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Home > Blogs > Dawging the Browns > Archives > 2009 > February > 24 > Entry
Which free agents should they target?
Here’s the list of the non-franchised free agents. Which of these players, if any, would you like to see the Browns go after?
Assuming they are not going to be in the running for Albert Haynesworth or Ray Lewis, my targets would be Dallas DE Chris Canty, New York Giants RB Derrick Ward, New Orleans LB Jonathan Vilma and Tampa Bay DB Jermaine Phillips.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Kurt Warner, Arizona. Turns 38 in June, but still throws a pretty pass. Not an option for the Browns, who still don’t know what they’re going to do with Derek Anderson/Brady Quinn. Others — Kerry Collins, Tennessee; Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay; Chris Simms, Tennessee; Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh.
Running back: Derrick Ward, New York Giants. Averaged 5.6 yards per carry. Browns need what he can offer. Jamal Lewis is growing ancient by running back standards and there’s nothing behind him. Others — Deuce McAllister, New Orleans; Fred Taylor, Jacksonville; Cedric Benson, Cincinnati; Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis.
Wide receiver: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati. With 294 catches for 3,128 yards and 25 touchdowns, he should be attracting some interest, and the Browns should investigate. Others — Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; Jerry Porter, Jacksonville; Michael Jenkins, Atlanta; Nate Washington, Pittsburgh; Amani Toomer, New York Giants; Mike Furrey, Detroit.
Tight end: L.J. Smith, Philadelphia. Has 231 receptions for 2,525 yards in six seasons but might be fading. Others — Jerramy Stevens, Tampa Bay; Jim Kleinsasser, Minnesota; Justin Peelle, Atlanta; Bubba Franks, New York Jets.
Guard: Mike Goff, San Diego. Nine-year vet has toughness and smarts the Browns could use on the right side. It’s considered a weak crop, though. Others — Pete Kendall, Washington; Cooper Carlisle, Oakland; Chris Naeole, Jacksonville.
Tackle: Stacy Andrews, Cincinnati. Coming off December knee surgery. Others — Jon Stinchcomb, New Orleans; Tra Thomas, Philadelphia, Jon Runyan, Philadelphia; Khalif Barnes, Jacksonville; Mark Tauscher, Green Bay.
Center: Jason Brown, Baltimore. Hank Fraley probably needs to be replaced. This guy’s only 26. Others — Matt Birk, Minnesota; Jake Grove, Oakland; Jeremy Newberry, San Diego.
DEFENSE
Defensive end: Chris Canty, Dallas. Good in a 3-4. He should be. He’s about 6-foot-7. Not a pass rusher, though. Others — Igor Olshansky, San Diego; Antonio Smith, Arizona; Bertrand Berry, Arizona; Michael Montgomery, Green Bay.
Defensive tackle: Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee. Most disruptive force available. Just ask the guy who’s helmetless head he stomped. Others — Jovan Haye, Tampa Bay; Grady Jackson, Atlanta; DeWayne Robertson, Denver; Tank Johnson, Dallas.
Linebacker: Ray Lewis, Baltimore. Future Hall of Famer who turns 34 in May and supposedly wants to play for the Cowboys. How good would Bart Scott look in an orange helmet? Others — Bart Scott, Baltimore; Jonathan Vilma, New Orleans; Keith Brooking, Atlanta; Mike Peterson, Jacksonville; Takeo Spikes, San Francisco.
Cornerback: Bryant McFadden, Pittsburgh. Played well for a championship defense. Or was it just against the Browns that he seemed to excel? Others — Chris McAlister, Baltimore, Leigh Bodden, Detroit; DeAngelo Hall, Washington; Phillip Buchanon, Tampa Bay; Dre’ Bly, Denver.
Safety: Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia. Unquestioned toughness and leadership, but Eagles might bring him back, even at 35. Others — Mike Brown, Chicago; Jermaine Phillips, Tampa Bay; Darren Sharper, Minnesota; Renaldo Hill, Miami; Lawyer Milloy, Atlanta; Dwight Smith, Detroit.
SPECIALISTS
Kickers: John Carney, New York Giants. Coming off a 35-for-38 season kicking field goals and a career-high 143 points at age 44. Others — Matt Stover, Baltimore; Jay Feely, New York Jets.
Punters: Sam Koch, Baltimore. Averaged 45 yards per punt with an excellent 39.9 net and 34 kicks inside the 20. Great name. Others — Hunter Smith, Indianapolis; Chris Hanson, New England.
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Comments
By professor
February 24, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this
This is great help for my fantasy team - Thanks! I only hope the Browns will be as analytical and rigorous.By Jack
February 25, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this
Not sure that I see the Browns being really active in the free agent market. I would like the Browns to look at Damon Huard, who just got released. I do like Canty. Is he coming in to start, rotation with Williams and Smith, or is one of these guys gone? I do not like Ward. He is 29, with less milage, but still 29. Lets actually draft some young talent that will help us, not another stop gap for a year or two..at way too much money. Kendall will have to be mentioned because of his time in New York and also like Jason Brown, but how much money do they have to spend?By Paul Hanna
February 25, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this
Jonathan Vilma was ran out of town by Eric Mangini last year because he didn’t fit the mold of a 3-4 ILB at only 6’0” 230 lbs. What the heck makes you think Mangini would consider bringing him to Cleveland?By Jason Rachkofski
February 25, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know how much Cap space the Browns have??I’m clueless….By Bernie
February 25, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this
Enough with the Derrick Ward hysteria. The guy has no speed and limited quickness. Every RB the Giants throw behind that line averages 5+ yards a carry because they are running through huge holes all day. Even 260+ lb Brandon Jacobs gets over 5 ypc. If the Browns decide to can Jamal, it should be for another big back they can platoon with Harrison, not for a run of the mill guy like Ward.By LB Coach
February 25, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
D. Ward will be overpaid…he’s 29 and won’t be worth the contract he’s soon to sign…buyer beware…the only big name FA I like is Jason Brown.By Ben Williamson
February 25, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this
Why would the Browns pursue Vilma when Mangini cut him in NY since he did not fit the 3-4 scheme. Try to do some research before putting up some random ideas.By Sean McClelland
February 26, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the comment, Ben, but you could stand to do a little better research yourself. The Jets and Vilma did part ways, but he wasn’t “cut,” as you suggest. He was traded to New Orleans for a fourth-round pick in the 2008 draft and a conditional pick in the 2009 draft. OK, so maybe he’s not the answer, but it seems they need at least two linebackers. Maybe Beau Bell, last year’s heralded fourth-round pick, won’t turn out to be a complete bust.By Jack
February 26, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
Can we have a do over for the coach. I can comprehend why a new coach would not reach out to his players…ask those who could, come meet with him…etc. This clown almsot refuses to talk to his own players and now our best player wants out. Great start. Within how many seconds of being hired was McDaniels on the phone with Cutler. Mangini, I guess, feels he it too important to talk to his own players? Anyway, Sean, not expecting any quick news tomorrow, but who do you think the first calls will be made to at midnight.By Paul Hanna
February 26, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
What’s this, McClelland? Only snarky commenters get replies? Yeah, I’d retract the idea of signing Vilma. Whether he was cut or traded, Mangini ran him out of town. Pepper Johnson has a better chance of playing ILB for the Browns in ‘08 than Vilma does.By Paul Hanna
February 26, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this
What’s this, McClelland? Only snarky commenters get replies? Yeah, I’d retract the idea of signing Vilma. Whether he was cut or traded, Mangini ran him out of town. Pepper Johnson has a better chance of playing ILB for the Browns in ‘08 than Vilma does. You should take your lumps on this one, McClelland.By Robert Wilson
February 27, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this
I too would not like to use free agency as a stop gap, but in fairness to Savage, he rarely did. Gary Baxter, LeCharles Bentley, Eric Steinbach, Kevin Shaeffer, Shawn Smith were all young players who were going to be core pieces—Bentley was the #1 free agent on the market and Steinbach was #2 (behind Nate Clements, who we also tried to get). By now, he’d have made a big time offer to Bart Scott, who he almost got the last time the guy was up.By Lee
March 3, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this
They should go after Corey Smith - Oh, wait. Never mindBy Jack
March 3, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this
Sean, any more names. All the guys above are just about gone. Looks like we are waiting for the draft and evidently will have to wisely use our five picks. I did like Winslow trade.By Jack
March 5, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
Sean, are you allowed only a certain number of blogs per month? No updates, K2 trade, Rogers wanting out, free agency…