At some point this offseason, the Browns might want to try an approach that doesn’t call for them to go head-to-head with the Redskins.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, they are now 0-for-3 on that front. We all know about the Redskins coming up with a more compelling trade package for the Rams’ second overall pick which everyone expects will turn into Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Cabot now brings word that two of the guys Griffin will throw to were also on the Browns’ radar screen.
Per the report, Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan were both pursued by the Browns before landing with the Redskins on the first day of free agency. Garcon signed a five-year deal worth $42.5 million with more than $21 million in guaranteed money. Morgan’s deal can also reach five years, but it is voidable after two seasons and comes with $7.5 million in guarantees.
The Browns haven’t shown much sign that they’re spending that kind of money in free agency so it is hard to say just how serious their pursuit of the two wide receivers got before they landed in Washington. The Browns haven’t signed any other free agent wide receivers since missing out on Garcon and Morgan, leaving them with Greg Little, Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi as their top three wideouts.