Browns Blog

Market woes

While free agency has become the second most popular offseason fan experience (trailing the draft), it's usually not all it's cracked up to be. Instead of offering up plenty of outstanding talent, the reality is that few talented players are up for grabs.

Teams that don't want to lose a coveted player can tag him with a franchise or transition tag, which all but assures his return to that team. A transition player can negotiate and sign with another team, but the team that previously owned the player's rights can match the offer and retain his services.

One player the Browns might have had an interest in won't be going anywhere. Pass-rushing expert Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens was "tagged" this week and should be with the team at least one more season.

The Tennessee Titans are expected to "tag" defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth, who would be the prize lineman available. The Browns badly need help on the defensive front, and Haynesworth is one of the best interior linemen in the NFL.

Haynesworth has a history of causing problems. He's best known for kicking a Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman in the head a couple of seasons ago.

Browns General Manager Phil Savage prefers signing high-character players, but he might be tempted to go after Haynesworth, if he's available. Don't count on that happening.

The Browns made a big splash the last two years in free agency. The prize of the 2006 class was offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley, but he's yet to play a game because of a devastating knee injury and problems that surfaced during rehabilitation.

Last year the Browns signed guard Eric Steinbach, who helped turn the line from one of the worst in the NFL to one of the better units.

The Browns are about $30 million below the salary cap. Owner Randy Lerner isn't adverse to spending plenty of money, which means the Browns will be a player on the market.

The problem is that there might not be much talent available.