Robaire Smith.... A Brown

[furls]

Four year deal signed today.

[yogi]

Excellent, excellent signing.

This takes pressure off of having to do something for the D line. Now we shouldn't need to reach in the draft or have any panic signings for another part of the team.

McKinney added to the O line is an example of a signing that wasn't a panic or desparate signing. It adds depth with a reasonable upside sould Seth getting back to being 100% healthy.

[jb]

Good signing if true.

Gota a link from a credible source or was it on radio? I don't see it on kffl, only that we have an interest nin Olindo Mare.

[pup]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2799010

[jb]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2799010

Is niczzzze....

If the Bungals don't match Shaun Smith, that is some improovement right there.

We'll need 2 more rotational players to help O-Phus and Robaire, but again, all of a sudden, the DL isn't a sieve perhaps.

NOW we can evaluate Davis, NyQuil and Leon.

[swerb]

Great signing. Big need. Upgrade to McKinley, and a much needed dose of toughness and durability to the DL. Also, it's likely the Browns will use him as a NT on 3rd and longer than 4.

Grossi also reports this morning that the Bungles won't match on Shaun Smith, who gets put into the Big Ted, Ethan Kelley, J'Vonne Parker, Oshinowo mix at NT.

If Orpheus can stay on the field, and play at 90% of his 2005 level, with a player or two also likely coming via the draft, this finally has the makings of an average unit that won't get completely run over.

Orpheus, Robaire, Big Ted

McKinley, Fraser, Eason, O.Harris ... depth at DE.

S.Smith, Kelley, Parker, Baba at NT.

Clearly, an infusion of youth is still needed here though.

[jb]

Great signing. Big need. Upgrade to McKinley, and a much needed dose of toughness and durability to the DL. Also, it's likely the Browns will use him as a NT on 3rd and longer than 4.

Grossi also reports this morning that the Bungles won't match on Shaun Smith, who gets put into the Big Ted, Ethan Kelley, J'Vonne Parker, Oshinowo mix at NT.

If Orpheus can stay on the field, and play at 90% of his 2005 level, with a player or two also likely coming via the draft, this finally has the makings of an average unit that won't get completely run over.

Orpheus, Robaire, Big Ted

McKinley, Fraser, Eason, O.Harris ... depth at DE.

S.Smith, Kelley, Parker, Baba at NT.

Clearly, an infusion of youth is still needed here though.

Just a note - we'll be losing McKinley.

IMO we still need to draft one young DE prospect before round 6. Here's hpoing Orien doesn't suck. He holds some promise.

[swerb]

Just a note - we'll be losing McKinley.

Don't we own McKinley for another year? You intimating he'll be cut?

[jb]

McKinley is a ufa, Rich.

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/article.php?id=6574

Check out the last line.....

The team's made less an effort w/ him than Russ

[swerb]

McKinley is a ufa, Rich.

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/article.php?id=6574

Check out the last line.....

The team's made less an effort w/ him than Russ

Missed that. I've never been a big fan, but that definitely means they're not done at DE. I'd be really surprised if one of the three 1st day picks isn't a kid they love as a 3-4 DE. Maybe the kid from ND.

[HoodooMan]

Maybe the kid from ND.

Abiamiri? 3-4 OLB.

The guy I like is the guy BadBecks picked in the 2nd round of his "Mindless Fun" draft: Justin Harrell from Tennessee.

[swerb]

The guy I like is the guy BadBecks picked in the 2nd round of his "Mindless Fun" draft: Justin Harrell from Tennessee.

Looks like some other people like the kid too. Could be going George Jefferson on us.

http://www.gbnreport.com/

At the same time, it appears that Tennessee DT Justin Harrell may be making a move up into the latter part of this year’s opening round. And that’s probably where Harrell would have been today had he not been forced to miss the second half of the season with a torn biceps muscle. Harrell didn’t hurt his status, though when he played in the Florida game despite the injury; the 6-4, 300-pound Harrell, who ran his 40 in Indianapolis in a solid 5.04.

[ramllov]

The Browns have added talent to a depleted defensive line.

Roye and Washington, these guys are old men. I hope we get another year out of each of them. Is it realisitic, I don't know and the problem is Savage, Crennel and company do not know either.

So, the Browns will find another young veteran DE/DT who has played 3-4 years and has some upside. He should be able to rotate in and provide a higher level of playing skill at the DE than any of the various backups on the roster. There are still a few free agents available. It would be smart if Savage signed another DE/DT in free agency.

The draft - defensive line. It is unfortunate that the Browns need a corner. The Browns have to draft a corner in the second or third round. If they did not, I would say a DE with the second or third pick and a NT/DT with the fourth or fifth pick. The draft is deep in DL, DB and WR.

If the Browns started May 1st with an additional FA DL guy and a DE and NT from the draft, the Browns should be set on the defensive line for 2007. The reason for the two draft choices, Roye and Washington will be gone in 2008. This defense requires a year of an initiation.