Asked to make a bold prediction on Monday’s edition of Pro Football Talk on NBCSN, I suggested that the Browns would resist the temptation to spend a bunch of cash and cap space to eradicate the stink of controversy after controversy after controversy in Cleveland.
I suggested wrong.
With linebacker Karlos Dansby reportedly agreeing to terms before the time for agreeing to terms has come and likewise doing the same for safety Donte Whitner, the Browns are spending plenty. Especially if they’re anywhere to Whitner’s asking price, believed to be $8.5 million annually.
And they could spend more if they opt to trade for the contract of cornerback Darrelle Revis, who would be as close to home as possible without playing for the Steelers.
If they don’t get Revis, look for them to spend on someone else.
It would make much more football sense to wait, as to all these moves. But football sense often doesn’t drive the decisions made in the early days of free agency. In Cleveland, other concerns will be pushing the Browns’ effort to do a cannonball in the Cuyahoga.