Report: If Cut, Browns Strong Suitors for Haloti Ngata
In an eventful day of reporting, we have 10 articles for you on news from free agency alone today, one sentence about Haloti Ngata may be the biggest news for the Cleveland Browns. The Baltimore Ravens have been in negotiations, reportedly, with Ngata about restructuring his deal. If he doesn’t, there have been reports that the team will cut their veteran, star lineman.
We addressed the Browns possibly going after Ngata a month ago:
"Ngata is not the player he once was but still could be a huge force, with the right price tag for any team. The Cleveland Browns are not just any team and should jump to the front of the line to seek his services should he be released.Ngata can play nose or defensive end, and likely would move in between those positions for the Browns, and has the type of work ethic and drive the Browns crave. He also has a history with Browns Head Coach Mike Pettine from his time with the Ravens, which should help the Browns in their pursuit. Revenge, and a hefty paycheck, could be great motivation for Ngata to join the Browns."
Now comes this little nugget from Jason La Canforna in his write-up about early Free Agency:
"And the Suh deal, and other defensive line deals to come, would only increase Ngata’s position on the open market to get paid. I don’t see him budging on his evaluation; if he hits the open market, the Colts and Browns would be strong suitors, from what I gather. Could he push $10 million in the first year of a new deal?"
Strong statement that the Browns would join the Colts, where former Ravens DC Chuck Pagano reigns, for Ngata’s service. Obviously the Browns would have to pay big for his services but Ngata’s ability to cause havoc from multiple positions would be huge for the Browns. Ngata would allow the Browns to draft the best defensive lineman, regardless of position, early in the draft. Arik Armstead, Danny Shelton, Malcom Brown, Eddie Goldman and many others would look great next to Ngata.
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It would also, at least partially, make up for the big mistake made the night Ngata was drafted. Most Browns fans would like to forget that they traded with the Ravens so Baltimore could move up one pick for the big lineman from Oregon. The Browns took Kameron Wimbley next. Didn’t exactly work out great for the Browns and the Ravens haven’t really stopped winning.
The Ravens look like they will have to make some difficult decisions this year related to the salary cap. They are losing Torrey Smith in free agency, likely to San Francisco, and, according to La Canforna, want to shed some of the salary off of Ngata and starting CB Lardarius Webb‘s contracts.
Hopefully the Browns can benefit by reeling in Ngata after he is cut.
What do you think of this report that the Browns will be strong suitors for Haloti Ngata if he is cut?