Browns fans should be pleased to see that their team is finally signing players who can make an impact. After years of drafting poorly and signing low-quality free agents under former head coach Butch Davis, the new regime of Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage are getting things right.

When Savage took over as general manager last year, he wanted to be honest and up front with the fans. He admitted that the team would basically use the 2005 season as a learning experience to get the basic scheme of their 3-4 system as well as involving talented rookies such as Charlie Frye and Braylon Edwards into the offense. After a 6-10 season, it was clear that Savage wanted to sign impact players when free agency began. He did not want the Browns to have average NFL players, he wanted above average players.

When free agency began, the Browns were the team to strike first. It was originally reported that the Philadelphia Eagles had an interest in Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley, until he was snatched by the Browns. Cleveland already has a quality center in Jeff Faine, but this is a perfect example of what Savage meant. The Browns need people that are more than just quality. Faine was a first-round draft pick a few years ago, but has been troubled by injuries and has not developed into the dominant center the Browns had envisioned.

By not wasting money on free agents last year during a season the Browns knew they would not be able to contend, they were able to throw as much money at Bentley as they needed. After signing Bentley, the Browns still had a hole to fill at the left tackle position. The Browns signed L.J. Shelton last year, but let him become a free agent. Shortly after signing Bentley, the Browns signed left tackle Kevin Shaffer to a contract. The Browns didn't stop there though, because they signed wide receiver Joe Jurevicius to a four-year deal.

Right away, the Browns made upgrades to three major offensive positions. Remember, Cleveland's offense wasn't half bad last year. The Browns offensive line helped guide running back Reuben Droughns to the team's first 1,000 yard running back in twenty years. Droughns is a power runner and will love the fact that he has a reliable, Pro Bowl center blocking in front of him this year. Edwards will return at the receiver position and will have a veteran receiver starting with him in Jurevicius, who is a native of Cleveland. Last year, the Browns leading receiver was Antonio Bryant. The Browns chose not to re-sign him because unlike Jurevicius, Bryant made several crucial drops per game. What else do the Browns have to look forward to? The "second" return of Kellen Winslow Jr. If everything works out well for those players, then everything else will rest in the hands of Charlie Frye. Frye did well as a rookie last year and will have all of the tools he needs to have a successful season.

Next on the list for Cleveland: defense. They have already signed Ted Washington, which will be a dramatic improvement at what could have been their weakest position in the 3-4 defense. You can almost expect the Browns to draft a linebacker or defensive lineman with the twelfth pick in the draft after handling their offense in free agency.