Browns enter free agency period

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer

Free agency has officially begun for the Cleveland Browns. After the first wave hit with the Bears signing Julius Peppers and the Dolphins nabbing Karlos Dansby, it was the Browns turn.

Your newest Cleveland Browns:

•Offensive tackle Tony Pashos, 29: Three seasons at $10.3 million
•Linebacker, Scott Fujita, 30: Three seasons at $14 million

So how does each player fit into the Browns?

While nothing has been guaranteed, it is expected Pashos (6-foot-6, 326 pounds) will start at the vacant right tackle position. Former Browns right tackles Ryan Tucker retried and John St. Clair was a revolving door, so there was a vacancy on the right side. Pashos fills that vacancy.

Pashos was drafted in the fifth round of the 2003 Draft out of Illinois. He played in all 16 games for the Ravens in 2005 and 2006, starting 23. In 2007, he went to Jacksonville where he started 31 of 32 games.

Last season with San Francisco he missed the 49ers last 10 games with a broken left shoulder blade.

According to the Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi:

"Pashos' arrival is an apparent acknowledgement that the club prefers Womack at guard."

Fujita signing was a little more confusing to those of us at No Logo Needed. On Friday, No Logo Needed staff writer Brandon Rastok berated me with texts on Fujita's visit to Berea. Now that Fujita is an official member of the Browns, I asked Rastok to weigh in via email:

"I believe that Fujita is part of a rotation with (David) Bowens and (D'Qwell) Jackson just adding depth and flexibility," he wrote. "I am not overly excited about either signing.  I believe the Browns would love to get something for Jackson but don't see it happening so I don't think he is a goner this season."

Fujita played outside linebacker in 4-3 schemes and now he's moving inside in the 3-4 scheme. It is not an easy transition.

Fujita was a mainstay for the Saints' defense since arriving in New Orleans in 2006. Fujita was drafted in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft by Kansas City. After three seasons with the Chiefs, Fujita spent 2005 in Dallas before heading east to New Orleans. He's played in 120 career games, recorded 19 sacks, five interceptions and made 519 tackles.

Mike Triplett, Saints beat writer for the Times-Picayune, was able to talk with Fujita after he signed with Cleveland.

"I am so proud of all the things we accomplished here -- both on and off the field -- and I'm proud of the role I played in helping this incredible city experience it's first Super Bowl. In planning for their future, the Saints just didn't value that partnership the same way. And that's fine -- this can be an interesting business, but I wish the Saints nothing but the best.

"We leave New Orleans with no hard feelings whatsoever, and have so many memories that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. New Orleans will always hold a special place in our hearts...it's given us so much. Now it's time to turn the page and start a new journey."