Browns sign LB Barton,OL Womack

The Browns continued to sign some veteran players signing 11 year veteran and LB Eric Barton formerly of the Jets.  Barton led the Jets with 119 tackles last year and will help the linebacking core, since Andra Davis  left due to free agency.  Cleveland also signed ex- Seahawks OL Floyd Womack.  Womack spent the last eight seasons with the Seahawks and has shown good versatility by playing both right and left guard. Womack started 46 games for the Seahawks and looks to help the Browns Offensive Line.  The deal for both of these players is not disclosed.

Other news:

Free Agent offensive tackle John St. Clair (Bears) is visiting the Browns today.

Browns back in rumors for QB Jay Cutler.  Reports have said that Cutler is not happy and wants to be traded. The Broncos will be looking for a QB in return.  Browns could deal Quinn or Anderson for Cutler.

Browns Release Veterans

The Browns had to cut two veterans this week.  WR Joe Jurevicius and T Kevin Shaffer have been released due to bonuses given to some players last year.  Bonuses to some players have hampered the free agent money, so the Browns had to cut some players.  Shaffer could return to the team if he elects to take lower pay. Jurevicius did not accept the veteran minimum, therefore he can now sign with another team.

In other Browns news:

The Browns signed free agent linebacker David Bowens.  Terms were not disclosed.  Bowens stats look like this:

40 tackles 4 sacks 1INT 2 forced fumbles 1 recovery while adding 9 tackles on special teams.

Browns signing free agents

The Browns have not wasted time signing free agents.  Most have been NY Jets players so far and it appears the Browns are after another player that will fit into the scheme of things.  So Far the Browns have signed :

DT CJ Mosely- 17 tackles 1.5 sacks  last season with Jets

CB Hank Poteat- 40 tackles 1 sack 2 INT 2 Forced Fumbles 2008 with Jets

CB Mike Adams- Resigned with Browns

TE Robert Royal-  33 catches for 351 yards and a TD in 2008 with the Bills         

The Browns are also in talks with a few other free agents from the Jets. LB  Eric Barton had 119 tackles last season with the Jets, and word is the Browns are trying to bring him to Cleveland.  Barton also led the Jets in tackles, but the signing of free agent Bart Scott enabled him to leave the team.  Look for the Browns to continue to sign defensive players and eventually look for some offense.

Browns sign TE Royal

According to the Plain Dealer, the Browns and former Buffalo TE Robert Royal have agreed to terms.  Royal in three years with Buffalo had 81 catches and 7 TD's with the Bills.  Last year he caught 33 passes for 351 yards with one TD.  Royal is 30 years old and an eight year pro in the league.  Royal is known more for his blocking skills, but could be an asset close to the goal line.

Browns Free Agent News:

Vikings free-agent linebacker Heath Farwell visited on Wednesday, but left without reaching an agreement.

Farwell, who led the Vikings in special-teams tackles in 2006 and 2007, visited the Patriots on Tuesday.

Farwell, 27, had knee surgery after hurting his knee in the 2008 preseason opener and missed the entire season. The Vikings' coverage ace, Farwell wants to compete for a starting job.

Jets linebacker David Bowens and defensive lineman C.J. Mosely were scheduled to arrive in town Wednesday night and visit with the Browns today. Both are versatile reserves, Bowens at inside and outside linebacker and Mosely at defensive end or inside in a sub pass rush.

Former Bills free agent cornerback Jabari Greer left Cleveland without a deal, headed to New Orleans and never made it out of the Big Easy. Greer signed a four-year deal worth $23 million, according tonationalfootballpost.com.

Titans cornerback Chris Carr also left Cleveland without signing. The Tennessean reported Wednesday that Carr, a return specialist, was on his way to visit the Patriots. He might also re-sign with the Titans.

The Browns have expressed interest in Detroit free-agent linebacker Paris Lenon, but no visit has been scheduled. 

Rob Trautman

PrimeTime Sports/ Blog Talk Radio

Also help from the Cleveland Plain Dealer

Browns Rumors

Browns new head coach Eric Mangini and GM George Kokinis are not wasting anytime in looking over this roster. First moving TE Kellen Winslow to the Bucs, and now rumors are flying with some other big named players. Rumors had QB Brady Quinn and DE Shaun Rogers going to the Denver Broncos for QB Jay Cutler and a 3rd round pick. According to new Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels "We are not trading Jay Cutler period".

Titans Kick returner specialist Chris Carr is visiting the Browns this week. Carr would be a big help returning kicks and could enable Josh Cribbs to move to different positions. Here are some of Carr's number:

Finished fourth in the NFL in kickoff return average (28.1) and eighth in the AFC in punt return average (10.1). Playing the previous three years with the Raiders, Carr left Oakland as its all-time kickoff return leader with 201 returns for 4,841 yards (24.1 average). Making the Raiders as an undrafted rookie from Boise State in 2005, Carr has never missed a game and has made six career starts.

Also CB Jabari Greer from the Buffalo Bills visited.  

Other NFL News:
Former Browns LB Andra Davis signed with the Denver Broncos.

Joe Smith agrees to return to Cavs

The talk of Joe Smith returning to the Cavaliers will happen on Wednesday. Smith can not officially sign with the Cavaliers until he clears waivers on Wednesday, but he has agreed. After considering all of his options, Smith felt Cleveland was the best fit for him. Smith was dealt to the Bucks in a 3- team trade that brought Mo Williams to Cleveland. Smith fit in perfectlY with the Cavs offense, and now will be an important piece of the 2nd best team in the NBA.

Smith averaged 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds in 36 games for the Thunder, but his playing time had diminished and he didn’t get in any of his final eight games with the club.

He wanted to join a team for a playoff push and Cleveland, where he played 27 games last season, was Smith’s first choice.

Look for the Joe Smith signing to be official Wednesday.

Other notes:

Kings PF Drew Gooden will sign with the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday after being released.

PF Joe Smith, and Drew Gooden released by teams.

It appears PF Joe Smith could be a Cavalier very soon.  He reached a buyout agreement with the Oklahoma City Thunder, with the Cavaliers listening close by.  Also the Sacramento Kings released PF Drew Gooden in somewhat of a shocking move.  He was part of the focal point of the trade, that sent center Brad Miller and guard John  Salmons to the Bulls.  Cleveland considered bringing both aboard, but it appears as if PF Joe Smith will be back in Cleveland.  Expect an announcement soon.  Joe Smith could be suited up for Wednesdays game if a deal is reached.