[CrazyLou]

Browns will make the playoffs next year.

On the first day of NFL free agency, the Cleveland Browns first locked up quarterback Derek Anderson with a three-year deal.

On Saturday, they gave him a new target to pass to.

According to a source, Donte' Stallworth, who played last season with the New England Patriots, agreed to terms on a contract with the Browns. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Source

[moneyline]

They are still the Browns ... Stallworth was/is/always will be overrated ... and the Steelers will continue to own them ...

[CrazyLou]

Their offensive line is much improved, Derek Anderson is very talented, Braylon Edwards/Donte Stallworth/Kellen Winslow are great offensive weapons, Jamal Lewis is a bowling ball and a hard physical runner. A few moves defensively and there's no reason this team isn't making a serious run at a championship.

Stallworth wasn't thrown in the mix much in NE with Moss there, when he was thrown the ball he was great with YAC and he made some great plays. He will be a perfect compliment to Cleveland's offense.

[RageWizard]

Unless they get some people for the defense it will be the same as last year.

[Quebb Diesel]

thats going to create a lot of mismatches and one on ones...

[diogee]

Pretty good addition to Winslow and Edwards

[Louisvillekid1]

Wow what a nice offense, going to be fun running w/ 'em on Madden.

Stallworth is a great addition and no way overrated in the least bit. He can stretch the defense which opens up coverages underneath for Winslow and Edwards to make plays.

[RageWizard]

They pretty much had a great offense to begin with. If they don't get defensive help all their games will be 40-38 finals.

[CrazyLou]

Originally Posted by RageWizard

They pretty much had a great offense to begin with. If they don't get defensive help all their games will be 40-38 finals.

Mm.. They would become very similar to how the Colts were.

[moneyline]

The Browns are in no way in the same league as the Colts were ...

- was last year the real Jamal Lewis, or the several years before that ...

- is Anderson a great QB after one season ... and will he regress or progress ...

- A FEW MOVES ON DEFENSE??? How about replacing the whole damned thing? That might help!

- Stallworth is overrated ... supposed to thrive in NE, he became an afterthought ... supposed to thrive in Philly and that never materialized either ... tell me when he finally lives up to the level y'all seem to place him at ... that'll be the 1st year he ever does!

Steelers own the Browns ... in the regular season and the playoffs ... remember, even the genius Billy Belicheck couldn't beat the Steelers when he only had the Browns at his disposal in the playoffs!!!

[JEMFS]

I think it was smart to keep Anderson and getting Stallworth will only help an already potent offense. They certainly can compete for a playoff spot but now it's time to shift the focus on the D.

[Louisvillekid1]

Stallworth did a great job in Philly and New Orleans.

Are you forgetting he played w/ moss and welker among many others?

[moneyline]

Yep, it's only his 4th team in 4 years ... a real commodity, that one! Great in Philly and NO? Why don't we wait until he has his 1st 1,000 yard season of his career before we talk in depth about his great play.

He wasn't great in New Orleans when he was a #2 behind Horn.
He wasn't great when he was a #1 in Philly.
He certainly wasn't great as a #3-#5 in New England, where he was outplayed by a bevy of receivers ...

But I'm sure he'll be great in Cleveland! Why, I have no idea ...

[2119]

I guess you missed the part where Cleveland got Corey Williams and Shaun Rodgers also.

Browns will win the North.

[moneyline]

Guess you missed Derek Anderson throwing 4 INT's agains the vaunted Bengals defense in the most important game of the Browns season last year ... nice to have another mouthy team, along with the Bengals, that we can kick around every year in our division (if not always in the regular season, definitely all of the time in the playoffs ...)

Damn Browns couldn't even beat us when they had the genius as coach back in the 90s ...

[RageWizard]

Originally Posted by moneyline

Guess you missed Derek Anderson throwing 4 INT's agains the vaunted Bengals defense in the most important game of the Browns season last year ... nice to have another mouthy team, along with the Bengals, that we can kick around every year in our division (if not always in the regular season, definitely all of the time in the playoffs ...)

Damn Browns couldn't even beat us when they had the genius as coach back in the 90s ...

Well with that avatar, and the obvious reference to Pittsburgh. You are now sporto's new favorite, congrats.

[CrazyLou]

Originally Posted by RageWizard

Well with that avatar, and the obvious reference to Pittsburgh. You are now sporto's new favorite, congrats.

And also a homer with an obvious bias against Cleveland.

[Deuce]

I just hope Anderson is legit and is not another Rex Grossman.

[raiders72002]

crazy- This is funny, I agree with you 100% and I was searching for odds on Cle to win the division before seeing your post. They aren't losing anyone and also traded for stud DT Rogers. 7 sacks last year.

n addition to Stallworth, the Browns have also traded for defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams and re-signed Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis.

[ChuteBoxe]

I like the Browns for next season, and I like the Jaguars as my sleepers. Derek Anderson and David Garrard should definitely get better with experience, and the additions of Stallworth, and Porter respectively, should definitely help them grow even more. That's just the QB/WR aspect, don't forget the strong running game of both teams, and the upgrades on D.

[purecarnagge]

Browns have up'd there Front 7 via FA so far. I expect them to draft a LB and a Olinemen for sure. Maybe even a change of pace back to compliment Jamal Lewis.

You have to admit, that this GM of the Browns has sorta figured the league out. Now that he has average to above average QB play, he's able to actually establish a blueprint for success. He's getting some proven talent for an immediate upgrade, but they have to build thru the draft and they have no picks in rounds 1-3 atm.

[moneyline]

Browns = wanna-bes ...

Maybe they will play like "soldiers", a-la Kellen Winslow, and beat the Steelers down, but it is doubtful. They are, after all, the Cleveland Browns. Maybe if Brian Sipe decides to make a comeback, they will have a chance ... otherwise, save your money. They won't win the division. Matter of fact, there is a better-to-middlin' chance they end up 3rd in the division, in back of everyone but the Ravens ...

Ya see, even the Bengals have more offensive weapons than the mighty Browns ...

Johnson = Edwards
TJ Housh is greater than Stallworth
Rudi Johnson is greater than Lewis
Carson Palmer is greater than Anderson ...

And neither loser team has a defense!!!

[CrazyLou]

ML,

Cleveland will make the playoffs whether you like it or not. They are simply too stacked offensively now, are making moves on defense, and they have a competent head coach with solid defensive experience under his belt. He hasn't had all the tools in Cleveland, we're going to see what Romeo can do with weapons now. I think you're nervous that you are left with Mike Tomlin to steer the ship.

[raiders72002]

See any future odds on the division? I don't see any.

[moneyline]

He steered the ship right past Cleveland this year -- not that it is that difficult. The ship that is Pittsburgh is steered past Cleveland every year, even when Bill Belicheck was steering for the Browns back in the 90s ...

The Browns overachieved last year and STILL did not make the playoffs. Next year, sad to say, they still will not have a defense and it is very questionable whether or not Lewis and Anderson will progress or regress ... judging by Lewis' past and his advancing age, odds of his regression are great ... and judging by Anderson's performance in key games last year, don't think I'd buy the playoff tickets just yet!

Let's face it -- the Steelers love having you in their division. Please stay. Pretty please!!!

[CrazyLou]

Originally Posted by raiders72002

See any future odds on the division? I don't see any.

No I don't see any either.

[raiders72002]

Looks like about 40-1 to win the Super Bowl. I may have to put a little on that.

[McBa1n]

The Browns moves are a bit suspect. Clearly - they are making a run and think they can contend the next 2-3 seasons. They over-paid for Stallworth. He's a hard worker, good attitude and a good solid receiver with some playmaking ability. He won't have to be the man, as Braylon is obviously the man.

But look at what else they did - they got:
Shaun Rogers - who will be boom or bust pretty much every down - he's sick when he's motivated, a waste if his heart isn't in it.

Corey Williams - a top flight rotation lineman who is still very young. He had a great season in GB until he was pressed into playing 20ish or so more snaps/game late in the season. He still did a great job, but wasn't as big of a factor as he wasn't as fresh.

And basically with the Quinn trade from last year - Cleve has really nothing left on day 1 - unless the trade for Rogers was a 3rd next year, I don't remember offhand. They gave up a LOT for Rogers and Williams and gives them a very very strong interior front 4, potentially. Is it worth the risk? I don't know.

It's risky giving up day 1 picks, let alone 3. Also, it's important to note that Cleve will have a slightly harder schedule this year due to their record. I think this year really is a boom/bust type of season. It wouldn't shock me to see them bust this year and turn it around in '09 as they reload with a lot more youth.

I still think they need a player or 2 on defense to finish the job and be playoff contenders... And another back.

However, if Rogers/Williams play to their potential - that entire defense is going to get a whole lot better and quick.