redskns21 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35278-2005Mar14.html Defender Brown to Visit Redskins By Nunyo Demasio Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, March 15, 2005; Page D03 The Washington Redskins contacted the gifted but injury-prone Courtney Brown immediately after he was released Monday by the Cleveland Browns, according to sources familiar with the situation. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound left defensive end will make his first visit as a free agent to Redskins Park this week -- perhaps today -- said two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, and will consider signing a contract this week. Coach Joe Gibbs was unavailable to comment. Neither team vice president Vinny Cerrato nor Brown's agent, Marvin Demoff, returned telephone messages yesterday. According to sources, although Brown has scheduled visits with other teams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2000 draft believes Washington is an ideal situation -- providing he receives a contract that suits him. Linebacker LaVar Arrington played with Brown at Penn State and was drafted No. 2, one slot behind his teammate. Sources close to the player said the idea of playing for Gregg Williams, Washington's assistant head coach for defense, and Greg Blache, the de facto defensive line coach known for helping players reach their potential, appeals to Brown. Last season, the Redskins, with the third-ranked defense, allowed an NFL-best 3.1 yards per rush after entering the season with a maligned defensive line. Brown is also familiar with Foge Fazio, a special assistant to the Redskins' personnel evaluation department. Before being hired as a Redskins consultant in 2003, Fazio coached Brown as Cleveland's defensive coordinator in 2001 and 2002. At the time, Fazio was said to believe one reason Brown had injury troubles was that he was too focused on technique and didn't freelance enough. Brown played in all 16 games as a rookie, amassing 70 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks. But in every year since, Brown has been on injured reserve, including last season after tearing a ligament in his left foot. Brown has missed 33 games in his five-year career. The Redskins have to determine whether the potential reward of signing Brown is worth the risk, given his medical history. But Brown's scheduled visit may indicate that the Redskins are leaning toward adding him, contingent on negotiations. Washington's pursuit of Brown apparently has been approved by Williams, whose contract provides him a say in defensive personnel. Demoff also represents Williams, who was unavailable to comment yesterday. Cleveland released Brown before he was due a $2.5 million roster bonus today. Brown, who was scheduled to earn a $5.5 million base salary, reportedly declined to take a substantial pay cut. He has earned $26 million in five NFL seasons, but after a promising rookie season, he showed an inability to stay healthy. In 2001, Brown missed 11 games with a knee and ankle ailments. In 2002, he missed five games with a knee injury that required surgery. In 2003, Brown missed three games after tearing his right biceps. This past season, Brown suffered a serious foot injury in Week 2 against Dallas and had season-ending surgery. Brown reportedly had screws removed from his foot recently. Washington beat the odds the last time it signed a talented defensive lineman with medical problems. Tackle Daryl Gardener underwent back surgery in 2000 and 2001 before agreeing to a one-year contract with Washington. Gardener, 29 at the time, missed the season opener because of a degenerative back condition. But after receiving a pain-killing injection, he flourished, playing in 15 games and anchoring Washington's defensive line. He was named the team's most valuable player on a defense that ranked fifth in the league under then-coordinator Marvin Lewis. The Redskins did not re-sign Gardener after the 2002 season because his health made the club reluctant to offer a more substantial contract. In 2003, Gardener joined the Denver Broncos for a six-year, $33 million deal. Gardener was released during the season after being arrested for fighting outside a restaurant and then later clashing with Coach Mike Shanahan. The Cincinnati Bengals signed Gardener last summer, but he retired at 31 before playing for the club after his back condition worsened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dexter's Better Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 IS someone giving the skins front office props for the Gardner decision? Wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffSchmeff Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 he 6-foot-4, 290-pound left defensive end will make his first visit as a free agent to Redskins Park this week -- perhaps today -- said two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, and will consider signing a contract this week. My gut tells me this could be a quick signing. I think the Lavar factor gives us the upper hand. Maybe Brown has just had a string of bad luck. His injuries seem weird, like flukes. They're either flukes, or he's brittle, but we'll find out either way. Maybe he'll go for an incentive laden contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkaD Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 If we could land Brown for a reasonable amount of money, that would be a huge addition at a spot we need a good player at, but I don't know about all his injury problems the past four years. Sounds like he may be a bust for us. We'll see. Lates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QBkilla56 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Come on CB, don't you wanna play with your boy LA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fdarugar Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 I hope he becomes a Skin for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 It's in the bag. Just hope the bag ain't too big...:paranoid: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 If history stays the course then Brown could very easily visit and sign in quick order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankbones Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Originally posted by Dexter's Better IS someone giving the skins front office props for the Gardner decision? Wow. But we have the worst FO in the league:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 This one player can be a difference maker. He has all the ability in the world and has proven it on the field. I think this is going to be a gut signing and I think its going to work. He is going to provide us with something that we haven't seen since Dexter. Just my gut feeling. I don't think we should let him go to see anymore teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spm Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Well he'd be better than anything else available. I hope he comes cheap... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truant Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 He'd be a great addition and he'd flourish in our system. Make it happen Courtney and Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Made Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Wow, this would be great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Montana Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Don't let him leave the Park. Just go easy on that contract Danny. Make sure that baby is incentive filled. Come on CB, it will be just like the good old days at Happy Valley with Joe Pa. :deal: :helmet: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chet06 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 He's done in my opinion. Williams will turn him into an all pro like Griffin...Next. Williams will make this D into a factory of overachievers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernCali Skins Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 i have to agree with some of you... i hope he comes cheap... i dont want another barrow and if we sign brown, we are talking a gamble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illone Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Originally posted by spm Well he'd be better than anything else available. I hope he comes cheap... It's fairly safe to assume he'd be cheap. he knows he is a pretty large risk, he probably just wants to play football with an old teammate and join the best defense in the NFL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffSchmeff Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Dan has to be licking his chops though to have picks 1, 2, and 3, of the 2000 draft on his team. He loves former first rounders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chet06 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 How screwed would we be without Greg Williams? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffSchmeff Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Originally posted by chet06 How screwed would we be without Greg Williams? Pretty screwed dude. Don't even think about it. He's the next head coach of the Redskins after Joe hangs it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLSKINSFAN Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 I heard he is scheduled to visit Denver tommorow, Maybe we changed his mind. Utah, I have the same feeling. I hope we can land this guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLSKINSFAN Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Also, I've heard he never missed a game at PSU. Is this true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkaD Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 You can bet Brown isn't going to be too cheap, but he doesn't have much leverage on a huge contract, that's for sure. He will most likely want what he made in Cleveland, maybe more, but we will probably have an incentive laden contract that depends on his health, or how many games he plays during the season for us. That's my take on it anyway. Lates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLSKINSFAN Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 He won't come for vet minimum, but he is a talented player when healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D'Pablo Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 As a guy that met CB many times at Penn State games, let me tell you that he is incredibly nice. He actually carried on a conversation with me despite me coming off as a huge fanboy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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