Below is the official timeline of events this week in case you haven't seen it yet on the world wide leader.. Thanks to ESPN for providing. Full story here.
ESPN Football Is Back!
NFL timeline of transactions
With the NFL back in business, here's how the first days of league business will go for players and teams:Monday at 6 p.m. ET
• NFL to publish official list of 2011 free agents.
Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET
• Trading begins.
• Teams can sign rookies and undrafted free agents.
• Teams can negotiate with, but not sign, veteran free agents.
Thursday at 4:01 p.m. ET
• Team can begin to cut players.
Friday at 6 p.m. ET
• Teams can officially sign free agents. Players who sign must report to new teams but can't participate in physical activities until start of league year on Aug. 4.
Aug. 4 at 4:01 p.m. ET
• Clubs must be within salary cap.
With that being said I see the Browns top 5 needs as follows.
1) Linebacker
2) Defensive End/line
3) Wide Receiver
4) Change of pace Running Back
5) Safety
Lets be honest we need some help on the right side of the offensive line as well, but I rank that 6th. I haven't read that linebacker is our most glaring need very much, but I don't see how it isn't. I don't know who would start for us at the three LB positions right now. Fujita would be one. Gocong? DJax? Does DJax even have the ability to play football at this point? This is a problem folks.
Given those needs I think there are a few key names that could be targets for the Browns in free agency. I have broken the list up into three groups. Obvious Names - Guys that we would of course like, but probably won't get. Impact Names That Are Realistic - Guys that could really help the Browns, but are not top top names so we actually have a chance, Other Names - Guys that are probably only fill in type players (think Mike Adams, Tony Pashos, etc). As a note these are all unrestricted free agents.
Obvious Names
1) Charles Johnson DE Car
2) Ray Edwards DE Min
3) Paul Posluszny LB Buf
4) Santonio Holmes WR NyJ
5) Tyson Clabo RT Atl
As much as I would like to see Johnson or Edwards on our Dline I just don't see this happening. I don't know if we are quite there yet to attract the big name Free Agent talent. I think we have an outside shot of stealing Posluszny from the Bills now that Jauron is in CLE. Posluszny says he likes Buffalo and I think we could make a pitch that Cleveland has the same hard nosed fans (but better), are headed in the right direction (but faster than Buf), and has a more attractive city life without being too big. Also the Bills are switching to the 3-4 while we are going to the 4-3 and I think Paul is better suited for the 4-3. Still not a great chance, but I think there is at least a chance to land him. Probably our best shot at one of my big five free agents. I don't think Santonio is going back to the Jets but he probably won't end up here either. Would be nice though. Clabo might not be a household name but he was a Pro Bowl tackle in 2010. I doubt he leaves ATL but he is 29 and it would nice if the Browns made a play for him.
Impact Names That Are Realistic
1) Steve Breaston WR Ari
2) Eric Weddle S SD
3) Donte Whitner S Buf
4) James Jones WR GB
5) LeRoy Hill LB Sea
Holmgren has said a few times the Browns would target a WR in Free Agency. I think Steve Breaston could be a great fit in the slot with MoMass, RoBo, and GLittle on the outside. Breaston has had a 1,000 yrd season to his credit and would provide a bit of a speed threat that the Browns just don't have in their WR core right now. Donte Whitner/LeRoy Hill are both defensive starters that I think the Browns have a shot at because of their past connections (Jauron Bills, Holmgren Seahawks). Eric Weddle is a guy I think the Browns should target hard. He fits our need of a Free Safety, is young (26), and productive. He is probably a long shot since he is the best free agent safety, but his current rumored destination is Jacksonville. Our owner has the money and we have a much better pitch than the lowly Jaguars franchise unless all he wants is sunshine.
Other Names That Could Help
1) Dawan Landry S Bal
2) Jerious Norwood RB Atl
3) Ashton Youboty DB Buf
4) Atari Bigby DB GB
5) Lance Moore WR NO
6) Michael Huff S Oak
7) Ernie Sims LB Phil
8) Manny Lawson LB SF
9) Raheem Brock DE Sea
10) Chris Houston DB Det
11) Jared Gaither OT Bal
12) Alan Branch DT Ari
TJ Ward without breaking the bank. Ernie Sims is a guy who was once a tackle machine in Detroit. His production has fallen off the past two seasons, however I think he is a guy that could also help at the LB position in the 4-3 without taking up a large chunk of your salary cap.
All indications are that the Browns will not be huge players in free agency so here is my futile attempt at guessing who will land in Brown and Orange.
1) Donte Whitner S Buf
2) Steve Breaston WR Ari
3) Ernie Sims LB Phil
I think we will somehow obtain a 3rd down RB and some additional defensively line help, but not sure who at this point.
History proves that since I'm predicting these three will be Browns there is now actually zero chance they will be, but hey ill take a swing anyway.
Go Browns! Glad football is back.
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