After trading a 2008 3rd round pick and cornerback Leigh Bodden for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, the Cleveland Browns have now renegotiated his contract and awarded him a new 6-year $42 million deal that will keep him with the Browns until 2013 (or until they cut him). According to John Clayton of ESPN, the deal includes $20 million of guaranteed money, and is expected to pay out $23 million over the next 3 years.
The move is a risky one by the Browns, who in the past week have shelled out a combined $80 million for the next 6 year on two defensive tackles ($42 million for Rogers, and $38 million for Corey Williams). Rogers is one failed steroid/performance enhancing drug test away from a year long suspension, as he has already served a 4-game suspension in 2006 for a failed test, allegedly due to taking a banned appetite suppressant to help control his weight and an existing medical condition.
Showing posts with label cleveland browns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cleveland browns. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Browns Sign Stallworth to 7-Year $35 Million Deal That Pays Out $17.1 Million Over First 4 Years
The Cleveland Browns have made another move to bolster their potent offense by signing free agent wide receiver Donte Stallworth to a 7-year $35 million contract, with $10 million guaranteed. Per Mike Florio of PFT, the deal is more realistically a 5-year $22 million deal that pays out $17.1 million over the first 4 years of the contract.
Stallworth was coming off of a multi-year deal signed with the New England Patriots last year that included an $8 million roster bonus that New England opted not to pay, and cut Stallworth loose. While somewhat effective for the high powered Patriot offense last year, Stallworth only grabbed 46 catches for 697 yards and 3 touchdowns. Look for him to fit nicely into the Browns' aerial attack opposite Pro Bowler Braylon Edwards, and to draw defenders away from the middle of the field, opening up more opportunities and space for Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow.
Stallworth was coming off of a multi-year deal signed with the New England Patriots last year that included an $8 million roster bonus that New England opted not to pay, and cut Stallworth loose. While somewhat effective for the high powered Patriot offense last year, Stallworth only grabbed 46 catches for 697 yards and 3 touchdowns. Look for him to fit nicely into the Browns' aerial attack opposite Pro Bowler Braylon Edwards, and to draw defenders away from the middle of the field, opening up more opportunities and space for Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Lions Trade DT Shaun Rogers to Browns for 3rd and CB Leigh Bodden
The rumored Shaun Rogers to Cincinatti Bengals trade fell through, and less than a day later he ended up in the same state. The Cleveland Browns have consumated a trade for the former Pro Bowl defensive tackle, sending a 2008 3rd round pick and cornerback Leigh Bodden to the Detroit Lions in exchange for the services of Rogers, who is due a $1 million roster bonus March 1. The Bengals were set to ship a 3rd and 5th rounder to the Lions for Rogers, but for whatever reason the deal fell through, and the Browns stepped up with a significantly better offer.
Cleveland looked to shore up their underacheiving defense, and defensive line in particular. The loss of Bodden will hurt the secondary, but Shaun Rogers is exactly the type of disruptive force and space eating nose tackle the team can use as it hops back and forth from 3-4 to 4-3 base defenses. The eighth year pro was drafted out of Texas in the 2nd round in 2001 and made the Pro Bowl in 2005 and 2006, but has constantly battled weight problems during his career, and didn't exactly fit the Rod Marinelli's "Tampa-2" defensive scheme in Detroit. He was also suspsended for 4 games in 2006 under the NFL's Substance Abuse policy related to steroids and controlled substances, and Rogers told ESPN's Michael Smith it was due to him taking a banned appetite suppresent to help keep his weight down and to help deal with a sleeping disorder. In 2007 Rogers was accused of "inappropriately touching a stripper" (is there any other way to touch one?), but no charges were ever filed.
The Lions aquisition of Leigh Bodden will help strengthen a perenial weak secondary. Bodden was originally an undrafted free agent from Duquesne (where he picked of 28 passes in 4 years), and started his career with the Browns in 2003 as a nickel back and strong contributor on special teams. He was elevated to a starter in 2003, and has arguably been the team's most consistent cornerback since then. In 2007 Bodden racked up 88 tackles, 6 interceptions, and deflected 15 passes, so it doesn't seem like the best move to give him up as part of any deal for a sometimes troubled impact defensive tackle. But as the saying goes, you've got to give something to get something, right?
Cleveland looked to shore up their underacheiving defense, and defensive line in particular. The loss of Bodden will hurt the secondary, but Shaun Rogers is exactly the type of disruptive force and space eating nose tackle the team can use as it hops back and forth from 3-4 to 4-3 base defenses. The eighth year pro was drafted out of Texas in the 2nd round in 2001 and made the Pro Bowl in 2005 and 2006, but has constantly battled weight problems during his career, and didn't exactly fit the Rod Marinelli's "Tampa-2" defensive scheme in Detroit. He was also suspsended for 4 games in 2006 under the NFL's Substance Abuse policy related to steroids and controlled substances, and Rogers told ESPN's Michael Smith it was due to him taking a banned appetite suppresent to help keep his weight down and to help deal with a sleeping disorder. In 2007 Rogers was accused of "inappropriately touching a stripper" (is there any other way to touch one?), but no charges were ever filed.
The Lions aquisition of Leigh Bodden will help strengthen a perenial weak secondary. Bodden was originally an undrafted free agent from Duquesne (where he picked of 28 passes in 4 years), and started his career with the Browns in 2003 as a nickel back and strong contributor on special teams. He was elevated to a starter in 2003, and has arguably been the team's most consistent cornerback since then. In 2007 Bodden racked up 88 tackles, 6 interceptions, and deflected 15 passes, so it doesn't seem like the best move to give him up as part of any deal for a sometimes troubled impact defensive tackle. But as the saying goes, you've got to give something to get something, right?
Pack Trade Franchised DT Corey Williams to Browns for 2008 2nd Rounder, Who Then Sign Him to 6-Year $38 Million Contract
Recently franchised defensive tackle Corey Williams is on the move, but the Green Bay Packers won't be receiving two 1st round draft picks as compensation. The Packers and Cleveland Browns have agreed to a deal that will send Williams to the Browns in exchange for the Browns' 2008 2nd round draft pick (#56 overall). Per Mike Florio of PFT, Williams has inked a new 6-year $38 million contract with Cleveland, including roughly $16.3 million in guaranteed money.
Buccaneers Agree to Make Free Agent Jeff Faine Highest Paid Center
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed unrestricted free agent center Jeff Faine to a multiyear deal that will make him the highest paid center in the league. Details of the contract have not been released or leaked yet, but the deal will surpass the 6-year $36 million contract given to LeCharles Bentley by the Cleveland Browns two years ago in free agency.
The signing will bolster the offensive line of the Bucs, who will now be able to start Faine alongside young studs Jeremy Trueblood (right tackle), Davin Joseph (right guard), and Aaron Sears (left guard). Don't be surprised if the team also seeks to upgrade the left tackle position, which has been manned by a rotory of mediocre players the past decade.
Faine was originally drafted out of Notre Dame by the Cleveland Brown 21st overall in the 1st round in 2003, but then was traded to the New Orleans Saints for a 2ndd round pick on draft day in 2006, and started 30 games over the last 2 years for the Saints.
The signing will bolster the offensive line of the Bucs, who will now be able to start Faine alongside young studs Jeremy Trueblood (right tackle), Davin Joseph (right guard), and Aaron Sears (left guard). Don't be surprised if the team also seeks to upgrade the left tackle position, which has been manned by a rotory of mediocre players the past decade.
Faine was originally drafted out of Notre Dame by the Cleveland Brown 21st overall in the 1st round in 2003, but then was traded to the New Orleans Saints for a 2ndd round pick on draft day in 2006, and started 30 games over the last 2 years for the Saints.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Browns Retain RB Jamal Lewis With 3-Year $17 Million Deal
Running back Jamal Lewis has agreed to terms that will keep him with the Cleveland Browns for up to the next three years, with a reported $17 million contract through 2010. Lewis joined the Browns in 2007 as a free agent by signing a 1-year $3.5 million base salary contract, in which he made $5 million overall because of incentives reached. The deal will allow the Browns to keep a running back in the fold who is still only 28 years old and who rushed for 1304 yards and 9 touchdowns in their system last year.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Browns and QB Derek Anderson at Unsurprising Contract Impasse
According to a Columbus Dispatch story from Thursday, the Cleveland Browns negotiations with soon to be restricted free agent quarterback Derek Anderson have "reached a standstill." The Browns reportedly have offered Anderson $16 million over three years, which is pretty good for an average joe, but not for a Pro Bowl bound franchise quarterback. This obviously begs the question, how much do the Browns really want Anderson?
The reality is that the Browns have all the leverage, as Anderson only has 3 accrued years in the league and will therefore be a restricted free agent. The Browns will only have to commit $2.562 million to him next year by offering Anderson the 2008 Level 5 Right of First Refusal (ROFR) tender level, which would reward them with a 1st and 3rd round picks in return if another team attempts to sign Anderson away this offseason (and the Browns refuse to match within 7 days). They also have 2007 1st round pick Brady Quinn waiting in the wings, who at the time of the draft was considered nearly unanimously to be the most 'NFL-ready' quarterback in the draft.
The Browns are playing this one correctly, and are wise to keep their cards close to the vest. If they simply tender Anderson at the highest ROFR level ($2.562 million) by the deadline of February 28 2008, they'll get Anderson's services for 2008 without having to dole out a huge chunk of money for someone who has proven himself for one year (such as Rams QB Marc Bulger, who threw for 4301 yards in 2006, then was rewarded with a questionable 6 year $65 million deal with $27 million guaranteed, then promptly sucked in 2007). The only hitch in this plan is that if some team makes Anderson an offer the Browns choose not to match, they will instead be handsomely rewards them with a 1st and a 3rd rounder, but this is unlikely to happen, as most teams aren't going to be eager to dole out a large contract and lose their own 1st rounder in the process. Waiting until next offseason to make the ultimate decision will probably save the Browns money, allow them to be flexible in regards to the Derek Anderson-Brady Quinn situation, and allow them to get another year of cheap labor to find out if Derek Anderson is the next Steve Young or the next Scott Mitchell. They'll then be able to either sign him to a long term deal if he proves legit, or they can slap the Franchise tag on Anderson in 2009 and possibly trade him from under it, or they can simply allow him to walk, and be expected to be compensated a 3rd or 4th rounder by the League when the compensatory draft picks are announced.
The reality is that the Browns have all the leverage, as Anderson only has 3 accrued years in the league and will therefore be a restricted free agent. The Browns will only have to commit $2.562 million to him next year by offering Anderson the 2008 Level 5 Right of First Refusal (ROFR) tender level, which would reward them with a 1st and 3rd round picks in return if another team attempts to sign Anderson away this offseason (and the Browns refuse to match within 7 days). They also have 2007 1st round pick Brady Quinn waiting in the wings, who at the time of the draft was considered nearly unanimously to be the most 'NFL-ready' quarterback in the draft.
The Browns are playing this one correctly, and are wise to keep their cards close to the vest. If they simply tender Anderson at the highest ROFR level ($2.562 million) by the deadline of February 28 2008, they'll get Anderson's services for 2008 without having to dole out a huge chunk of money for someone who has proven himself for one year (such as Rams QB Marc Bulger, who threw for 4301 yards in 2006, then was rewarded with a questionable 6 year $65 million deal with $27 million guaranteed, then promptly sucked in 2007). The only hitch in this plan is that if some team makes Anderson an offer the Browns choose not to match, they will instead be handsomely rewards them with a 1st and a 3rd rounder, but this is unlikely to happen, as most teams aren't going to be eager to dole out a large contract and lose their own 1st rounder in the process. Waiting until next offseason to make the ultimate decision will probably save the Browns money, allow them to be flexible in regards to the Derek Anderson-Brady Quinn situation, and allow them to get another year of cheap labor to find out if Derek Anderson is the next Steve Young or the next Scott Mitchell. They'll then be able to either sign him to a long term deal if he proves legit, or they can slap the Franchise tag on Anderson in 2009 and possibly trade him from under it, or they can simply allow him to walk, and be expected to be compensated a 3rd or 4th rounder by the League when the compensatory draft picks are announced.
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