It appears one of the big losers in free agency this year is the Baltimore Ravens. Story
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Browns Nab Peek
Former Texan OLB signs 3-year deal to join Grantham's 3-4
The Cleveland Browns announced the signing of Antwan Peek Saturday. Peek struggled in Houston's transition to the 4-3 under new head coach Gary Kubiak, but will be a welcome addition to the linebacker rotation for Cleveland's 3-4. Peek played under Todd Grantham in Houston when they employed the 3-4, and showed promise as an outside edge rusher.
With Willie McGinest aging, and Chaun Thompson struggling to live up to the expectations that come with being a 2nd round draft pick, Peek will certainly get plenty of playing time to prove his value to the team. If he shows an ability to bring a consistent pass rush off of the left edge, he and Kamerion Wimbley could combine to make the Browns defense much better than it has been in the past.
As I stated when the Browns lost out in the Nate Clements Contract Negotiating Drinking Game, a pass rush would go a long way in improving the play of the corners and safeties. With Leigh Bodden and Davin Holly starting at corner, and Brodney Pool and Sean Jones starting at safety, the Browns could have an athletic and exciting defensive backfield in 2007. Linebackers Wimbley, McGinest, Andra Davis, D'Qwell Jackson, and now Peek make up what is now arguably the strongest unit on the team.
The big question now is, can the Browns find someone to solidify their porous defensive line? George Washington's older brother, Ted, is running on fumes (and sides of beef), and, besides Orpheus Roye, the line consists of backups (at best). Signing a free agent lineman like Robaire Smith (solid, not spectacular), and grabbing one in the first three rounds of the draft seem like musts if Romeo Crennel's defense is going to avoid the struggles they experienced last season.
The Cleveland Browns announced the signing of Antwan Peek Saturday. Peek struggled in Houston's transition to the 4-3 under new head coach Gary Kubiak, but will be a welcome addition to the linebacker rotation for Cleveland's 3-4. Peek played under Todd Grantham in Houston when they employed the 3-4, and showed promise as an outside edge rusher.
With Willie McGinest aging, and Chaun Thompson struggling to live up to the expectations that come with being a 2nd round draft pick, Peek will certainly get plenty of playing time to prove his value to the team. If he shows an ability to bring a consistent pass rush off of the left edge, he and Kamerion Wimbley could combine to make the Browns defense much better than it has been in the past.
As I stated when the Browns lost out in the Nate Clements Contract Negotiating Drinking Game, a pass rush would go a long way in improving the play of the corners and safeties. With Leigh Bodden and Davin Holly starting at corner, and Brodney Pool and Sean Jones starting at safety, the Browns could have an athletic and exciting defensive backfield in 2007. Linebackers Wimbley, McGinest, Andra Davis, D'Qwell Jackson, and now Peek make up what is now arguably the strongest unit on the team.
The big question now is, can the Browns find someone to solidify their porous defensive line? George Washington's older brother, Ted, is running on fumes (and sides of beef), and, besides Orpheus Roye, the line consists of backups (at best). Signing a free agent lineman like Robaire Smith (solid, not spectacular), and grabbing one in the first three rounds of the draft seem like musts if Romeo Crennel's defense is going to avoid the struggles they experienced last season.
Four Eyes on the 3rd Pick
The Dirty Birds Would Like to Keep CJ in the GA, Texans want AP
According the AJC, the "Keep Calvin at Home" campaign was already under way before Calvin Johnson blazed the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at the last week's NFL scouting combine. The Browns would likely want quarterback Matt Schaub, the 10th pick and at least next season's first rounder. They might even ask for Freddie Falcon and couple of cheerleaders, too.
Hey Shitsburgh, I Faked the Apology
A Browns Fan's Favorite Actress,
Sienna Miller
She is surprisingly laddish, with a wonderful knack of putting her foot in it. Take Pittsburgh. When she returned to the city where she had researched Factory Girl, she told Rolling Stone how much she disliked it and she'd renamed it Shitsburgh. It just slipped out.
Within hours, Miller was all over the Pittsburgh news, there were demonstrations against her, posters screaming, "Sienna the witch" and "Go home, Sienna," and she was forced into a retraction. Why did she apologise? "Because I was halfway through shooting a movie called The Mysteries Of Pittsburgh and the producers were understandably very distressed at the riot I had caused, so it was kind of damage control. Interview
Steinbach Too Pricey?
For anyone concerned that the $49 million contract given to Eric Steinbach is too much for a guard, here is a fantastic thread on the OBR that explains that those concerns aren't really logical.
"About an Hour, That's All I Needed."
Ya, OK..that, and $49 Million is all it seems to take to land a big time O-lineman these days. The new guard meets the press - story on the official site.....
Who Wants to Be a (Multi) Millionaire???
With the 49ers signing Clements to the fattest contract for a defensive player in NFL history (cue spit-take), what do the Browns do with all that money they have?With some quality defensive options still available in free agency, will the Browns swoop in with their briefcases full of money and steal a stud from someone? Some options include Antwan Peek (LB, Houston), Jarret Johnson (DL, Baltimore), Robaire Smith (DL, Tennessee), or the intolerable Joey Porter.
It is clear that Cleveland desperately needs to shore up its run defense, and they may have lucked out by being outbid by San Francisco for the services of Nate Clements. You'd be amazed how much better Cleveland's cornerbacks would look if their front 7 could establish a pass rush and stop the run, and spending some of that bank on some help in that area could go a long way in helping this team crawl back to respectability.
Two Could Help the D-Line: Coleman and Edwards Visit Berea
Said Pat in Saturday's Ohio.com story: Coleman played with the Dallas Cowboys the past four years after being drafted by the Oakland Raiders. He started five games last season. At 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, he could play end in the 3-4.
Edwards played with the Kansas City Chiefs last season after playing five years with the Bills. He appears to be a possible nose tackle.
Edwards played with the Kansas City Chiefs last season after playing five years with the Bills. He appears to be a possible nose tackle.
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