The Associated Press

The Cleveland quarterback lost his backside protection Wednesday when the Browns released left tackle Lomas Brown in a cost-cutting move designed to give the team more money to spend on free agents.

Thursday, February 10, 2000

The Cleveland quarterback lost his backside protection Wednesday when the Browns released left tackle Lomas Brown in a cost-cutting move designed to give the team more money to spend on free agents.

Brown, signed last year to anchor the Browns’ expensive offensive line, was cut along with cornerback Antonio Langham, a fan favorite who also played in Cleveland before the old Browns were moved to Baltimore.

”As difficult a decision as this was for the Browns organization, we felt we had to make these moves in the best interest for the future of this team,” Browns coach Chris Palmer said. ”We thank both Lomas and Antonio for their contributions.”

Brown, a 15-year veteran who turns 37 in March, was due to receive a $1.25 million signing bonus this Friday if he had been on the roster. He was also going to make $2 million in 2000, meaning the Browns now have an extra $3.25 million to use when the free-agent signing period begins on Friday.

With the salary cap set at $62.5 million, the Browns will have approximately $20 million to spend.

And now, in addition to needing a running back and defensive end, the Browns will likely be shopping for a left tackle.

”We’ll be very aggressive,” Browns president Carmen Policy said. ”If it’s the right player, don’t be surprised if we overpay.”

Among the players thought to be on the Browns’ wish list are: Arizona defensive end Simeon Rice, Jacksonville defensive end Tony Brackens and running back James Stewart, New England wide receiver Shawn Jefferson, Detroit defensive end James Porcher and Cincinnati running back Corey Dillon.

The Jaguars have tagged Brackens their franchise player, meaning if the Browns want him, they’ll have to work out a trade. Same goes for Rice, who is expected to be tagged Arizona’s franchise player.

Dillon is a restricted free agent and the Bengals would have to receive draft picks as compensation.

Stewart appears to be the Browns’ prime target.

Cleveland’s running game was atrocious last year, finishing last in the league. The Browns had hoped to make Terry Kirby an every-down back, but came to realize he was better used as a third-down specialist. Karim Abdul-Jabbar, acquired in an October trade with Miami, wasn’t much help.

Stewart, 28, was mostly used as a secondary back by the Jaguars until Fred Taylor was injured last year. The 6-foot-1, 227-pounder stepped in and rushed for 931 yards and 13 TDs. He also had 21 receptions for 108 yards.

Stewart, who wants to become a feature back, already has some knowledge of the Browns’ offensive system. He played in Cleveland coach Chris Palmer’s system in Jacksonville when Palmer was the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator.

The Detroit Lions, who may never get Barry Sanders back, are also reportedly eager to land Stewart. If they do, the Browns could get involved in a bidding war for a running back who may not be worth fighting over.

”Free agency can get you in trouble when you start paying the type of dollars for a player that are demanded by the best at the position, when that player that you’re dealing with is not one of the best,” Policy said. ”He may just be the best available at that moment.”

Signed last March after spending three years in Arizona, Brown played in 10 games before injuring his right knee in the closing minutes of Cleveland’s comeback win at Pittsburgh on Nov. 14.

Brown, who has played 220 career games, missed the Browns final six games with a torn ligament. He had been spending the off-season in Cleveland, rehabilitating his knee at the Browns suburban training facility.

Langham was taken by the Browns with the final pick in last year’s expansion draft – on Feb. 9 – and played in 13 games last season. He missed three games early in the year with a thumb injury and finished with 26 tackles.