via Cleveland Plain Dealer
http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2008/02/reports_browns_trade_for_packe.html
Browns trade for Pack DL Williams
Posted by dcampbel February 29, 2008 00:57AM
Associated PressCorey Williams
The Browns acquired Green Bay defensive lineman Corey Williams in a surprise trade after midnight this morning. Williams, 27, supposedly was taken off the free-agent market when the Packers gave him the franchise tag of $6.3 million. But they shied from investing long term in the fifth-year player and actively shopped him late in the week.
The deal requires the Browns to sign Williams to a multiyear contract. The price tag for Williams would be steep. Earlier in the day, Oakland re-signed Tommy Kelly to the largest contract ever for a defensive lineman -- seven years for $50.5 million, including more than $18 million in guaranteed money. Williams was not expected to exceed that contract.
The Browns also had to surrender their second-round draft pick to Green Bay. That would temporarily leave the Browns without picks in the first two rounds of the draft. They traded their No. 1 last year to Dallas for quarterback Brady Quinn.
But that could change if restricted free agent Derek Anderson receives an offer from another team. Earlier Thursday, General Manager Phil Savage said he suspected Anderson would reject the Browns' three-year contract and test the market. Savage said he told Anderson's agents he would not trade Anderson for less than first- and third-round picks.
Williams, 6-4 and 320 pounds, would probably play left end in the Browns' 3-4 defense. He played tackle in Green Bay's 4-3 alignment and was known for his quickness in getting to the quarterback. He had 14 sacks the last two years.
The pursuit of Williams falls in line with Savage's determination to upgrade the defense through free agency and the draft.
"Defense is going to be a big part of our off-season," he said Thursday morning. "I think the next four to five days will probably dictate how our off-season goes, in terms of how it impacts the draft, what holes we get filled over the weekend."
The Browns had approximately $37 million in salary cap room when the free-agent signing period dawned at 12:01 this morning. Some of that must be preserved for rookie signings later in the summer. As of Thursday afternoon, Savage was preserving another chunk for the signing of Anderson to a three-year contract -- a possibility that was diminishing as the evening wore on.
Savage said he wouldn't feel bad if Anderson left in free agency because it would free up more money for the team to spend on defensive help. Also, he is convinced that Quinn can pick up the slack in 2008.
The salary cap room was just one reason Savage was optimistic about rebuilding the defense in one off-season. He said that coach Romeo Crennel's lofty reputation around the league has made the Browns an attractive team for defensive players.
"We feel pretty good about some of the players we have targeted," Savage said. "We feel it might be a good fit for them, if we can get them here. It's not as hard as a sales job as three years ago. We have a lot of positive things going here.
"I think this is going to be an attractive place for defensive players because they know they're going to have a chance to make a big impact. I think that's an attraction."
So whom besides Williams will the Browns target to upgrade their defense? Linemen and linebackers are the obvious answers.
The Browns entered free agency with only two experienced linemen on the roster -- Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith. Savage said the team hoped to keep Shaun Smith at nose tackle this year, which means they prioritize defensive end as a greater need.
Other linemen of interest could include Tennessee's Randy Starks and Chicago's Antonio Garay (a former Browns draft choice). Also, former Raven Marques Douglas, who defected to San Francisco three years ago, has played inside though he is 20 pounds lighter than preferred.
At linebacker, the Browns are looking for another run-stopper inside and an outside edge rusher to complement Kamerion Wimbley. Two of the best have been franchised by their teams -- Terrell Suggs of Baltimore and Karlos Dansby of Arizona.
Among the outside 'backers available are Pittsburgh Clark Haggans and recently released Rosevelt Colvin of New England. Inside prospects could include Chicago's high-priced Lance Briggs and Cincinnati's Landon Johnson.
Savage said if he fails to land the defensive players on his list, he might direct his resources toward offense. It's possible he could shop for another receiver. If so, Chicago's Bernard Berrian would be on top of the list. Local product Drew Carter of Carolina is another possibility.
If Anderson defects to another team, acquiring a third quarterback would become a minor priority. More than likely, that would not happen until after the draft, when more players become available.
