BR1986FB;1116207 wrote:Correct

so do we sign a free agent or just give it all to Dawson? lol

Mr Miyagi;1116212 wrote:so do we sign a free agent or just give it all to Dawson? lol

They will probably use most of it to re-sign current players. I'd imagine they will also shed about $20 million in contracts next year.

Maybe next year is "the year." Heckert is against using free agency but it sounds like when they feel the time is right (must not be now), they will strike with major/key signings. They won't break the bank but they will supposedly target more "impactful" players when they feel the roster is "close."

[h=6]Browns signed former Bengals DE Frostee Rucker to a five-year deal worth over $20 million.[/h] Confirmed by Schefter

[h=1]Browns pry DE Rucker away from Bengals[/h] March, 14, 2012 Mar 14
3:25
PM ET

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By Jamison Hensley


The Bengals' defensive line got a lot weaker today, and the Browns' front got much stronger.

Cleveland agreed to a deal with Bengals free-agent defensive end Frostee Rucker, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Terms weren't disclosed.

[h=4]Frostee Rucker[/h] [h=5]#92 DE
Cincinnati Bengals[/h] 2011 STATS

• Tot44
• Solo32
• Ast12
• FF0
• Sack4.0
• Int0

Rucker provides a quality presence opposite disruptive defensive end Jabaal Sheard and rounds out a strong Browns defensive line that includes defensive tackles Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor. The Bengals considered Rucker among their top three priorities in free agency, along with safety Reggie Nelson (who remains unrestricted) and kicker Mike Nugent (who received the franchise tag).

Effective when healthy, Rucker is coming off one of his best seasons. He took Michael Johnson's starting job after Week 6 and finished with four sacks.

Rucker, 28, also solves the biggest weakness in the Browns' defensive line. He takes over for right end Jayme Mitchell, who was benched for his poor play.

The Bengals, which had one of the top defensive lines in the NFL last season, will need Johnson to bounce back and step into his old starting role.

The Bengals defensive line didn't only lose Rucker today. About the same time Rucker was agreeing to a deal with the Browns, versatile defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, that reportedly included a $3.85 million signing bonus.

Fanene is a high-effort player who played a major role in the Bengals' pass rush. He finished second on the Bengals with six sacks and third with 13 quarterback pressures.

The quality depth of the Bengals defensive front got thinned out in a matter of an hour.

I guess that isn't a bad sign for the Browns...get a guy opposite of Sheard who has potential to make the DL better. So even though they sign Rucker, do they still take a DE within the first 3 rounds? Or draft a wr,qb,rb,lb? In no particular order.

Just read, 5 yr $20 mil for Rucker.

My next move would to try and get a deal done to land Tate or go for Michael Bush. I think getting one of those two would be huge.

The Browns should throw 3 1st rounders and get Peyton Manning. GOAT. #superbowlchamps

Phillip;1116260 wrote:The Browns should throw 3 1st rounders and get Peyton Manning. GOAT. #superbowlchamps

Agreed and throw in 3 more first rounders for Luck...along with 5 second rounders

wes_mantooth;1116264 wrote:Agreed and throw in 3 more first rounders for Luck...along with 5 second rounders

#winning

Commander of Awesome;1116245 wrote:Just read, 5 yr $20 mil for Rucker.

I'm alright with this move. Definitely an upgrade for our D-Line

Commander of Awesome;1116189 wrote:Anyone know if Sean Smith is still available?

Shaun Smith tweeted he would let everyone know in the morning.....did not say where....some people reporting Kansas City

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2011/7/28/2300819/nfl-free-agency-rumors-shaun-smith

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2516/eric-steinbach

^^^^^Still would like to resign him to a cheaper contract

COA's buddy Derek Anderson signs 1 year with Carolina

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/14/panthers-retain-derek-anderson-on-one-year-deal/

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/14/free-agent-safety-adams-visiting-the-broncos/

Mike Adams visiting Denver Broncos

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/14/cowboys-sign-two-more-guard-bernadeau-fullback-vickers/

and Cowboys sign Vickers

Dr. KnOiTaLL;1116291 wrote:http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2516/eric-steinbach

Good move. He was gonna be a $8 million cap hit. Saw this coming.

The Browns are rumored to have contacted the agent of Ben Grubbs and Anthony Collins.

BR1986FB;1116330 wrote:The Browns are rumored to have contacted the agent of Ben Grubbs and Anthony Collins.

Baltimore quit talking to Grubbs because they offered him 6 mill he wants 8 mill after Nicks signed his contract

Mr Miyagi;1116332 wrote:Baltimore quit talking to Grubbs because they offered him 6 mill he wants 8 mill after Nicks signed his contract

Browns just freed up $8 mill. I'd love to snatch another player from a division foe.

BR1986FB;1116334 wrote:Browns just freed up $8 mill. I'd love to snatch another player from a division foe.

Me too, especially Grubbs.

I don't understand why the Bengals are allowing their players to go. They have plenty of money to spend. Either Mike Brown really is that much of a cheap ass, they have something cooking, or they plan to sign a player to a ridiculously dumb deal (i.e. 60 mil to michael bush lol).

Grubbs also talking to New Orleans

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120310/SPT02/303100075/Big-free-agent-targets-already-Bengals?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

"Rucker and Fanene could each command $3-3.5 million per season and are coming off career years.
Finally healthy for the first time in his six seasons here, Rucker started 12 games at right end with 11 tackles for loss. Fanene had 6.5 sacks last season. Both also are valuable because they can play both end and guard."

"Collins is one of the best pass protectors on the team but there isn’t a spot for him at tackle with Andre Smith and Andrew Whitworth set as the starters. There are a couple of spots at guard, but Collins is not keen on a position change."

Sounds like if we can snag Collins, we will have gotten 2 nice pieces from a division rival. There is one thing better than making your team better, and that is doing it at the expense of someone else.

Selling point to Grubbs......."Our kicker won't miss a 30 yd field goal with the game on the line"...LOL

Rucker is alright. There are probably 3-4 rookie ends in the draft I would have preferred over him, but he's an upgrade over Jayme Mitchell.