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Cleveland Browns: Seeking durability in free agency

By CJ Oliver

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Just when we were asking if the Cleveland Browns should sign Green Bay cornerback Tramon Williams, they went ahead and did just that.

As Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported, Williams joins the team on a three-year $21 million contract.

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Monday was a busy day for the organization, as they also signed former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks to a two-year, $8 million contract.

Both of these players are on the unwelcome side of thirty, but what they lack in explosiveness they make up in very important characteristics – consistency and durability.

Every team has injuries, and some players lose time for other reasons. The 2014 Arizona Cardinals neatly encapsulated the value of depth on your roster – both when they had it at quarterback to keep winning games after Carson Palmer went down (again), and when they didn’t have it at running back after Andre Ellington‘s injury killed their momentum and any realistic hope of a deep playoff run.

These two signings show the team is highly conscious of the lack of quality depth at key positions on their roster.

In an ever more pass-happy league, and in a division with three strong passing quarterbacks in the Baltimore Ravens’ Joe Flacco, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger and the Cincinnati Bengals’ Andy Dalton, the Browns must stock up on their secondary. Justin Gilbert was a disappointment after being selected eighth overall and according to NBC Sports’ Rotoworld.com, he played just 373 snaps this past season.

The team also has two young cornerbacks, including K’Waun Williams, an undrafted free agent who leap-frogged Gilbert on the depth chart. But, nearly every team lost a cornerback or safety to injury last year.

So the reasoning behind the acquisition is solid, but the deal wasn’t great for the team. Former Brown Buster Skrine signed with the New York Jets for half a million less a year. Williams took advantage of a seller’s market for his services.Williams does have some interesting career numbers, as pointed out by Browns public relations manager Dan Murphy:

Nov 11, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks (94) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Hopefully, the deal will be worth it.

The deal for Starks is much more palatable. A former Pro Bowler, he accumulated 4.5 sacks and 28 tackles for the Dolphins this past season. According to his media press conference after the signing, he was recruited by a former teammate.

“An attacking and aggressive defensive scheme is one that suits me and I think I can be very successful in this type of system. Karlos Dansby had really great things to say about the coaching staff and he’s a guy that I’m looking forward to playing with again.”

He’ll also join former Dolphins receiver Brian Hartline, who signed with the team earlier in free agency.

The Browns were dead last in run defense last season and often struggled to put pressure on the opposing quarterback. Starks should immediately compete for a starting job and brings veteran experience to the locker room. With the investments in the secondary, it would be great to provide them more opportunities to generate turnovers by bolstering the pass rush.

Next: Cleveland Signs Tramon Williams

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