Back in Business

Joe Cleveland was as happy as a pig in slop when he was greeted with the news Monday morning that the NFL's lockout had finally come to a conclusion.

It's the longest work-stoppage in NFL history, and yet the only game that will be missed is the meaningless Hall of Fame preseason game in Canton. No offense to Canton, as Joe Cleveland loves his Northeast Ohio communities and knows how much the exposure of the game and the symbolism of it means to Canton, but it's an exhibition game. Big whoop.

No regular season games were missed. No regular season games were rescheduled. With the way this lockout was going this spring and summer, there were times that those two sentences looked unrealistic and fantasy-oriented. But, to the owners and players credit, they hunkered down and hammered out a deal that, I believe, is great for the sport of football.

A 10-year CBA with no opt-out clause? Take that, NBA and MLB!

The most important aspect, at least in Joe Cleveland's mind, is that those wonderful orange helmets and brown and white jersies will be worn again. The Browns are back!

With the lockout ending comes a furious few weeks, in which free agency will kick off. It will be a mad dash as teams scramble to fill up the $120 million salary cap, and a ton of players, thanks to releases and new free agency criteria, will be available.

So, what do the Browns do?

To me, the biggest area of need is the defense. All you sports-talkers can yakk about wide receivers all you like, but the fact is, the defense needs more bodies, more talent and more depth than your over-glorified wide receiver position. I would say signing some offensive linemen would take precidence over wide receiver.

In a West Coast offense, receivers are expected to run shorter and quicker routes. Reliable hands are key. In this offense, I think Mohammed Massoquoi and Brian Robiskie should do just fine. Second-year player Carlton Mitchell, who Mangini never played, was a Tom Heckart draft pick specifically for this offense, and should blossom under new coaching. And rookie Greg Little -- if he keeps his head on straight -- should have a fine career. And, Josh Cribbs is the utilityman -- perhaps precise routes would be just the break he needs to finally succeed at the receiver position.

With that being said, if -- after the Browns address their other needs -- there is a decent, veteran receiver still out there (Derrick Mason, Lee Evans) that would come cheap, then the Browns can pounce. But that should be the last of their concerns.

I'm not going to lie - Nnamdi Asomugha would look fantastic in Brown and Orange. However, he's not worth breaking the bank over. The Browns need a corner, but not that bad. So, here's who I would target, if I was Tom Heckart:

Donte Whitner -- Whitner is a Cleveland product who went on to stardom at Ohio State before being drafted by the Buffalo Bills. He's had a fine NFL career with the Bills, but it's almost certain he will wind up with a new team. Why not come back to his hometown with the Browns? The Browns sorely need a starting safety to line up next to T.J. Ward, and Whitner would be a huge upgrade over Abram Elam and the other retreads Eric Mangini trotted out there the last few years.  Besides, Browns fans always go ga-ga when "one of their own" comes back home. Others to consider are Michael Huff, Quintin Mikell, Dashon Goldson and Danieal Manning.

Charles Johnson or Ray Edwards -- One of these players would probably be the biggest free agency spash the Browns would commit to, and it would fill a tremendous need. Right now, your starting defensive line is Athyba Rubin and two unsigned (as of now) rookies in Phil Taylor and Jabreal Sheard. Sheard fills one of your defensive end roles, but you need another. Re-signing Jayme Mitchell is a must for the Browns, but they can do better than that as their other starter. Johnson or Edwards would be how they do better. Carolina is likely to make a full-court press on retaining Johnson (especially after losing Julius Peppers last season), but Edwards will be in a different uniform next year. Edwards has never had double-digit sacks in a season like Johnson did last season, but Edwards' body of work and consistancy outshine Johnson's. Either one would be a phenomenal signing. However, I might lean toward Edwards -- he'd be cheaper and the "bust" factor may be less than that of Johnson. Other linemen to consider are Raheem Brock, Marcus Spears and Stylez G. White.

Barrett Ruud -- Of the Browns' potential starting linebackers, the only one without any health concerns is Chris Gocong. D'Qwell Jackson has missed most of the last two seasons with torn pec muscles, and Scott Fujita missed the second half of last season and spent the entire offseason dealing with the lockout as one of the high-ranking members of the NFLPA. The Browns could use a reliable person to use in the middle, and Ruud would be that person. He's not as highly rated as Paul Posluszny is, but Posluszny will be targeted by the Bills to retain. Ruud is a cheaper version of Posluszny. He's a highly effective tackler and a solid playmaker. Plus, he's still pretty young. Kirk Morrison would also be a good signing, if Ruud were to find a different home, along with Manny Lawson, Stephen Tulloch and Stewart Bradley. I would re-sign Jason Trusnik, who proved to be very valuable on special teams and did well when thrust into action, to provide depth. And, just for S and G's, why not Lorain native and former Ohio State great Matt Wilhelm to help on special teams?

Chris Carr -- The Plain Dealer is saying that retaining Eric Wright is a "must." Seriously? Did they not watch him attempt to play last season and constantly whiff tackles, get burned for completions and touchdowns and look like a chump? Good riddence. Let some other team deal with this primma-donna. Carr is a definite upgrade over Eric Wrong. He comes from a division rival, so those signings are two-fold in that they strengthen you while crippling one of your common opponents. Carr is certainly no Asomugha, but he'd be a lot cheaper. A CB-tandem of Joe Haden and Chris Carr, with Sheldon Brown as your veteran nickelback, would certainly be no slouch. Others to consider include Richard Marshall, Drayton Florence, Josh Wilson, Carlos Rogers and Phillip Buchanon.

Robert Gallery -- I've always been a Robert Gallery fan, dating back to his time with Iowa. The Raiders moved him all over their line as they tried to find a successful role for him. All this has done, in my opinion, is making him a valuable utilityman for your offensive line. As it is, the Browns need a right guard, and Pork Chop Womack, at this stage, is probably best served as line-depth. Gallery hasn't had the best career -- especially for someone who was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft -- but a change of scenery would do him good. An atmosphere similar to what he was used to in the Big Ten, playing along side a lineman who was just as good in the Big Ten, if not better, in Joe Thomas, may be wonders. Others to consider include Max Jean-Gilles, David Baas, Chris Chester, Matt Light and Daryn Colledge.

Brian Westbrook -- The Browns are pretty set at running back with Peyton Hillis and rookie Montario Hardesty. However, Hardesty's health is a question mark. Plus, in a West Coast offense, a third-down back who can catch the ball is a must. Westbrook is a veteran who would be effective in this role. He and Heckart have a history together going back to the Eagles. Westbrook's best days are behind him, but the savvy vet should excel as the change-of-pace, receiving back the Browns need. Of course, Cribbs could be moved to this role, but I can't see them throwing Cribbs here like that. Others to consider include Darren Sproles, Jerome Harrison (yes, I know we traded him, but that was Mangini's call. Mangini's gone), Brandon Jackson and (don't laugh) Tiki Barber.

Chris Hovan -- Hovan is past his prime. However, with two young defensive tackles starting, it might be wise to bring in a veteran to help show the ropes and use as a sounding board of sorts. Hovan is also a Cleveland product, so ending his career as a Brown might be something he would go for. Defensive tackle isn't a huge need, but, with the young guys in the fold, a veteran could be of service.

And, if you must add a receiver, there are quite a few that could be added to help shore up the young corps. If I were to target one, it would be ...

Mark Clayton -- Clayton succeeded in Pat Shurmer's offense in St. Louis last season before being injured after a few years of mediocrity with Baltimore. Clayton is still young enough to have upside, but veteran enough to show the young guys like Robiskie and Massoquoi who have never played in a WCO the ropes. Others to consider include Malcolm Floyd, Derrick Mason, Randy Moss (if you can get him cheap, why not), Lee Evans, Laurent Robinson and James Jones.

It should be an interesting couple of weeks. Who knows what the Browns will do, but it's exciting to see.

And besides, it will detract from the move the Indians WON'T make on July 31, along with the NBA lockout that will be even uglier than the NFL's was (if you're a diehard Cavs fan, I feel sorry for you because you won't see a game this year. Just a hunch).

Are you ready for some football? Joe Cleveland sure the heck is! Let's get going!

Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!