Ever since I watched Paul Kruger in the 2009 Sugar Bowl against Alabama, I’ve liked him as a player. He was a quick, versatile, and high energy defender then, and he still is now. That’s a big reason why he’s been successful as a pass rusher in his young career, and precisely why the Cleveland Browns paid him $40 million this offseason to be their starting strong-side linebacker in new defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s 3-4 scheme.
If you peruse the Internet’s mock drafting, Geno Smith will land in Cleveland more often than my tolerance for first-round quarterback chasing will allow.
I get it. There’s been a seismic shift in Cleveland during this offseason that may or may not involve dirty fraud and shattered dreams. But as it stands right now, Jimmy Haslam is the Browns’ new owner, and he’s flanked by Joe Banner, new general manager Michael Lomdardi, and new head coach Rob Chudzinski. The word “new” was used three times in the preceding sentence.
Smith’s projections are widespread, and sometimes outright zany and crazy, or absolutely absurd. So falling out of the top five is a very real possibility for him, and if that happens the appetite for change and new-ness in Cleveland may be overwhelming, even though the Browns just spent a first-round pick on a quarterback last spring. In a QB class where every name is followed by a question mark or three, giving up on Weeden immediately seems unwise at best, and crippling at worst.
Our draft previews continue to chug towards their conclusion with some Browns chatter today. Scott Sargent from Waiting For Next Year was kind enough to pull himself away from his Jimmy Haslam tears for a few minutes. I swear I didn’t search the web for someone who shares my Weeden opinion. Honest.
The Cleveland Browns are creating a defensive line that should strike terror into their AFC North rivals.
After adding Paul Kruger earlier today, the Browns have signed former Raiders DT Desmond Bryant to according to a tweet by Ian Rapoport. Adam Schefter reports the Browns gave Bryant a five-year, $34 million contract which includes $15 million guaranteed.
Bryant was heralded as one of the best potential free agent bargains by Shutdown Corner’s Doug Farrar. Though he only had four sacks in 2012, Bryant recorded 11 quarterback hits and 20 hurries. According to Farrar, his 35 total pressures ranked him fourth among all qualifying defensive tackles.
Though Bryant has had his run ins with the law–including a recent arrest–his play on the field warranted interest from several teams.
The Cleveland Browns have reached a five-year agreement worth $40 million with outside linebacker Paul Kruger. Kruger spent the first three years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens after being selected in the second round of the 2009 Draft. Kruger played a big role in the Ravens’ 2012 Super Bowl run, forcing a fumble from Andrew Luck in the Wild Card round and recording a sack and a fumble recovery against the Colts in the Divisional Round. He also has two sacks in Super Bowl XLVII.
Browns reached agreement in principle on a five-year deal with Paul Kruger.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2013
During the regular season, Kruger appeared in 15 games, starting five and finished the season with nine sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.
Ever since the Pittsburgh Steelers cut ties with linebacker James Harrison, Harrison’s agent Bill Parise has been diligently working the phones, and thinks his client would fit in well with a handful of NFL teams.
“Baltimore would be a great fit for James,” agent Bill Parise said. “They’re a contender and a class organization, so James would definitely be interested. I would think they would have a need with the market for Kruger.”
According to a report by the Baltimore Sun, there is a bidding war brewing between the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns for the services of Baltimore Ravens’ outside linebacker Paul Kruger.
The 27-year-old Kruger had a breakout season in 2012, recording a career high 30 tackles and 9.0 sacks, while playing in 15 games.
Some sources are saying that the Utah alum could command somewhere between $10-$12 million in the open market, which would be too rich for the defending Super Bowl champions, who are actively trying to re-sign inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.
ESPN’s Ed Werder is reporting Cleveland and Indianapolis will aggressively purse Ravens OLB Paul Kruger in Free Agency. Via Rotoworld, Werder says the Browns will face intense competition from Indy, who envision the former Utah Utes star as Dwight Freeney’s replacement.
Kruger led the Ravens in sacks last year and will likely command a contract worth $12 million annually, according to Rotoworld.
