Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

by Chris Pokorny on Mar 2, 2007 11:56 PM EST in General News

On March 11, 2006, the first day of free agency last year, the Browns signed center LeCharles Bentley to a large deal, as you can see in this post. We also signed offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer and wide receiver Joe Jurevicius on day one. This year, we only came to terms with one player on day one, but the excitement is just as extensive.

As reported earlier, the Browns signed offensive guard Eric Steinbach to a seven-year deal worth $49 million. Compare that to the Buffalo Bills, who signed a slightly lower rated lineman, Derrick Dockery, to a seven-year deal worth $49 million. Steinbach was a great signing, and after we were not able to get cornerback Nate Clements or linebacker Adalius Thomas, the No. 2 person on my free agent list is still available: Kris Dielman. The Bills signed three offensive linemen in one day, but if the Browns were able to lock up Dielman tomorrow, it would be absolutely incredible. We can't get our hopes up too high though, because I'm sure that the Seattle Seahawks made him a quality offer before his visit with the Browns.

"Obviously I'm excited," Steinbach, 26, said Friday night after having dinner downtown with the Browns coaching staff. "This is my first visit and I kind of had a gut feeling. As soon as I sat down and talked to the coaches and the personnel people up in the front office, I knew this was the right place for me."
- Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Steinbach passed up on an opportunity to play with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at tackle.

"I chose to come here first, I liked what I saw, I liked the feeling and obviously it was an easy decision," said Steinbach (6-6, 290). "We haven't talked yet about whether I'll play guard or tackle here, but I'm open to whatever ideas they have for me."

"We're very excited to have him," said coach Romeo Crennel. "We think he can really help us."
- Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Now, don't forget to visit our fellow Sports Blogs Nation NFL affiliates for all of the latest news and rumors surrounding other big free agent signings.

Niner's Nation for information on the team that made a huge splash on defensive players by locking up Clements and safety Michael Lewis.
Hog's Haven has the scoop on the team signing former Bills linebacker London Fletcher.
Pride of Detroit tells you about the trading of cornerback Dre Bly, as well as the trading of defensive end James Hall.
Mile High Report knows the real deal on what is going on with quarterback Jake Plummer. Along the way, check out Buc'em's reaction on losing out on Plummer and Steinbach.

On Saturday, I look for a few of the lower-key type signings for the Browns, which would include a veteran cornerback and a defensive end. According to the Plain Dealer, the Browns have scheduled a visit with Eagles cornerback Rod Hood, who has been a nickelback looking to move into a starting role. The Browns will supposedly try to get him under contract tomorrow, before he is able to visit with the Arizona Cardinals or any other team. The Browns could also sign Texans outside linebacker Antwan Peek, who was in Cleveland today and reportedly close to signing. The Browns will also reportedly meet with Bengals backup defensive tackle Shaun Smith, who is a restricted free agent. Although he is restricted, if the Browns signed him, he would not require any compensation.

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Re: Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/03/03/0304nflinsider.html?cxtype=rss &cxsvc=7&cxcat=21

This article talks about 2 teams potentially wanting to trade picks and stuff with us. It's all speculation still, just the writers thoughts.

Atlanta - Matt Schaub, 10th pick, and next seasons 1st rounder for our #3 pick.

Houston - David Carr and the 8th pick for our 3rd pick.

Anything sound good?

by Rayman @ Dawgs By Nature on Mar 3, 2007 10:22 AM EST reply actions

Re: Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

Forget the Carr deal, as I've said before. In regards to the Schaub trade, that would be much more interesting, however, it seemed as if the Falcons would not even want to consider that deal.

by Chris Pokorny on Mar 3, 2007 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

Also, word is that Kris Dielman has spent the night in Seattle to continue negotiations. So it doesn't look all that promising for us.

by Rayman @ Dawgs By Nature on Mar 3, 2007 10:26 AM EST reply actions

Re: Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

I wouldn't touch that Texans deal. Carr sucks, it is simple as that. The Atlanta deal would not be that bad, but I would want another pick instead of Schaub.

by Bernie19Kosar on Mar 3, 2007 10:36 AM EST reply actions

Re: Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

Some more news bits:

-Supposedly we are showing interest in Kenyon Coleman, a free agent Cowboys DE
-Ron Edwards, a starting DT for the Chiefs, was meeting with us this weekend

Most of this per Rotoworld

by Rayman @ Dawgs By Nature on Mar 3, 2007 11:34 AM EST reply actions

Re: Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

I like Coleman. He has the size to play in a 3-4 and if I am not mistaken, he is the one who took Marcus Spears starting job late in the year. He would be a really nice cheap pick-up.

by Bernie19Kosar on Mar 3, 2007 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

Also, Seth KcKinney visited us yesterday. He's a G from Miami, had some health problems.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-0303mcintosh,0,202779.story?coll=sfla-d olphins-front

by Rayman @ Dawgs By Nature on Mar 3, 2007 12:46 PM EST reply actions

Re: Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

I'm in a pickle right now as to whom our next signing should be, in terms of position. It either has to be at cornerback or at defensive end. Our secondary was pretty good last season, but we can't go through this season with Bodden only. However, I'm sick and tired of a crapshoot defensive line.

by Chris Pokorny on Mar 3, 2007 12:49 PM EST reply actions

Re: Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

San Diego Chargers: For days, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith was dreading an expected phone call that guard Kris Dielman was leaving for another team in free agency. As it turned out, Dielman didn't want to make that call. He decided to stay in San Diego.

Dielman shunned a more lucrative offer from the Seattle Seahawks and a few other teams to stay with the Chargers. Dielman agreed to a six-year, $39 million deal with the Chargers that had $17 million in guarantees. The Seahawks were willing to pay more. So were the Cleveland Browns. So were other teams.

But Dielman wanted to stay on a 14-2 team. He woke up in Seattle on Saturday morning and before a breakfast meeting with the Seahawks, he instructed his agent, Mike McCartney, to get a deal done with the Chargers. McCartney scrambled and got him $17 million in guarantees.

Per ESPN

by Rayman @ Dawgs By Nature on Mar 3, 2007 4:05 PM EST reply actions

Re: Day One Splash Involves Mr. Steinbach

I'm not surprised we didn't get Dielman, but I'm very surprised he stayed with San Diego. I hope one day that the Browns can have a rather loyal player of that caliber.

Dennis Northcutt just received a very nice deal from the Jacksonville Jaguars. No wonder he had no worries about how he finished his career with the Browns...he knew he'd have a market for him somewhere.

by Chris Pokorny on Mar 3, 2007 6:49 PM EST reply actions