Browns tie up four rookies, leaving just one deal undone
Monday, July 24, 2006
Tony Grossi
Cleveland Plain Dealer
And then there was one.
Third-round draft pick Travis Wilson was the only Browns rookie without a contract after the team signed four picks on Sunday.
Agreeing to four-year contracts were linebackers D'Qwell Jackson (second round) and Leon Williams (fourth), guard Isaac Sowells (fourth) and running back Jerome Harrison (fifth).
The flurry of agreements, coming a day after No. 1 pick Kamerion Wimbley signed his contract, means the Browns steam into coach Romeo Crennel's second training camp without any migraine headaches.
If Wilson misses any practices, which begin Wednesday, it will cost him any shot at winning the vacancy at the No. 3 receiver spot created by the ongoing rehabiliation of Braylon Edwards. Wilson was a long shot to beat out returning veterans Frisman Jackson, Joshua Cribbs and Brandon Rideau, anyway.
Of the four players signing Sunday, Jackson and Harrison will be embroiled in the most intense competitions.
Jackson, of Maryland, is a natural inside linebacker who will compete with Chaun Thompson for the right inside linebacker spot next to Andra Davis.
Jackson is only 6-0 and 228 pounds but recorded 447 tackles and made 34 starts in his college career. He was the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year his final season.
Harrison, of Washington State, will challenge Lee Suggs for the third-down back role being incorporated this year to keep Reuben Droughns from emptying his tank in December.
Only 5-9 and 199 pounds, Harrison exploded for 1,900 yards and 16 touchdowns for WSU last year. He ranked third in the nation in rushing.
Williams, of Miami, is a physically impressive inside linebacker who will launch his pro career as backup to Davis.
