Are the Browns cursed?
It's hard to change a losing culture or a perception of a "cursed" franchise when all your big free agent signings suffer career-threatening injuries.
Last year, ESPN.com ranked C LeCharles Bentley as the top free agent on the market. The Browns got him to back out of a verbal deal with the Eagles to sign with them, which looked like a major coup. But Bentley's career may have ended on his first day of training camp last year. The Browns couldn't cut him even if they want to now, so they will see where his health is at next year at this time. He's definitely going to miss the 2007 season and the Browns don't have a center.
Meanwhile, their big free agent signing of 2005 may also be done as a pro. Gary Baxter, who received a $10 million signing bonus at the time, is recovering from two torn patella tendons. If he plays in 2007, it would be a surprise.
In more good news, Kellen Winslow is likely out until June or July because of his third knee surgery in 18 months. They say it was a simple arthroscopy, but those often take a few weeks to recover from, not five-to-six months. At least Winslow has proven he can play very well at less than 100%.
I think that Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel can be an effective tandem, but they have been dealt a tough hand in Cleveland. 2007 doesn't shape up as much easier in perhaps the best division in football.
I also don't think a franchise can be cursed, but I wonder if prospective free agents feel the same. At least they know that the Browns will apply a special coating to help stop the staph infection outbreak that has occurred at the team facility in the last 18 months. So the Browns have that going for them.
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