Cleveland Browns let Peyton Hillis agree to deal with Kansas City Chiefs; guard Eric Steinbach released

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

BEREA, Ohio — The Browns let free-agent running back Peyton Hillis sign with the Chiefs on Wednesday without making him an offer and released longtime starting left guard Eric Steinbach, who was set to make $6 million this season.

They also agreed to terms with former Bengals starting defensive end Frostee Rucker, a league source said. The Browns won't announce the Rucker deal until he's signed, which will most likely happen today.

Rucker, a seven-year pro, agreed to a five-year deal worth $21 million, including $8 million guaranteed, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The lucrative deal means Rucker will be a strong candidate to take over the right end job opposite Jabaal Sheard.

Hillis' departure ends his star-crossed, Madden 12 cover-cursed 2011 season in Cleveland. He agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million and hopes to rehabilitate his career -- and his image. Hillis wanted to play in Cleveland Browns Stadium next season, but now he'll do so for only one game, as a member of the visiting Chiefs.

Hillis hoped to re-sign with the Browns -- and even said he'd take a hometown discount to do so -- but the Browns never made him an offer, a league source said. They talked to his agent, Jimmy Sexton, but no proposal was made.

After the Chiefs announced the deal, Hillis Tweeted: "Appreciate all my fans in Cleveland for the support given to me in my time there. Can't wait to get back on the field and go to work in K.C."

In Kansas City, Hillis will be reunited with his former Browns and current Chiefs offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll.

He'll also play for former Browns and current Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel.

Under Daboll in 2010, Hillis rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns and finished second on the team with 61 catches for 477 yards and two TDs. It was the breakout season of his four-year career, and it landed him on the cover of Madden 12. But like others before him, Hillis' cover season was a disaster.

It began with concerns over not getting a new contract extension and went downhill from there. The season included Hillis sitting out a game with strep throat, his toughness being questioned by some fans and teammates, a lingering hamstring injury and ultimately his teammates calling him in for a team meeting to help him get his priorities straight. Hillis rebounded at the end of the season, rushing for 99 yards in Arizona and 112 in Baltimore.

But it was apparently too little, too late, and the Browns decided to put the saga behind them. With Hillis gone, the Browns still have running backs Montario Hardesty, Chris Ogbonnaya and Brandon Jackson on their roster. They might have a chance to draft Alabama running back Trent Richardson with the No. 4 pick, or they can look for a back later in the first round. They can also look to the second wave of free agency for a back, including former Bengals running back Cedric Benson.

As for Steinbach, the Browns didn't want to pay an almost 32-year-old player coming off back surgery $6 million this season, especially considering that Jason Pinkston has replaced him at left guard. However, they could re-sign him after he tests the market.

"These types of decisions are the difficult part of this job, especially when it involves a player such as Eric Steinbach," Browns General Manager Tom Heckert said in a statement. "Eric exhibited tremendous leadership and passion for the game during his time here. We want to thank him for his contributions."

Steinbach's release gives the Browns $6 million more under the cap. His agent, Jack Bechta, told NationalFootballPost.com -- a website he's part of -- that the Browns tried to reduce Steinbach's salary.

Bechta said in a statement on his site: "Asked to take a significant salary reduction in late February, the two sides have not been able to reach an agreement on a new deal, so Steinbach has asked for his release. However, the two sides will keep talking while Steinbach will simultaneously explore the free agent market."

Bechta said Steinbach had surgery to remove a disk fragment from his spinal nerve.

"He is on schedule for a complete recovery and wants to play for four more years. He should be fully cleared to perform all football-related tasks by April 15th," Bechta said.

Steinbach's release comes one day after the release of right tackle Tony Pashos.

Source: Browns cut punter Richmond McGee

by Aaron Wilson of Scout.com, March 13, 2012 at 12:55 am ET
Richmond McGee Profile
The Cleveland Browns have cut punter Richmond McGee, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.
McGee signed with the Browns on Aug. 3, 2011 and was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 13, 2011 following an injury and Brad Maynard being signed.
McGee, 28, was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles four years ago after playing collegiately at the University of Texas.
He has also played for the Chicago Bears.
He punted eight times for a 36.0 average last season.
For more coverage of the NFL, go to profootball.scout.com.

Ht: 6-4 Wt: 203

Position:
P

Date of Birth:
04/25/1983

Birthplace:
Garland,  TX

Experience:
1

High School:
Garland HS
(Garland, TX)

College:
Texas

Cleveland Browns GM Tom Heckert says the Browns won't pursue Peyton Manning

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND -- Browns general manager Tom Heckert said today the Browns won't pursue Peyton Manning, who was released Wednesday by the Colts.

"Not really,'' said Heckert in an informal meeting with the media today. "That's probably not a direction we're going to go.''

Heckert also re-iterated what he said at the end of last season: that the Browns are unlikely to sign a big-name free agent quarterback. That would seem to rule out a strong pitch for Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn, one of the biggest names set to hit the market on Tuesday.

He said the Browns like four quarterbacks in this draft, including the obvious top three of Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill. The fourth appears to be Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden, who's 28, because Heckert gushed about him.

"I really like him a lot,'' said Heckert. "We're going to see him (throw) tomorrow. "He's mature and he's telling you it's a positive. He's a really interesting guy. He's super smart.''

But he emphasized that the Browns are still high on Colt McCoy and haven't made the decision to replace him.

"We still think Colt can play in this league and it's our job to help him out,'' said Heckert. "If we catch more balls, if we protect him more'' he can be much-improved.

Heckert addressed a number of other topics during his 30-minute interview, his first since undergoing heart surgery last month and his first with the media since the end of the season. He said:

* Even though the Browns are up for anything with their No. 4 pick, all the talk about the Browns moving up to No. 2 to draft Griffin III "is crazy. We feel comfortable staying at No. 4 and getting a really good player. We feel comfortable moving back and getting extra picks too.''

* Right tackle Tony Pashos underwent ankle surgery on Tuesday and he's not sure how that position will shake out out.

* The Browns will try to re-sign Peyton Hillis, but probably not until after he hit the market on Tuesday.

* The Browns will stick to their philosophy on free agency. "We're not going to sign a ton a free agents. We're not going to go crazy.''

* The Browns haven't ruled out trading their No. 22 pick. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Browns currently don't want to surrender that pick to move up to No. 2. "Never say never,'' Heckert said.

* His ultimate goal with franchised kicker Phil Dawson is to sign him to a long-term deal. He said he hasn't talked to him since applying the tag last week,

* He's still discussing what to do with left guard Eric Steinbach, who's coming off back surgery and set to make $6 million this year.

* He wants to re-sign free agents Mike Adams, Dimitri Patterson and the other players set to be free on Tuesday.

* Linebacker Marcus Benard is under contract and doesn't need to be tendered.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/03/cleveland_browns_gm_tom_hecker_11.html

NFL Free Agency Rumor: Hillis back to original agent, Sexton

By Craig Lyndall

The Hillis game of musical chairs appears to be coming to an end once again and Jimmy Sexton seems to have found a chair again. According to a source who talked to ProFootballTalk, Hillis will welcome back his old agent.Now, a source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that Hillis plans to re-hire Jimmy Sexton, who has since joined CAA. Per the source, Ben Dogra of CAA also will be involved in the representation.

Again, nobody knows exactly what any of this means for Peyton Hillis and his future with the Cleveland Browns. All we know is that the Browns will have an “exclusive” window to negotiate before next Tuesday March 13th. Of course exclusive goes into quotes because there is all sorts of alleged tampering that takes place in supposedly exclusive negotiating windows, so we’ll see.

Cleveland Browns RB Peyton Hillis parts ways with agent Kennard McGuire, his third agent in a year

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND -- On the eve of free agency, Browns running back Peyton Hillis has parted ways with his agent, Kennard McGuire, a league source confirmed for the Plain Dealer.

It's the third agent Hillis has dumped in a year. The first two were Jimmy Sexton and Kelli Masters.

The news was first reported by Josina Anderson of ESPN.

Browns general manager Tom Heckert told Anderson today, "If we can work something out with Peyton (Hillis) we will. Did he have some rough patches during the season? Yes. Were there stretches where things were blown out of proportion? Yes. Honestly, I feel like a lot of that was blown up in the media. Now, of course things will still come down to the money, but we'll just have to wait and see."

Hillis' new agent is not yet known. A player must wait five days after he sends a letter of termination to the NFL Player Association before he can sign with a new agent. 

The Browns would like to re-sign Hillis before he becomes an unrestricted free agent Mar. 13.  They are not expected to franchise him, which would pay him $7.7 million for 2012. Deadline for franchising players is Monday.

Hillis and McGuire had a tumultuous season together in 2011. McGuire said he was the one who advised Hillis not to play against the Dolphins on Sept. 25 because he was too sick with strep throat and the flu.

Some of Hillis' teammates took exception to him sitting out and ultimately had an intervention-style meeting with him to help him get his priorities straight.

Hillis climbed back into the Browns' good graces with a strong end to the season, both on and off the field, including a 112-yard game in Baltimore Dec. 24.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/02/cleveland_browns_rb_peyton_hil_18.html

Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis unlikely to be franchised, but team will try to re-sign him

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns running back Peyton Hillis, who had a tumultuous 2011 season, is unlikely to be franchised by the Browns.

But they'll still try to re-sign him before he hits the open market March 13 at 4 p.m.

Now that the Browns have signed linebacker D'Qwell Jackson to a five-year, $42.5 million deal, they can use the franchise tag on someone else. It's doubtful the Browns will use it at all, but if they do, they'd be more likely to use it on kicker Phil Dawson than Hillis.

The franchise salary for Dawson in 2011 will be about $3.8 million, and for Hillis, it would be about $7.7 million to $8 million.

Teams must franchise players by March 5. If the Browns don't use their tag, they can continue to negotiate with all their free agents before they hit the market on March 13.

The Browns are interested in re-signing Hillis after he finished the 2011 strong.  But the two sides were far apart when talks broke off midseason. 

The Browns will also try to re-sign Dawson, as well as many of their other free agents, including Marcus Benard, Mike Adams and Dimitri Patterson.

Dawson said at the end of last season that he wasn't sure he'd be back in Cleveland for a 14th season, but that he intended to continue playing.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/02/cleveland_browns_running_back_22.html

Cleveland Browns: Peyton Hillis, Trent Richardson and Options at Running Back

By Mike Hoag Jr. (Correspondent) on February 25, 2012

The Cleveland Browns front office is split between re-signing Peyton Hillis and drafting Trent Richardson, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Mike Freeman.

Questions that immediately springs to mind are who are Freeman’s sources and what are their motivations? 

Let’s take a look at the Browns running back position, without secret sources and speculation.

First, the ongoing Hillis saga is something worth considering when delving into uncertainty of the future of the Cleveland Browns backfield. After a breakout 2010 season, Hillis spent most of 2011 on the injury report. His season was shrouded in one controversy after another.

An alleged holdout and a lingering hamstring injury plagued the fourth-year player out of Arkansas.

Unfortunately for Hillis, 2011 was the end of his current contract. Showing the Browns and the league he was not a “one-hit wonder” should have been paramount to him.

Hillis, though, was victim of a media imposed “Madden Curse.” That “curse” is a phenomenon you should take with a grain of salt. The speculation, rumors and drawn-out media frenzy surrounding Hillis’s contract situation exacerbated what should have been written off as just another football injury.

With all of those things in mind, forget them. Peyton Hillis has been one of the bright spots in an otherwise bleak string of losing football seasons in Cleveland. Forget what you’ve been fed from a majority of the media and look at some of the tangible factors heading into the 2012 season.

A very pertinent realization you must come to is the simple fact that the Browns employ the West Coast Offense. Now, what, if any, questions are there about Hillis and his compatibility within that scheme?

If you have any doubts about Hillis fitting, you should promptly leave them at the door.

Hillis’s rare size, strength and ability to extend plays are exactly what are needed from a running back in the Browns’ version of the WCO. Single-back formations require a back with the ability to block, catch and make plays to sustain drives.

Hillis, Hillis and Hillis.

As I said before, any perceived notions that Hillis is not a fit for Shurmur’s offense should be dropped immediately.

On another hand, the Cleveland Browns have a multitude of other needs that are higher up in the echelon of the Mike Holmgren style of football. Defensive end, cornerback and offensive tackle are all glaring holes on the Browns roster.

General Manager Tom Heckert has expressed his interest in those positions with the Browns' top picks. He cited the difficulty in finding elite players at those positions and the need to find them early on as opposed to running back, wide receiver and even quarterback.

Haven’t the Browns already agreed to a contract with Hillis?

As of right now, there are no official reports confirming any form of contract has been signed between the two parties. However, rumors are circulating that an agreement has been reached but the details are still being hammered out.

What if the Hillis signing rumors and common sense both fail? Does losing Hillis guarantee Trent Richardson will be the Browns' pick with the No. 4 overall selection?

Are there any options other than both Hillis and Richardson?

The mid-rounds of the upcoming NFL draft include several intriguing options for the Browns. Oregon running back LaMichael James is a projected third-round selection and could be a very effective complement to the power running style of Hillis and other current backs on the Browns roster.

Another high-impact running back that could be obtained towards the end of the first round and beginning of the second round is Miami University standout Lamar Miller. Miller's elusive ability and speed would also complement Hillis and add a dynamic feature to the Browns' offense.

If they choose to upgrade the position, free agency is also another viable avenue for the Browns.  There is a vast sea of available rushers in this year’s free-agency pool. If the Browns are so inclined, they could definitely make a play for Matt Forte, Michael Bush, Ryan Grant, Marshawn Lynch or Cedric Benson. In my opinion, any of those, and perhaps some other free agents available, would be able to come into Cleveland and make an impact in the rushing game.

Again, that is only if the Browns front office sees a need to make a move at the position.

Existing players within the Browns organization may be capable of performing with an improved offense around them. Second-year running back Armond Smith, a practice squad player in 2011, could be ready to emerge as the shifty, change-of-pace back that the Browns have been looking for.

Montario Hardesty has not shown he has the ability to be an every down player in the NFL. His shaky hands and low yards per attempt in 2011 were very disheartening to those expecting explosiveness out of the former second round pick. If Hardesty can improve on fundamentals and fully rehabilitate his injured knees, there may be a continued role for him in the Browns backfield.

Chris Oggbonaya was signed from the Houston Texans practice squad (he played behind Ben Tate, Arian Foster and Derrick Ward on the Houston Texans depth chart). He came into a decimated backfield and performed consistently in relief of the injured Hillis and Montario Hardesty.

There is also former Green Bay Packers running back Brandon Jackson. Jackson, if you remember, was signed during the 2011 offseason and suffered a season-ending injury in preseason. He showed the necessary skills it takes to be effective in the West Coast Offense during his tenure in a similar system in Green Bay. His rush vision, blocking and catching are all ideal of the skill-set of a WCO running back.

The Browns' running game has been in various stages of disrepair since the expansion Browns took the field in 1999. The implementation of the WCO, Tom Heckert’s stated draft preferences, rumors of Hillis and the Browns coming to an agreement and the Browns’ ability to acquire a talented player such as James later in the draft suggest Richardson will not be the No. 4 overall pick in April's NFL draft.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1068560-cleveland-browns-peyton-hillis-trent-richardson-and-options-at-running-back

Cleveland Browns facing five important free-agent decisions: Tony Grossi analysis

By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Before the Browns can plot their strategy in NFL free agency, which begins on March 13, they have to finalize decisions on their own potential free agents.

They have five key players who will be unrestricted free agents if they don't re-sign. Here's a look at each and the circumstances that may influence the Browns' decisions.

Running back Peyton Hillis: Each of the Browns' top decision-makers has repeatedly declined to say he wants Hillis back.

At his season-ending press conference, coach Pat Shurmur said, "That's one of those questions I really can't answer at this point."

President Mike Holmgren said at his season-ender, "That's one of our players that is a free agent and we're not going to talk about it today."

General Manager Tom Heckert said this week on 92.3 FM: "Would we be averse to bringing him back? No. We have to see what else is available and what our plans are for all our free agents."

Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

A late spurt by Hillis lifted him to the top of the Browns' rushing list in 2011 with 587 yards and three touchdowns. Injuries and controversy limited him to 10 games.

Before contract negotiations broke down, the sides were wide apart in their estimation of Hillis' value. Reportedly, Hillis was looking for $10 million in guarantees and the Browns were offering about $4 million.

Prediction: Hillis leaves.

Kicker Phil Dawson: Dawson is the only player to receive the franchise tag in the Browns' expansion era. The Browns made this surprise move a year ago when talks for a multiyear deal went nowhere. Dawson signed the one-year deal for $3.25 million.

If the Browns elect to franchise Dawson again, he would receive a 20 percent pay hike to about $3.9 million. That's a hefty sum for a kicker, even one as reliable as Dawson.

The more sensible thing would be to resume talks for a multiyear deal, but it doesn't appear to be in the cards. No doubt, Dawson is the franchise's premier player of the expansion era. He recently turned 37 and last year relocated his family to Austin, Texas -- a strong indication he would like to leave in free agency.

Prediction: Dawson leaves.

Middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson: Jackson proved to be a bedrock in the middle of Dick Jauron's 4-3 defense, leading the team by plenty in tackles and establishing himself as a locker-room leader. He is the leading contender for the league's comeback player of the year award.

Heckert has pretty much said Jackson will be back in 2012. The big question is whether they sign him long-term or use the franchise tag on him. If they choose the latter, it wouldn't be available for Dawson.

Prediction: Jackson returns.

Cornerback Dimitri Patterson: He didn't have any interceptions and was credited with only 27 tackles, yet Patterson logged a lot of plays in his role as the nickel cornerback covering the slot in three-receiver formations.

Towards the end, the Browns gave him some reps in Sheldon Brown's cornerback position. It appeared the Browns were testing Patterson as a replacement for Brown. If they liked what they saw, they could proceed with a transition of Brown to free safety.

Brown will be 33 in March. He is agreeable to moving to free safety, but it is a transition that the team must commit to in the off-season. If they go ahead with it, Patterson or somebody else must move into the starting cornerback spot.

Patterson will be 29 in June. That means he doesn't have too much time left as a starter. His price tag surely will dictate this move.

Prediction: Patterson returns.

Safety Mike Adams: In five seasons with the Browns, Adams played for three head coaches. Each would come to appreciate Adams' versatility on the field and value as a locker-room leader.

Every year Adams has been with the Browns, he was pegged as a special teamer and backup safety. This year, the Browns signed Usama Young in free agency and drafted Eric Hagg with the expectation of phasing out Adams.

In fact, Adams, 30, went on to have his finest NFL season in eight campaigns. He made 16 starts for the first time, and posted career highs in tackles and interceptions (three).

Adams' future with the Browns would appear to be tied to that of Brown. If the Browns intend to move Brown to safety, there would be no room for two safeties over the age of 30. Odds are that Heckert would favor Brown, whom he drafted in Philadelphia and traded for in Cleveland.

Prediction: Adams leaves.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/cleveland_browns_facing_five_i.html

Browns GM wants to add players

General manager Tom Heckert isn't exactly sure where the Cleveland Browns have improved.

Heckert is certain, however, that he and new coach Pat Shurmur are trying to enhance the roster with younger players, adding depth and energy to a club that went 5-11 a year ago.

''We want to try and get the best possible players in here for our guys to coach,'' Heckert said Sunday after claiming three players on waivers. ''I don't know if we're done. I think we'll make one or two more moves.''

Concerned by injuries depleting depth at some spots, the Browns claimed linebacker Quinton Spears from Miami, defensive tackle Emmanuel Stephens from Atlanta and quarterback Thaddeus Lewis from St. Louis.

Lewis' availability caused the Browns to change course from carrying only starter Colt McCoy and veteran Seneca Wallace at quarterback.

''We really like this kid,'' Heckert said of Lewis, who was on the Rams' practice roster all last season when Shurmur was St. Louis' offensive coordinator.

''He's very accurate, has a strong arm and is a good athlete,'' Heckert said. ''He completed over 70 percent this year.''

Lewis went 23 of 32 for 266 yards without a touchdown or interception in exhibition play this summer for the Rams. In 2010, he was 22 for 28 (78.6%) for 255 yards, two TDs and one interception to earn an opening-day roster spot.

Lewis set school records as a four-year starter at Duke, throwing for 10,065 yards and 67 touchdowns.

Heckert said adding Lewis does not indicate any displeasure with McCoy running the new west coast offense installed by Shurmur.

''He's picked up the offense really well and I think you'll see him gain as the season goes on,'' Heckert said, adding that McCoy's already effective leadership qualities have become even stronger.

The general manager is hopeful that Spears, who played wide receiver and defensive end at Prairie View A&M, can transition to linebacker, where the Browns need help. Titus Brown is out with a high ankle sprain, though veteran Chris Gocong is expected back for the season opener Sunday against Cincinnati after missing most of the exhibition season with a neck injury.

''We are thin there,'' Heckert said of the linebacking corps. ''We think (Spears) can play, rush the passer. He can run. We're excited to have him.''

Heckert is continuing to look for help on the offensive line, where starting left guard Eric Steinbach is out for the season after having back surgery Tuesday. Rookie Jason Pinkston is in line to start the opener against the Bengals.

''We do like Pinkston a lot and think he can do it,'' Heckert said. ''We think (John) Grecco can do it. That's not to say we;re not going to add somebody.

It may not be an experienced player, either. Heckert has repeatedly said that he wants to build the Browns through the draft and that claiming younger players falls in line with that philosophy.

''I don't know if we're better or worse, but we are younger,'' Heckert said. ''We wanted that. We want guys that are going to practice every day.''

Defensive tackle Phil Taylor and wide receiver Greg Little, the Browns' first two draft picks, are getting plenty of action.

''A rookie starting in the NFL is not the easiest thing to do, but we drafted Phil to come here and play,'' Heckert said. ''We want to see more of Little. He's got a big body and can catch the ball. He's going to play.''

To clear roster room, Cleveland released defensive lineman Derreck Robinson and waived linebacker Benjamin Jacobs and defensive lineman Auston English. The Browns also signed six players to their practice squad. All six had been waived by the team Saturday: offensive linemen Dominic Alford and Jarrod Shaw, fullback Tyler Clutts, running back Quinn Porter, defensive lineman Brian Sanford and wide receiver Rod Windsor.

Source:

http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/browns_gm_wants_to_add_players/6562948

Free Agency Inactivity Coming Back To Hurt The Browns

The Cleveland Browns will have some huge decisions to make over the next week as teams around the NFL will be looking to cut their rosters down to 53 active players. Cleveland has been hit by the injury bug harder than most other teams, but will be forced to move on with or without many of their starters as the regular season opener draws closer.

One of the biggest positions that will require the most overhaul is the offensive line. Starting left guard, Eric Steinbach, is likely going to miss several weeks if not the entire season due to a disk injury in his back. Jason Pinkston is currently in position to take Steinbach’s position as the starting guard, but will add to Cleveland’s concerns as the team will look to protect Colt McCoy and open holes for Peyton Hillis. John Greco will also be in the mix as a bit of a utility lineman as the team will likely rotate in certain players in red zone packages.

Cleveland will also be weak at the wide receiver position as the team has already cut two players in anticipation of the active roster deadline. Starting wideouts, Mohammed Massaquoi and Josh Cribbs, have been sidelined for most of the preseason and have not gotten an extensive amount of work in with Colt McCoy.

The Browns have been completely inactive throughout most of the free agency period of the 2011 season and now the team may be regretting their decision to stay with their undrafted rookies and veterans. There were plenty of players on the free agency list that could have helped this team and added a significant amount of depth for the upcoming season. Now, as the injuries continue to pile up, the Browns will be forced to play their young starters and may ultimately suffer in the win/loss column for their decisions.

It will be interesting to see if Cleveland will be active as more teams begin to cut talented players for the upcoming season. Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren have always preached their willingness to find players that will help the team win games, but have not really shown that ability throughout their two years with the organization.

Source:

http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/free_agency_inactivity_coming_back_to_hurt_the_browns/6414418

Browns sign defensive end Jayme Mitchell to two-year deal

The Browns signed defensive end Jayme Mitchell to a two-year deal, a source confirmed for The Plain Dealer today.

Mitchell, an unrestricted free agent, first told Pro Football Weekly's Mike Wilkening of the signing. He cited "the direction of the program'' and the Browns' interest in him.

Mitchell (6-6, 285)  will play left end in the Browns' new 4-3 scheme. He was acquired in a trade with the Vikings last October, but didn't play in a game. For some reason, he was overlooked by Eric Mangini and his staff.

Mitchell has five career sacks in his five NFL seasons. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings out of Mississippi in 2006.

In other Browns news, the club has signed all of its draft picks except No. 1 pick Phil Taylor. It includes tight end Jordan Cameron, fullback Owen Marecic, Buster Skrine, Jason Pinkston and Eric Hagg.

The Browns were working hard to get Taylor signed in time to be on the field Saturday.

Wright leaves Cleveland for Detroit

Eric Wright is now a former Brown.
The cornerback will sign with the Lions, FOXSportsOhio.com learned late Thursday. Details of the deal are still unknown.
Wright said on his active and popular Twitter account @ithinkurwright earlier this week that he was signing off Twitter until he reached an agreement with a team. Though he didn't initially discuss it, he reappeared on Twitter early Friday morning wearing a Lions cap.
It's unclear how hard the Browns tried to re-sign Wright, who turned 26 last weekend and achieved unrestricted free agency as a four-year veteran through the new collective bargaining agreement. Wright struggled last season, especially against Anquan Boldin in an early loss at Baltimore, and was removed from the starting lineup late in the year following the emergence of rookie Joe Haden.
General manager Tom Heckert said after the season he didn't know why Wright struggled in his second year in Eric Mangini's defense. But he clearly wasn't the same player who had 7 interceptions in the previous two seasons combined and looked to be emerging as a top corner in a division that can't have enough of them.
The cornerback-needy Lions are hoping Wright can get back on track and make more plays like the 94-yard touchdown interception return that punctuated the Browns' Monday night upset of the then-defending Super Bowl champion Giants in 2008. His departure officially makes the Browns cornerback-needy as well. Besides Haden, they'll enter camp with 32-year old Sheldon Brown, fifth-round rookie Buster Skrine and a bunch of journeymen at the position.
The Browns did add Usama Young, formerly of the Saints, on Thursday. Young probably fits best at free safety in Cleveland, though both Young and returning safety Mike Adams have both corner and safety experience. Two-year starting safety Abe Elam will also go elsewhere via free agency.
Wright came to the Browns as part of what was, at the time, the most exciting draft day in the history of the "new" franchise in 2007. Joe Thomas was selected at No. 3 overall, and then-GM Phil Savage traded back into the first round to select Brady Quinn then traded up again in the second to get Wright.
He became an immediate starter and started 55 games in four years with the Browns, recording 9 interceptions.

Original story:

http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/wright_leaves_cleveland_for_detroit/5799103

Is Reggie Bush the Next Player on Pat Shurmur's Radar?

Since the Cleveland Browns became a product of Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert two seasons ago, the team hasn't been shy about acquiring new talent and slightly controversial contracts. Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace, and Sheldon Brown each came with hefty deals and all had their fair share of criticism from experts around the league.

As the Browns look toward moving forward with Pat Shurmur, a new topic of interest in the NFL has sprung up in the form of Reggie Bush.

Bush has been a member of the New Orleans Saints since he was selected with the second overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. In his short time with the Saints, Bush has accumulated over 2,000 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns.

However, with his limited success came plenty of trials and tribulations.

Bush has been plagued by several injuries in his first five seasons with New Orleans and played a major role in the NCAA probe against his alma mater (the University of Southern California). During the investigation, Bush was ruled ineligible for his record-setting 2005 season with the Trojans and eventually forfeited his Heisman Trophy from that same season.

So how could Bush be a good thing for the Cleveland Browns?

Cleveland enters the 2011 season with multiple questions at the running back position. Peyton Hillis is coming off one of the best seasons in recent Browns history, but struggled with injuries late in the 2010 campaign. Hillis also endured a tremendous workload as Monterio Hardesty recovered from a torn ACL, and Mike Bell seemed simply over-matched in every opportunity he was given.

The second-biggest issue surrounding Cleveland's running game will be Pat Shumur's switch to the West Coast offense.

In most West Coast game plans, runners are expected to be versatile in the backfield and run many routes to help stretch the defense.

Hillis did a very good job as a receiving option in 2010, but was simply not as quick or elusive as Bush has been during his time in the NFL.

Bush could be brought to Cleveland simply as a second option behind Hillis or a weapon out of the backfield in certain formations—many experts expect Cleveland to acquire some type of change-of-pace runner anyway in the event that Hardesty is unable to perform in 2011.

Many teams are rumored to be interested in Bush since his talents have become expendable in New Orleans, but Cleveland has not been mentioned in those conversations as of yet.

Article source:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/755368-cleveland-browns-is-reggie-bush-the-next-player-on-pat-shurmurs-radar

2011 NFL Trade Speculation: Is Kevin Kolb Destined for the Cleveland Browns?

When a football fan looks at the quarterback position for the Cleveland Browns over the last decade, the results are rather ugly. Cleveland has sent 16 starters to the line of scrimmage since 1999 and fifteen of those men have disappointed the franchise in their own special way.

Colt McCoy is the exception to this group of failures. However, is this the right time for Cleveland to add an insurance policy behind the former Texas standout?

Kevin Kolb will likely be a hot topic when the NFL lockout is finally lifted later this year. Many teams from around the league will be looking to add a quarterback that can make a difference in both present and future seasons.

Cleveland is no exception to that statement.

Team president, Mike Holmgren, made his intentions on evaluating the 2011 NFL Draft quarterback class very clear and even though Cleveland did not draft a signal caller, many expect that Pat Shurmur and Tom Heckert were in control of most of the draft decisions.

The Browns front office has some significant connections to Kevin Kolb and the Philadelphia Eagles organization. Tom Heckert and Mark Whipple both spent time with Kolb and the Eagles throughout their professional careers and are well aware of what type of player Kolb could be.

Cleveland has been very consistent this off-season as they have labeled Colt McCoy the quarterback of the future. However, the questions with the quarterback position come after McCoy as Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme have both become significant concerns.Wallace has made his feelings clear that he wants to become a starter in the NFL and Delhomme may never return to the form that once helped him carry the Carolina Panthers to a Super Bowl birth several seasons ago.

All indications point toward Colt McCoy as the starting quarterback in Cleveland for many seasons to come, but don't be surprised to see Cleveland stir the pot before this off-season is complete.

Article by Brian Murtaugh, Bleacherreport.com.