NFL Free Agency: For the Cleveland Browns, Patience Is Key to Success

Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are NFL franchises. These are words of wisdom, but words Cleveland Browns fans do not want to hear right now. The unprecedented flurry of free agent signings makes it easy for Browns fans to ask for a bigger piece of the pie, but is the piece they want what they really need?

If the past 11 offseasons have taught Browns fans anything, it is that square pegs do not fit in round holes. Free agents and draft picks have come and gone that were successful on other teams but just did not work here. The media has dubbed this phenomenon the "Cleveland Curse," but in reality it comes down to one word: system.

The key to success in the NFL is establishing a working system and filling that system with players that perform well within it. When a system is in place, mediocre players suddenly become success stories. James Harrison went from undrafted free agent to Pro Bowler because of Dick LeBeau's system, with a good system the New England Patriots were able to win three Super Bowls with a team full of unknown players, the Baltimore Ravens have been a top five defense for over a decade because of their system and the list goes on.

The players come and go, but the system stays the same. Long term success in the NFL isn't achieved through big name free agents, it's done through a good system.

After all these years, it seems like the Browns finally understand all this. The front office has been filled with football minds that understand the "system first" concept, the coaching staff is filled with men who not only know football but can teach football and players are being brought in through trades, free agency and the draft for their role filling abilities, not their ranking on Jason La Canfora's "Best Available List."

Time will tell if the systems that are being implemented will work, but if the NFL has a lesson to teach it is that patience is a virtue. Mike Holmgren and the front office are showing patience, will Cleveland's fan base be able to do the same?