Gibbs, Redskins courting Brown
Joe Gibbs wasted no time before starting a pursuit of former No. 1 overall draft pick Courtney Brown.
Within hours after Brown’s release by the Cleveland Browns, the Washington Redskins coach flew to Cleveland with defensive line coach Greg Blache and had dinner with Brown and Brown’s wife Monday night, an official within the league told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The official said Brown is scheduled to travel to Redskins Park on Thursday, following a visit with the Denver Broncos.
Brown, the first overall choice in the 2000 draft, was cut by Cleveland because he would not renegotiate his contract. He would have been due a $2.5 million roster bonus Tuesday. Browns general manager Phil Savage said he still hoped the team could re-sign the oft-injured defensive end.
But Brown quickly drew interest from other teams, including the Redskins. Washington is in need of a pass-rushing end, having relied heavily on linebackers and cornerbacks for many of their sacks last season.
Brown was also a teammate at Penn State with Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington, the No. 2 overall pick in 2000. If Washington acquires Brown, the team will have the top three picks from that draft: Brown, Arrington and tackle Chris Samuels.
But Brown also represents a gamble because he hasn’t played a full season since his rookie year. He has missed 33 games with injuries over the past four seasons, including the final 14 games last year after tearing a ligament in his foot.
Decision on Pace due today
Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace wrapped up a two-day visit with the Houston Texans, the first step of a process that could eventually lead to a trade with the St. Louis Rams.
“We’ve had contact with the Rams and we brought the player in for a visit,” Texans general manager Charley Casserly said. “That’s all I’m going to say for now.”
St. Louis faces a 1 p.m. PST deadline today to re-sign Pace. After that, under NFL rules the Rams wouldn’t be allowed to strike a deal with him until July 15.
The Texans have about $5 million in salary cap space available, and could have another $4.75 million if they release linebacker Jamie Sharper as expected. That would give Houston enough money to add Pace.
The Rams have used their franchise player designation on Pace since 2003, keeping him in a series of one-year contracts that paid him the average of the NFL’s highest-paid offensive tackles. Pace made $7.02 million last season.
NFL headed south of border
The first NFL regular-season game outside the United States is expected to take place Oct. 2, when the Arizona Cardinals face San Francisco in Mexico City.
The game is expected to be a Sunday night contest televised by ESPN. It would be a home game for the Cardinals, who rarely sell out their stadium but could draw 100,000 or more in Mexico City.
“We’re working on it but it’s not finalized yet,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
2010 Super Bowl in New York?
NFL owners could vote next week on whether to play the 2010 Super Bowl in New York at a new stadium built for the Jets on the West Side of Manhattan.
The vote would come at the NFL meetings in Hawaii.
“It’s on the agenda for a possible discussion and vote,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
Around the league
The Jacksonville Jaguars re-signed wide receiver Troy Edwards and running back Chris Fuamatu-Maafala. Both players had been unrestricted free agents. … The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent linebacker Matt Stewart to a three-year contract. Stewart started every game for the Atlanta Falcons last season. … The New Orleans Saints cut free safety Tebucky Jones. The Saints traded third-, fourth- and seventh-round draft picks to the New England Patriots to acquire Jones in 2003. … The Miami Dolphins signed free-agent offensive tackle Stockar McDougle to a one-year deal, shoring up one of the team’s most glaring weaknesses the past few seasons. McDougle started every game at right tackle the past two seasons with the Detroit Lions and has 53 starts in his five-year career with the Lions. … The Arizona Cardinals reached an agreement on a two-year contract with linebacker Orlando Huff. Huff, a fourth-round pick by Seattle in 2001, started 14 regular-season games for the Seahawks last season.