CLEVELAND (AP) ¡ª The Browns didn¡¯t wait for free agency¡¯s
opening to make some noise.Looking for a pass rusher to bookend with Pro Bowler
Myles
Garrett
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Cleveland has agreed to acquire defensive end Olivier Vernon from the New York
Giants in exchange for guard Kevin Zeitler, a person familiar with the deal told
the Associated Press.The teams are also swapping draft picks, with the Browns
getting No. 132 for pick No. 155, said the person who spoke on condition of
anonymity Friday because the teams have not announced the trade.The trade won¡¯t
become official until 4 p.m. on March 13, the start of free agency and the NFL¡¯s
calendar year.The 28-year-old Vernon started 39 games over three seasons with
the Giants. He¡¯ll give the Browns needed depth and experience up front. Vernon
has 51 sacks in seven seasons, including seven last year when he was named a Pro
Bowler in New York.
Vernon
Germaine
Pratt Jersey , who has had some injury issues, spent his first four with
the Miami Dolphins.Vernon¡¯s arrival as another edge rusher could free up Garrett
from double teams and allow the Browns to focus on a defensive tackle in the
draft. There is depth at that position in this year¡¯s class, and Cleveland could
land one with the No. 17 overall pick.Vernon is set to make $15.5 million in
each of the two remaining years on his contract.Zeitler just completed his
second season with the Browns, who signed him to a five-year, $60 million deal
as a free agent in 2017 after five seasons with Cincinnati. The 29-year-old was
one of Cleveland¡¯s best linemen last season, helping anchor the group following
Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas¡® retirement.Zeitler¡¯s spot will likely be filled by
Austin
Corbett
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a second-round pick last season. Zeitler joins an underperforming line in New
York that he should upgrade significantly.The Giants struggled mightily to
protect Eli Manning last season, allowing 47 sacks. But running back Saquon
Barkley was the league¡¯s Offensive Rookie of the Year despite playing behind an
inconsistent unit.Zeitler should vastly improve that group, although New York
could look to draft offensive linemen next month. But his addition allows the
Giants to focus their first-round spot, sixth overall, on other needs, perhaps
even on a quarterback.New York also re-signed center Jon
Hilapio
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Wren Jersey , who was an exclusive-rights free agent and is projected to
be a starter in 2019.Halapio started the first two games of 2018 before he broke
his right leg and ankle and underwent surgery, missing the rest of the
season.The trade for Vernon is the second major move on the eve of free agency
by Browns general manager John Dorsey. He released veteran linebacker Jamie
Collins earlier this week.NOTES: The Browns tendered restricted free agent wide
receiver Rashard Higgins and two exclusive rights free agents: defensive tackle
Trevon Coley and defensive back Jermaine Whitehead. A fifth-round pick in 2016
by Cleveland, Higgins had a breakout season in 2018 with 39 catches for 572
yards and four touchdowns. If Higgins agrees to a deal with another team, the
Browns can match it. If they decline, the Browns would get a fifth-round pick as
compensation. Coley has started 29 games over the past two seasons. Whitehead
played only special teams in seven games after being claimed on waivers from
Green Bay. NEW YORK (AP) ¡ª The NFL competition committee has decided against
making any changes to the new rule for reviewing pass interference, the league
announced Thursday.That means the rule stands as approved by NFL owners in
March.Owners decided in May to let the competition committee consult with
coaches and decide whether to refine the rule further. During the rule¡¯s
one-year trial this
season
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coaches still can challenge until the two-minute warning of each half or
overtime. Then a replay official will be responsible for any reviews.But that
replay official will need ¡°clear and obvious visual evidence¡± to review and
overturn potential pass interference in an attempt to avoid too many stoppages,
and that official will have only the angles on the television broadcast
available to overturn an on-field decision. Pass interference still is defined
as an act significantly hindering the opportunity to make a play on a ball, and
all pass plays will be subject to review.The committee also decided against
exempting Hail Mary passes, so those plays will be reviewed following the
on-field officiating guidelines.