After what was a wonderful weekend in downtown Cleveland, the Browns general manager still had some tricks up his sleeve. The Browns did not draft an elite edge rusher, and only added Marvin Wilson as an undrafted free agent to help out the defensive line. That recently changed with the Browns news of signing Malik McDowell and Damion Square in free agency.
Browns Sign Malik McDowell
Where to start with Malik McDowell. Well, he was once a second round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, but that was back in 2017. After signing his rookie deal with Seattle, he was in an ATV accident. During the accident, McDowell picked up a head injury and was eventually released by the Seahawks. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of the spiral downward for the defensive tackle from Michigan State.
In 2019, he was sentenced to 11 months in jail and three years of probation, after pleading guilty to a series of crimes in Michigan. Berry released a statement after signing McDowell:
“We are certainly aware of Malik’s past. He is accountable for his actions and has had to live with the consequences for decisions earlier in his life. We believe Malik is in a good place, personally and medically. He has taken the necessary steps to get on a healthy path, and has learned from his experiences. Malik understands the expectations we have of him as he attempts to make our football team. He is committed to taking advantage of the support network in place to become the best version of himself — both on and off the field — and we will support him as he attempts to make his return to football.”
What to Expect From McDowell
Clearly, McDowell has been out of football since 2019. Whether it be from injury or off-field issues, he hasn’t played a down in the NFL. However, according to his agent William Farrah, he has been fully cleared medically. On top of that, Farrah said that McDowell is taking the proper steps to get back on the right track outside of football:
“Malik has been cleared by several doctors and is doing everything he needs to do on and off the field,” Farah said in the interview. “Malik has been working out with trainer Mike Barwis at his facilities in Florida and Michigan with his trainers every day and he’s in great shape. He’s back up to 295 pounds and he’s feeling really good physically and mentally.”
Obviously, Browns fans, and even football fans overall, need to curb their enthusiasm for this signing. Like his agent stated, he’s taking the correct steps off the field, but what about on the field. He hasn’t been in an NFL locker room in nearly two years, so you have to question how game-ready he is. However, there is time to deal with that in the future, and for now, Andrew Berry once again improved the entire team.
Browns Sign DL Damion Square
Even after winning the bidding war for Marvin Wilson, the Browns front office still needed to find quality depth at many defensive positions. It looks like there could be an interior defensive line rotation, with fourth-round pick Tommy Togiai, Andrew Billings, Marvin Wilson, Malik Jackson, hopefully Malik McDowell and the newly-signed Damion Square.
Square has spent the last seven seasons playing for the Chargers. Over that time, he has played in 81 games, with 24 starts, and has racked up 116 tackles and 6.5 sacks. After the draft, the Brown’s interior defensive line unit was basically just Jackson, Billings and Sheldon Day. However, now that group is one of the biggest in the organization.
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Browns Open to Bringing Sheldon Richardson Back
Sheldon Richardson has been an interior staple for the Browns for the last two years. However, he became a casualty of the Jadeveon Clowney signing. Many fans were upset and questioned the move. However, those same people might want to know that the Browns are very open to bringing the defensive tackle back. Richardson has drawn very little interest in free agency, so it’s possible he could make a return to Cleveland. Andrew Berry had this to say about a possible reunion with Richardson:
“Sheldon was a big part of our success last year. We love his presence in our locker room. Those decisions are always difficult. But we’re certainly incredibly open to a return, realize that it’s something that has to match on both sides. And so we’re certainly respectful of that and understand it, but would welcome Sheldon back with open arms for sure.”
If the Browns are able to bring back Richardson, the defense that has already been vastly improved could be even more scary than once thought. With Clowney and Myles Garrett on the edges, and Richardson, Togiai, Billings and Jackson on the interior, along with all the secondary help they got in free agency, this defense could be down-right incredible.
Updated Expectations For the 2021-22 Season
Every time the Browns picked in the draft, the draft party in downtown Cleveland would go wild. Not only because they were excited to be there, but because the picks the Browns were making were actually good. Getting Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the second round and Togiai in the fourth round were steals by the Browns front office. However, hopefully the Browns aren’t headed for the same fate as the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles. That “Dream Team” ended up going 8-8 and missed the playoffs.
