Author: G (Page 19 of 44)

The good new from Berea continues. Linebacker Willie McGinest is the latest free agent to join the Browns. He’ll add some much-needed pass-rushing abilities.

Again, the presence of Romeo Crennel has helped land another quality veteran. These guys love playing for him. In the long run that bodes well for the Browns.

Romeo Crennel’s quote says it all:

“You can only play the card you’re dealt,” Crennel said. “That’s what we did last year. We got some more cards now.”

They sure do. As Terry Pluto explains, the Browns clearly had a plan this year, and they are focusing on the basics as the try to build this football team.

Washington is the latest example of the no-frills approach that Savage has taken to free agency. Along with Crennel, Savage has talked about games being won on the line — offense and defense.

Nothing new there.

By putting big bucks into premier offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley and emerging left tackle Kevin Shaffer on Saturday, then adding Washington to the defense, it shows that the Browns are really serious.

They also signed reliable punter David Zastudil and gritty receiver Joe Jurevicius, more of an indication that they want to improve the basics. They know the game comes down to blocking, tackling, punting, catching the ball and running the ball.

Now,if they can snag Willie McGinest as well, they’ll be in great shape heading into the draft.

Phil Savage is on a roll. In the second day of free agency, the Browns added punter Dave Zastudil of Bay Village and four-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Ted Washington of the Raiders.

Washington is a huge nose tackle (6-5, 365) that can stuff the middle and helps address one of the team’s biggest needs. He’s 38 years old, however, so he isn’t a long-term solution. That said, he can really help this defense get more physical and give the Browns time to develop some young nose tackles.

Savage is also working to get former Detroit defensive end Kalimba Edwards signed by today. Edwards (6-6, 265), can play linebacker in the 3-4 and might be the pass-rush specialist the Browns sorely need.