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2007 Projected Salary Cap Status:
$75,695,000 or 33.305 million under the Cap.
This has since gotten smaller due to recent signings

2006 Season Recap:
The Browns free agent portion of the 2006 season started at a fast pace as Senior VP and GM Phil Savage signed the top free agent of the class of all free agents, LeCharles Bentley. Savage then followed that move up by signing former Atlanta Falcons LT Kevin Shaffer, former Baltimore Ravens punter Dave Zastudil and seasoned veterans Willie McGinest, Ted Washington and Joe Jurevicius.

Bentley tore the patellar tendon in one of his knees on the first play from scrimmage in training camp, sidelining the two-time Pro Bowler for at least the entire 2006 season, and probably 2007 as well (albeit at this point yet confirmed). This shattering news seemed to be only a prelude of things to come, as the Browns final number of players placed on injured reserve tallied well into the teens. Combine the injuries with division in the locker room over the now departed offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, Braylon Edwards openly lambasting the O-line for not keeping their starting QB’s jersey clean, and then throwing starting safety Brian Russell under the bus, and what you’ve got is one ugly mess (Did we reallly think Brian Russell would re-sign with Cleveland once he hit the free agent market in 2007?). Oddly enough, out of the four seemingly insignificant wins the Browns managed to amass, two of them were against teams that made the playoffs (NY Jets and Kansas City).

2007

Team Needs|
1.) Offensive Line
The 2006 haul of free agents was intended to shore up a dismal offensive line.  Needless to say the line was a disappointment.  Tim Shafer was brought in to shore up Left Tackle but looked uncomfortable in the offensive system.  Ryan Tucker at Right Tackle fell victim to mental fatigue and personal demons which are yet undocumented and was not a consistent presence throughout the season.  Reports here in 2007 has Tucker in healthy shape and prepared for the challenge of an upcoming season.  Backing both tackles up is Tackle Kelly Butler.  Kelly started six games for Cleveland while Tucker was out and looked very promising as a young big tackle.  He’s since been rewarded with a two year contract.  It’s still a possibility this position will be addressed in the draft ala Joe Thomas from Wisconsin.
Center of course was a disaster in 2006.  Hank Fraley was a significant contributor from the start filling in for the laundry list of centers auditioning for the job.  He has since re-signed with the team and looks to be the starter.  However after last years disaster Cleveland has been proactive in signing Seth McKinney, a former starter at Guard and Center for the Miami Dolphins but sat out 2006 with an injury.  At least 2007 looks to have some capable hands at the position since it is apparent Lecharles Bentley may not suit up this year.
Guard was addressed in free agency.  The Browns will lose incumbent Cosey Coleman to free agency but it was apparent they had little interest in retaining his rights.  Joe Andruzzi apparently is the starter on the left side while newly signed Eric Steinbach, former Bengal and highly regarded offensive lineman, will set up fort on the right.  It has yet to be confirmed where Steinbach will line up but he’s definitely an upgrade.  Again Seth McKinney plays Guard and may be a significant contributor here as well. Note: Lenny Friedman has been re-signed for one year for depth.

UPDATED: Addressed in draft. Joe Thomas is a great upgrade in potential at Left Tackle and for all you pundits out there who have insisted Cleveland needs to take a franchise tackle high in the draft here you go. As they say of someone of this ilk, pencil him in as a starter for the next 10 years. Andruzzi is on the verge of being cut (possibly today) and the Browns have added great depth through free agency. Kevin Shaffer, last years starting left tackle, is requesting a trade. If that is to happen we are not sure - he has a lot of guaranteed money coming from his free agent contract last year. He can play multiple positions as well.

2.) Defensive Line
Starting NT Ted Washington is showing signs of his age. Starting DE Orpheus Roye underwent surgery this off-season and is no spring chicken either. Alvin McKinley is testing the free agent waters and will likely not be back.  Newly signed Robaire Smith has peaked speculation that he may play Defensive End and/or Tackle.  He’s a big body that many did not project into Cleveland’s defensive system.  The team also signed Shaun Smith of the Bengals to an offer sheet that was not matched and now is a member of the team.  A three year veteran plugger in the middle signed as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina University, he came at no cost if the Bengals do not match and will make an impact in depth immediately.  At least one more young lineman will be addressed high in the draft.

Updated: A couple of Defensive Ends were selected late in the draft but that was of little comfort. The addition of the Smiths above is the true story. Do not be surprised in seeing some street free agents coming into camp and making a show of things.

3.) Cornerback/Safety
Starting cornerback Gary Baxter tore the patellar tendon in, not one, but both of his knees. Although he vowed to be back and ready to play in 2007, it wouldn’t be advised anyone hold their breath on this one. An injury settlement would not surprise anyone. One bright light is a healthy Leigh Bodden will secure one side.  Daven Holley proved to be a capable corner and recently signed Kenny Wright should make strides toward getting better.  McCutcheon was cut because of his salary and injuries but his presence will be missed.  Safety is another concern.  Russell signed with the Seahawks leaving Sean Jones and Brodney Pool, both second round picks in the past and highly regarded prospects, to man the safety spots.  Look for Cleveland to pick up another veteran Safety to at least push the two (former Buckeye and Colt safety Mike Doss would be an interesting pickup).  Drafting another young safety to add to the mix would be counter productive but a corner or two will be selected in the draft somewhere.  Possibly adding a punt/kick returner in the package.

Update: Addressed well in the draft with Eric Wright, albeit with notable baggage coming with his #1 CB grade on all boards, added in the second and Brandon MacDonald out of Memphis added in the fifth. Both will see mucho playing time in the coming season and Wright could qickly establish himself on the roster.

4.) Quarterback
OK.  Is Frye the man?  Is Anderson regarded high enough to challenge for the position?  Do we need to go out and sign a grizzled veteran to challenge the starter or serve as a mentor (uh, yes)?  Do we go out and draft Brady Quin if he’s available with the third pick?  Rumors are circulating that Lerner has demanded Cleveland draft a quarterback with it’s #3 pick.  I’m not putting much stock in that considering the team owner has been little input on any decision.  They all like Troy Smith as well knowing what he could do at the box office.  Picking up Troy in round 3 or 4 would carry little consequence.

Update: Well.... Quin is an upgrade let alone the impact on the team as a whole in trading up and getting him. Great move. Too costly? If Cleveland is under .500 like so many people believe they will think of the cost of a player in that slot next year and the potential gains on taking a top five talent with the #22 slot money and taking a chance on him rather than taking a top 5 quarterback next year and giving him top 5 money (Think the $$$ Gerard Warren received and the overall return we got on that investment).

5.)  Coaching Staff (Tight End closing in on Top 5 with Winslow Situation)
We are totally biased in Cleveland selecting Rob Chudzinski to call the offensive plays as Offensive Coordinators.  Chudzinski is an Ohio (Toledo) native with lots of local ties.  He was offensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes 2001-2003 before he came to Cleveland in 2004 under Butch Davis.  He left for the San Diego Chargers as tight ends coach and was hired this year to replace Davidson as Offensive Coordinator.  Davidson did not fare well in his audition for the job last year but quickly found a position with the Carolina Panthers; not a bad gig. 

With head coach Romeo Crennel’s job being on the line this season, it seems to the untrained eye that his supporting cast of assistant coaches might have been assembled for a quick exodus. When you hire an offensive line coach whose pupils gave up a record 68 sacks in his last NFL season, you can expect some eyebrows to rise suspiciously.

Cleveland is not being lauded in their off-season moves for 2007. It's apparent the offensive line will be significantly better and will be in place to gel as a unit. Wide Receiver corp will be interesting with Edwards under the new coaches and hopefully last year incidents were attributed to frustration. Who's the future quarterback? The value of the third pick will make for an intriguing month leading up to the draft. Is the Jamal Lewis signing a good move (I believe it is)? Does Ted Washington have any more gas in the tank? Will Wimbley maintain his growth? It's going to be fun to watch... which is more than I can say in past seasons at times. PLEASE let us get rid of the people saying "ONLY IN CLEVELAND".

Questions going into camp: Wright as our backup RB. Will Quin start out of the gate? If they thought Frye had a psychy problem before what do you think his state of mind is now after the draft?

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