Ekuban and Smith in the Fold

Former 1st-round pick DE Ebenezer Ekuban singed on, probably to be a back-up or an emergency starter if C Brown is hurt/cut. Ekuban has been an underwhelming performer, perhaps more so than Brown, in his five NFL years but if Campo wants the guy on his squad again I'm inclined to think he can give this team something.

The bigger news to my eye is the signing of FB Terrelle Smith -- the guy is a devastating blocker and not much else. This should be interpreted as the biggest signal yet that the Browns will be a run-oriented team in 2004. And given that, perhaps it's more likely the Browns will draft OL in April, though I'm probably reading too much into it. Anyway, suffice it to say that the Browns picked up a guy who has blocked for 1,000 yard rushers the last four seasons, and that is a good thing.

All and all, the past week was likely a net gain for the Browns. Garcia is an obvious upgrade over Couch regardless of the way things went down. Ekuban is likely to be the replacement for Tyrone Rogers, maybe a little more. My recipe for an offseason that is officially "good":

• Finish renogotiations with C Brown, resulting in some significant cap savings.
• Get something, anything for Couch. I'd be thrilled with a 4th round pick.
• Find a way to draft Gallery or Taylor, or trade down and pick up Andrews or Rivers. If I don't see a real effort to grab Gallery I'll be rather dissappointed.
• Sign one FA starting offensive lineman, somebody like Cosey Coleman. Doesn't have to be dominating, but a good run-blocker is a must.
• Resolve the Northcutt situation. Considering his favorable contract, there's no reason the Browns shouldn't be able to get at least a 3rd rounder for him. Another pick like that could really help re-make this team in a hurry.
• And even if all this stuff doesn't happen, getting the right component parts for a much improved offensive line is, without a doubt, the bottom line.

And finally, Dwayne Rudd is considering signing with the Cardinals....