The Turner Connection

By: Jason Snider

The Cleveland Browns and the rest of the NFL started their legal flirtation window today before players can officially sign at 4pm on Tuesday. The signing of offensive coordinator Norv Turner was huge and could play an even bigger role in free agency. Like it or not every single coach in the NFL likes to have guys that are familiar with their system. More times than not coaches look to pull a player or five from their former team to help the new players learn the ins and outs of their philosophies. One of the players that is linked to Turner is offensive guard Louis Vasquez. The 6-5 335 pound lineman was the best offensive lineman for the Chargers during his three seasons that he spent with Norv. Jason Pinkston and Shaun Lauvao have left a lot to be desired at the guard position for the Browns and it seems Browns fans dislike one or even both of them. While I don't see guard as a must in free agency, Vasquez would surely solidify the position and possibly leave the two
 afore-mentioned players to battle for one starting spot. As I always say, competition breads success and I feel that they would both benefit from a little competition. Now onto another lesser known Turner link from San Diego. While with the Chargers, Turner's offense featured  6-5 230 pound Vincent Jackson, 6-5 225 pound Malcom Floyd and 6-2 215 pound Legedu Naanee at the wide receiver position. Currently on the roster the Browns have 6-3 225 pound Josh Gordon and 6-2 220 pound Greg Little. I think that receiving corps would look really nice with a 6-5 217 pound receiver added to the bunch. Well those kind of players don't just fall out of the sky do they? In this case that exact type of player may fall right back into Turners lap. Danario Alexander is that player. After five knee surgeries in his career, Alexander caught fire with the Chargers last season to the tune of 37 receptions on 58 targets for 658 yards and 7 touchdowns in only 8 games. Compare that to Gordon's impressive rookie season of 50 receptions, 805 yards and 5 touchdowns in 16 starts and you can see why Alexander could be a sneaky but intriguing free agent signing. What makes him even more enticing is that Saturday the Chargers placed the lowest possible tender on Danario and could get little to no compensation should another NFL team seek his services. Many people may not know who Danario Alexander is now, but come September defensive coordinators and defensive backs could be having nightmares thinking about defending a three wide receiver set that features three starters over 6-2 215 pounds while Browns fans are sleeping like babies and having dreams of touchdown after touchdown from their giant wide receiving corps!