Just as I was contemplating whether Jeff Faine---invited to find himself a trade partner---could bring back Bills' WR Eric Moulds---also invited to find himself a trade partner---Melvin Fowler signs with the Buffalo club.
That's what I get for forgetting where the former Browns' OL coach landed. Larry Zierlein is now responsible for coaching up the Bills' OL talent, such as it is. Browns' fans will recall it was Zierlein who expressed feeling Melvin was the superior of the two centers when Fowler and Faine coexisted in Cleveland.
I'm anticipating many readers would scoff at the idea Faine, deemed expendable in Cleveland, could bring back a heralded talent like Moulds. We'll never know in any event. But it is not inconceivable, dependent certainly upon Buffalo's assessment of Jeff.
Faine's contract is affordable, runs for years to come and is carried by a still-young, improving and dedicated professional player. What is more, the Bills are moving away from center Trey Teague, creating what had been a void in their maligned OL. Fowler has been invited to fill it.
It is rather well documented Moulds is unhappy in Buffalo and emphasized it by refusing to consider any renegotiating concerning his $7.1 mil contract. This to force his way out of western NY despite the removal of the coaching staff with which he differed last season. This does not mean he would not re-do his pact for another organization, however. And there would not likely be many teams willing and able to temporarily absorb the Moulds' existing contract while simultaneously offering an inexpensive young starter like Faine.
Nonetheless, an offer of Faine for Moulds would not likely have been Buffalo's only opportunity to get return on a player certain to depart and potentially released after June 1, by which time much of the available salcap monies from around the league would've been exhausted. It might also have not been Buffalo's best offer.
Then again, it might have been. We'll never know now.
At any rate, if Zierlein remains true to form, he'll have some obscure Indiana Hoosier OL in camp with him this summer. He'd brought Enoch DeMar, Craig Osika and Anthony Oakley (who transferred to Western Kentucky, Crennel's old school) to Cleveland as undrafted free agents---a rather peculiar tendency given the Hoosier's modest football successes. Vikes' Chris Liwienski is a deposed starter/free agent from that university who might somehow find his way to Zierlein's side.
As for Moulds, interest in him would be explained by the uncertainties relative to Braylon Edwards' availability. Even if he does not open on the PUP, which seems plausible, he cannot be expected to approximate his full or former self for another calendar year. That is characteristic of an athlete coming off an ACL injury. Until he proves otherwise, Edwards should be considered typical.
With that the case, a starting target opposite Jurevicius is needed. There is no reason to anticipate Northcutt could be that guy, unless the presence of Antonio Bryant held mystical powers over Dennis' play. Northcutt was unable to establish himself as starter-worthy when invited to last season and should be expected to revert to his situational role unless liquidated.
Bruce Ariens in Pittsburgh, who maximized Dennis so well when the two were together in Cleveland, may campaign to secure Northcutt as Randle-El's replacement. Those others who envisioned Randle-El possibly joining them---the Bears, for example---might also have interest in the former Arizona Wildcat second-round selection. With Tim Dwight having joined the Jets yesterday, one less multi-dimensional quickster WR/KR is on the market. Dennis' value and appeal may resultantly escalate.
Ideally, the Jurevicius counterpart would provide deep speed, to keep defenses honest and from crowding the line of scrimmage to better negate Droughns and Jurevicius. Hence the reported interest in Ozzie's nephew Tim Carter.
Moulds is not a burner, but he has demonstrated an ability to get behind defenses, make big plays, score and carry the mantel of a team's number-one wideout. That is no minor consideration. Such individuals are not often made available.
Yet it is unlikely Eric Moulds would elect to come to Cleveland, given the market that is likely to materialize if ever he hits the market unencumbered.
The fact remains the Browns cannot consider their work done at the wide receiver position. A trade and contract renegotiation involving Eric Moulds might be a route worth investigating. If the infusion of and dependence upon veteran newcomers was not sufficiently evident last summer, the continuation of that trend should amply communicate that winning now is an objective of the Browns' braintrust. For that to occur, a top-shelf contributor at wide-receiver seems prescribed.