A potential reason for the Browns' reported decision to pay the soon-due roster bonus to wr/kr Dennis Northcutt may be related to the league-wide interest in now-Redskin Antwaan Randle-El. Certainly, there was going to be but one winner for his services, with several others left exasperated and searching. Perhaps GM Phil Savage anticipates he may get a call or two for his versatile and shifty trick-play artist, thereby getting some compensation for an athlete who believably could be subtracted before camp opens.
Detroit's re-signing of Eddie Drummond, similarly, removes another wr/kr from the market. Until that announcement, coupled with the surprising addition of Texans' wr Corey Bradford, there was some thought Northcutt might factor with the Lions, who could use a slot receiver and may be ready to part with one of their recently-drafted, disappointing wideouts.
One I'd like to see Northcutt exchanged for is Vikings' RFA Nate Burleson, though his hometown Seahawks may be a likelier destination, if he goes anywhere at all, since Jurevicius must be replaced.
Edgerrin James' landing in Phoenix is an understandably heralded event, not only because he balances an offense which featured two receivers with more than 100 catches for more than 1,000 yards (Imagine catching 100 balls for 1,000 yards and not leading your team!), but also because James helps the Cardinals inaugurate a new stadium this fall. Baltimore had seemed like a good place for his skills and he might well have gone there had not Jamal Lewis reconsidered and the Cards not overwhelmed. SF was a sleeper for James. An elite runner might've jump-started the Niners' reconstruction.
As it is, SF seems to have followed the Rams' lead, if only coincidentally. StL reunited collegiate teammates Marshall Faulk and La'roi Glover (San Diego State), while SF has a pair of Pitt Panthers to lead its ground and air games, respectively. Antonio Bryant, the former Brown, is now in the Bay Area, again huddling next to Kevan Barlow. Bryant's agent admits the likelihood his client will be the focus of the passing game---if only by default, as was the case last season in Cleveland---was "a compelling reason" for their joint decision. Bryant and former ND QB Arnaz Battle lead the depth chart at this point, with former number one pick Rashaun Woods---a record-breaker out of Oklahoma State I felt certain would excel as a pro---facing his last chance to prove he can get off the line and separate.
With that thusfar apparent mistake in judgment already out there, I wish to admit I am not a believer in Kalimba Edwards. I focused on him during his first Cleveland appearance in the Great Lakes Classic Joey Harrington's rookie year and found the South Carolina product to be situational at best. He appeared to be one-dimensional and without instincts, flexibility, ballast or repertoire. I came away better understanding why the Lions did not go 3-4 themselves at the time and pair him outside with Boss Bailey. Perhaps the former second-round choice has made marked strides and will surprise, but I'd pass on him, based upon what little he showed that August evening.
A legitimate alternative is off the market, however, with the announcement Dallas has signed a former ballboy and Purdue Boilermaker, Jax's Akin Ayodele. On the other hand, it fills the Cowboy hole Willie McGinest might have filled, thereby increasing the potential he follows Romeo Crennel and Ted Washington to the Northcoast. More likely, he'll be back in NE, especially with today's release of former Steeler and Seahawk Chad Brown. Even the aged and declining Brown is preferred to Edwards, by the way.
That LaVar Arrington is not a front-runner does not disappoint. His bone-on-bone knee condition is a turnoff, as was the back trouble afflicting Trevor Pryce, now with the Ravens.
With that former Bronco unavailable, a beneath-the-radar RDE to watch for is Gary Walker, familiar to D-Coor Todd Grantham from their days together in the Houston Texans' 3-4. Walker is a community and clubhouse asset and a two-time Pro Bowl selection who has impacted against both the run and the pass. He began his career with that Texas city's first NFL entrant, the Oilers, before going onto Jacksonville prior to expansion. He was released by Houston last week but might complete an exemplary triumverate alongside Washington and Orpheus Roye. Though all three are less than they had been, each is a savvy professional who brings consistency, intensity, leadership and the capacity to mentor anticipated protoges. Savage and Crennel may fill with vets but they'll draft behind them future starters who'll learn from the old heads.
In a similar vein, Bart Scott's decision to remain in Balt could create an invitation for NFL graybeard Sam Cowart (31), a longtime 3-4 advocate who learned under and played for Wade Phillips (Marty Schottenheimer's Charger D-Coor) and Ted Cottrell, who Cowart followed from Buffalo to NYJ to Minnesota. The Vikes' resurgence last autumn coincided with the team's decision to spontaneously convert from the 4-3 to the 3-4. Strongside backer Keith Newman, another free agent, was similarly responsible for the improved defensive performances. Both are physical, active, tough and can range. Prior to an Achilles injury when still in western NY, Cowart was a premier up-and-comer at the LB position, excelling both inside and out. Neither Cowart nor Newman is a notorious blitzer.
As I prepare to close, allow me to apologize for an earlier entry containing a superfluous prefix syllable in "unconscionable." (This was in the context of discussing Steve Hutchinson's offer sheet.) There is no excuse for not proof-reading. We'll have no more of such nonsense.