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Will Bengals choose O-lineman?

CLEVELAND -- While some media outlets have reported the Braylon Edwards trade talks between the Browns and New York Giants have all but died, consider the following:

Edwards has been a recent no-show at the Browns' offseason conditioning program. His absence may be on advice from his agent. Or it may be with the blessing of the Browns, who don't want him suffering an injury prior to a trade.

It could also be Edwards' way of protesting the inclusion of himself in trade talks. Then again, Kellen Winslow said Edwards would love to play in New York.

* Don't be surprised if the Browns use one of their second-round picks -- or one in the third round if they are able to acquire it -- on a center.

The coaches, said a source, have determined the team has to get bigger at center and more powerful at the point of attack.

The best centers in this draft -- Alex Mack of California, Eric Wood of Louisville and Max Unger of Oregon -- are expected to fall in rapid fire towards the bottom of the first round or top of the second. The Browns did invite Wood to a pre-draft visit.

The next-best center, Antoine Caldwell of Alabama, has been worked out by the Browns. Caldwell is projected for the third round.

It appears that Hank Fraley will be the next "big name" to fall from the Browns' roster.


* Keep an eye on the Detroit Lions' negotiations with quarterback Matthew Stafford. They're said to be now in the "contentious" stage. The Lions might already have a deal in place with linebacker Aaron Curry.

If the Stafford talks fail and the Lions go to Plan B and select Curry with the No. 1 overall pick, they would re-enter the market for a veteran quarterback. And they know that Derek Anderson's big arm fits their planned new offense to a T.

Would the Lions be agreeable to trading their pick at the top of the second round, No. 33 overall, for Anderson? Would the Browns be agreeable to taking about a $9 million hit on their salary cap by trading Anderson? (They've got the room.) It's a development that everybody from Detroit to Cleveland is keeping an open mind to.

Now, what an unexpected conclusion to this soap opera it would be if Anderson is the Browns QB ultimately that is traded, and not Brady Quinn.

LINK >> Tony Grossi's blog: Braylon Edwards not participating in Cleveland Browns conditioning program - cleveland.com

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