According to John Taylor of the Orange and Brown Report the Browns have come to terms with Kaluka Maiava, a fourth-round pick from Southern California.

Taylor says the four-year deal for the outside linebacker is likely worth just under $2.5 million.

At USC, Maiava only started his senior year, but played in 51 career games. During that time, he had 164 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 7 pass breakups. In 2008, he was named to the Pac-10 all-conference second team.

He was twice named the Trojan's co-special teams player of the year. It is likely he'll be a backup and special teams contributor for the Browns.

Maiava is the second Browns draftee to receive a contract following the recent signing of running back James Davis.

Notes…
Scott Wright of Draft Countdown just reviewed the team's draft. He gave the Browns a B-. Here's an excerpt:

Whether or not Cleveland’s new braintrust will finally get the franchise on the right track remains to be seen but their performance on Draft Day was not very encouraging. There is no question that the Browns bolstered their roster with a bunch of quality players but none of the guys they brought in offer much in the way of upside or impact potential.

Apparently getting multiple starters instead of crapshoots out of a draft is a bad thing these days.

The Browns were awarded linebacker Blake Costanzo off of waivers from the Bills.

Costanzo came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Jets in 2006 but was waived prior to the season. In 2007, he was Buffalo's practice squad until seeing time on special teams in the final three games of the season.

Last season Constanzo was a reserve for the Bills for all 16 games. He led the team with 26 special teams tackles.

You can see Constanzo singing "Six geese a laying" in the video below. No word yet if he'll audition to sing "Brady, Brady," a remake of the late-80s classic "Bernie, Bernie."

One of the great things that media relations people do is write up press conference quotes. It's thankless work, really. But for someone like me, there's nothing better than reading through a press conference recap. There are always nuggets of great information.

When Browns head coach Eric Mangini met with the media, most stories were either about Josh Cribbs or new cornerback Rod Hood. However, if you dig deep into recap, there are some great thoughts on new linebacker Eric Barton:

(On what Eric Barton brings) – “Eric is incredibly smart and not just in terms of his ability to pick up the information. He absorbs the installs very quickly but his ability to process information on the field. He can see a formation, anticipate the adjustment, he can see a formation and anticipate the play. He is a good communicator. He has good toughness, but I’ve always respected his natural intelligence and his football intelligence.”

(On how important Barton is in the locker room) – “I think that any of the players that have some familiarity can add value because they can help accelerate the learning process in terms of expectations, in terms of the system and the quicker that we can all move forward and everybody understands exactly what’s expected, what we are looking for, the quicker you make progress.”

(On Barton’s run defense) – “I’d say his forte is getting all 11 guys going in the right direction and making sure they are in the right sports. That has huge value whether it’s run or pass. To me, the reason we improved our run defense last year (in New York) was we got better with our technique, we got better with our fits and we got better with the coordination. That will be the case in anything we do here is, how well can the group do it? The same thing with like the running game offensively, some of those six-yard runs could be 40-yard runs, if the receivers do a nice job of blocking on the perimeter, otherwise it just becomes a nice gain instead of an outstanding one.”

Based on Mangini's assessment, Barton is exactly the kind of player Cleveland's defense needs. It didn't seem like last season the Browns had a player on defense who was all that tough and smart.

About a month ago, I came up with some daffy ideas to make Browns games more watchable. Looking at them now, some of them don't seem so bad. Let's review a few of those:

3. Get Jerome Harrison and Alex Hall in the game more. Everyone has touched on this one. Well, except the coaching staff. Zing!

This one still makes sense for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Harrison can mix it up with Jamal Lewis. Against the Redskins, Hall was in the middle of at least three stops on special teams. This guy gets after the ball and should be in the game more. I'd be fine if he took some snaps away from Kamerion Wimbley, who has been bad again this year.

7. Line Anderson up at receiver and Josh Cribbs at quarterback. If Cribbs is so good in the open field, creatively get the ball in his hands. And clearly what worked against Mid-American Conference defenses would work against NFL defenses.

Not only did the Browns do this one, it actually worked. Here's a hint for Rob Chudzinski: Do it more. It worked and excites the fans.

I took the most important one out of order and put it at the end here because I want to expound on it further.

2. Start Leon Williams. Unless Williams did something none of us have been made aware of, he's probably the team's most physically gifted inside linebacker. Sit on it, D'Qwell Jackson.

This one would absolutely help the team's awful run defense. Jackson just isn't a starter at inside linebacker in a 3-4. Williams, who is much stronger and athletic, would be perfect for it. He's a player similar to Mike Vrabel of the Patriots. He can probably play any linebacker spot and do well. For some reason, though, he never gets anything more than spot duty.

Clearly, after giving up 175 yards to Clinton Portis Sunday, the Browns have trouble stopping the run. Instead of trying something different, the coaching staff has stayed the course. Ultimately, that could end up being what gets them fired.

One other suggestion: Play Brady Quinn. He can't be any worse.

Joke of the week: Braylon Edwards couldn't even catch a staph infection!

It's the bye-week, which is classically boring.  There is hardly any team news, so why not take some time to look at the Browns thus far?  Today's look is at the free agent class of 2008.

New Additions

Terry Cousin, CB, (Jaguars):  Signed on May 23rd, 2008 as a reaction to Daven Holly's season ending knee injury, Cousin has been solid performer thus far.  He has played mostly in the dime package, and had an interception against the Bengals this past week.  Cousin is not a great player, but with almost no corner depth, his contribution is huge.

Rex Hadnot, OG, (Dolphins): Originally tabbed as top backup for the line, he's been thrust into action as a starter at right guard with mixed results.  Hadnot was a pretty solid run blocker while in Miami, but he's yet to fit in with the Browns zone blocking scheme.  He's possibly looking at a demotion once Tucker returns. 

Shantee Orr, LB, (Jaguars):  Orr has been a perfect replacement for Chaun Thompson, playing inside/outside linebacker, and providing ace coverage on kick returns.  He's not a headline grabber, but a guy that quietly does his job well. 

Shaun Rogers, DT, (trade w/Lions):  The massive nose tackle has filled out the number 92 jersey well this (formerly of Ted Washington).  He has been the Browns best defensive player thus far (like mentioned below).  He can split the double team, and has played both the run and pass very well.  Watch out for Rogers as the season wears on, because Lions fans have seen this start before. 

Donte' Stallworth, WR, (Patriots): Funny story on Stallworth.  I ran into him the morning of the season opener, shook his hand and wished him luck against the Cowboys.  He's subsequently missed the past four games.  While I'd love to say my handshake is so manly that it caused him to strain his quad, I cannot 100% take that credit.  He's a work in progress, but from what we saw in preseason when he took over as the lead receiver with Edwards hurt, it wasn't pleasing.  Granted Stallworth was playing out of his normal role, so it's hard to judge.  On a sputtering offense, any type of production is a plus.

Corey Williams, DE, (trade w/Packers): The move that on paper looked like the highest impact trade was for Williams.  He's been very quiet thus far, only totaling 14 tackles and 0.5 sacks.  Williams has a big reputation for rushing the passer, with 14 sacks total his previous two seasons in Green Bay.  That player hasn't quite showed up yet, as he adjusts to the Browns new 3-4 defense. 

It's hard to fully judge the new additions, but at this moment the only carrying his weight is Rogers.  He had the most question marks around (maturity, weight, dedication) and thus far he's quieted those concerns.  If Corey Williams can adapt to his new role as a defensive end, it will help shore up what is looking like an improved defense. 

Offensively, the Browns hurt from the lack of production from Hadnot and Stallworth.  Hadnot has struggled at times, especially against the pass.  He may just be a top backup who can play both guard spots and center, but the team did have plans for him to be groomed into a starter eventually.  Stallworth is a total unknown, with so little game action.  With a huge roster bonus coming in March, Stallworth has to perform if he'd like to see that money from the Browns. 

Coming up tomorrow in Part II, a review of the Browns 2008 Draft class.

Thoughts on the veterans?  Comment!

All indications show that outside linebacker should be back for the Giants game on Oct. 12. He sat out the Ravens and Bengals games with a hamstring problem. He's practicing now, so that could mean playing time for seventh-round rookie Alex Hall will be greatly diminished.

But should it be? In the two games he played, McGinest looked all of his almost 37 years, totaling just four tackles. While he can be a good leader, it may be time he's only a leader from the sidelines.

That is because Hall looks like he's a real steal. Watching the Bengals game again, Hall often looked quicker than his outside linebacker counterpart Kamerion Wimbley.

Bizarre stat: Did you know the Browns are 10th in the NFL in defense and 32nd in offense? Who would have guessed that one?

Cool stat: Shaun Rogers has 15 solo tackles. That is a good thing, especially considering middle linebacker Andra Davis only has 14 and he has a much greater likelihood of getting tackles. Jamal Williams of the Chargers, considered the league's best 3-4 nose tackle, only has four. Casey Hampton of the Steelers has only one through three games. Consider things like that when looking for positives with the 1-3 Browns.

At 7 p.m., the Browns are holding their annual Family Night extravaganza at Cleveland Browns stadium. By extravaganza, I mean glorified evening training camp. The cost is $5. Find more information on the event here.

There will be nothing here that you can't see by going to Berea, but it could be a fun time if you have kids. The only thing I'd really say to do is watch the rookies as they come onto the field for the first time. Sometimes they'll show how awe-inspiring it is to finally make it onto NFL grass. Especially watch outside linebacker Alex Hall for this. He comes from tiny St. Augustine, so this should be some culture shock.

Notes…
Linebacker Antwan Peek is expected to miss the remainder of training camp with an injured knee and all preseason games after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee.

Don Banks, the very good football writer for Sports Illustrated, was at Browns camp. He talked with Braylon Edwards a lot. Check it out.

Even if you're not a Zips fan, try to make your way over to meet the team night Aug. 10. It's always a fun way to meet the players and chat it up with them for a bit. Just like Family Night, if you have kids, this is great.

It's likely Miami defensive end Jason Taylor won't be back with the Dolphins. New management, namely Bill Parcells, didn't like that Taylor skipped offseason activities to participate in Dancing with the Stars.

That leads to the question: Should the Browns go after the former University of Akron star?

Greg Simms of the Dayton Daily News seems to think so. While it would be nice, the cost for Taylor could be too high. The Dolphins reportedly turned down Jacksonville's offer of a first-round pick before the draft for Taylor.

But Taylor's trade value has decreased recently after Miami head coach Tony Sparano said the six-time Pro Bowl selection will sit out training camp. Terms like "disgruntled" and "boycott" are now associated with Taylor, which means he could possibly be had for a second day draft pick. It all depends on if the Dolphins will budge because Parcells has said Taylor will either be a Dolphin this year or retire.

Matt Williamson (also a former Akron guy) of ESPN's Scout's Inc. said the Dolphins should expect a third rounder for Taylor. Unfortunately for us, the Browns traded next year's third-round pick to Dallas to take Martin Rucker.

So then, is Taylor worth a second-round pick? Consider that Taylor's 34 and was a little spotty last season when the Dolphins used a 3-4 base on defense. In those formations, also, Taylor often played strong-side outside linebacker, where Kamerion Wimbley plays.

Also consider that Taylor probably only has only another two or three good years left in him and that he's seen his tackle total drop the last three years.

On the flip side, in the past three seasons, Taylor has 36.5 sacks and an incredible 18 forced fumbles. He's also bigger and, arguably, faster than any member of Browns' linebackers.

Taylor has said he wants to play for a contending team, which the Browns can now be considered, but so can Jacksonville and Washington, the two likeliest trading partners for Miami.

After all that, is two good years of Jason Taylor worth a second-round pick in 2009? Put on those trading shoes Phil Savage, it's time to dance. (And yes, the above picture is supposed to give you nightmares)

Notes…
Carlos "Big C" Holmes of the Dayton Daily News writes that the Browns got a steal in linebacker Beau Bell. Holmes talked with the guy who trained Bell prior to the draft, so his opinion is probably a little biased.

As it is, Bell may be a steal, but I wouldn't look for him to start immediately for the Browns.

Technorati Profile

That seems to be what head coach Romeo Crennel was intimating at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club Monday. Bentley has missed the last two seasons with a serious patellar tendon injury he suffered in the Browns' first 11-on-11 practice during training camp in 2006. I was at camp that day and it was clear Bentley was in big trouble. However, I never expected him to miss quite this much time.

Whether or not he can return to being the Pro Bowl player he was for the Saints in 2005 is tough to say. The Browns don't require current center Hank Fraley to move around much, so maybe Bentley can fit back in.

Notes…
The headline "Chudzinski looking for better results in 2008" from this article in the Plain Dealer caught my eye. The Browns had one of the better offenses last season and it say a lot about the offensive coordinator that he didn't think it was good enough.

ESPN.com recently released its first set of NFL power rankings for the 2008 season. They rank the Browns ninth, which is great. That translates into the team being sixth best in the AFC, but just behind the Steelers (7th). James Walker writes about the Browns: The 2007 darlings face high expectations. The offense will score. Can the D, anchored by additions Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, hold up its end?

Troubles for defensive back Kenny Wright continue. If one of the undrafted rookies looks good this offseason, there is no reason Wright should remain on the team. Character should always supersede average depth.

Still don't know much about fourth round pick Beau Bell? Here's a video of the linebacker:

By now, you're probably aware of Matt Walsh, the former New England Patriots lackey accused of taping coaching signals. The whole mess — not-so-cleverly referred to as SpyGate — began when the Patriots were caught spying on the New York Jets.

Eventually, the Boston Herald wrote that Walsh taped the Rams prior to the 2002 Super Bowl. A whole can of worms was sitting waiting to be opened, yadda yadda yadda, a senator got involved, yadda yadda. You know the story. It's pointless for me to re-hash the whole thing.

Anyway, Walsh just handed over the other tapes he made to the NFL. One of them is of the Browns in 2001. That's right, someone was taping the team during its juggernaut 7-9 season. Clearly, Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn't trying to get coaching tips from Butch Davis.

Notes…
This season will be the last for outside linebacker Willie McGinest. The Browns signed McGinest to a three-year contract in 2006. Some consider the signing a flop, but it's neither that or a boom. McGinest is just kind of there. He has some impact on young players and does a good job on running downs. The problem is that he's been injury prone and has clearly lost a step.

The Browns will have OTAs next week. They're not open to the public. It should be interesting to hear how new defensive linemen Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers adapt to the new team and the 3-4. Braylon Edwards missed the first day of last year's OTAs and it caused a bit of a stir. Hopefully nothing like that happens this year.