Bonus check day in Berea
Posted March 13th, 2009 by Luke Chandler
The Browns have been increasingly busy in the past few days. They have released several key veterans from the 2007 dream season such as WR Joe Jurevicius and OT Kevin Shaffer. With rougly $25 million in cap space, the Cleveland fanbase has been wondering why they haven't been more active in free agency.
To put it simply, they spent tomorrow's prosperity yesterday.
As Tony Grossi discusses, the Browns are expected to hand out rougly$30 million in bonus money within the month of March. As mentioned in the article, the Browns will be making a $5 million roster bonus to quarterback Derek Anderson, among several other notable players.
Looking back on the Phil Savage regime, it's clear that the wild spending in free agency, rookie contracts, and squandering of draft picks has saddled the Browns with an uncomfortable cap situation. Savage has a reputation for having a scout's eye, but between him and former cap whizz Trip MacCracken, the Browns have been forced into a draft rebuilding mode.
The Winslow trade has been the only significant move to bolster the lost draft picks, but look for general manager George Kokinis to remain active in the weeks leading up to the draft. They still could easily swap another handful of veterans for extra picks.
Derek Anderson, QB – This one is easy. His trade value has gone up now that the Browns are ready to pay out his guaranteed bonus money. He carries a salary of only $1.5 million in 2009, and could be had for an early Day 2 selection.
Braylon Edwards, WR – With the trade of Winslow, Edwards is likely going to be a Brown again in 2009, which is a free agency year for him. The team would have to get at least a first round, and multiple future picks for the Edwards trade to make any sense.
Brodney Pool, FS – With Sean Jones departed to Philadelphia, it seems the Browns would keep Pool for his experience, but Mangini and Kokinis have no ties to him. Pool doesn't play instinctively, but still possesses the kind of size and speed that teams covet from the safety position. He could be a draft day swap if the Browns are able to land a productive safety like Louis Delmas or Patrick Chung in Round 2.
Shaun Smith, DE - While I speculated that with the signing of Mosley that Smith could be let go, the Browns have not made a move on him. With the Broncos, Chiefs, and Packers all installing the 3-4 defense this season, he could be moved for a mid Day 2 selection.
Other possibilities – OG Rex Hadnot, WR Donte Stallworth, ILB Leon Williams
So if you had to let go of a current Brown for draft picks, who would it be? Let us know in the comments!
March 13th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I think Hadnot, Stallworth and Shaun Smith all could go and we wouldn't feel the effects of it. Pick up some draft picks, get a WR with 1 of our 2nd rounders and lets get this thing going again. Pick up a RB a WR and the rest on defense and lets rebuild this thing the right way.
March 13th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I forgot to add Anderson to that list, he HAS to go.
March 13th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I think you've forgotten than McKinney, Shaffer, and Friedman are no longer with the team so if we let Hadnot go we'd had to play Sowells at G so letting Hadnot go probably would make a difference
March 13th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
You are greatly underestimating DA's value. He should bring a 2nd at least.
March 13th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
When the draft is over and the Browns have signed some of the undrafted free agents.Then you will see them makes some more changes to the roster.They could release some players and sign some free agents.It all depends on who they draft and what positions they need to fill.The roster won't be complete until training camp.It's a long way from being completed.
March 13th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I would be astounded if anybody offered a thing for Shaun Smith…look for him to be released.Pool is not going anywhere, being one of the few guys in the secondary who doesn't wiff in the open field or drop int's. They will draft a safety and Pool will be in the mix. However, one more concussion could end his career.He is also very young, 20 I believe ,when drafted.Braylon will bolt to a big market in free agency so it would be wise to trade him. His value might be hindered by huge contract demands so a 1st Rd might be it.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Keep Braylon he has it all, let him know he just needs to do what he does and catch the ball. Jerry Rice had a season or two when the 49er fans did not want him
March 16th, 2009 at 11:01 am
[...] Akron Beacon-Journal recently listed Anderson's value as an "early day two" selection. This would hopefully signal that the Browns could get [...]
April 15th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Trade Anderson and Edwards for draft pics. Get Rajii at #5, with Edwards 1st rounder;get a pass rushing DE, with the second rounders get a RB and WR.
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