The Browns are staying active in free agency, hoping to continue to use some of their ample cap room to add to the triumvertate of players signed this weekend.Three familiar names have been either been out to visit the Browns early this week, or plan to soon. Most notably, running back and convicted coke dealer Jamal Lewis, he of the hated Baltimore Ravens. Lewis was released by Crackmore last week so the team did not have to pay him an exorbidant roster bonus that he was due in mid-March. And the Browns apparently have some interest in bringing him here.
Possibly the team plans on pairing Lewis with holdover Reuben Droughns, who had a down season last year, struggling with a shoulder injury and an ineffective offensive line. Or more likely, the team is looking at Jamal as an alternative to Reuben, who himself is due a mid-March roster bonus of 1.5 million dollars. It's also possible that the team may be looking to deal Droughns, as Denver is said to be interested in potentially reacquiring him in the wake of dealing Tatum Bell to Detroit.
In other encouraging news, the Nashville City Paper is reporting that defensive lineman Robaire Smith has visited with the Browns, and is currently negotiating with them. Smith is big (6'4, 315), tough, and nasty ... and appears to be a good fit as a 3-4 defensive end after playing inside in Tennessee next to Albert Haynesworth. He's a seven year veteran out of Michigan State, and is one of the best defensive linemen left on the market in a year that was very weak at that spot from a free agency standpoint. Like the three other players the Browns have signed, Robaire is durable, missing just one game over the last five years ... and also has a history with Todd Grantham as a member of his Texans defense in 2004. Smith offers a clear upgrade to current starter Alvin McKinley.
Lastly, Pat Macmanamon from the Akron Beacon Journal reported this morning that the Browns hosted offensive lineman Mike Gandy yesterday. Gandy was a third round pick of the Bears back in 2001 out of Notre Dame and spent the first four years of his career in the Windy City before moving on to Buffalo for the last two. Gandy played very well for the Bills at left tackle in 2005, but struggled there a season ago, getting moved inside to guard in favor of Jason Peters. Guard is the position Gandy played in college with the Irish, and it's likely the position the Browns are looking at him to potentially man. Cosey Coleman will not return to the team, and Joe Andruzzi is a huge injury risk at this point of his career.
In other news, the Browns are still said to have some interest in former Raiders quarterback Marques Tuiasasopo, who has a strong arm and great mobility, but has really struggled with his accuracy and execution when pressed into action in Oakland.
Mar 06, 2007 7:00 PM