Daily Dawg Tags: Free agency growing quiet
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns have joined the rest of the NFL in slowing things down in free agency. But there is still work to be done before the NFL Draft.
After an initial 48 hour frenzy, free agency in the NFL is starting to slow down.
The big money players are all mostly off the market, as are many of the bargain players. Now, teams are down to looking through the discount bin of players who are too old, too hurt or just not worth the time.
That does not mean the Browns can just sit back and take it easy until the 2017 NFL Draft. They still have some issues to take care of with their own free agents in offensive lineman Austin Pasztor and running back Isaiah Crowell.
There is also the ongoing quarterback saga. Will the Browns make a trade? Sign another one-year reject from another team? Draft a quarterback? All of the above?
We take a look at some of those issues, and more, in today’s edition of the Daily Dawg Tags.
Cleveland Browns news:
Free agency shows culture is changing in Cleveland
The Cleveland Browns have talked about changing the team’s culture for a long time. But with Hue Jackson, they may actually be able to accomplish it.
Terrelle Pryor and loyalty only go so far
It is natural for Cleveland Browns fans to be upset when a successful player like Terrelle Pryor leaves town to continue his career elsewhere. But reacting in extreme hate is just childish.
Who is the Browns quarterback? (cleveland.com)
"Myles Garrett may seem like an easy choice as the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft for the Cleveland Browns. But if that is your choice, and it seems like it almost certainly will be for Sashi Brown, Hue Jackson and the Browns, then it comes with another question. Who is you quarterback?"
Kenny Britt prepared to step up in young wide receivers room (clevelandbrowns.com)
"Kenny Britt gives Cleveland a proven playmaker on the perimeter, having totaled 152 receptions for 2,431 and eight touchdowns the past three seasons with the Rams. He also adds a veteran presence to a room that includes six second-year wide receivers."
NFL news:
DeMarcus Ware has case as first-ballot Hall of Famer (ESPN)
"Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware announced his retirement Monday after 12 NFL seasons, nine Pro Bowl selections and 138.5 sacks. After a mandatory waiting period of five years, Ware will be eligible for the Hall’s Class of 2022."
Malcolm Butler wants out of New England (CBS Sports)
"Things might have just gotten slightly more awkward between the Patriots and Malcolm Butler. CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora has reported that Butler’s agent, Derek Simpson, is now contacting other teams and asking them to sign his client. The catch here is that Butler is a restricted free agent who was given a first-round tender, which means that if he’s signed by another team, that team would have to give a first-round pick to the Patriots."
Now’s the time for Redskin fans to give up on the team (Washington Post)
"The romance between Washington and Daniel Snyder’s football team has been strained for 15 years. The breakups, the tears, the anger and recriminations have come every few seasons. This must be rock bottom, the city thinks. Things will get better. We have put so much into the relationship; we share so many memories. But now, with the firing of general manager Scot McCloughan last week and the prospect that quarterback Kirk Cousins may want to leave the toxic franchise ASAP, it may finally be time for Washington to start dating other teams."
Free agency grades: Saints, Jaguars at the top, Jets at the bottom (CBS Sports)
"The first wave of free agency is in the books, and with so many teams flush with cap room, it was as wild as expected. “Teams are out of control,” one NFL personnel man said. “Bad players are getting good money.” That’s what happens when there is so much money to spend and so few players to spend it on. Teams acted like they printed money, and players got deals that will make stars who were under contract cringe as they ready for this season."