The one thing the Cleveland Browns did not do during their off-season spending spree was address positional depth. The Browns were pretty weak at corner back after trading Leigh Bodden to the Detroit Lions for defensive lineman Shaun Rogers. So initially that left a starting position open, that was going to come down to a battle between Daven Holly and Brandon McDonald. Well good drawn out plans, tend to fall apart at times and in the NFL that is usually due to the dreaded torn knee ligament. During today’s practice Browns CB Daven Holly did just that. Holly suffered ligament and cartilage damage while jumping to break up a pass to Braylon Edwards, he is now most likely done for the entire 2008 season. Where do the Browns go to replace him?

The first option, free agency. The Browns have taken a look at free agent Ty Law. Law played for the New England Patriots when Romeo Crennel was with the team. So the two do have familiarity with each other, and Law does have an idea about the defense Romeo runs. But right now a deal doesn’t look likely, even with the desperation the Browns are in. Law is coming off a pretty bad season, and because of that and his age, General Manager Phil Savage says that Law is out of their price range. If Law is still available come training camp, I think this could be revisited and a legitimate possibility.

Another option. Philadelphia Eagles CB Lito Sheppard. This option seems a lot more unlikely then the first. GM Savage has also started that Sheppard is out of their price range, at the moment. Key phrase there? At the moment. What could the Browns offer the Eagles? There isn’t much based on what the Eagles need. The Eagles would want a stud wide receiver and draft picks in any Sheppard deal. The Browns do have to solid ones in Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth. Well Edwards, he’s virtually untouchable and a Stallworth trade would not make any sense after just signing him to a contract. The Browns are also short on draft picks. They’ve already dealt a third round pick to the Dallas Cowboys, and who knows if they’re willing to give up a first rounder after dealing their first three picks in 2008 away.

The other problem, Sheppard’s monetary demand. In any trade for Lito a team will have to reach a contract extension. He’ll be commanding big money, the Browns still have some to spend but are they willing to dish out that much more money after their spending spree?

So whats going to happen in Cleveland? I think the Browns are going to let this drag out to training camp. It sounds like Savage doesn’t really want to spend any money on depth at this point in the off-season. I think he’ll take a look at McDonald and see how he performs in the rest of the OTA’s and the beginning of camp. If he struggles at all, you could see either of these options revisited.

Here’s an article at the Cleveland Plain-Dealer about this. Photo courtesy of Ohio.com.

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