Remember when the Cleveland Indians spent all that money in the offseason to get key players in Cleveland not that long ago? Well it looks like the Cleveland Browns had the same thing in mind when free agency started.
New additions
First, let’s start off with the five-year, $40 million deal the Browns signed Paul Kruger to shortly after free agency started. Kruger played defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens for four seasons and recorded nine sacks in his final season with the team. Kruger was the best defensive end available in free agency and the Cleveland Browns organization made it a priority to put him in a Browns uniform.
One of the biggest adjustments Kruger will have to make coming into Cleveland is taking a leadership role on defense. Don’t forget that Kruger was part of a stellar Ravens’ defense with Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, which created opportunities for Kruger to make plays. Now the 27-year-old Kruger will be out on the field to make plays happen by himself and will be a crucial piece of the Browns’ 3-4 defense this year.
Another key signing for the Cleveland Browns is Desmond Bryant who played last season with the Oakland Raiders. The defensive tackle signed a five-year, $34 million deal with the Browns just hours after the team signed Kruger.
Right now Bryant’s image with the public doesn’t look that well after an embarrassing mugshot was taken after being charged with a misdemeanor in February. Although the picture went viral most Browns fans could probably overlook Bryant’s mugshot and accept him as a new member of the team, especially after dealing with the antics that Braylon Edwards’ bar incident and Kellen Winslow’s motorcycle accident put Cleveland fans through.
Bryant has made it clear that he wants to get past the mugshot and look forward to next season. Bryant played all 16 games last season in Oakland and is ready to make an immediate impact on the Browns defense. If he can live up to his potential and stay clear of off the field distractions he can be a key contributor to the Browns new defense that is switching from last year’s 4-3 defense.
Saying goodbyes
As new players come in, some players part ways.
Once the face of the franchise for the Cleveland Browns, Joshua Cribbs, is no longer a Cleveland Brown. The wide-receiver was known for his big play ability on kick-off and punt returns but will find himself in a Arizona Cardinals jersey next year, although a contract hasn’t been finalized.
The loss of Cribbs is no doubt due to the potential the team sees in Travis Benjamin, who has shown flashes of big play ability and will take over the role of returning kick-offs and punts.
Another big name with an uncertain future is Browns’ kicker Phil Dawson who has been with the team since its return to the NFL in 1999. Dawson, who is the team’s leading scorer, has been through the bad times and the good times the Browns have had since returning to the league but his age may becoming a factor.
All Browns fans could probably agree it would be hard to picture anyone other than Dawson kicking field goals in a Browns jersey, but the 38-year-old may not be back with the team next season. As hard as it is to see Cribbs leaving the Browns, Dawson has been one of the most reliable players the team has had but it seems his days in Cleveland are numbered.
How do you think the Browns have done in free agency?
*Photo courtesy of SportsIllustrated.com*
clevelandsportsfirst.wordpress.com 