Browns Free Agency: Making Sense of Day One

Dec 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Trent Cole (58) celebrates a tackle against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports

How did we miss out on Trent Cole?

Trent Cole is likely the one player that the Browns actually feel like they missed on. After visiting the team for two days, Cole was a man of his word and visited with the Colts. From what we know from different channels, Cole was actually leaning toward the Browns yesterday morning. Then came word that Tom Herremans and Andre Johnson were likely to join Frank Gore in signing with the Colts. That veteran infusion, go for it mentality, helped change his mind. So did a bump of between 1 and 2 million dollars.

The Browns do not have a quarterback to give anyone any comfort that they should go all in. That wouldn’t be different if the team had Bradford or Foles. Until the Browns have the most important position on the field taken care of, the rest of the additions’ impact would be limited. Without that QB it will also “waste” veterans later years. Neither older veterans nor the Browns see a point in that. Cole was impressed by the Browns, the Colts are just on another page ON the field.

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