Cleveland Browns: How To Make the City a More Attractive Free Agent Destination

It's become a sort of tradition now in Cleveland. Every two or three years, the Browns bring in a new head coach who brings in a new coaching staff with him. The new coaching staff also brings in a new coaching philosophy which means that much of the roster is gutted in favor of players who better fit the new regimes system.

This offseason has been no different. The Browns fired head coach Eric Mangini and hired Pat Shurmur to replace him. Coach Shurmur brought in a completely new coaching staff, the west-coast offense, and a switch to the 4-3 defense.

Like clockwork, the Browns have already cut several players from the old regime and it seems likely that they will at some point be cutting even more.

Even though most of these players are past their prime and have burdensome salaries, this has still left many in the fan-base wondering who general manager Tom Heckert will be bringing in to replace them.

While these cuts free up cap space, it is widely  thought that because of bad weather and a tradition of futility, Cleveland is not a very attractive free agent destination.

These are five ideas I have to make Cleveland more attractive to some of the top-tier free agents. Enjoy.

5. Randy Lerner, Champion of The NFLPA

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BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 25: Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner listens to his manager speak during a Press Conference at Villa Park on January 25, 2007 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Maybe you haven't heard, but the owners and the players are currently in a bitter struggle over the lack of a collective bargaining agreement. This disagreement could even threaten the 2011 season if the two sides can't come to some sort of agreement.

I won't get into all the specifics, but the owners are claiming that they aren't making enough money, so they are threatening to lock out the players if they don't acquiesce to their demands.

That's right, the players aren't demanding anything, and they aren't threatening to strike. The owners are doing this, and they're playing hardball.

Already the players have offered a compromise, and the owners walked out and promptly cancelled out of the next negotiating meeting.

The owners are seemingly united, and it has many a player and the fans that have any understanding of labor law pretty ticked off.

So how could this make Cleveland more attractive as a free agent destination?

Well if our owner, Randy Lerner, would come out publicly as the voice of reason, it may bring him some favor with some of those disenchanted players. I know I'd rather work for someone who I didn't think was trying to screw me over.

Is that likely? Not really. But it would sure be nice, and as fans, we should all be speaking up because this affects all of us.

4. It's All About The Benjamins

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Jake Delhomme #17 of the Cleveland Browns is hit by Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

At the end of the day, it's always about the money.

Now Cleveland might not be the most happenin' place for a young man with a boat-load of money, but it you pay someone enough they'll over-look that.

The Browns recently freed up $19 million in cap space with the release of six veteran players, but there are more players on the roster who could go.

Almost everyone assumed that the Browns would be letting Jake Delhomme and his $5.6 million base salary go this offseason, yet he wasn't among the players cut.

Now rumors have circulated that the Browns may let him play out the one remaining year on his contract as a back up and mentor for Colt McCoy.

If the Browns are going to attract some of the better free agents out there, they're gonna have to be willing to pay a little more than some places to get them, at least until they can field a competitive team.

It would be good to free up as much money as possible.

3. Draft Smart

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NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Joe Haden (R) from the Florida Gators poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as they hold up a Cleveland Browns jersey after he was selected #7 overall by the Browns during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music

This is sort of a no-brainer, but players want to play with other good players. The better team you build, the more good players will want to be a part of it. Winners want to win.

The number one way to build a team is through the draft. When a team has a successful draft, it shows the competency of it's front office and their ability judge talent.

This year is unique in that free agency will probably not start until after the draft due to the lack of a collective bargaining agreement. This means that the draft could influence free agency instead of the other way around.

The Browns will be drafting sixth, which means they could be in a position to draft someone that a free agent might be exciting at the prospect of playing with them.

For example, after the Lions drafted Ndamukung Suh last year, they were able to sign Kyle Vanden Bosch which completely overhauled their defensive line. The Browns are in need of a similar overhaul of their defensive front seven.

2. The Domino Principal

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Scott Fujita #99 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

This is a simple concept.  The more talented players you bring in, the more talented players will want to come along.

It's the same idea as drafting smart. Winners want to play with other winners. That means that the more the talent on the team improves, the more talented free agents will want to play in Cleveland.

That might mean over-paying a little bit for a couple who aren't necessarily in the top-tier of talent, much the same way we did with Scott Fujita last year.

With a couple successful drafts and a few above average role players, the team can start to become competitive which will make it more attractive to players who are accustomed to winning.

One by one the dominoes fall.

1. Just Win Baby

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BEREA, OH - MAY 01: Team president Mike Holmgren of the Cleveland Browns looks on during rookie mini camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on May 1, 2010 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

This obviously does us no good for this offseason, as the Browns haven't won anything for a long, long time. But hopefully that will be changing soon.

We now have a front office comprised of people who are experienced in the fine art of winning and building winners.

As I've said several times already: Winners want to win.