Browns still not done?

Scott brought to our attention today the signing of DB Gary Baxter to a one year contract. Also signing a one year deal was reserve FB Charles Ali. Ali was a decent special teams player and filled in nicely at times at FB.

Word now is that the Browns have missed out on bringing back LB Chaun Thompson, who was all but ready to sign another deal with the Browns when the Texans called. Chaun reportedly will sign a deal with Houston today or tomorrow. Thompson’s departure leaves the Browns a bit thin at LB, and will most likely mean Savage will continue his pursuit of a veteran to come in and get significant time.

The defection means the Browns will turn to other options at linebacker, including Kalimba Edwards, Al Wilson and possibly Rosevelt Colvin.

Edwards, was a DE for the Lions, but projects as a LB in the Browns’ 3-4 scheme. He also has a bit of an injury history, but is a player that Phil Savage pursued before. Al Wilson was supposed to have signed with Detroit, but failed a physical, and moved on to Cleveland in an effort to get a job. That isn’t encouraging. Wilson was a very good to excellent inside backer in his prime, but injuries have taken their toll on the former Bronco. Colvin is intriguing. According to KC Joyner of ESPN, he may not be that much of an upgrade.

LB Rosevelt Colvin — The release of Colvin could be the first of many personnel changes the Patriots make in their linebacking corps this off season. The primary reason for the linebacker makeover is that New England’s run defense was quite bad in 2007 (it was tied for 26th in rushing yards per attempt).

To give you a better idea of just how bad the Patriots’ run defense was, consider that Colvin’s 5.2 yards per attempt (YPA) on point-of-attack runs was the best among the New England linebacking corps. When the best run-stuffing linebacker on a team has a YPA of 5-plus yards and defeats only two blocks in 42 point-of-attack (POA) attempts, it speaks volumes as to how bad the run defense really was.

Colvin may draw some interest from a team looking for some “star name” recognition in free agency, but his limitations in stopping the run make him a less-than-viable free-agent candidate for any team with run defense issues.

There is one more move that we are hearing whispers about, and it involves CB Lito Shepherd from the Eagles. Speculation (and that is all we have at the moment) is that the Browns, Lions and Eagles are involved in talks that would send Andra Davis to Detroit, Roy Williams to the Eagles, and Shepherd to Cleveland. WARNING: this is a rumor at this point, so take it for what it’s worth.

What is clear is that the Browns are not done yet. This off-season has been a wild one in Berea, and apparently it will continue.