On the eve of the start of the 2008 NFL Free Agent signing period one thing is sure, the Cleveland Browns still aren't sure who will be their starting QB in 2008. The team has had ongoing talks with incumbent starter Derek Anderson, but nothing has been agreed on as both the Browns and Anderson are not close on Anderson's value.

The Browns are offering a deal that is 3 years and somewhere around - million. It is believed that Anderson is looking for a 6-7 year deal and upwards of - million. The Browns feel Anderson, in good faith, should take the deal and if his play continues at a high level then the big money will come in the next contract. Anderson knows there are no guarantees and the Browns used a 1st round pick on Brady Quinn last year and would not hesitate to go to him if he were to struggle.

There is belief in Berea that Anderson already has a suitor in free agency so the team tendered him with a 1st and 3rd round tender. According to G.M. Phil Savage, the team will not take less then a 1st and 3rd for Anderson. If Anderson does not sign with another team he will play in Cleveland for .562 million and then be an unrestricted free agent in 2009.

It's our belief that the team not signing Anderson to a deal now and having him play for the tendered offer is what would be best for all involved. If Anderson excels the Browns could always come back with a 6-7 year deal before the end of the year and sign him long term. If he struggles they could let him go and let Brady Quinn take over the helm ala what the San Diego Chargers did with Drew Brees and Philip Rivers a few years ago. It would also allow the team a chance to really allow an open competition at the QB position heading into their 2008 camp. Imagine if Brady Quinn beats Anderson out and then Anderson is on the bench as a back up QB for just over .5 million dollars. What kind of market would there be for him in 2009 then and do you think he would be able to get - million? We wonder if anyone is telling him that?

As for the rest of free agency it appears the Browns will be interviewing plenty of players, but may not be making the huge impact early that they have the past 3 years. A big reason for that, the Browns are going to look to improve the defense, but by running a 3-4 scheme there really isn't much available to them. Just today DT Tommy Kelley of the Raiders, a rotational player most of his career, signed a deal that will make him the highest paid DT in the NFL. Talk about a thin market.

There is still buzz around that the team is interested in WR Bernard Berrian, but the truth is that is highly unlikely. All-Pro WR Braylon Edwards has hired a new agent and will be looking to cash in on his success in 2007. There is no way the Browns will be able to pay 2 guys like #1 WR's and that is the type of money Berrian is looking for. More then likely the Browns will look for a veteran that won't cost them big money

The other news is that the Browns will be interested in DE Justin Smith. Smith at one time was thought of as a premier pass rusher in the Bengals 4-3 defense, but over the past couple of years his sack totals have been down and he has grown into a very good run defender. The truth though is he is too small to be a 3-4 DE. At 6'4" he is plenty tall enough to play DE in the 3-4, but at only 275 pounds he is close to 25 pounds less then he would need to be to be truly effective.

Free agency is about to begin, but the Cleveland Browns appear to be moving into it a bit slower then the past 3 years. Of course that could all change and is all contingent on what happens with Anderson. If he signs the teams deal before mid-night the Browns will not have as much money heading into free agency. If he doesn't sign the deal the Browns will have a lot more money. One thing is sure, if Anderson hits the open market and does not get an offer from a team willing to give a 1st and 3rd round pick, the Browns offer will surely go down and every day that passes the value of the contract will decline with them.

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