Free Agents visiting the Browns and not signed yet

[rjgraca]

A couple of surprise guys visited the Browns recently. Travis Laboy who played DE for the Titians who I believe the Browns would be looking as an OLB to complement Wimbley on the other side. He visited on the first day and it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Players who have or will visted with the Browns (from Espn):

Full Name: Travis Jordache LaBoy
Born: August 20, 1981
Honolulu, HI
Height: 6-3
Weight: 260 lbs. Age: 26
Pos: DE
Experience: 4 years
College: Hawaii

LaBoy is a five-year veteran who was drafted by the Titans in the second round of the 2004 draft. He has become a backup role player who is used in passing situations to take advantage of his speed off the edge. He is a little undersized for the position and gets in trouble when he has to play the run, especially when he is at the point of attack. He lacks bulk and mass to hold his ground and tends to play a little tall when warding off and trying to diagnose. He lacks the upper-body strength to control and shed blockers and can get engulfed by big offensive tackles. He has a tendency to play out of control and can whiff in space when trying to tackle. As a pass rusher he can be explosive off the ball and has started to develop some counter moves to go with his speed. He can burst off the block to pressure the quarterback once he gets free and has the speed to chase things down from behind. He has become pretty one-dimensional in his play and would really struggle if asked to play both the run as well as rush the passer.

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Found Hadnots name mentioned in a Houston Paper that he had visted them on the first day and he was in route to visit with the Browns. Looks like the Browns are looking for a replacement at right guard and insurance at the center position.


Full Name: Jonathan Rex Jr. Hadnot
Born: January 28, 1982
Lufkin, TX
Height: 6-2
Weight: 325 lbs. Age: 26
Pos: C
Experience: 4 years
College: Houston
Drafted: Year:2004 Round:6 Pick:9, Dolphins

Hadnot is a short, thickly-built player who uses his low center of gravity to his advantage. He has a powerful lower body, anchors well versus interior bull rushers and is effective at the point as a run blocker. He is a steady performer who has a great feel for the game. He is an instinctive player who reacts well to defensive pressure packages and stunts. Hadnot has strong hands with quickness and pop to gain leverage initially off the line of scrimmage. He can slam and chip to the second level and is effective to lock on defenders. He is decent to pull when uncovered, but only has short-area agility on the perimeter. He is a tough, competitive player who has been durable most of his career and has versatility to play both guard and center positions. He is a solid gun snapper and is able to step quickly and stay connected on defenders. Hadnot is not a dominant football player, but very steady and the Dolphins will likely re-sign him in the offseason.
Drafted: Year:2004 Round:2 Pick:10, Titans

[TheOUTLAW]

I do find some of our trades to be a bit curious. It seems that we are seriously trying to upgrade our pass rush. It just makes me wonder what we are going to do against the run.

[snazel]

I do find some of our trades to be a bit curious. It seems that we are seriously trying to upgrade our pass rush. It just makes me wonder what we are going to do against the run.

You've got it backwards. Williams and Rogers were brought in to STOP THE RUN. Upgrading our pass rush would likely be a guy like LaBoy being brought in, which still sounds 50/50 that he is officially a Brown.

[heathmalc]

-= original quote snipped =-



You've got it backwards. Williams and Rogers were brought in to STOP THE RUN. Upgrading our pass rush would likely be a guy like LaBoy being brought in, which still sounds 50/50 that he is officially a Brown.

You are partially right.

Rogers is considered to be a run-stuffer, and will likely play the nose-tackle, Williams is also a run-stuffer , but is also a good pass-rusher. If Romeo can get Rogers to play for the whole season, then due to his size and the havoc he can cause, he and Williams are expected to free-up Wimbley and others to rush the QB!

It is unlikely that the Browns will sign any other big-name players, although there is a chance (albeit small) that the Browns could sign LaBoy.

My feeling is that the Browns are done with free-agency until the rosters have to be cut. There will be some good players available that the Browns can use to upgrade their depth, and possibly get another LB who can play opposite of Wimbley, letting the Smiths be the main rotation guys with Peek.

[rjgraca]

Looks like the Browns Brought in a couple of Line Backers to Visit. Greison looks to be a special teams kind of guy and Blackstock a developmental type guy.

Cleveland Browns to meet with free-agent linebacker Darryl Blackstock
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter

Linebacker Darryl Blackstock, a three-year veteran of the Arizona Cardinals who was not tendered by the team, will visit the Browns today and work out Wednesday, a source said.

Blackstock (6-3, 244) is a rush linebacker with experience in the 3-4 defense, thereby familiar with Romeo Crennel's defense and philosophy.

Blackstock, a third-round pick in 2005 out of Virginia, played there under former Browns defensive assistant Al Groh, who coached with Crennel under Bill Parcells.

Blackstock has been primarily a backup and special-teams player in Arizona, but some scouts think he can develop into an every-down player in the right system. Last season, he had 21 tackles, one forced fumble and three sacks. Miami and Cincinnati are also believed to be interested.

Scouts Inc.'s analysis on ESPN.com said Blackstock "looks more effective going forward than he does dropping into coverage. He can be explosive with his first step and accelerates off the edge with a good burst of speed. He is active and not afraid to throw his body around with abandon."

Blackstock's former team, the Cardinals, agreed to terms Monday night on a five-year deal with rush linebacker Travis LaBoy, whom the Browns had hoped to sign when he was in town over the weekend. Reports said the deal was worth $22 million with $7.5 million guaranteed.


http://www.cleveland.com/browns/plainde ... xml&coll=2

Via ESPN:

Full Name: Darryl Tyger Blackstock
Born: May 30, 1983
Newport News, VA
Height: 6-3
Weight: 244 lbs. Age: 24
Pos: LB
Experience: 3 years
College: Virginia
Drafted: Year:2005 Round:3 Pick:31, Cardinals

Blackstock is a four-year veteran out of Virginia who the Cardinals drafted in the third round of the 2005 draft. He has been pretty much a backup for the previous three years and a core special teams member. He probably fits the 3-4 scheme the Cardinals are trying to convert to better than the even front scheme they have been using. He looks more effective going forward than he does dropping into coverage. He can be explosive with his first step and accelerates off the edge with a good burst of speed. He is active and not afraid to throw his body around with abandon. He is a bit stiff in the hips and struggles in coverage because of it. He is slow to turn and break on balls and does not have great ball skills when he manages to get into the zone. He still needs work on recognition skills and his ability to locate the level of the ball. His value still lies in special teams, but some team is apt to try and bring him in to see if they can get more out of his physical tools than he has shown up to this point, as an every-down player.

Via ESPN:

Full Name: Nick Greisen
Born: August 10, 1979
Sturgeon Bay, WI
Height: 6-1
Weight: 244 lbs.
Pronounced: GRY-son Age: 28
Pos: LB
Experience: 6 years
College: Wisconsin
Drafted: Year:2002 Round:5 Pick:17, Giants


Greisen is a very good effort player who can contribute in many different defensive schemes as well as on special teams. While he isn't a superior athlete or impressive from a physical standpoint, he has a good understanding of the game and has an impressive motor. He has noticeable stiffness in his hips when he turns to run with more athletic receiving options, but his straight line speed is adequate. Greisen is clearly better at coming forward than moving in reverse and isn't afraid to take on a guard or fullback in the hole. He is a good tackler, but can struggle against elusive ball carriers in space. Greisen has a place in the league as a backup and spot player, but isn't a dynamic defender by any means.

From Profootballtalk.com

BROWNS LOOKING AT JOSEPH by Michael David Smith

The Cleveland Browns are showing interest in free agent defensive tackle William Joseph, who will visit with the team on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-5, 308-pound Joseph was the Giants' first-round draft pick in 2003 and has undeniable talent. But he's been plagued by injuries throughout his career, and he missed all of 2007 with a back injury.

For the Browns, signing Joseph would be another move to bolster their defensive line, and a much less costly move than the trades for defensive tackles Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers. Although Joseph has mostly been a tackle during his NFL career, he's a versatile enough athlete that he could be a good fit as a 3-4 end in the Browns' scheme.

Free Agent Winners via ESPN:

Winners



Cleveland Browns: With four of his five draft choices gone in trades, Browns general manager Phil Savage can schedule his vacation for draft day, and he has earned a rest. He beefed up the defensive line with trades for Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. He added Donte' Stallworth to an already potent offense. He signed quarterback Derek Anderson to a three-year contract and, with Brady Quinn on the roster, he now has security at that vital position. Savage learned to build through the draft when he was in Baltimore, but his unconventional aggressiveness at the start of free agency might turn the Browns from a 10-win surprise in 2007 into the team to beat in the AFC North.