Brown opts to go to Denver

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

I realize that I'm in the minority here, but I think (as I've said all week) that signing Brown to an incentive-based contract could've been a coup and perhaps our biggest offseason addition. Let's not forget that prior to the news of Brown going to Denver, most Warpathers wanted Brown. Simply because Brown decided to go with Denver doesn't mean we should change our opinion of the guy and what he brings to the table.

Brown has missed 33 games in his brief career, but he still has all the tools to become the star pass-rushing defensive end he was projected to be prior to the 2000 draft. Defensive ends, especially pass-rush specialists, are among the highest paid players in the league and for good reason. Applying pressure with just the front four makes any defense formidable. If a team has a pass-rushing threat from the front four, good and fast linebackers and an average secondary, it can pose a threat to ANY offense.

We have a top-flight linebacking corps that is fast and good in run-support, coverage and blitz packages. We have a good secondary. But we lack a pass-rushing threat from the front four (Ron Warner led the 'Skins' defensive ends with 3.5 sacks). The departures of Pierce and Smoot (a very good cover linebacker and a borderline-elite cover corner) make it even more imperative that we develop a pass-rushing threat from our front four.

We need an impact player on defense and hopefully the draft will produce one for us. And, as noted by others, we can just hope that Brown turns out to be a bust in Denver.