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Browns could have interest in Bengals DE Smith
Comment: Where do you think Justin Smith will end up next season?
Monday, February 25, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS — The Cleveland Browns lured Cincinnati Bengals prized OL Eric Steinbach away from the club last year during free agency with a lucrative contact and could be at it again this year when Bengals DE Justin Smith hits the free agent market.
According to a league source, the Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are two teams who are expected to express serious interest in acquiring the veteran defensive end when free agency begins February 29th.
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The Bengals have gone on record stating that they would like to have Smith back for the '08 season, but the organization better be prepared to empty its pocketbook because he's expected to draw lots of interest on the open market.
Smith's agent, Jim Steiner, said that his client will wait and see what his options are, and will make a decision about his status after giving it careful thought.
Browns have bucks
The Browns are believed to be the team with the most interest and perhaps the most money under the salary cap to afford the price tag that Smith will command. It was said that the organization wouldn't get into a biding war or overpay for the pass-rusher, but is prepared to look into the situation. The remark was also made that some team out there might overpay to get Smith.
The Browns are looking to improve their pass-rush after finishing the season ranked No. 27 in sacks with 28.
The return of DE Orpheus Roye to Cleveland is up in the air at this point and the draft is limited with 3-4 defensive ends. The Browns do not pick until late in the second-round when the premiere pass-rushers are expected to be off the board.
Smith played in a conventional 4-3 defense his entire career with the Bengals, but has the versatility to play the inside rusher in a 3-4 defense. In fact, he may be better suited for the 3-4.
Smith has 466 tackles and 43.5 sacks for his seven-year career making him a solid contributor on defense.
OLB Kamerion Wimbley and Smith would provide the Browns defense with a nice one-two punch when getting after the quarterback as well as tracking down the run due to Smith's non-stop motor.
It will be interesting to see if the Browns raid the cupboard of their in-state nemesis back-to-back years.
• The Browns, who are looking to add stability and depth to the offensive line, appear to be enamored with Pittsburgh OL Mike McGlynn. McGlynn was interviewed by Browns' scouts at the Senior Bowl last month and interviewed with offensive line coach Steve Marshall his first day in Indy.
McGlynn worked out well at the Combine during position drills and did 30 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. A visit to Cleveland could also be in the works for McGlynn. Stay tuned!
More NFL draft coverage: Catch the latest NFL news, subscribe to the RSS feed, or get automatic e-mail notification of the latest news for your teams at BigCProFootball.com and DaytonDailyNews.com/BigC
Comments
By PUCK
February 26, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Smith would be a great asset to the Cleveland Browns with him and a Line Backer or two this team will go places.
GO BROWNS
By amorphous10
February 26, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Yeah, not too high on Smith, with just 2 sacks, it seemed like Smith just gave up on the season or something, and we don’t want someone like that.
Should look at DT with Robertson and Rogers in Free Agency and find other DE in draft or free agency who will produce. Who else is out there?
By jammel
February 25, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
browns will improve tremendously next year on D without Justin Smith, he would help but i know savage has much wiser tricks up his sleeves. cleveland hammers cincy twice regardless of smith
By the pound
February 25, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Hi Browns fan i wouldn;t over pay justin but i think he would be a good player for the browns.He will learn the game and be a better player up north.Football is in Cleveland and a good player can be come a great player up in atmosphere of the Cleveland Stadium.We will take him Phil…….
By mike
February 25, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Why would anyone think of keeping Smith. He cant bull rush or over power anyone.The reporters who say he is a top DE must not watch the games or are paid by his agent. Pay him to go and get a real man.
By dawgpound1816
February 25, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
I pray to the man upstairs we don’t get this fella….He’s horrible. We really don’t need to get an older fella that has no experience in a 34 scheme, and has no drive whatsoever. I’d rather have Trevor Laws from ND than this guy. Atleast Laws has experience in the 34 scheme, and was productive as the only good player on NDs defense. Plus, Laws is way more Cap friendly than Smith will be. Get Bernard Berrian in FA, or Bryant Johnson…One of those guys will be an instant impact on our team.
By d-town guru
February 25, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
Justin Smith is a bust. Nice job leading the worst defense in football. I cant believe they wasted a no.4 pick on him. I hope he goes and goes quickly. He stinks!!
By dan
February 25, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Justin Smith would have performed better in 2007 if Cincy could’ve gotten any pressure up the middle. Peko looked nothing like his 2006 self, and was blocked easily by one OL most of the time. I would hate to see Smith go, but if Cincy keeps him and does not improve the DT position it won’t help the team. Might as well let him go if there’s going to be no pressure up the middle.
By Ryan
February 25, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
I think the Browns could use any help they can get, but I don’t think they should overpay. I think Shaun Rodgers from Detroit may be someone they should trade for. Hes the kind of run stuffer we may need. And was Justin Smith that great against the run? He may be good too though as a free agent.
By Ryan Brown
February 25, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Cleveland has the deepest wallet and the greatest need for a defensive lineman. Justin Smith would be foolish not to sign with the Browns.
By Jon
February 25, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
I hope the Bengals finally let him go. The franchised him last year and gave him top 5 D-line money. That means he should make the pro bowl. I didn’t see him in Hawaii did you? 8 million a year for a guy who leads the team in tackles 10 yards downfield and had 2 sacks. Show him the door.
By shawn
February 25, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Pittsburgh will get justin smith.
By preacher,franklin,ohio
February 25, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
not,bengals,there,cheap,geter,done,for,jesus,god,bless,you,all.
By Bob540
February 25, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Who knows where Smith will land? But, it will be just like the Bengals to let another contributing member leave. The Bengals are expert at taking their few team strengths and making them weaknesses. I’d sooner see any team get Smith other than the Browns.