Jamal Lewis' First Visit: Berea

Ravens RB will talk to the Browns as Baltimore eyes Willis McGahee, Reports The Baltimore Sun.

From the PD: That (first stop in Berea) is significant because the majority of free agents have been signing with the first team they visit.

It also could impact Reuben Droughns' future in Cleveland. Droughns is due a $1.75 million bonus next week, and if the Browns find a suitable replacement, there's a chance he could be gone.
Lewis holds the NFL record with a 295-yard rushing performance against the Browns in September 2003.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel, asked specifically about Lewis at the Greater Cleveland Auto Show last week, said he wouldn't rule out interest in him or anyone else that could help the team.

"Everybody is on the radar screen," said Crennel. "Even though Reuben is on our team, and he's done a good job for us, and we're not looking to replace him, we're looking for competition. We're trying to get the best players and put them on the team."

Justifying a Running Back in the Top 5

Here is a list of the RBs taken in the top 5 since 1982.

Current or Future Hall of Famers
Eric Dickerson
Barry Sanders
Marshall Faulk
LaDainian Tomlinson
Edgerrin James

Solid, occasional Pro Bowlers
Curt Warner
Garrison Hearst
Ricky Williams
Jamal Lewis

Busts
Alonzo Highsmith
Brent Fullwood
Blair Thomas
Curtis Enis
Ki-Jana Carter

Jury still out
Ronnie Brown
Cedric Benson
Carnell Williams
Reggie Bush

That breaks down like this:

5/18 = Hall of Fame
4/18 = Solid with Pro Bowl seasons
5/18 = Complete bust (3/5 from Penn State)
4/18 = Jury is still out, but look solid

Considering that the four recent top 5 RBs look to be solid or better, that makes 13/18 (72%) worthy of the draft pick. Considering Cleveland's pathetic running game since they returned to the NFL in 1999, drafting a difference-maker at the running back position could be the shot in the arm the team needs. Coupled with an offensive line bolstered by free agent acquisition Eric Steinbach, the addition of a threat at RB would help make life much easier on the eventual quarterback and his receiving weapons.

Is Adrian Peterson as talented as the 9 backs listed above who are considered "solid" or Hall of Famers? I think so.

Will Peterson be durable enough to achieve that status? The jury will be out on that for a few years.

Northcutt - Free Agency's Worst Signing

Hey Dennis, we'll always have you to blame for that Steeler's playoff loss.

PD's Worst signing: Jacksonville reportedly gave Dennis Northcutt a $4.5 million signing bonus on a five-year contract totaling $17 million. The Jaguars plan to use him as a slot receiver and return specialist. Northcutt can thank Chicago's Devin Hester for leaguewide renewed awareness of specialists. But Northcutt had three touchdown returns in seven years in Cleveland; Hester had five in his rookie season with the Bears. Plus, the Jaguars must not have seen the video of Northcutt's drops, especially in the clutch. Simply an incredible contract for Northcutt.

The Fish that Left Shitsburgh

Linebacker Joey Porter to sign with Fins

Grossi: No More Big Names

Writes the PD's Tony Grossi: "In a seller's market created by a diluted talent pool and excessive salary cap room, it's probable that there will be no more big names coming to the Browns in free agency."

Sour Grapes from Lewis?

On the heels of the Steinbach deal, Bengals coach doesn't approve Browns Plan

Speaking at the HOF in Canton yesterday, Marv Lewis critiques K2

As reported in the Canton Rep: “They’ve got a tight end (Kellen Winslow Jr.) who was a high pick. “As I’ve studied the NFL over 16 years, there are not many cases where teams were successful that way. “If you look around the league at teams with tight ends, they have no wide receivers. It’s ironic that way. Name me a Kansas City wide receiver. Or a San Diego wide receiver. Yet they have these tights ends who are demanding high salaries. “You end up getting out of function a little bit.”

The Next "Ice Cube" McNeil?!

Former Browns Pro Bowler Gerald McNeal played four years in Cleveland after playing with Jim Kelly for the Houston Gamblers in the USFL. The Ice Cube was a feared punt returner, who played at 5-7, 145. You tell me when a guy who is two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier can't make it today. Espcially when he runs a 4.29 40. I say to Sav, "Pick him up!"

Gil Brandt, of NFL.com, reports Indiana State WR Carl Berman measured a height of 5-9 1/8 and a weight of 166 pounds at his Pro Day March 4. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds and 4.35 seconds. He finished the short shuttle in 4.26 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.81 seconds. He measured a 38 1/2-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-9 broad jump and completed 14 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press.

Now The Raiders Aren't Sold on JR

Why do I get the feeling that for the next 50 odd days all were going to hear is negative talk about the five most talented players in this draft? Cuz it's draft season, baby! Steve Corkran Writes in the Sporting News that now CJ - not JR - is the Raiders Choice:

DRAFT BUZZ: The Raiders returned from the NFL Scouting Combine less convinced that Louisiana State QB JaMarcus Russell is their man for the top pick and with more questions than before after taking a long look at him during the process. Publicly, the Raiders said nothing about Russell or any of the other players who attended the Combine. Privately, several Raider officials questioned Russell's work ethic, said they are concerned about his weight as a long-term issue, and cautioned against making Russell a lead-pipe cinch as the top pick. It now appears just as likely that the Raiders will target Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson in light of his posting a 4.31-second 40-yard dash and saying all the right things during an interview.