Another Brown's Lineman to Denver?

[SoDak Bronco]

CLEVELAND -- Ross Verba can now try to convince some other team that he's worthy of being paid like one of the NFL's best left tackles.

Unhappy and feeling disrespected, Verba paid back a $465,000 roster bonus to the Cleveland Browns, who then released him on Thursday.

"We felt this decision was in the best interest of both the Browns and Ross," general manager Phil Savage said in a statement.

Verba, the only Cleveland lineman to start all 16 games last season, agreed to return the bonus he received in March if the Browns promised to release him. The 31-year-old had held out of the team's "passing camp" in a contract dispute, saying he was willing to sit out the entire 2005 season if the club didn't give him a new contract.

Not only did the Browns not give in to his demands, the club wasted little time in severing ties with Verba.

A former first-round draft pick, Verba has said he wants be paid on a par with St. Louis All-Pro Orlando Pace and Seattle's Walter Jones, who make about $7.5 million per season. Verba was under contract to make $2.9 million in 2005 and 2006.

Drafted by Green Bay in 1997, Verba played four seasons with the Packers before signing a four-year free agent deal with Cleveland in 2001. Verba started at left tackle in '97 for the Packers, becoming the first rookie to start at the position in the Super Bowl.

In his first season with Cleveland, he played 12 games at left guard before moving to tackle for the final four games. Verba started 16 games in 2002 when Cleveland made the AFC playoffs.

He tore a biceps muscle in the final preseason game of 2003 and missed the entire regular season. With Verba coming off an injury and his salary cap figure over $6 million, the Browns asked Verba to restructure his contract before last season.

The eight-year veteran claims that former Cleveland coach Butch Davis promised to redo his deal. Savage, the Browns' rookie GM has said he will not honor any guarantees by the club's previous front office.

Verba is expected to be replaced in the starting lineup by former Arizona tackle L.J. Shelton, who signed as a free agent last week. The team also signed 11-year veteran offensive lineman Marcus Spears as a backup.

"With the return of Ryan Tucker, Jeff Faine and Melvin Fowler, and the addition of free agents Joe Andruzzi, Cosey Coleman, L.J. Shelton and Marcus Spears, we're excited and confident in our offensive line," Savage said.

Verba started 47 regular-season games and one playoff game during his time with Cleveland.


~-I think he wants to much for us, but he would be a quality line and a hardnose player that would help the o-line and may allow Lepsis to move back inside. Could be something to think about.

[Sir Mawn]

Think about and that's about it. We can't afford a waterboy at this point.

[SpringStein]

http://66.49.247.155/BB/showthread.php?t=26746

No thanks, not interested.

[-Slap-]

A former first-round draft pick, Verba has said he wants be paid on a par with St. Louis All-Pro Orlando Pace and Seattle's Walter Jones, who make about $7.5 million per season. Verba was under contract to make $2.9 million in 2005 and 2006.

:giggle:

[Rocket 7]

I remember him from super bowl XXXII. He was big and nasty. That was a long time ago he is still big and nasty. In a 'all you can eat buffet' kind of way. No thanks

[Hercules Rockefeller]

So where does it actually say the Broncos are interested?

[El Guapo]

shannahan likes to go out and get veteran leaders, this guy would be the opposite.

[Rausch]

Pure genius...

[PRBronco]

When was lepsis ever on the inside?

[Sodak]

I remember him from super bowl XXXII. He was big and nasty. That was a long time ago he is still big and nasty. In a 'all you can eat buffet' kind of way. No thanks


I like the buffet at the Luxor Hotel & Casino...

[ClevelandBronco2]

The early lookers are Chicago, Houston and KC, if info from the Browns forum and the (Cleveland) Plain Dealer (that's a newspaper, folks) is to be believed.

[Atlas]

Verba would be an upgrade over both of Denver's OTs right now but let's face it. He left Cleveland because he wants more money and Denver has two pretty good OTs right now so this definately isn't a match.

[Beantown Bronco]

So the guy has only played one full season at left tackle the last four years (for a team that isn't exactly known for running the ball or protecting the QB) and wants to be paid like one of the top 2 or 3 at his position.....I wish I could stop laughing.

At this time of year, with rookies needing to be signed still, nobody willing to actually spend money on free agents has that kind of cap room....

[Traveler]

Kay Cabot, of the Plain Dealer, reports free agent OT Ross Verba said he plans to start making visits to teams next week. He said his agent, Tom Condon, told him that 10 teams have already called to express interest. He wouldn't reveal which ones, but did name a few he'd like to play for. "I'm interested mostly in the teams that need tackles," he said. "I'd like to play for San Diego, Houston, Buffalo, Chicago, Kansas City, San Francisco, someone like that." Verba said he will tell teams not to call unless they will be offering a big, multiyear contract. When asked how big, Verba replied, "$35 million." "If I don't get what I want, I'll walk away from the game and hold my head up high."

Start walking! Nyah! :kiddingme ugh!~ :giggle: :pfbbt: :contract: thwack :spit: :saywhat:

[SouthStndJunkie]

Bad news for Verba:

You will not get paid more than you were making in Cleveland.

SSJ

[RaiderH8r]

Kay Cabot, of the Plain Dealer, reports free agent OT Ross Verba said he plans to start making visits to teams next week. He said his agent, Tom Condon, told him that 10 teams have already called to express interest. He wouldn't reveal which ones, but did name a few he'd like to play for. "I'm interested mostly in the teams that need tackles," he said. "I'd like to play for San Diego, Houston, Buffalo, Chicago, Kansas City, San Francisco, someone like that." Verba said he will tell teams not to call unless they will be offering a big, multiyear contract. When asked how big, Verba replied, "$35 million." "If I don't get what I want, I'll walk away from the game and hold my head up high."

Start walking! Nyah! :kiddingme ugh!~ :giggle: :pfbbt: :contract: thwack :spit: :saywhat:
Sounds like a guy who's made up his mind to give up the game and figures he has nothing to lose going after one last big pay day. Here's my take on an "if" scenario.

If a team meets his demands and he signs he takes a huge signing bonus. He plays for maybe 3 years, and plays is a strong way of putting it. He'll be collecting a check, if he gets cut, what does he care? He'll have his $$ in hand and posession is 9/10 of the law...as the saying goes. If he's already made up his mind that he's willing to walk what can a coach or FO do to get production out of him? He's got no player pride left, he's got a ring, he's got money, and now he wants the big farewell payday. Avoid him like the plague.

[watermock]

He wants to be paid like Orlando Pace and Walter Jones?

I'll give him a workout and pay him accordingly. It's always amusing when these clowns get dumped on the pavement and honestly keep deluding themselves that they can still bring it.

Anyone know what Walter Jones makes? And he still whines up in Seattle.

If he wants to try to make the team, fine. He was released because he wasn't worth what they were paying in the first place.

I'm beginning to think that Cleveland might not win a game this year. Their entire DL is gone, now their LOT. I can't even name their QB or RB or a WR.

Rebuilding is one thing, a garage sale is another. Chicago seems logical, they linemen.

I'm still trying to figure out how Cleveland is going to field a team.

[Atlas]

Sounds like a guy who's made up his mind to give up the game and figures he has nothing to lose going after one last big pay day. Here's my take on an "if" scenario.

If a team meets his demands and he signs he takes a huge signing bonus. He plays for maybe 3 years, and plays is a strong way of putting it. He'll be collecting a check, if he gets cut, what does he care? He'll have his $$ in hand and posession is 9/10 of the law...as the saying goes. If he's already made up his mind that he's willing to walk what can a coach or FO do to get production out of him? He's got no player pride left, he's got a ring, he's got money, and now he wants the big farewell payday. Avoid him like the plague.

He sounds like a pretty good one year fix for a team. It sounds like he wants a long term deal or nothing but if someone offered him 6 or 7 mil for one season he might take it.

[RaiderH8r]

He sounds like a pretty good one year fix for a team. It sounds like he wants a long term deal or nothing but if someone offered him 6 or 7 mil for one season he might take it.
To me he just sounds like IHOP all over again.

[Atlas]

To me he just sounds like IHOP all over again.

Ross Verba is no IHOP. HE is a very solid player that has been in the league for many years. He would be a good temporay fix for someone if he is willing to play a short term deal.

[watermock]

Can't afford him.

We cut Mike Anderson, it might free up two million. Even tho we have a tiny allotment for out draft scrubs, the money isn't there anyway.

Besides, Big George just keeps improving, Lepsis has made the move, and Jake rolls to the right, so all Lepsis has to do is stay in front of his RDE.

Carsewell and Clemett are penciled in at backup. I would love to have Verba, but Denver doesn't have the money.

This clown is going to quickly find that money has dried up this time of year. Denver has tweaked it's cap to the point of breaking, again.

Maybe Minnesota could use him, they seem to always be swimming in extra cash.

Denver simply isn't going to sign an expensive OT that is over 30 when there about 5 nice prospects in the draft, with Foster and Lepsis quite adequate if not dominant.

[Atlas]

I agree. There is no room for him in Denver. But he can help someone

[TotallyScrewed]

Watermock has got it, IMHO.

Foster and Lepsis while not stars are pretty good. Foster may yet become a star and Lepsis is still learning. They could be the best part of the Denver O-line. Sooo, would you move Ross inside?? You certainly can't pay guards $35M. Where does Denver get two extra quarters in cap relief?? If they spent more than that I guarantee a NFL investigation!

No, we're gonna have to hope that a stalwart defense, much improved kicking and returning game and progression by WR's, RB's and an under-control Jake get them past an average to below average O-line.

Interior O-line is a weakness, IMHO. I'm hoping I'm wrong (just about the O-line, mind) and also that T. Clabo and/or C. Meyers a Studs!!