Browns have interest in Boulware
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter
The Browns are interested in acquiring four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Peter Boulware, an NFL source said Wednesday night.
But first, they must determine if Boulware is healthy and how much he wants to be paid, the source said. The Browns made some initial inquiries Wednesday night and will check into Boulware again today. If healthy, Boulware could be the pass-rush specialist the Browns sorely need.
The Ravens Wednesday released Boulware, who missed all of last season with injuries and hasn't played since a game in Cleveland at the end of 2003.
Browns General Manager Phil Savage was available during a news conference regarding Kellen Winslow Jr. Wednesday afternoon, but could not be reached after Boulware was released.
Savage was director of college scouting when the Ravens made Boulware the fourth overall pick of the 1997 draft. Savage counts Boulware among his many draft successes when he was with the Ravens and the two won a Super Bowl together in 2000.
Boulware told the Baltimore Sun he would be talking to the Bengals, who are coached by his former defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis. Boulware said he didn't know yet which other teams would be interested. Boulware's agent, Roosevelt Barnes, did not return a phone message.
Boulware, the Ravens' all-time sack leader with 67½, told reporters last week he's 100 percent healthy from his knee injury and subsequent turf toe surgery he had in December. He passed his physical in Baltimore Wednesday and was then cut, largely because of his high salary.
Boulware was set to make $6 million a year through the 2008 season. The Ravens tried and failed to restructure the deal with Barnes.
"We're at the point right now where we really felt that Peter could be, as he has been, an impact pass-rusher for us," Ravens coach Brian Billick said in a statement Wednesday. "He would like to see if there is more of an expanded role with someone else. He's earned that right, particularly [since] we were at a situation where the contract had to be restructured. We hate to see it happen, but that's the name of the game these days."
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