The good, the bad, and the ugly

It's great to have football back again! What a long off-season. On a couple of occassions I have found myself watching the 2nd half of preseason games of teams I have absolutely no interest in, just to get a football fix.

I've been away for awhile, but here's my take on the first few weeks of training camp:

The good:

• Getting Joe Thomas and Eric Wright into training camp on time. This is huge. Both have looked good, and will likely start week 1
• Getting healthy--Gary Baxter and Kellen Winslow have practiced and so far have suffered no setbacks.
• The LBs--Kamerion Wimbley, Leon Williams, Antwan Peek, and Chaun Thompson are quietly having a nice camp.

The bad:

• Injuries--as always, the Browns have been bit by the injury bug already. Nothing season ending, but of note: Eric Steinbach, Orpheus Roye, Willie McGinest, and Leigh Bodden have all been slowed. Bodden worries me the most since it seems to suggest that his ankles have not heeled and may plague him all season.
• Brady Quinn's holdout--its never good for a 1st rounder to holdout, especially when its a QB.
• The WRs--Josh Cribbs is the #3 receiver not because he has been that good, but because the guys supposed to challenge for the spot (Travis Wilson & Tim Carter) have either been hurt or can't hold onto the ball.

The ugly:

• The QB competition--I had hoped that the starter could be named following the 2nd preseason game, but so far that's not the case--and its not because they are both playing so well. Neither Charlie Frye nor Derek Anderson look worthy of starting.
• LeCharles Bentley--I love that he is trying to come back and is progressing so well, but the Browns have not exactly been welcoming him back with open arms--their response has been odd. Seems like something fishy is going on behind the scenes here. I hope I'm wrong.

Browns FA Grades, Part 2--New Arrivals

• Eric Steinbach--G--One of the best lineman available in this free agency and the Browns biggest area of need. Not a superstar, but solid and young. Grade: A.
• Antwan Peek--LB--Quiet career so far. Just starting to blossom in Texans 3-4 when they switched to 4-3. Great upside. Grade: B+.
• Robaire Smith--DT/DE--Another casualty of the Texans switch to a 4-3. Should provide an upgrade over Alvin McKinley on the line. Grade: B+.
• Seth McKinney--C/G--After missing a year due to injury, not sure what level he be playing at, but may challenge for a starting spot, or at the least will serve as a versatile backup capable of playing any of the interior line positions. Grade: B.
• Shaun Smith--DT/NT--A career backup for the Bengals, Smith has good size & youth. Browns hoping that after a year learning from Ted Washington, he will be ready to start. Browns taking a gamble, but there is good upside and very little risk. Grade: B.
• Jamal Lewis--RB--I've had a hard time with this one. I've disliked Lewis for so long, its hard for me to now cheer for him. I think this is another gamble for the Browns, but with limited upside & more risk. The Browns already had a serviceable back in Reuben Droughns. Yes, he struggled last year, but the line was terrible and he was injured. Lewis has also seen his yards per carry decline each of the last 3 years. At best, Lewis will regain his old form, but it will still be behind a work-in-progress line. I just don't see him performing that much better than Droughns. Grade: C. I'm not grading this signing lower only because of he's younger than Droughns and was an elite RB in the past.
• Kenny Wright--CB--He was signed to bolster a position that has gone from one of the best to one of the shakiest on the team due to career-threatening injuries. He's not a superstar, but is almost certainly better than Ralph Brown. Grade: B-.
• Ryan Krause--TE--Signed from San Diego, Krause has only caught 5 passes in 3 years. Still, he is likely here due to his association with new O-coordinator Rob Chudzinski. With the re-signed of Steve Heiden, I don't see Krause contributing much this year. Grade: C.
• Mike Adams--S--Brought in to add depth at safety due to the departure of Brian Russell. Started 8 games for the 49ers last year. Could challenge for a starting spot. Grade: B-.
• Alan Ricard--FB--The lead blocker for Jamal Lewis during his glory years, but was out of football last year due to injuries. Could challenge for a starting spot. I'd prefer to have Terrelle Smith. Grade: B-.

OVERALL GRADE: B. The Browns didn't add many stars via free agency, but overall a solid group that addresses several needs and adds some depth. Past free agent classes have had bigger names, but mostly these were guys in the twilight of their career (Andruzzi, Coleman, Washington, McGinnest), who may have contributed leadership and wisdom, but not much on the field. This years group is younger, with more upside.

Antwan Peek to boost pass rush

A day after landing Steinbach, the Browns announced the signing of LB Antwan Peek from the Houston Texans. Personally, I love this signing. One, it could be the best "sleeper" signing of free agency. Second, Peek is a fellow alumnus of my alma mater, the University of Cincinnati, and I've been a fan of his for years. Peek's signing reunited him with defensive coordinator Todd Gratham, who coached him while with the Texans.

Peek has great speed, quickness, and athletism. In fact, in high school he was a two-sport star in basketball and as a wide receiver in football. He still holds the Bearcats' career records for sacks (27.5) and tackles for loss (56) despite being double teamed his last two seasons. His draft prospect profile can be found here.

Peek was drafted in the 3rd round of 2003 by the Texans and spent his first two seasons battling nagging injuries and learning the transition from a 4-3 college DE to a 3-4 pro LB. His third season (2005) he began to show his potential as he started every game and recorded 46 tackles including 6 sacks. Last year the Texans switched to the 4-3 and Peek saw very little playing time.

Year	Games	Tackles	Sacks
2003	10	25	1
2004	14	20	2
2005	16	46	6
2006	11	14	1

Peek should be able to contribute to the Browns immediately. He knows the 3-4, knows Todd Gratham, and has the skills to excel as a edge pass-rusher. He could be the eventual replacement for Willie McGinest, and could even challenge him for playing time this year. If Peek can pick up his development where he left off in 2005 he could prove to be a nice complement to Kamerion Wimbley on the opposite side.