The Donovan McNabb Experiment - A Cleveland Browns Dynasty (1999)

[SKA]

Browns Trade for Another Guard, Say Goodbye to Palmer
Sometime before the NFL Draft...

The front office of the Cleveland Browns decided to make a minor change to their roster involving a trade with the New York Jets, just weeks ahead of this year's NFL Draft. With depth available at their tight end position, the Browns found the cost-benefit factors of getting rid of Randy Palmer for an upgrade at the guard position too much for them to hold onto Palmer. In exchange for the young 24-year old, the Browns received offensive guard Kerry Jenkins, a 26-year old entering his fourth season in the NFL, and perhaps, a position on the Browns starting line.

Along with Jenkins will be most likely be the offensive guard acquired just last season, Joe Andruzzi, who received a contract offer to stay with the Browns for another two years just a week ago. Along with Jenkins, the two are hardly a feared duo in between the tackles and center. The two are essentially the same in terms of skills, but the Browns make up for their mediocrity with the veteran presence of left tackle Lomas Brown (perhaps entering his final season in the league), tackle Orlando Brown (who played with the Browns before their move to Baltimore), and center Dave Wohlabaugh. In the end, both Andruzzi and the newly added Jenkins should be able to get the job done all season, with their number one objective being the protection of the team's number one player, their quarterback Donovan McNabb...

Jenkins joins the Browns entering a contract-year with one more season left at $344k. Palmer still has two-years left on his $225k deal, now with the Jets.

...

The 1999 Off-Season (Part III)

The 2000 NFL Draft took place on April 15th, and well as the 16th for later rounds, held in Madison Square Garden, NY, as is tradition... The media was all over this one, covering almost every inch of the highly anticipated draft. One of the reasons? Two teams out of the NFC East held the first two picks in this year's draft: Philadelphia, and Washington. Speculation was wild about who the Redskins were going to select at number two...would they stick to the number one player on the board, John Abraham, and continue to build an impressive defense? Or will they go the other way, selecting quarterback Chad Pennington to build their team around for the coming seasons? The number one overall pick was seemingly already decided, as the Eagles prepared to draft quarterback and national champion Tom Brady out of Michigan...

At noon, the draft was opened and absolute excitement filled the room. About the walk on stage were some of the NFL's best of the future, as well as the hopes of every single team in the league... And after a long five minutes, the camera slowly zoomed in towards the podium, as NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue took to the stage to announce Philadelphia's number one draft pick...

"With the, uh, first choice in the NFL Draft, 2000, the Philadelphia Eagles select ... Tom Brady, quarterback, the University of Michigan..."

His head held high, Brady received the natural mixed reaction from any crowd anticipating their number one overall pick. It was a decision to effect a franchise for perhaps the next decade to come, and Philadelphia fans were dying for their franchise to turn around, and make the right choices. Their hopes now lie on the 23-year old Brady, who many are expecting to turn into an all-out Hall of Fame quarterback, and whom Philadelphia puts all its weight on...

...

"With the second overall pick, in the 2000 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins select ... Chad Pennington, quarterback, from Marshall..."

While Eagles fans were mostly joyous over the future of their franchise, Redskins fans, were a little more pessimistic. Well...a lot more pessimistic. As soon as his name was announced, Chad Pennington stood to his feet, not only to the hugs and kisses from family, but to a roarous rejection by Redskins fans in attendance. Clearly, those in attendance were not happy with the selection of Pennington over defensive options available to them... Now plenty of questions were to begin circulating through the Washington media, including, what will happen to current QB Brad Johnson? When will Pennington start? Will he start the season? Will he play at all? Perhaps Washington's choice created more problems, than solutions...

...

"With the third pick in the NFL Draft, 2000, the Miami Dolphins select ... John Abraham, linebacker, South Carolina..."

For the Dolphins, the cards fell right into place, as sitting in their laps was the best defensive prospect in years, John Abraham, the team's future defensive leader and absolute dominator. Although the retirement of Dan Marino was most likely due after the upcoming season, the Dolphins had another year to worry about the future of their quarterback position, but until then, were able to savor the addition of a play-making linebacker to the team's already impressive defense. To them, Abraham is almost the final piece to the puzzel...

...

Up next, the Atlanta Falcons made a surprising, and controversial pick, electing to select safety Greg Wesley, despite the availability of a few players better than Wesley on the big board. But perhaps Atlanta's scouts saw more in Wesley than other teams, and were willing to pay the price for a future All-Pro safety... The Pittsburgh Steelers were up next, and considering the incredible talent of their linebacking core already, elected to go with the most touted defensive linemen available, Darwin Walker, out of Tennessee... After them, Buffalo produced another surprising and controversial pick, selecting the second defensive tackle of the draft, Corey Simon. Simon is perhaps all Buffalo needs to finish off their killer defensive line, as he joins the league's leading sacker, defensive end Bruce Smith, on the front lines...

Two more picks before the Cleveland Browns belonged to the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals. Whom Chicago was going to select was up for serious speculation among the Chicago and national media, however, they were happy to settle with selecting linebacker Julian Peterson, who was a top 5 prospect going into the draft, and was made available to them after the previous teams passed up... Cincinnati made a great choice in taking defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who joins the Bengals defense as perhaps their best player in between opposing quarterbacks and their end zone...

...

But finally, at number nine, the Cleveland Browns made their pick...

"With the ninth pick in the 2000 NFL Draft ... the Cleveland Browns select ... Brian Urlacher, linebacker, New Mexico..."

The few Cleveland fans in attendance were highlighted on television, and shown reacting with respect to the pick. Urlacher was one of the most impressive players available, and will have no trouble adjusting to the game at a professional level. On stage, Urlacher shook the hand of the commissioner, smiled for the cameras, and put on an ugly Browns hat to confirm his landing place. Perhaps there stood the next great Cleveland Brown since the franchise's rebirth just a year ago. Experts responded well to the pick, even though there was some disappointment the Browns decided to pass up on running back Shaun Alexander. Nevertheless, the Browns made an important addition to their team, as Urlacher can be expected to play with Cleveland for at least the five-years of his rookie contract...

...

As the draft continued on, the New York Giants selected defensive tackle Fred Robbins; Baltimore selected defensive end Shaun Ellis; New Orleans took linebacker Marcus Washington; and the Arizona Cardinals gratefully took the best running back prospect available, Shaun Alexander.

After the Cardinals were to be the Indianapolis Colts at number fourteen overall, with odds towards improving their defense after a below-average season from the Colts. However, they would make a tough decision, opting to take a huge risk in trading that number fourteen pick... to non-other than... the Cleveland Browns.

As the news broke through Madison Square Garden, fans were erupting after commissioner Tagliabue came out and made the announcement... The Colts had opted to trade their pick to the Browns for four players... a trade centered around star safety Marquez Pope, who would now be spending the next year with Indianapolis, along with his teammates: fullback Marc Edwards, tight end Mark Campbell, and center Jim Bundren...along with a $250k gift from the Browns to the Colts. With the transaction taking place, the experts on television doing their best to analyze the situation at hand, Tagliabue announced the Browns choice in who they were trading for...

"And with the number fourteen pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select ... Jamal Lewis, running back, Tennessee..."

Although he was expecting to go around this point of the draft, Lewis looked shocked that the Browns would go out of their way to acquire him, especially for four other players... But after realizing what was happening, Lewis began to get emotional with his family, and with pride, made his way to the stage to accept the Browns hat and shake the hand of the man who was running the whole show... Experts absolutely raved over the pick, complimenting the aggressiveness of the Cleveland front office to build a team with great young prospects. Although Alexander was touted as the best available, Lewis was without a doubt the second best running back available. Apparently, Cleveland had Lewis in mind, willing to take Urlacher at number nine, instead of Shaun Alexander, then putting together this trade in order to settle with a great addition to the offense. Now perhaps, instead of a hardly-durable 30-year old starting running back, in Terry Kirby, the Browns had acquired themselves their next franchise running back, a young 21-year old with a lot of heart, but still, a lot to learn and to prove...

...

By the second round, the Browns used their ninth pick in the round, 40th overall in the draft, and choose another linebacker to round out their depth chart: Ian Gold, an impressive 22-year old out of Michigan. In a year with such deep options at linebacker, Gold would most likely have been a first round pick had there been less options at his position. This was great happenstance for the Browns, who knew the opportunity existed, and seized the moment when it took place. Gold has a great amount of potential, but isn't as ready for dominating performances, as perhaps his fellow rookie, Brian Urlacher is...

After Gold, the Browns took a shot at selecting the best player available to them, and that would be defensive end Courtney Brown out of Penn State, who had fallen all the way to the third round (Brown was selected #1 Overall in the real 2000 NFL Draft, and was a complete bust.) The upside on Courtney Brown was too much for the Browns to pass up, while also adding some talent to an incredibly weak defensive-line. After selecting Brown, the team was forced to get some depth at the cornerback position, selecting William Bartee out of Oklahoma. After Bartee, the Browns had a skip out on round five, thanks to their trade during the previous season for guard Joe Andruzzi with Green Bay. The sixth round, saw the Browns select another CB, named Shad Criss, a 24-year old from Missouri, and finished off their draft with Kendrick Clancy, a defensive tackle from Mississippi...

As the draft closed out a total of 254 selections were made, and a total of 254 dreams were fulfilled. Now...it's time to see how history plays things out... Will the Eagles win a Super Bowl under their new franchise quarterback? Will Washington regret their choice to go with the second option? What will Miami do after Dan Marino? These questions will take years to figure out, but all teams are worried about now, is the year ahead of them...the 2000 NFL season...

2000 NFL Draft Results
1. PHI: Tom Brady, QB
2. WAS: Chad Pennington, QB
3. MIA: John Abraham, LB
4. ATL: Greg Wesley, S
5. PIT: Darwin Walker, DT
6. BUF: Corey Smith, DT
7. CHI: Julian Peterson, LB
8. CIN: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, DE
9. CLE: Brian Urlacher, LB
10. NYG: Fred Robbins, DT
11. BAL: Shaun Ellis, DE
12. NO: Marcus Washington, LB
13. ARI: Shaun Alexander, RB
14. CLE: Jamal Lewis, RB
15: NYJ: Brian Young, DT
...
40. CLE: Ian Gold, LB
71. CLE: Courtney Brown, DE
102. CLE: William Bartee, CB
164. CLE: Shad Criss, CB
195. CLE: Kendrick Clancy, DT

[SKA]

Browns Make Two Free Agency Signings
Sometime after the NFL Draft...

The Cleveland Browns would make two free agent moves on the same day, picking up two players they hope will make an impact on this year's upcoming roster. The first and more notable name belongs to Bernard Whittington, a defensive tackle who spent last season, and all six previous with the Indianapolis Colts. Last year, however, Whittington found himself riding the bench the entire season, and did not wish to stay with the Colts. Putting himself on the free agent market, Whittington would end up agreeing to a 3-years/$1.35M contract with Cleveland, who comes in perhaps as the team's best option at defensive tackle.

The Browns seriously needed some improvements on their defensive line heading into the off-season, and believe the signing of a 29-year old Whittington will have a positive impact on not just the starting defense, but the younger guys as well, as coaches in Indianapolis always considered Whittington a leader, but just not good enough to start over the likes of Ellis Johnson and Tony McCoy.

The press conference also announced the signing of offensive tackle Anthony Clement to a 4-year/$385k contract. Clement is another former Arizona Cardinal taken-in by the Cleveland family. Clement will be perhaps the team's number one tackle off the bench, sitting behind Lomas Brown, a 37-year old veteran, and locker room leader, who isn't expected to stay in the league much longer, and his partner on the line, Orlando Brown.

The Clement move was reportedly made to add some depth to their bench at the tackle position, as he is expected to beat out second-season player Roger Chanoine, who doesn't seem to have developed much after his first season in the pros.

Rumors are circulating the team is working on a few other moves, and Cleveland's front office is looking at playing out as the most active front office this season.

...

Browns Hand-Off Kirby, Acquire Another DT
Sometime after drafting Jamal Lewis...

With the drafting of rookie running back Jamal Lewis with the number fourteenth pick in the NFL Draft, done in dramatic fashion through a big trade to acquire the choice from Indianapolis, the clock on Terry Kirby immediately began ticking as soon as Lewis put on the draft-day hat.

Cleveland didn't wait long to make a move on Terry Kirby, who is eighth season in the league. His been a nomad ever since entering the NFL, first playing in Miami for three-years, then San Francisco for another three, and finally, his previous season spent in Cleveland. Now Kirby can call himself a member of the Atlanta Falcons organization, but will certainly not be their starting back anytime soon. He will now find himself on the bench, as he did for awhile in Cleveland due to injury, watching one of the league's top backs in Jamaal Anderson go to work. While Kirby rushed 769 yards last season, he also missed four games due to injury, leaving Cleveland to put all their chips on the arm of rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb.

In return for the 30-year old running back, the Browns acquired their second defensive tackle this off-season, a 27-year old by the name of Ed Jasper. Since his entry into the league, Jasper hasn't seen much time in real NFL games, coming in for a few plays, but having yet to earn a starting job, or make an impact on any team or game. But now, Cleveland is giving the defensive tackle his first, and perhaps only shot, at setting himself apart from his fellow defensive tackles, found sitting next to him on the bench these past three years.

Drafted out of Texas A&M in 1997, Jasper only made eight tackles last season, appearing in 14 games and starting none. At the press conference, however, head coach Chris Palmer cited their excitement for Jasper to join the squad, and talked up his ability to stop the run, joining a defense that is well-equipped to do so. Financially, though, the move made the most sense, as the Browns were able to trade Kirby's 1-year/$2.07M contract, which they weren't expected to pick up after it expired, for a younger Jasper's 1-year/$720k contract. Given the situation, common sense would have that Jasper is expecting to approach this season as a real contract year, for a lack of performance may see him out of the league in the next few years, while a great season could having him earning over a million a season, and then some...

...

Browns Trade for New Tight End, Itula Miller
Sometime during the off-season...

The Cleveland Browns remain one of the most active teams his off-season, making yet another trade to hopefully improve their squad, this time focusing on the offensive side of the ball. Reports circulating some troubles with current starting tight end Irv Smith, are perhaps the truth, as the team looked to make a replacement for Smith, shifting him down to second-string on the depth chart. To replace Smith as the team's number one tight end will be 27-year old Itula Miller, heading east after finishing his second-season in Seattle with the Seahawks. Miller is a smart player, out of Brigham Young, at a height of 6-4, and weight of about 262 lbs.

Miller is an all-around fine tight end, who the Browns hope will blossom under their system, and help his new quarterback Donovan McNabb out of sticky situations. Big hands allow Miller to really pull in balls, while at the same time, he is a good enough blocker to get the job done. Last season Miller was Seattle's second-string tight end, appearing in every game, while recording 19 receptions for 254 years (a 13.4 average), with one touchdown coming in the only game he did start. As a Cleveland Brown, however, Itula can expect a bit more pressure as the team's number one option at tight end, a position he may have for a few seasons to come, as his contract of $365k runs all the way through 2003.

The price Cleveland paid, doesn't appear to be high at all. The Browns continue to clear up the cap space, as the rumor mill is circulating that the Browns organization is awaiting the next big free agent, and a big hire, to really spiff up this team with a real proven player and leader. Who that player might be, however, is a total unknown, perhaps only known by the front office itself. This move was also ready to happen after the Browns had to include second-string tight end Mark Campbell in the trade that got Cleveland the Colts' fourteenth overall pick in this year's draft.

This trade was also one shedding the Cleveland roster of four players, and $100k in cash to Seattle. In return for Miller, the Seahawks will be acquiring young defensive tackle Marcus Spriggs and safety Ray Jackson, both of whom essentially anchored the deal, as well as punter Janielle Allan (who has been riding the bench ever since arriving in Cleveland), and back-up linebacker Kendell Ogle (who the Browns will not be missing.)

...

Both Teams Benefit in Cleveland/Buffalo Trade
Sometime before the start of the season...

In perhaps their final move of the off-season, the Cleveland Browns have quietly announced a minor trade with the Buffalo Bills, which will send offensive guard Tom Myslinski to the Buffalo Bills for center Ethan Albright. With their roster lacking another back-up center, and filled with enough guards, the Browns found it in their best interest to prepare for the worst, and pick up Albright from the Bills. By no means will Albright earn himself the starting center position, currently held by five-year veteran Dave Wohlabaugh, but Albright's addition is deemed a necessary one. The good news for Albright, is he will have a good shot at beating out current back-up Ryan Kuehl during training camp for second-string on the depth chart.

Albright's contract is for 3-years/$344k, expiring after the 2002 season, and is known as the biggest ginger in the NFL...

...

Cleveland Makes Final Roster Adjustments
Sometime before training camp...

Just a week before training camp, the Cleveland Browns decided to let go two of the players making up their depth chart, both on the defensive side of the bench. Browns fans will have to say goodbye to linebacker*James Williams and safety*Marlon Forbes. Both were financial moves, although the Browns have reportedly the biggest cap space in the entire league. Despite that, the Cleveland staff continues to show no remorse for players just filling up their rosters, especially those on the bench earning over a million. Although Cleveland will take a hit towards paying off Williams' salary, no longer will they be chained to the three-years left on his $1.58M contract. The 31-year old barely made his way onto the field last season, despite being brought in with the big contract. There's no doubt at this point, that his signing was nothing more than a mistake that front office must learn from, and hopefully not make again.

The other player who will not be joining his former team at their training camp for the 2000 season will be safety Marlon Forbes, who like Williams, didn't see much playing time last season either. Although the team traded their former starting safety*Marquez Pope to the Colts during the draft, safety*Earl Little*will certainly be filling his spot, while Forbes found himself lost among three other back-up safeties. Deciding to make some room on the depth chart, and focus on both*Marquis Smith and*Tim McTyer, although the latter of which may find himself in a similar situation as Forbes has been in.