From the Cleveland Browns:

BROWNS AGREE TO TERMS WITH RB JAMAL LEWIS ON A THREE-YEAR DEAL

The Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms on a three-year contract with RB Jamal Lewis through the 2010 season, the club announced today.

Lewis, 5-11 and 245 lbs., finished fifth in the NFL with 1,304 yards rushing last season and also tied for seventh in the league with nine rushing touchdowns. In 2007, Lewis helped propel the Browns rushing attack to rank tenth in the NFL with 118.4 yards per game, the best mark since 1985 when the Browns ranked eighth in the league in rushing.

“I am thankful to the Browns for the opportunity they gave me last year to come out and prove that I was still one of the top running backs in the NFL,” said Lewis. “I feel the future is extremely bright for this team and I’m excited to be a part of it for another three years. I said all year long that I wanted to get a long-term deal done to stay in Cleveland and it looks like with this new contract I will be able to finish my career as a Brown.”

Lewis, 28, had 298 carries for 1,304 yards (4.4 avg.) and nine rushing touchdowns last season and added 30 receptions for 248 yards (8.3 avg.) and two receiving touchdowns. Lewis’ 1,304 yards rushing ranked seventh best in franchise history and his 298 attempts ranked third in team annals. Lewis added five games over 100-yards rushing and became only the 26th running back in NFL history to top 9,000 yards rushing in his career.

“The Browns are pleased that Jamal has decided to continue his career here in Cleveland,” said Phil Savage, Cleveland Browns Senior Vice President and General Manager. “He brings a maturity, toughness and football temperament to the team that is critical to our success on top of the physical abilities that he possesses. Plus, he'll have the opportunity to go over 10,000+ career yards in 2008, which will put him in elite company.”

Derek Anderson wants more years and Kellen Winslow wants to renegotiate, according to reports.

Hmmm…Is this what success brings? The obvious answer is "yes."

Browns current starting quarterback Derek Anderson turned down a three-year, $17 million contract offer from the Cleveland Browns, according to reports.

For the record, a Beacon Journal report from Marla Ridenour disputes the one linked to above, but for supposition let's just say that Anderson is looking for something longer term.

This one I do not get. Anderson was the Browns starter for 15 games last season and was fairly successful. Apparently he believes that should get him Tony Romo and Matt Schaub like cash.

Hold on there, big guy. I don't think so. One decent season, does not a five-year contract make. Not buy a long shot. Mind you, after the Browns dispensed with Charlie Frye after the home opener debacle against the Steelers way back in September, Anderson showed that he had some skills at the QB position.

Anderson delivered a 10-6 season, but no playoff appearance and it can be argued that he cost the Browns a playoff appearance with some inconsistent play in road games which led to a 3-5 record when away from the comfy confines of Cleveland Browns Stadium. Check out these home stats:

134 of 231 for 1,827 yards, 14 TDs and 6 picks for a 93.5 QB rating.

Look at the road stats:

164 of 296 for 1,920 yards, 15 TDs and 13 picks for a 73.9 QB rating.

What do I remember of Anderson in road games? Throwing one away against the Arizona Cardinals and tossing another away that would have clinched a wildcard berth in Cincinnati in weather that was admittedly not conducive to throwing the ball.

You have to admire Anderson's perseverence and, for now, he has earned the right to be the Browns starting passer going into next season, but he needs to show more before the club invests five years in him and what certainly would be more bonus money.

Winslow's position isn't as cut-and-dried to me. I can certainly see how many fans will view the fact that he's seeking to renegotiate his contract as suspect. That's the way I viewed after his utter lack of maturity his first couple of seasons including the infamous motorcycle accident.

But Winslow has grown since then - by leaps and bounds. He shut his mouth and the megaphone bravado and self-promotion have calmed to a whisper, he still possesses quiet confidence that he shows on the field week after week. He plays hurt, remains productive and has evolved into one of the best tight ends in the game.

The dilemma?

The Browns have stood by him through all of his trials and tribulations over the years - most notably after the motorcycle accident. Sure they docked him some cash, as they should have, but they gave him the chance to make some of that money up by extending his contract.

Should Winslow show a bit more loyalty? Perhaps. I do know one thing, the Browns shouldn't deal with his demands until they've cleared up things with Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis.

So what went wrong with Charlie Frye?

In case you've not heard, Mr. Frye has been shipped off to Seattle for a sixth round draft pick. Such is the life of an NFL quarterback.

Frye just wasn't in the right situation. Touted as a quarterback with the ability to grow into a starter when he came out of the University of Akron, Frye got drafted into the wrong situation. The Browns didn't need a hometown kid who wanted to play for his hometown team. I realize that many Browns fans fell victim to delusions of grandeur based on the circumstances and nostagia. After all, didn't Bernie almost take us to the Promised Land. The needed a QB who could lead and asking him to do so wasn't fair to him or this team.

Working behind a patchwork offensive line, he looked horrible last year. Fans thought it would all go away with the additions of Eric Steinbach and first round draft pick, Joe Thomas. Yes, the horrible play continued in last year's 34-7 embarrassment against the Steelers. Frye didn't look comfortable. He wasn't inaccurate. He held the ball for far too long and for much of his limited playing time he looked like a bug fleeing from the light. Most of the five sacks were his fault for some of those very reasons. More importantly, however, you could see that he'd lost the confidence of his teammates.

There's nothing more damning than that. Some of the faces in the Browns locker room were longer than the Mississippi River after the Steelers game. Is there any more blame to be parsed here? Probably.

I once wrote that Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel probably bought themselves another two years with this past spring's draft. I don't think that any longer. As much as the current regime loves to put the blame on past administrations, the fact remains that just a few players remain from the Butch Davis era. Savage and Crennel will live or die with this roster, but they have to know that after this weekend, the tick tocks on that ticking clock are very loud.

With the signing of Dorsey, it looks as if Brady Quinn will get his shot sooner rather than later. Given the memories associated with Tim Couch, the Browns had better hope they are right on this one.

I sat in on Phil Savage's pre-draft meet-and-greet with local media types today and something became apparent to many of us as Savage sat at an elevated dais and analyzed every position on a football team (except kicker and punter) in some semblance of detail and several things revealed themselves:

1) The Browns would have little problem with moving up in the draft  to get the player they want if the deal is right, Savage said.

2)  Savage has apparently known LSU's JaMarcus Russell since the kid was 14 or 15.

3)  During the course of the press conference, Savage rattled off the comparative strengths and weaknesses of approximatley 15-20 quarterbacks.

4) After ending with his breakdown of all of the positions about 45 minutes later, I suddenly needed to reach for the Tums.

Why?  Because it became painfully aware that after edumacating the press that Savage and the Browns have researched quarterbacks more than any other position.   The Browns will be taking a quarterback in the upcoming draft.  Will they move up to get Russell?  Or will it be Brady Quinn?

It's no secret that Randy Lerner traveled to see Russell work out.  It's also no secret that Quinn wants to play for the Browns.  So why do I want neither?  Let's think waaaaaayyy back to … 1999…when the team drafted Tim Couch out of Kentucky with the No. 1 overall pick.  Yup, he was going to lead us to the Promised Land.  He got sacked. We booed.  He cried.  He was doomed.

Fast forward to 2007 and yes, we once again need a quarterback.  Sorry Charlie, Frye ain't the answer.   Yet it looks as if we're about to make the same mistake.  What good is a quarterback when you can't protect him?  Right now, the Browns pass protection is inconsistent at best, horrible at worst.  And make no mistake about it, if they draft Russell or Quinn, they will play this year.  The Frye Experiment is done.

Here's hoping that Savage and Head Coach Romeo Crennel possible gamble pays off.  If it doesn't, they'll likely pay with their jobs.  And Browns fans?  How does another five years in football hell sound?  Yeah, I thought so.

Well actually, Reuben Droughns is heading to the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

In what should come as a surprise to no one, especially given statements made by Jamal Lewis in a teleconference yesterday, the Cleveland Browns shipped Reuben Droughns off to the New York Giants for wide receiver Tim Carter in a trade today.

There was no way that the Browns backfield was going to be big enough for both of those guys.  And it was clear from what Lewis said that certain assurances had been made from the offensive line to what his role on the team would be.  Is there any doubt now that he's being a given a tryout with the possibility of receiving a long-term deal should he return to the form that helped him to rush for more than 2,000 yards several seasons back?

I'm still not on board with his acquisition.  I don't believe he has much left in the tank.  But we shall see.  The Beacon Journal's Pat McManamon wrote a compelling article detailing the repercussions of the move.  If nothing else, it's clear that the Browns have a win-now mentality with the possibility that the job of Head Coach Romeo Crennel and, perhaps, that of G.M. Phil Savage eventually being on the line.

So what did they get for Droughns?  In Carter they have a wideout who played in all 16 games last year but only caught 22 balls with two of those going for touchdowns.  If nothing else, Carter will fill the roster spot open due to the departure of Dennis Northcutt.  Whether his productivity will increase remains to be seen.

“Reuben (Droughns) gave the Browns our first 1,000-yard rusher in 20 years during the 2005 season. We wish him the best of luck in

Here's hoping that familiarity translates to receptions and TDs.  What is apparent is that given last year's disastrous season, the Browns are unwilling to stand pat with the players who occupy their roster.   That in itself is a wise move.

I'll give the Cleveland Browns some credit; free agency hit and owner Randy Lerner opened his checkbook and landed the premier offensive lineman available in free agency in Eric Steinbach, a now former Cincinnati Bengal.  That's a good thing.  A graduate of Iowa, he knows how to play gritty football.

Additionally, they added outside linebacker Antwan Peek from the Houston Texans and defensive back Kenny Wright from the Washington Redskins.  Not following those teams much I know little about them.

What I do know is that Steinbach is a proven commodity who blocked for one of the NFL's most productive running backs in Rudi Johnson and one of its most prolific quarterbacks in Carson Palmer.  I'd be willing to bet that Palmer isn't happy to lose his starting left guard.

In some respects by signing Steinbach, the Browns may have tipped their hand when it comes to the upcoming draft.    The team's O-line has been the weakest link since returning to the NFL and until last year when they signed center LaCharles Bentley, the team addressed that wound with a Band-aid.

If Bentley and a healthy Ryan Tucker return and gel along with their new teammate, the O-line has the potential to be powerful.  Please note that I said potential.

It has the potential to block for a premier quarterback or running back and do not be surprised if the Browns look to address those needs.  Sorry local folks, I watched from the pressbox last year, Charlie Frye ain't the answer.  Is Derek Anderson?  We don't know.  But the Browns draft the third position this year.  Personally, I'd much rather they trade down and pick up extra draft picks.  However, should they stand pat, look for them to take Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson.  He is the weapon available to them with the potential to loosen up defenses.  They'd have to respect Peterson's speed and ability to break a game wide open.  What's that do?  Open the passing game via play action.

Is that the scenario I prefer?  Not by a long shot.  At this point, I'm happy Lerner and Savage haven't shied away from dropping cash despite what happened with Bentley on the first day of training camp last year. I can only hope that for the fans' sake the team's luck has changed for the better.