Total Smoke - Schefter Speculates on No. 3

On NFL Network's Total Access tonight, Adam Schefter sent some smoke signals for Sav.

He said Ohio-native Brady Quinn "would play very well" in Cleveland and said of OK's AP, "I do not think he is a lock to goto Cleveland at No. 3."

As for other options, One of Sav's scouts told Schefter CJ is "Randy Moss without the attitude." Schefter speculated that it would be a tough call for Sav to pass on him, too.

Eight more weeks of guesswork.....

NFLN: Droughns Drop - Packer Pick Up?

Adam Schefter of CH 212 reports Droughns will be cut and the Green Bay Packers could sign him.

Pluto Likes RB Deal

The ABJ's Terry Pluto likes what he sees
What's not to like about the Browns bringing in Jamal Lewis?
Is he an elite back? No.
Is he still a good back? Is he a tough guy? Can he find the end zone? Is he better than Reuben Droughns?
You should know the answers to all those questions.
Jamal Lewis ran for nine touchdowns last season, compared with seven by the entire Browns team -- and three of those were by quarterback Charlie Frye. Lewis played all 16 games, bulled his way to 1,132 yards and lost only two fumbles in 314 carries.

Lewis Likes what he $ees

Jamal talks to the PD

Jamal Lewis said he left the Baltimore Ravens for the Browns because the Browns have a greater commitment to running the ball.

Lewis said he would not be disappointed if the Browns used their top draft pick on Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, as speculated by numerous draftniks. But he would be surprised.
"Honestly, I would be surprised if they wouldn't spend that money somewhere else," Lewis said.

"The Browns have made some good additions to the offensive line and they are committed to making more," Lewis said. "I think they're going to give me the carries I need. I knew it wasn't going to happen in Baltimore. Their profile seems to be they're wanting to be a passing team."

REP: Gazing into the Smoke

The $50 million question: Is Brady Quinn's talent seen as nearly peerless, or is he a promising project too close to the Kyle Boller line? The answer is a secret Phil Savage will hold from now until April 28.

New Browns line coach Steve Marshall put it this way after guard Eric Steinbach signed: "You've got to protect your biggest commodity, and that's your quarterback."

Some teams will wonder if the Browns are up to another elaborate smokescreen. Just days before the 2004 draft, word leaked that Butch Davis made a last-minute scouting run to Oxford, presumably out of serious interest in Miami of Ohio's Roethlisberger.

Actually, Davis was so infatuated with tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. of Miami (Fla.) that he sacrificed a second-round draft pick to move up from No. 7 to No. 6 overall.

ESPN: Browns Talking Trade for Droughns

And the player most likely to be traded next is Reuben Droughns of Clevelend, who has been made expendable by the Browns' signing of unrestricted free agent Jamal Lewis to a one-year contract Wednesday night.
League and team sources confirmed to ESPN.com that the Browns are actively shopping Droughns, their starter the past two seasons, in trade talks.
If Cleveland is unable to reach a trade accommodation, Droughns could be released.

Up to $5M for Lewis

A Lewis-Droughns pairing seems least likely, though the team does have the salary cap space to keep both.

From the Akron Beacon Journal: Pre-draft scuttlebutt has had the Browns greatly interested in Peterson, but the addition of Lewis could open the door for a quarterback with the third pick. Team owner Randy Lerner was among those who attended the workout of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn last Sunday.

The Ravens released Lewis eight days ago. He was due a $5 million roster bonus, and the Ravens' intent was to re-sign Lewis to a more salary-cap friendly contract.

But Lewis balked at the Ravens' offer -- a league source said it was about $1.2 million and up to $2 million with incentives -- and the Browns swooped in. According to ESPN.com, Lewis will get $3.5 million and could make $5 million with incentives.

Lewis seemed to build his career on tormenting the Browns.

His 295-yard game in 2003 remains the NFL single-game record, and in the second game against the Browns that year he ran for 205 yards. His 2,066-yard season in '03 is the second best in NFL history.