Pre-camp Contract Blather

What a difference a year makes. Actually, what a difference returning a couple punts for TDs and picking up dozens of crucial first down can make for an NFL player's career. Last year we were all speculating whether Dennis Northcutt was even going to make the team... this year we are waiting to her if he can be signed to a long-term contract. There hasn't been anything written up about this by the regular Browns-beat newspapers, but talk-radio and tv chatter suggests the team is close to getting a deal done. It'd be nice. Next up for an extension? Morgan, hopefully. Two players are the team's most dangerous offensive weapons and have plenty of good years ahead.

Still complete radio silence on any contract action with Couch or C Brown. It makes sense that this would not get resolved until late in training camp. But the timing is going to be an issue since the team is likely to need the cap space to make other moves. Specifically, It would seem to hamper the team's ability to sign any veterans to an extension.

And rookies... none are signed yet. I don't see this being an issue, at least not anymore than it always is an annoyance. The only guy it really matters to is Faine, and he doesn't play a glamourous enough position and he wasn't drafted high enough to hold out. Thompson would ideally be in camp too considering he didn't play Div I college ball. Odds are everyone signs contracts next Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday morning. It's just not worth worrying about until then.