Browns FA Grades, Part 1--Who's gone

Since most of the big free agency action is likely over, I thought I'd give my own grades on how the Browns have done. First up, who Cleveland didn't resign.

**Free agents lost: S Brian Russell (Seattle), WR Dennis Northcutt (Jacksonville), DE Alvin McKinley (Denver). While Jones and Pool bring more athleticism to the safety positions than Russell, the Browns will miss his leadership in the secondary. Plus, he is responsible for one of the best hits of the reborn Browns, when he nearly knocked Chad Johnson's head off. Dennis Northcutt is still one of the most dangerous punt returners in the league, but as a WR he drops too many passes, and overall is not worth nearly what the Jaguars are paying him. McKinley is better suited as a situational backup than a full-time starter. He likely won't be missed. GRADE: B. Would be an A if they had kept Russell.

**Status unresolved: CB Ralph Brown, G Cosey Coleman, DE Nick Eason, T Nat Dorsey, DT Ethan Kelley, LB Mason Unck. Brown and Dorsey only played because the Browns had so many injuries. Coleman is well past his prime. Its unlikely any of these 3 will be resigned. Eason, Kelley, and Unck could be resigned and prove to be worthwhile backups, provided they come cheap. Unck is a perennial star on special teams coverage units. If none of them are resigned, they won't be badly missed however. GRADE: A-. Will be an A if they resign at least one of Unck, Eason, or Kelley.

**Players cut: FB Terrelle Smith, CB Daylon McCutcheon. I was surprised at both of these, and still think that the Terrelle Smith move was a mistake. I think it was primarily a business decision to save paying a roster bonus, but the guy has good size and likes to hit people, which is what you pay a FB to do (not run, not play wideout, not throw the option). Cutting McCutcheon was also a surprise. With the injuries to the secondary last year, in particular Gary Baxter, I thought that the Browns would give McCutcheon a chance to heal and attempt a comeback. If nothing else, his experience should have made him a good nickel back. Grade: C-.