2012 NFL Free Agency Thread

[JMcCurry08]

Figured we should start this up since one isn't made yet. Browns will not pursue Marques Colston in free agency according to reports

RT @evansilva: #Browns are not expected to pursue free agent Marques Colston: *http://bit.ly/zayrqP

Nate Ulrich ‏ @NateUlrichABJ
#Browns reportedly have $17.4 million in cap space with free agency on horizon: bit.ly/yZCsMF. #NFL

[DJTJ]

I can't wait to see our roster at the end of April. I'd be willing to wager we do virtually nothing outside of the draft, and like normal, are terrible. If they're going with Colt, or Tannenhill, or whomever, they better nail down solid weapons. This is disheartening.

[JMcCurry08]

3 Biggest Needs for the Browns according to the AFC North blog

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/pos...m-needs-browns

Free agent officially kicks off at 4 p.m. Tuesday, so let's take a look at the three biggest needs for the Browns:
1. Running back: The best way for the Browns to address this position is to draft Alabama's Trent Richardson with the fourth overall pick. There really isn't a better option in free agency. The Browns could re-sign Peyton Hillis, but they probably would only do so if he comes at a bargain rate. Cleveland needs to find an established playmaker here, because Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson are question marks in terms of health, and Chris Ogbonnaya is a third-down back. If you miss out on your chance for a franchise quarterback, you have to make sure you're set at running back.

2. Quarterback: The big question is whether the Browns will pursue Matt Flynn in free agency. It could be difficult to land the longtime Packers backup, because the Miami Dolphins are expected to go after him if they can't make any headway with Peyton Manning. The Dolphins would have the edge for Flynn, because new head coach Joe Philbin worked with him in Green Bay. Flynn, though, looks like a more highly touted version of Colt McCoy. If the Browns don't sign Flynn in free agency and don't draft Ryan Tannehill in the first round, they are looking at starting McCoy for the second straight season. He is 5-16 as a starter, and ranked 27th in the NFL in passing last season.

3. Wide receiver: Cleveland has one of the worst wide receiver groups in the NFL, and desperately needs a No. 1 target. The Browns were tied for the most drops in the NFL last season, and made only six catches of more than 40 yards, which tied for fourth-fewest in the league. Some have linked Cleveland to the Giants' Mario Manningham, but the better fit is the Colts' Pierre Garcon. He gives the Browns what they need the most at that position -- speed. Garcon finished with four catches of 40 yards or more, and three of his touchdown catches were longer than 40 yards. He did this without Manning throwing the ball to him. The Browns aren't expected to go after big-name receivers like Vincent Jackson or Marques Colston. After Garcon, Manningham and Robert Meachem, the next level of wide receivers include the Cowboys' Laurent Robinson, the Cardinals' Early Doucet and former Browns first-round pick Braylon Edwards.

[Juicy]

3 Biggest Needs for the Browns according to the AFC North blog

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/pos...m-needs-browns

So offense? Yeah we know.

[SauDogg]

I expect that the Browns will do as much in FA as last year. Sign a guy or two who MIGHT start (or just play at all) but otherwise sign a bunch of nobodies who doesn't deserve to start anywhere.

[Phills14]

I can see the Browns paying bigger money to a veteran offensive lineman like a Ben Grubbs. Rumors are Steinbach's back is not recovering well so it might be time to solidify that position next to Joe Thomas. We would then have Pinkston and Luvauo fighting it out for RG and 1st guard off the bench duties. It would be wise to grab a 3rd or 4thround tackle and put him in there to compete with Pashos.

The rest of the free agency money I see being used to secure Hillis at a reasonable contract and fill in holes with guys that could be starters but probably are backups on the D line, LB and either CB/FS positions. Guys like Dimitri Patterson from last year.

[bob2the2nd]

I can see the Browns paying bigger money to a veteran offensive lineman like a Ben Grubbs. Rumors are Steinbach's back is not recovering well so it might be time to solidify that position next to Joe Thomas. We would then have Pinkston and Luvauo fighting it out for RG and 1st guard off the bench duties. It would be wise to grab a 3rd or 4thround tackle and put him in there to compete with Pashos.

The rest of the free agency money I see being used to secure Hillis at a reasonable contract and fill in holes with guys that could be starters but probably are backups on the D line, LB and either CB/FS positions. Guys like Dimitri Patterson from last year.

ben grubbs is the one FA i would absolutely love to have on this team. much more so than any other FA

[Nw220]

Id like to grab Robert Meachem....Ben Grubbs would be nice dont know if it"d happen though but it should hes a beast

[SauDogg]

I guess this is the best place for this:

Cowboys lose $10 million in cap space, Redskins lose $36 million in space. Can split it over 2012 and 2013 any way they want. More at ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2012

[TheNewEra]

Must be true........


Incarcerated Bob‏@incarceratedbob
**UPDATED NFL RUMORS**Source: Cleveland Browns have set up a meeting with (QB) Flynn over the next 48hours (Dolphins better have a plan)

[cafemerald]

Must be true........


Incarcerated Bob‏@incarceratedbob
**UPDATED NFL RUMORS**Source: Cleveland Browns have set up a meeting with (QB) Flynn over the next 48hours (Dolphins better have a plan)

Every time someone posts an ibob twittwat

I am going to release all my frustration of having read it on my girlfriends twittwat.

[mofire]

I don't really listen to what bob has to say, but I will say his NFL tweets have been pretty good and almost happen most of the time compared to some of the other crazy stuff he throws out.

[DJTJ]

I'd like this to be true, just to see if we're doing our due diligence.

[EERSandBROWNS]

I don't really listen to what bob has to say, but I will say his NFL tweets have been pretty good and almost happen most of the time compared to some of the other crazy stuff he throws out.

Meh, I've seen him be right about some stuff before, but never about anything related to Cleveland sports. It's mostly NYC sports where he seems to have info.

According to him we were the overwhelming favorite for Ray Edwards and close to an agreement with him. But, in reality, we never even contacted him.

[EERSandBROWNS]

I can see the Browns paying bigger money to a veteran offensive lineman like a Ben Grubbs. Rumors are Steinbach's back is not recovering well so it might be time to solidify that position next to Joe Thomas. We would then have Pinkston and Luvauo fighting it out for RG and 1st guard off the bench duties. It would be wise to grab a 3rd or 4thround tackle and put him in there to compete with Pashos.

The rest of the free agency money I see being used to secure Hillis at a reasonable contract and fill in holes with guys that could be starters but probably are backups on the D line, LB and either CB/FS positions. Guys like Dimitri Patterson from last year.

I wanted to draft Grubbs when he came out and I'd take him in a heartbeat.

I've seen so many different things on Steinbach, I don't know what to believe. That situation will definitely be interesting because I've heard that his recovery has been great and then you turn around and some other source says it hasn't been going well.