Trading for defensive tackles Corey Williams of Green Bay and Shaun Rogers of Detroit left the Browns without a pick in the first three rounds of the April 26-27 draft.

Cleveland surrendered its No. 1 to Dallas last year on draft day to select quarterback Brady Quinn. Then Friday it gave up a second-rounder for Williams and a third-rounder for Rogers.

But general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel didn't seem concerned.

"Brady Quinn is the first-round draft choice, Corey Williams is the second-round draft choice and Shaun Rogers is the third-round draft choice. We've jumped out in front and had our draft early," Crennel said. "As a result of having an early draft we were able to get experienced players who have been productive in the NFL."

Savage said, "Brady Quinn, Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers, I would take that draft every year. I've always been very proud of our success in the draft, particularly the first two rounds. But the third round, at least in my experiences and the drafts I've been part of, have been spotty at best. I'm not proud of that track record.

"Heck, I would never have gotten this job based on third-rounders. You can go look it up in the record book, it's like, 'Why did they pick some of those guys?' But in the fourth round, sixth round, free agents, we've done great in those areas. That's why I still hold out hope we can do some positive things in the draft."

In Cleveland in the third round, Savage selected quarterback Charlie Frye of Akron, the starter who was traded to Seattle last September, and receiver Travis Wilson, who has two career catches, all as a rookie in 2006. Among the forgettable names taken in that round in Baltimore when Savage worked under Ozzie Newsome from 1996-2004 were Tennessee running back Jay Graham, Louisville quarterback Chris Redman, Wisconsin offensive lineman Casey Rabach, Georgia running back Musa Smith and Washington State receiver Devard Darling.

Savage felt better that the 2009 draft had not been touched.

"We were kind of able to take our medicine now and our whole draft is in tact next year," Savage said. "Would we have given up a pick next year to get some of these things done? We talked about it."

Asked what everyone was going to do on draft day, Crennel joked and said, "Probably eat too much."

Browns general manager Phil Savage is willing to listen. But he's not in a rush to renegotiate tight end Kellen Winslow's contract that has three years remaining because Cleveland has other priorities.

First up is free agency, which begins Friday. Then thoughts must turn to finding defensive players in the April 26-27 draft to revamp the front seven of a 30th-ranked unit.

Winslow's agent Drew Rosenhaus said last week at the NFL Combine that he'd discussed the matter with the Browns. Winslow first said he'd like a new deal during an interview with Sirius NFL Radio at the Pro Bowl.

While Winslow has posted two outstanding seasons and is among the league's best tight ends, he's signed through 2010. His contract carries salaries of $4 million in 2008, $4.5 million in 2009 and $4.75 million in 2010.

"We'd listen to anything," Savage said Thursday. "Right now is not the right time to be talking about it because our focus is on other things. Not to take anything away from his value to our team. That's a question I guess everyone would ask, 'Why would you do something with three years remaining on a contract?' Especially when the Browns have shown tremendous patience in dealing with Kellen and giving him an opportunity to come back."

Savage was referring to Winslow's 2005 motorcycle accident, which has resulted in four surgeries on his right knee. Riding a motorcycle was a violation of his contract and the Browns could have sought to recoup part of his $6 million signing bonus and a $4.4 million option bonus.

"The Browns easily could have gone a totally different route and changed the course of history for him and this team," Savage said. "Quite a lot if we'd decided to do other things. We didn't do that because we felt he was a good player and he's shown he is a good player."

As for a recent report by the Columbus Dispatch that the Browns and Winslow are at odds over surgery on his left shoulder, Savage said, "The shoulder, he ended up playing most of the year with it. You would assume it could be strengthened some over the off-season. I'm not going to say one way or the other whether we prefer (it) or not. It's his body. He sought some different opinions and has opted not to do it at this particular time."

Rosenhaus said at the combine that Winslow's shoulder is fine. It was separated late in a loss at Oakland on Sept. 23.

On Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine, Browns general manager Phil Savage sounded pessimistic and disappointed about the prospects of getting quarterback Derek Anderson signed before the start of free agency. But there are reasons to believe not all is lost.

Over the weekend one league source called Anderson a "one-year wonder" and an Internet report Monday night on Scout.com said Anderson's agent heard more of the same during his time in Indianapolis.

Even the "one year" estimate may be generous, considering Anderson threw nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in the last seven games. Needing only to beat Cincinnati Dec. 23 to clinch a playoff berth, Anderson tied his career-high with four interceptions. He still finished with a 10-5 record as a starter and threw 29 touchdown passes, one shy of Brian Sipe's team mark.

But the reported chilly reception in Indianapolis and Anderson's poor performance in the Pro Bowl could convince agent Mark Humenik of Athletes First to come around to the Browns' way of thinking on a three-year deal.

Cleveland may have to sweeten the pot, but might be willing considering its relatively low payroll for its top two quarterbacks in 2007. Anderson made the league-minimum of $435,000 last season, while rookie Brady Quinn earns $2 million as a backup. Even with Quinn due a reported $4.3 million roster bonus in March, the Browns may look at the big picture, realize those are bargain prices and up their offer to make sure they get another year to evaluate Anderson.

The Scout.com report may be only the beginning of the rampant speculation and wild rumors that surround free agency. But even if there has been no breakthrough in talks, there may have been an awakening on the Anderson side based on conversations in Indianapolis.

Anderson becomes a restricted free agent at 12:01 Friday. In a worse-case scenario, Cleveland
will offer him the highest tender of $2.562 million by 4 p.m. Thursday. But it may not come to that.

Observers can only guess what kind of effect Browns quarterback Derek Anderson's poor performance in Sunday's Pro Bowl will have on ongoing contract negotiations.

In the AFC's 42-30 loss, Anderson completed 10 of 26 passes for 103 yards with no touchdowns and an interception for a quarterback rating of 34.6.

Those who had some interest in the soon-to-be restricted free agent surely will notice he had the lowest rating of the six quarterbacks who saw action. Anderson's 34.6 rating also suffered in comparison to those of Peyton Manning (118.5), Ben Roethlisberger (104.8), Matt Hasselbeck (139.8), Jeff Garcia (109.2) and Tony Romo (85.2), who didn't appear to be there just for the sun and fun.

Anderson proved valuable to AFC and San Diego coach Norv Turner in the first half, signalling plays to Manning and Roethlisberger because Turner's Chargers and the Browns run the same offense. But lip-readers could have had a field day in the second half watching Turner's expressions and remarks while Anderson threw behind receivers, even teammates Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow.

Ironically, even Garcia (who lasted just one season in Cleveland when then-coach Butch Davis asked him to run an offense he wasn't suited for) appeared to be on a different level than Anderson. Anderson played the entire second half and with the game on the line in the fourth quarter and facing virtually no defense, he couldn't move his team.

Will the Browns believe one bad Sunday in Hawaii was meaningless, or will it help convince them that Brady Quinn is their quarterback of the future? Will they pull back in their efforts to sign him to a multi-year contract? And perhaps more importantly to Anderson's future, what will the rest of the league think? Will anyone want to give the Browns first- and third-round draft choices if Cleveland offers him the highest tender of $2.562 million later this month? It only takes one team, of course, but that possibility might be a little less likely.

There may be a drought of top-flight quarterbacks in the league. But when Anderson got his chance to step on the field with most of them, he didn't measure up.

To no one's surprise, Browns tight end Kellen Winslow said during a Friday radio interview from the Super Bowl that he will undergo another surgery on his right knee.

Winslow could have had the operation shortly after the Dec. 30 season finale, but elected to wait, hoping to be named to the AFC's Pro Bowl team. The first alternate, Winslow received word Monday he would be going to Hawaii, replacing San Diego's Antonio Gates, who was bothered by a toe injury in the playoffs. The game is Feb. 10 in Honolulu.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel said last week he had no problem with Winslow's decision to delay any surgeries.

Winslow's knee was initially injured in a motorcycle accident in the spring of 2005 and underwent extensive repair. In the previous off-season, Winslow needed microfracture surgery on the same knee. He made an amazingly quick recovery from that procedure, playing in 16 games in 2007 and catching 82 passes for a career-high 1,106 yards and five touchdowns. He also separated his left shoulder in a Sept. 23 game at Oakland.

"I'm definitely going to have a surgery done on my knee," Winslow told WKNR radio. “My shoulder might be strong enough … I'm just really worried about my knee. Your legs are your life. I need my knee."

In his season-in-review press conference, general manager Phil Savage said he expected Winslow to need knee and shoulder procedures.

"He's still hoping he gets a chance to go," Savage said of the Feb. 10 Pro Bowl. "If he doesn't go, he might have some additional work done, potentially on the shoulder, too. It's unfortunate every off-season he's been in rehab. Kellen really loves to play. He's such an extremely competitive player that he'll find a way to get to the field."

Winslow has never been shy about touting his abilities, saying in December that when he's on the field, he's feels he's the best at what he does. On Friday, the former University of Miami All-American wondered how much better he would be if he didn't have to deal with the chronic knee injury.

Even playing in pain, Winslow has caught 171 passes for 1,981 yards and eight touchdowns the past two seasons. His yardage total in 2007 ranks third on the team's all-time single-season receiving list behind Braylon Edwards (1,289 in 2007) and Webster Slaughter (1,236 in 1989).

"You know, I'm not healthy,” Winslow told WKNR. “I do what I can to play as well as I can, but just imagine if I was healthy, like was I was back in college …. it would be unfair.”

Browns general manager Phil Savage said Thursday on his weekly radio segment on WTAM-AM that contract negotiations have begun with the agents for quarterback Derek Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis.

"We've had some things going on underground for the last week or so," Savage told the Browns' flagship station. "It's really just in the beginning stages. Those are the top two priorities, so we're off the first tee."

Things have been so underground that representatives at Athletes First in Newport Beach, Calif. have not returned calls on who is representing Anderson. His agent, David Dunn, is under suspension. Lewis' agent Mitch Frankel has not responded to emails.

Considering the impact Anderson and Lewis had on Cleveland's offensive resurgence during a 10-6 season, it would seem more significant if Savage had not begun talks with the Anderson and Lewis camps.

Anderson, a three-year veteran who went 10-5 in his first year as the Browns starter, will be a restricted free agent. His 29 touchdown passes this season just missed Brian Sipe's single-season record of 30 and Anderson's 3,787 passing yards was the team's fifth-highest total.

Playing on a one-year contract, ex-Raven Lewis rushed for 1,304 yards and became only the second Browns back to go over 1,300, joining Jim Brown.

Savage is likely proposing a long-term deal for Anderson, but not at break-the-bank money since Brady Quinn is waiting in the wings. If the two sides can't agree, Savage has another option. Cleveland could offer Anderson the highest tender of $2.562 million in 2008, which would bring the Browns first- and third-round draft picks in compensation if Anderson received an offer they elected not to match.

Lewis will want a multi-year deal for more than the $5 million (with incentives) he earned in 2007.

While the Browns could use at least two linebackers and two defensive linemen in the draft and free agency, the focus of the off-season will be the futures of quarterback Derek Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis.

Lewis, the ex-Raven, played on a one-year contract that paid him $5 million with incentives and surely will want more in his next deal. Anderson will become a restricted free agent unless the Browns sign him to a long-term contract before the free agency period begins Feb. 29. Even in that instance, he could still be traded.

Anderson went 10-5 as a starter, threw 29 TD passes (one short of Brian Sipe's team record) and was voted a Pro Bowl alternate. But on Monday, Anderson answered with a joke when he was asked if he'd like to come back for the long term.

"You want me back?" he said.

Fans are infatuated with rookie Brady Quinn, even through he played just one series this season and attempted eight passes.

Anderson said he's not surprised Browns backers have been talking about whether he should stay in 2008 for months.

"Everybody's going to try and twist it one way or another," he said. "Whatever it is, hopefully I'm back here. I enjoy the guys in this locker room."

Anderson believes he and Quinn, two young players with bright futures, can coexist. That scenario doesn't seem likely past next season.

"I don't see why not," he said. "Other teams have done it. I don't know how it happens or the whole process of it, I've never been through it. I hope so."

Whatever happens, Anderson will soon become a millionaire. He admitted he was anxious about where he'll end up.

"Of course. I really enjoy my teammates and I love these guys in this locker room," he said. "We've done a lot this season. We were 4-12 last season, a lot of work has been done and I had a lot of fun. Obviously a little disappointed in the way it ended."

Lewis rushed for 1,304 yards, joining Jim Brown as the only Browns' running backs to break 1,300 in a season. In recent weeks, Lewis sounded like he wanted to stay in Cleveland. Presumably he'll be seeking a multi-year deal.

"There's a lot more I can do," Lewis said. "This year I just wanted to prove to myself and to the coaches that brought me in that I can get it done. Next year I want to go over the top and prove I'm one of the best backs in this league."

Browns receiver Joe Jurevicius, 33, said he's coming back for one more season and hopes he'll be joined by Anderson and Lewis.

"They're two of the big reasons we're sitting here with 10 wins and 7-1 at home," Jurevicius said. "Derek is deserving of everything he's going to get. He played strong, was a leader in the huddle, spread the ball around, made plays, was a general on the field."

Jurevicius felt just as strongly about Lewis, who notched his fifth 100-yard game of the season in the finale against San Francisco.

"When you have Jamal Lewis, who rushed for over 9,000 yards in his career and he has another 100-yard game, it shows you what a potent running attack can do," Jurevicius said. "It opens up the pass and vice versa. What's so special about Jamal is he's a leader. He's kind of a quiet warrior, but he's a leader out there. Guys respond to him."

Jurevicius, a Cleveland native, was optimistic that general manager Phil Savage could find a way to retain both.

"I have every reason to believe we'll see them again next year in an orange helmet," Jurevicius said, "and that's going to be a big reason why this city's going to get used to success."

¶
Browns center Hank Fraley doesn't rush home after games at Cleveland Browns Stadium and he doesn't figure this week against San Francisco will be any different.

"I do a little tailgating afterwards, friends and family and teammates," Fraley said. "I host a tailgate after every game, win or lose. It's a better tailgate when we win. I used to do it in Philly and I brought it here."

Fraley said the festivities usually last about two hours, time enough for the traffic to clear. Then if he doesn't go out to dinner, he'll head home to play with his sons before bed, then catch some of the 8 p.m. NFL game.

He'll be watching closely this week. To reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002, the Browns need the Indianapolis Colts to beat the Tennessee Titans in the final game of the regular season.

"I'm sure guys will get together," Fraley said. "I guess we'll go watch that game at 8 o'clock somewhere. It will probably be the first time I've rooted for the Colts."

Fraley has been one of the Browns' unsung heroes since coming to Cleveland in a trade from Philadelphia on Sept. 2, 2006. After free agent center LeCharles Bentley went down in training camp with a torn patellar tendon that year, the Browns tried what seemed like a cast of thousands at the position. Since Fraley took over, the spot has been stabilized.

If Cleveland wins Sunday at Cincinnati, it clinches a playoff berth for the first time since 2002. Here's what some of the Browns starters had to say this week.

QUARTERBACK DEREK ANDERSON

(on the weather) "Hopefully we'll have a little bit of a normal surface underneath us."

(another shootout?) "Who knows what will exactly happen. I think our defense is playing a little bit better than we were in that second week. And their defense has changed since the beginning of the season as well."

"We talked about trying to pretend like that didn't happen and we hadn't seen them before and go in like it was a team we hadn't played."

(have you progressed since first meeting) "It's been all right. I've had some ups and downs. But overall I'm happy with where we are right now. We're in a good position to finish the season strong."

(you more confident than in second game) "We've been through a lot more experiences. The more you're in there, the more confident you become. We've grown a lot since that first or second week."

(pro bowl selections) "I'm happy for the guys who are going. It's a good deal. It says a lot about what we've done as a whole."

(are the Bengals a dangerous spoiler) "We're going to prepare like it's every single week. Nobody's taking it any lighter. Every game is important right now and that's how we've been attacking for I don't know how many weeks."

(did your performance in week 2 settle you down) "No. Then you've got to keep repeating it and keep moving the ball and winning games. I've done that for the most part."

(how big was that first win) "It was huge. We knew what we could do. We went out there and were successful on offense and did some good things. Really picked up when we needed to and scored, kind of got guys' confidence in things we had been doing and got us rolling a little bit."

(will you buy gifts for your offensive linemen) "I have a few ideas."

(any you can share) "Nope. But I've decided."

RUNNING BACK JAMAL LEWIS¶

(disappointed not a Pro Bowl alternate) "It doesn't matter, really. It's individual efforts and I kinda knew I wasn't going to be in there, anyway. The guys who went earned it, they had the numbers to put up for it. Congratulations to them."

(what's at stake Sunday) "They're in our division and it's going to be a fight pretty much every time we play them. We have to control the things we can control and execute the plays we put in this week in practice and roll on. Every game is important and this is the next one and we want to come out with a win.

"It's just another team that we have to face that's on the road the way we're trying to go that's in our way. That's how we have to take this game, this team is in our way and we have to go out there and play one of our better games."

(are you still putting in plays now) "We still have things we adjust."

(can the Bengals make it hard for you to run) "This past week it was hard for us to pass and we still made the plays we needed to make. We put in plays if it's raining, if it's wet, we can throw the short passes. There are things you can do, eight- or nine-man fronts that we know we're going to have to face."

TIGHT END KELLEN WINSLOW

(on Bengals) "They have a potent offense, hopefully it's not a shootout and hopefully we
just come out with a win."

(nice to know one win and you're in) "We don't know about all that. All we know is we have to win out and we're in so we don't count on other people losing. We just take care of our business and we'll be in there."

Perhaps the most amazing part of Cleveland's 8-5 season is that the Browns have a legitimate shot at a wild-card playoff berth despite fielding the league's worst defense.

Coach Romeo Crennel didn't sugarcoat that fact when asked by an out-of-town media member last week what concerned him about the defense.

"The thing that concerns me is that we're not good," Crennel said. "We're not good enough. We're going to work and try to get better — to get guys to play technique longer and get them in position better, to fit better. If we can do some of those things, we'll be better."

Pressed on why the defense is not good, Crennel added, "All you have to do is look at the stats. When you look at the stats, we can't stop the run and we don't rush the passer efficiently enough. Those are some of the things."

He didn't seem to care how that message goes over in the locker room.

"I don't ask them. They know how I feel about them," he said. "They know we need to be more consistent. The stats are what they are. It doesn't do you any good to sugarcoat them. We need to be more consistent on defense. At times, our defense has played well and we've made some stops when we had to that helped the team win some games. But consistently, we haven't been able to do it enough.

"The kids on defense, they've worked very hard and are very conscientious. They want to be good. We just aren't consistent enough."

In a 24-18 victory over the New York Jets Sunday, Cleveland surrendered 387 yards, 175 in the fourth quarter. The Browns have allowed a 100-yard rusher in 10 of their 13 games, most recently the Jets' Thomas Jones, who totalled 106 yards on 24 carries. Crennel attributed some of those 175 yards to the Jets running against the sub defense.

But looking at the bigger picture, he can't pinpoint one problem.

"It’s always a number of things - injuries are one," Crennel said. "Sometimes it's gap control, sometimes it's run fits, sometimes it's pursuit angles, you just keep harping on those things. When you have different defenses, guys end up playing multiple positions. You now have a defensive back playing a linebacker position and he has to learn all the linebacker run fits. All of that goes together and it's some of the reason for the inconsistencies."

Whatever the reasons, Cleveland will certainly spend most of its time and money in free agency and the draft upgrading the defense, even if it fails to acquire the No. 1 pick it gave up for quarterback Brady Quinn.