 2011 season, sources told ESPN.com.

Parameters for the deal were hammered out between general manager Phil Savage and agent Joe Linta during the Senior Bowl all-star game activities in Mobile, Ala., last week. The extension follows a turnaround season in which the Browns posted a 10-6 record and fell just shy of earning an AFC wild-card berth.


Although some fine-tuning of a few details remains, the extension should be completed within days and is believed to be worth about $4 million annually.

Crennel, 60, had two seasons remaining on the original five-year contract he signed when the Browns hired him for his first NFL head coach job in 2005.

In Crennel's first two seasons, the Browns compiled a 10-22 record, with just one divisional victory. Cleveland was 3-3 in the AFC North, and its 10-6 record tied that of division champion Pittsburgh. But the Steelers won the divisional tiebreaker by virtue of defeating the Browns in both meetings.
Fueled by an influx of solid, young talent and a timely decision to switch starting quarterbacks after an opening-game loss to the Steelers, the Browns seem to be on the right path toward achieving sustained success. The defense still needs more quality starters, particularly in the front seven, but the offense, which statistically ranked No. 8 in the league, has plenty of playmakers.

Quarterback Derek Anderson, who replaced Charlie Frye after the opening-game loss, is a player in ascendance, and tight end Kellen Winslow and wide receiver Braylon Edwards provide excellent targets. The offensive line was also upgraded, and first-round choice Joe Thomas quickly emerged as an outstanding left tackle.
A longtime NFL assistant, Crennel has spent much of his 26 years in the league as a defensive coordinator. He earned five Super Bowl rings as an assistant coach.
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ABJ

Jamal Lewis wants to stay Running back hopes for long-term deal before free agency
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008
During the 2007 season, running back Jamal Lewis may have sent some mixed signals about his future with the Browns.
But the message his agent is delivering now seems clear. Lewis wants to stay in Cleveland.
''Jamal's goal before free agency begins is to realize a long-term contract that keeps him a Brown for the rest of his career,'' Lewis' agent Mitch Frankel said by phone Monday. ''It would be a great move for the Browns and Jamal. Hopefully by the end of the month he'll be a Brown for a long time.''
Free agency begins Feb. 29.


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CPD

Crennel gets 2-year extension



Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Mary Kay Cabot

Plain Dealer Reporter
Browns coach Romeo Crennel agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension Monday night, his agent Joe Linta said. The deal, through 2011, is believed to be in the $4 million-per-year range.
"Romeo is very happy to have this done," said Linta. "[Browns owner] Randy Lerner took the opportunity to make sure that Romeo Crennel is the face of the franchise for years to come and rewarded him for the fine job he's done in helping to turn this franchise around. The ship is headed in the right direction and the Browns recognize Romeo's value to the organization."
Crennel had two years remaining on his original five-year deal. He was unavailable for comment Monday night. Linta said the two sides have agreed in principle but that the deal has not yet been signed.




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CPD

Final deal?



Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Mary Kay Cabot

Plain Dealer Reporter
Running back Jamal Lewis would like to sign a multi-year deal with the Browns that would enable him to finish his career in Cleveland, Lewis' agent Mitch Frankel said Monday.
"Jamal feels he can play three years at a very, very high level and even beyond that," Frankel said. "His goal is to be able to work out a contract with the Browns and remain there for the rest of his career. We have one month before the start of free agency to make that goal a reality."
The Browns have made Lewis a proposal that's believed to be for two years. If the two sides can't come to terms, Lewis will become an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 29.




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