Browns fans may be disappointed with the early results of free agency this offseason, which kicked off this past Football Friday, as we've become accustomed to big spending in the first couple of days of free agency with Phil $avage leading our front office. Free agency in 2009 started the same way and I expect this to be our M.O. into the future. We are no longer a team that will fill our roster with overpaid free agents and instead will look to build through the draft. Sure, free agency isn't fun anymore, but in the end, winning in the regular season will be. I like the appraoch and the players added thusfar, the first being Super Bowl Champion linebacker, Scott Fujita [Foo-Gee-Tah]. While the fit in the 3-4 scheme is questionable, I am reminded that Fujita played in Bill Parcells' 3-4 in Dallas before joining Sean Payton in New Orleans. Fujita brings versatility to Rob Ryan's defense as he is big enough to play inside but he can also move outside and rush the passer. In addition to brining a winning attitude to the locker room, Fujita also gives Ryan fleixibility to be able to switch alignments and fronts to confuse opposing offenses.
Ironically, Pashos was drafted by Phil Savage in Baltimore and was a favorite of George Kokinis when he was with the Ravens, but now finds himself with the Browns. Pashos has a lot of experience starting at right tackle and is especially strong in the running game and may be able to move to guard depending on other players we may add in the draft. Bottom line, with the vast number of picks the Browns have added, look for us to pick up a few starters and solid depth and developmental players in late April, with the potential to still make deals in the RFA and trade markets.
-Charlie
I agree with everything Charlie has said here. I really like the Watson move. I think he is probably past his prime, but he is certainly a huge upgrade over Robert Royal.
ReplyDeletehttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/03/07/freeagency/index.html?eref=sihp
ReplyDeleteThe article pretty much sums up the risk/rewards of FA signings. Signing big guys rarely works (For every Drew Brees there are 50 busts). You never see the Patriots, Colts, or Steelers overpaying for 1 or 2 studs like Haynesworth or Peppers. Savage was a big spender in FA, and like the Redskins, it didnt pay off. This isn't baseball, football requires more internal strategy than "Yankee economics". Instead, you resign solid players (Cribbs), draft studs (Joe Thomas), and if you do sign players, keep it cheap. Fujita isn't cheap or super expensive, but he isn't 80 years old like McGinnest so I think he has a chance to be moderately decent for a few years. Trades rarely work, though I would like to see the Browns unload one of their QBs or other high priced players since there are no cap penalties. This is the most important draft for the Browns in years. With so many picks and such a deep draft, the Browns can make themselves contenders NEXT year if they play their cards right. I'm a believer, I think this is the first proven set of coaching personnel the browns have had since expansion.