Browns Sign Donte' Stallworth, Some Patriots Fans Consider Turning Attention to Red Sox

The Browns won't make their first pick until the fourth round of this April's NFL Draft. Last year, they sent their 2008 first-rounder to the Cowboys for the opportunity to take Brady Quinn. And on Friday, they got Packers defensive lineman Corey Williams for a second-rounder, and a day later, they acquired nose tackle Shaun Rogers for Leigh Bodden and a third-rounder.

And today, the team continued to use free agency to upgrade the roster since things will be pretty quiet come the last weekend in April: according to ESPN's Michael Smith, Donte' Stallworth is now a Brown.

This must make Derek Anderson very happy (Quinn could give a crap -- barring an injury or alien abduction, he won't be playing in 2008 either), and Cleveland is quietly becoming one of the most potent offenses in the AFC. In addition to Stallworth, a deep threat, there's Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow -- both Pro Bowlers -- as well as Joe Jurevicius. And then there's running back Jamal Lewis and a very competent offensive line.

For some perspective on how quickly perceptions change in the NFL, consider the first two comments on the Mike Reiss' Pats blog on the Boston Globe:

1. I don't know if anyone is out there, but in the 15min that i've been typing on this blog, Stallworth is becoming a Brown, and Gay is expexted [sic] to exchange contracts with the Saints!!!! WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HAPPENING TO OUR TEAM? WHEN WILL THIS MADNESS STOP?

2. If we sign Gaffney, not a big hit to the offense. Most expected a 1-and-done with Stallworth anyhow

First of all, I don't think it's as dire as No. 1 thinks, and if No. 2 is under the impression that Jabar Gaffney is the answer next season, he must've been in a coma for all of 2006. Gaffney's a nice fourth option -- maybe a third if Randy Moss re-signs, but apparently, that's no longer guaranteed -- and not much more than that.

There's always Reche Caldwell, though.