BROWNS LINE UP STALLWORTH INSURANCE, CONFIRM EDWARDS TRADE TALKS

While potentially lining up a replacement for a receiver who faces serious legal problems, the Cleveland Browns have confirmed that they explored the possibility of helping the New York Giants address an identical situation. According to Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Browns G.M. George Kokinis said that the Browns will be signing free-agent receiver David Patten. Patten, a 12-year veteran, actually spent the 2000 season with the Browns, before embarking on a four-year run with the Patriots, during which he won three Super Bowl rings. He’ll shore up a depth chart that already is missing the recently-released Joe Jurevicius, and that might ultimately not have Donte’ Stallworth, either, given the March 14 collision involving Stallworth’s Bentley and a pedestrian who lost his life. Possibly breaking from the new policy of silence that coach Eric Mangini has implemented, Kokinis also acknowledged that the Browns spoke with the Giants last month regarding a possible trade of receiver Braylon Edwards. The Giants desperately need a high-end wideout to replace Plaxico Burress, if he ends up facing a mandatory 3.5 years in prison based upon fairly strong evidence that he was carrying a concealed weapon without a permit moments before he blew a hole in his leg with it. “We exchanged ideas about everything, but nothing really culminated into specifics,” Kokinis said. “I’m excited to have Braylon on this team. He brings a dimension that not a lot of receivers can bring in relation to going up and attacking the football. He had extremely good production a couple years ago and we’re anticipating he has that this year.” Kokinis seems to be taking issue with a report that specific offers were exchanged, culminating in the Giants offering a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and Domenik Hixon or Mario Manningham -- and the Browns wanting a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and Steve Smith. Kokinis also seems to be indirectly suggesting that Edwards remains available if the price is right. That’s the most important thing to remember about teams that obsess over secrecy -- whenever they say something, they have a reason for doing so.