An Open Letter To Browns Fans from Jamal Lewis

I plan to do everything I can to help the team win and entertain the fans, and hopefully -- despite the past - you will all welcome me with open arms.

A big part of me coming to the Browns had to do with my prior relationship with Phil Savage.
I first met Phil when I talked to him at the NFL Combine in 2000. At the time he was the director of college scouting for the Ravens.

What impressed me off the bat about Phil is that he's a people person. During my time with the Ravens, he'd ask me what I needed and what I wanted. He really wanted to get my input on how to make the team better. A player likes when a GM shows he's really interested in our opinions. It made an impression on me.

'99 Brown Daylon McCutcheon Released

Kicker Phil Dawson is now the last player left from the 1999 expansion team.

The Browns have released long-time cornerback Daylon McCutcheon, the team announced Friday.

One of the two remaining players from the club's inaugural team in 1999, McCutcheon was a '99 third-round pick out of USC.

Daylon told the ABJ he wont forget 2002, the only playoff season.

As for the Browns, McCutcheon conceded that things got tough as the losing wore on.
``Every season I started optimistic, but by the end, it was the same old stuff,'' he said.
He cited as the high point the playoff appearance after the 2002 season, but he still wonders why the team was dismantled after that close loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
``Everyone on that team was like, `Man!' '' he said of the decision to release several veterans. `

`You go to the playoffs and figure if you make some moves the next year, that the team will compete and maybe go deeper in the playoffs. It seemed like just the exact opposite. We were back to square one.''

During his eight-year tenure with the club, McCutcheon played in 103 games with 96 starts and marked 463 tackles, 7 sacks, 12 interceptions, 63 pass breakups and 8 forced fumbles.

"Daylon is one of the original Browns from 1999 and we appreciate everything he did here in Cleveland both on and off the field over the last eight seasons," Savage said. "Daylon is a true professional and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Droughns traded for Giants WR Carter

Cleveland.com reports Browns running back Reuben Droughns has been traded to the New York Giants for receiver/returner Tim Carter.

Droughns' fate was sealed when the Browns signed former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis on Wednesday to a one-year contract worth $3.5 million. Droughns was due a $1.75 million roster bonus next week and the Browns decided to unload him instead.

Carter (5-11, 190) was a third receiver for the Giants and is under contract in 2007 for $1 million. Last season, he caught 22 passes for 253 yards and two TDs.

Bengal DT Smith Signed to Offer Sheet

The Browns signed Cincinnati backup defensive tackle Shaun Smith to an offer sheet Friday, forcing the Bengals to either match the offer or lose the fourth year player to their division rivals. Smith, a 6 foot, 325 pound tackle out of South Carolina, would provide sorely-needed depth for the Browns on their defensive line. Smith was an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina, so the Browns will not be forced to compensate the Bengals if Cincinnati decides not to match the offer.


After the whining Marvin Lewis did recently about how the Browns are building their team, Phil might just be sending a shot across the warden's bow. "Just STFU, Warden, or we'll take more of your players. If you want to keep them, you'll have to pay them more."


Some more signings along the D line should be expected in the coming weeks before the draft.