A few weeks ago, a rumor circulated the Internet that the Carolina Panthers were scouting Browns defensive lineman Corey Williams. It wasn't Williams that we gave them though, as the Browns traded DT Louis Leonard to the Panthers for an undisclosed draft pick, according to the Herald Online.
If you recall, Leonard had an outburst at defensive line coach Bryan Cox a week or so ago, leading many to question whether or not he would stay in Cleveland. However, even if he didn't have the outburst, his roster odds were slim at best.
Trading Leonard means that the Browns are comfortable with Shaun Rogers and Ahtyba Rubin at the nose tackle position, and that they are willing to give Corey Williams a shot at redemption in the 3-4 defensive scheme.
Just pure speculation here, but I can't imagine that Leonard would yield anything higher than a seventh-round draft pick.
As an update to yesterday's story, the OBR is reporting that OL Ryan Tucker was not released, but rather placed on the Injured Reserve. Same difference.
0 recs | 46 comments
Chris
Was Leonard a UDFA or did Cleveland draft him? If so what round?
Jaxon - September 1, 2009
I think he was originally an UDFA. Either way, the Browns got him as a free agent from the St. Louis Rams.
Chris Pokorny - September 1, 2009
wow, other teams (lions, jaguars, bears, panthers) are jumping all over our leavings. are we really that deep?
rockybrown - September 1, 2009
We look pretty deep on the defensive line. Rogers, Williams, Smith, Coleman, Rubin, and Mosley would all either start or compete for significant playing time on any team in the league. If we cut Santonio Thomas another team might pick him up as well.
We are much deeper at this position than last year, by adding four guys into the mix that are better than the Shaun Smiths and Louis Leonards we had to rely on last year (technically we had Robaire Smith and Rubin but Smith was on IR and Rubin was still learning).
Bumblyjack - September 1, 2009
I am amazed we got anything for him.
I hated Leonard.
rufio - September 1, 2009
It almost makes you think a team could get something for anybody with the right sales pitch.
Chris Pokorny - September 1, 2009
Like when the Browns traded for Trent Dilfer?
Bernie19Kosar - September 1, 2009
You made mention of Rubin, Mangini had strong praise for him in yesterday’s press conference. He even went so far as to suggest that Rubin’s play would allow us to be more flexibile with where Rogers lines up.
Roger Dorn - September 1, 2009
I heard that too. And frankly, that’s awesome. It fits perfectly with Mangini’s theme of versatility and I’m a big fan of running hybrid-like, versatile defenses. Hopefully we’ll see some of that this year.
Also, good job with the trade. If he was going to be cut anyways, we might as well fleece someone out of a pick, even a 7th rounder.
Legoman0721 - September 1, 2009 via mobile
That’s great. The Browns haven’t had depth like this in a long, long time.
Buckeye Brad - September 1, 2009
I Heard Could be as high as 5th
If he plays in 50% of defensive snaps or more.
realmccoy - September 1, 2009
How do we get a pick for UDFA, Leonard
and not even entertain the idea of compensation for Hood?
Ron Jeremy All-Stars - September 1, 2009
I’d be willing to bet Kokinis was on the horn with a bunch of teams trying to pawn off Hood, but couldnt get any takers. Theres a reason Arizona didnt re-sign him.
Lisol - September 1, 2009
Chicago signed him quickly, I don’t think he got along to well with Cox.
Joey_D - September 1, 2009
Bears/Browns fan here. Take a look at the depth chart for Chicago’s backfield. It’s scarier than Cleveland’s. No surprise they snapped up Hood.
I know it’s hard for Browns fans to believe but Cleveland actually has better depth at some positions than other teams in the league!
And excellent blog DawgsbyNature guys. I also enjoy reading the comments here. High football IQ and lots of intelligent discussion. Keep up the good work!
Monsters of the Midway - September 2, 2009
Plus we have tremendous upside potential.
danvail - September 2, 2009
Thanks for the kind words. We are hoping one day the team will reciprocate our efforts.
Roger Dorn - September 2, 2009
Im resisting saying bad things
BradyQuinnisBeast - September 2, 2009
Wow. He would have likely been cut.
BradyQuinnisBeast - September 1, 2009
What is the benefit of not telling what round the pick is?
BradyQuinnisBeast - September 1, 2009
it is usually performance based, so they won’t announce it until the season’s over.
talonk - September 2, 2009
If so.. probably a 7th.
skipkirk - September 2, 2009
I read on ESPN that we filed a waiver claim for O’Donnell who got cut by the Patriots.
He’s not anything lower than a 3rd QB.. so Mangini doesn’t like Ratliff?
skipkirk - September 2, 2009
Yea, I saw that this morning. Very interesting that we placed a waiver claim.
My best bet actually is that we placed the claim so that we could then trade him to Denver or someone that really needs him.
Roger Dorn - September 2, 2009
Or maybe just because Anderson is about to be shipped out? No, I doubt it but I wish it were true.
Who is the Pat’s backup now? Do they still have Hoyer?
BradyQuinnisBeast - September 2, 2009
Andrew Walter
Roger Dorn - September 2, 2009
Hoyer and Walter
gahnki - September 2, 2009
It’s going to happen. Don’t be so pessimistic. I say we’ll pull a Charlie Frye.
SpecialBrownie - September 4, 2009
The PD is reporting that the Browns are trying to reach an injury settlement with Tucker which would means they could try to bring him back later this season. If they reach a settlement within five days then he becomes a free agent right away and can sign with any team except the Browns, but the Browns can sign him after six weeks. If they don’t sign an agreement in by Sunday then he can’t play for the Browns at all this season.
Mangini said he really likes Tucker and hopes to bring him back later this season. Here is a quote from him:
Buckeye Brad - September 2, 2009
I was glad to see this in the PD this morning. First, I really like Ryan Tucker, and admire the way he’s battled back from so many adversities. Second, I suspect that he can still play, although it appears unlikely that he will ever be a full time player again. I do know that the team was a much better blocking team when he was on the field last year. Hard to believe he wouldn’t have some value as a backup.
drjeo - September 2, 2009
Rotowire says C. Williams will not start on the DL. That is one expensive backup.
Roger Dorn - September 2, 2009
Well it Crennel that was so high on him…
skipkirk - September 2, 2009
and Savage.
Roger Dorn - September 2, 2009
Can’t say I’m surprised. If Robaire is healthy he is the better player. And I thought Coleman had the other end spot locked up as soon as we acquired him.
Ryan Kelsey - September 2, 2009
I think it is fair to expect all three of those guys to see lots of snaps.
rufio - September 2, 2009
Yep, the starter tag is pretty useless here. He will play plenty because of substitution packages.
gahnki - September 2, 2009
Except that I tend to believe that he is our 4th best defensive lineman. If it remains this way, he should be cut next offseason.
Roger Dorn - September 3, 2009
I don’t.
I don’t think there is a significant difference in playing time between our 3rd and 4th best D-Lineman. And to get more exact about it, there is little difference between playing time of our 2nd and 3rd best DE.
Depth is good.
Ryan Kelsey - September 3, 2009
We could get a draft pick for Williams if we really wanted to get rid of him.
I know his contract is a pretty expensive, but why get rid of talent if you don’t have to? I really don’t think our cap situation is that dire, where we would be having to choose Corey Williams over, say, Braylon.
rufio - September 3, 2009
Two reasons I don’t think we should hold onto him if he merely average:
1. We have a number of upcoming free agents I would like to see extended: Braylon, DQwell Jackson, Brodney Pool, and I think Jerome Harrison
2. The cap situation may not be dire, but why tie up money on an average player when you can allow yourself more spending room on a player that is actually good or potentially even awesome. One of these days when the roster has a good base, Mangini is going to want to bring in a big time free agent. We have a better chance of doing that if we aren’t wasting money on mediocrity.
Roger Dorn - September 3, 2009
Count me out on Pool. The guy is decent when he plays, but I think he is one more concussion away from La-La land.
Bernie19Kosar - September 3, 2009
Sadly, I agree with this.
danvail - September 3, 2009
Ideally we could upgrade, but we are really thin at safety right now.
In my opinion, he was our second best defensive back last year.
Roger Dorn - September 3, 2009
Also! Pool has only missed 1 game in the past 3 years.
Roger Dorn - September 3, 2009
Even with Pool’s concussions, I would get rid of every safety on the team before him (if I was just cutting them).
I am still very much on the Eric Berry bandwagon.
rufio - September 4, 2009
I don’t disagree that we should get rid of Williams in the event it somehow (via salary cap implications or actual money implications or roster spots, etc.) allows us to go after better players.
I just can’t see the situation where that happens. The Browns held their value at over a billion dollars last year, and made 20 million bucks in operating income last year. Lerner wants to win, he doesn’t care about spending in order to do so.
I think extending DQ will take a considerable amount of money, as will Braylon, but I don’t think either would command Haynesworth-type money (nor should we retain either if it does in fact take that much). The market for Pool and Harrison can’t be all that competitive right now. I don’t think cutting Williams would be the thing that allowed us to get a big-name guy—and even if we did, wouldn’t we be overpaying him anyway?
I think Williams will be a lot better this year.
rufio - September 4, 2009
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