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- Trading shows this is John Dorsey’s favorite time of year (Terry Pluto) - Browns GM John Dorsey made a huge deal on Friday, sending standout guard Kevin Zeitler to the Giants for standout pass-rusher Olivier Vernon. I will look deeper into that trade in a bit. But first, I want to look back a year ago – when Dorsey pulled off four deals a few days before the free agency period opened.
- Free agent linebackers stocked with potential (clevelandbrowns.com) - The Browns lost two of their starting linebackers to injury last season, and try as they may, the absences showed. This draft is thin at linebacker. After the Devins -- White and Bush -- things turn less promising. So we turn to free agency instead to scan over the team’s options, and where general manager John Dorsey (a former linebacker himself) might turn for help.
- John Dorsey not waiting for opening bell of free agency (ohio.com) - John Dorsey was just getting his hands dirty as an NFL personnel man when his team bagged a GOAT. A quarter century has passed since free-agent Reggie White helped launch Dorsey’s original team, the Packers, into glory days. At 58, Dorsey is an old hand in charge of bringing free agents who matter (or trading for them) to Cleveland. In the first move in what could become a 2019 shock wave, Dorsey agreed to send guard Kevin Zeitler to the Giants for pass rusher Olivier Vernon.
- Browns’ Vernon Trade Is Start of Strong Push for Success in Baker Mayfield Era (Bleacher Report) - The Cleveland Browns are well on their way toward relevance after years of ineptitude because the organization’s approach mimics recent successful turnarounds.
NFL:
- Chiefs sign running back Carlos Hyde (Kansas City Star) - The Chiefs have added a little depth to their running back group courtesy of a veteran pickup. Running back Carlos Hyde signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs on Saturday, a source told The Star.
- Packers, 49ers express interest in Dee Ford (NFL.com) - Two NFC rivals, the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers, have expressed interest in acquiring Kansas City’s Dee Ford, a source told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Saturday.
- Chargers release veteran safety Jahleel Addae (Los Angeles Times) - The Chargers made another key defensive decision official Saturday by releasing veteran safety Jahleel Addae. The move frees up $5 million in salary cap space with free agency about to open. The Chargers have almost $26.5 million in cap room.
- What matters when evaluating quarterbacks? (ESPN) - The secret sauce remains elusive to those trying to find the perfect formula for scouting college quarterbacks. It’s quite possible the code will never be cracked. There will always be hits and misses as the search for the next Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady ensues. There is no perfect process.