The following is the copypasted opinion of Adam Caplan, who rates right at the top of my reliable source list...but since he aint ME, sometimes he's wrong. So, being the generous kinda guy I am, I'll magnanimously insert corrections and comments for you guys...I guess maybe only Bub...anyway here goes:
Redright: Are any (of Adam's list of free agents) likely to be of help to the Browns? Any of them likely to be a help to the Browns that Berea may have an interest in acquiring?
Adam Caplan: Excellent question but teams generally don't sign many more free agents until the first week of training camp or so but here are the players that fit what they're looking for/need:
Offense G Jeno James: Has started over 65 games in his seven seasons of play and played quite well before a knee injury limited him almost all of last season. Has played mostly LG but can play RG if needed. The Jets could sign him if they cut or trade Pete Kendall. The Browns badly need a veteran guard who could start if needed. And James actually could be an upgrade over McKinney.
I can't find info on this player, but defer to Adam on his ability (if fully recovered). If the guy is an upgrade and doesn't cost too much, you do that--even if he has a durability issue which would neccessitate his being a backup.
The problem here is, the Browns may well not "desperately need" this. Adam will always write off any player he has not seen films on, and these include both second year guards on this roster.
One or both of these two guys may or may not mature into starters--but Bill B's and Wile E's first rule is, you do NOT kick young and improving players to the curb in favor of "hold the fort" guys if you believe the young guys will become good players.
They are cheaper, can be signed for a longer time, and as the progress up the depth chart provide long-term stability and growth.
G Kendyl Jacox: Journeyman interior OL who can come in and be a solid backup/spot starter if needed.
Correction: The Browns absolutely do not need a 32-year-old journeyman back-up "hold-the-fort" guy. At this point, there are unresolved issues with Kevin Shaffer, but it's probable that if he's retained, Tucker moves to guard, putting either McKinney or Fraley on the bench...and it's also possible that a young guy will emerge. (The line coach already has a good idea about that.) If they sign a guy like this, it will be as insurance, and if all goes well, he will be released prior to the season.
G Bennie Anderson: At one time, he has a high upside interior lineman but his play dropped since leaving from Baltimore after 2004. Savage knows him so it's not out of the question they bring him in.
This guy is 30, and what I can glean from the zero info I've dug up on him, I suspect a weight problem. If Savage thinks he's ready to buckle down and do all he can do, maybe it works. At 345, he must be a road-grader, and he might have 3-4 years left (O. linemen often last longer than players at other positions).
But, like the other guy--if signed he could be released prior to the season.
WR Keenan McCardell: His play dropped off last season but he could be a nice fit as their #3 WR for a season. Right now, they don't have anyone in back of Jurevicius and Edwards who is dependable.
Correction: Travis Wilson throughout his college carreer was a clutch-reciever, and was not fully recovered from injuries as a senior. Adam lacks NFL game-film on him, and as usual has dismissed him. The reciever's coach already knows what he has in this second-year player, but right here/now I'll state for your record that Wilson will be a very good, reliable reciever this season, and in fact will compete with Jurevicious for the start opposite Edwards.
McCardell, even as a geezer, remains a very good reciever well-made for the slot, and would be a great influence on the younger guys. Maybe they should snag him if they can get him real, real cheap--but in the real world, this Browns team will not contend for another season. McCardell won't be here.
Another problem with this: Jerome Harrison can play the slot, or even wide. Jurevicious can move to the slot in 3-wides if the guy we got from the Giants or another player turns out to be a legit threat. It's also still possible that Cribbs could master that postion.
Overall, this base offense will alternately feature a multi-dimensional, athletic fullback or a second tight end. Any offense featuring Winslow is a defacto 3-wide, and anytime Harrison is on the field it could become 3 or 4-wide. On this team, the slot reciever is not as important as it is with other teams.
WR Peter Warrick: Supreme slot WR if healthy. He works zones well and has a good feel for the position. But physically I have no idea where he is. He had knee problems a few years ago and didn't play last season.
Correction: See McCardell.
Defense DL Willie Whitehead: Solid rotational DL who can play DE in a 3-4 and is decent against the run and a good pass rusher. Played in a 4-3 with the Saints but should be able to play in a two-gap system now because he's put on size in recent years (over 300 lbs). He probably won't last long as a free agent, he's probably one of the best DLs out there and was just cut recently.
Correction: 34 years old NEXT!
DL Jerry Deloach: Has played quite a bit in 3-4, can give about 10 plays or so at DE.
Correction: Not an upgrade over current personnel. Two YOUNG and IMPROVING DE's are on the roster who promise to be better than this guy.
Orpheus Roye is a year younger than Whitehead, and we see what age is doing to him. On a young team that's not going to contend until next season, we don't need more geezers and part-timers at the expense of young players who need experience and opportunity.
Adam, I don't know if you know this, but you see, this is how players become "experienced veterans." No charge for the tip.
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
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