Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

The Bayou buzzkill officially has begun.

On the same day that word emerged of linebacker Scott Fujita's decision to donate half of his 2009 playoff earnings to New Orleans charities, Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Fujita has signed with the Browns.

Fujita has started at outside linebacker for the Saints since 2006. Grossi notes that, in Cleveland, Fujita possibly could move to one of the two inside positions in the team's 3-4 defense.

The eight-year veteran also has played for the Chiefs and the Cowboys.

Injuries limited Fujita to 10 regular-season starts in 2009. He started every postseason game, including Super Bowl XLIV.

Fujita leaves the Saints | ProFootballTalk.com

Well CRAP! OK Loomis........

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Cleveland Browns | Browns sign Fujita, Pashos

Thank you for everything Scott! We will miss you! :(

http://saints.gearupforsports.com/bl...ott-fujita.jpg

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

I'm gonna miss the guy. First player to take a chance on NOLA after the hurricane and a real solid veteran on our D. I'm extremely interested to see the terms of the deal, and what we were unwilling to match.....To be continued.

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

9/3/05; Selected in fifth round by Kansas City (143rd overall) in the 2002 NFL Draft.


OK, so who can we sign to replace him, under this year's rules?

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Browns announce arrival of Pashos, Fujita
Posted by Mike Florio on March 7, 2010 5:34 PM ET
It's official. The new regime led by Mike Holmgren has coaxed two free agents to Cleveland.

The team has announced the acquisition of tackle Tony Pashos and linebacker Scott Fujita.

Browns announce arrival of Pashos, Fujita | ProFootballTalk.com
"We are extremely happy that we were able to get Scott and Tony signed so quickly," G.M. Tom Heckert said in a team-issued release. "They are two players we had targeted from the start of free agency. Both are smart, tough and physical -- the type of players that the Browns are looking for.

"Scott possesses tremendous size for a linebacker, and this will allow him to play inside or outside in our 3-4 defense. He has been a starter throughout his career, has been exposed to several different defensive schemes and has been successful in all of them. He is a great leader and played a big part in the success that the Saints achieved last year.

"We like the fact that Tony has started a lot of games in this league, and has been a part of some productive offenses with Baltimore and Jacksonville. Although he's started at right tackle, he has the versatility to play inside as well, and he will come in and compete at both tackle and guard with us."

Though neither player is young -- Fujita is 30 and Pashos will join him there on August 3 -- the obvious goal is to look for ways to improve the team in the short-term, and to provide strong leadership to young players who will be the nucleus of the roster in the future. Fujita, with his brand-new Super Bowl ring, can do just that.

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

We can only sign a player to a deal of equal first year salary value to the one Fujita signed with the Browns. I'm not sure if the guaranteed portion has to be the same or not. If I had to guess it would be both the salary portion of the contract and the signing bous that would count. So say they gave Fujita a 3 year deal at $15MM with a $3MM signing bonus and a salary of $2MM first year salary, we could only sign a guy for a $2MM first year salary and $3MM signing bonus, however we could sign that deal for any position. It's not LB specific.

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Good luck to Scott, I always really liked him. He was a solid contributor to this organization, and a team-first kind of guy.

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

We play them this upcoming season too. :(

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

This will not be the last lose. Good luck Fujita.

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Thanks stockman. Am I alone in thinking that the reason that he left is because the Browns "reached" and paid him much more than the Saints were willing to? If so that would soften the blow for me b/c it would give us more options monetarily, to sign someone.

Defensive End anyone?

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

There will be MAJOR (good natured of course) trash talking going on in that one! Scott is a motormouth!

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Thats too bad. I really liked Fujita. Hope we can draft a replacement or that the guy we got last year can fill in or Casillas maybe.

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

joey porter would be an ideal replacement. He was released so the final 8 rule doesnt apply to him.

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Oh please no. A great team leader like Fujita replaced by a thug?

This is a HUGE loss IMHO. Scott was a great team player and loved the city of New Orleans. I guess it was time but he still has a good 3 years at least as a very solid LB. This changes our draft and I can only pray that Weatherspoon slides. Although, he won't. :-(

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

I agree this loss sucks, not only for the team but for our city. Scott and his family were very involved. Matter of fact there was a great article today in the Times Picayune about Scott recently taking a big interest in coastal erosion (along w/ his many other involvements), and I believe he donated a percentage of his playoff salary to the efforts to re-build the La. coastline.

Big loss, but the nature of the business I suppose.

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Disappointed to see Scott elsewhere, a big leader on the team - good luck to him.

I don't keep up with College football over here so never know the prospects coming through other than reading but what about Will Witherspoon released by the Eagles last week to help out if there are no draft options?

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

I think Witherspoon would make a nice addition... he seemed to find new life after leaving the Rams. I wouldn't mind bring him in for a look see. None of our OLB's were getting any younger... time to look for more speed and youth. I'm excited to see what we're going to do with the position.

Good luck to Scott... it's just the nature of the business. He was model player here and I'm glad he got a ring with us.

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Good luck to him... and thanks Scott for the contributions. Hope he doesn't fall victim to the staff infections that has plagued many a player on the Browns team.

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Good Luck Mr. Fujita!

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Man I liked him a lot. We need some LB's bad now!

Re: Fujita-San Signs with Browns
 

Thanks for everything #55!

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

We will miss Scott Fujita. He loved New Orleans, and wanted to stay, but in the end, Loomis was not willing to pony up a 3-year, $14 million contract to keep him. Good luck in Cleveland, Scott, playing for the Mad Genius. You'll definitely miss Sean Payton.

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

Good luck to ya Scott.

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

Good luck Scott, will never forget the 4 years you spent with the Saints.

It appears Holmgren may be starting to get the Browns on the right track.

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

Fujita is an eight-year veteran who helped lead the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts last month. He has 19 sacks, five interceptions, nine forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans.

"Scott possesses tremendous size for a linebacker, and this will allow him to play inside or outside in our 3-4 defense," Browns general manager Tom Heckert said in a statement released by the team. "He has been a starter throughout his career, has been exposed to several different defensive schemes and has been successful in all of them."

A fifth-round draft pick by the Chiefs in 2002, Fujita was a walk-on safety at the University of California before moving to linebacker.

Pashos has played seven NFL seasons, including last year with the San Francisco 49ers. He was a fifth-round pick of Baltimore in 2003 and has started 55 NFL games at right tackle with the Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars and 49ers.

"Although he's started at right tackle, he has the versatility to play inside as well," Heckert said in the statement, "and he will come in and compete at both tackle and guard with us."

The Browns finished 5-11 last season and missed the playoffs.


Terms of the deals weren't disclosed.

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

Well I'm pissed! I guess Sean knows what he's doing, but dammit...
He's going to be hard to replace. I thank him for all he's done for the team, the city of New Orleans and tha State of Louisiana. I wish him luck, but I can't wish him too much luck since, as Breesfan27 mentioned, we play them this year.

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

The terms of Fujitas deal just came in:

3 years $14MM, $8MM guaranteed.

Not sure why the Saints wouldn't match this. Must be saving money for Evans and Brees. I hope we go out and get a free agent now. We now know what we can spend.

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

By the way the Saints can sign a free agent and guarantee them $8 million in the first year now.

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

I lot of people want to "upgrade" Fujita and Shanle...

...don't dispute there are better athletes...

...but character plays a "Major" role in Championships...

...Thank you Fujita; now geaux suck it up with the Browns...

...your leadership will not be easily replaced...

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

He'll be missed as a person and a player. His oreo jokes, not so much.

Fujita is good. There are, however better linebackers.

I trust the staff. They just won us a Super Bowl.

Ditka, Haslet or other... ahem, coaches are no where in sight so I'm happy as a clam.

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

That's what happens when you win the Super Bowl. Remember how excited we got when we signed a player from a "better" team?

The players allways say "It's not the money......." It's about winning a championship and then "Ca$hing" in. Although it is a cut throat business now. Just ask Jake Delhomme.

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

Thanks for helping get us to the SuperBowl, SF and thanks for all you did for the city.

You apparently are chosing $$$ over a chance at another ring, but that's your call.

Good luck in Cleveland - you'll need it!!!

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

I'd rather not bring in Joey Porter - he's a loudmouth and overrated.

Maybe time to take a harder look at Arnoux or Casillas in 2010, see if they've got what it takes.

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

He gave us some good years. But I think Dunbar can fill his shoes

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

WOOHOOO.....super bowl bound brownies baby

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

i was hoping he would be the one to mentor his replacement for a year or two before he stepped down as a starters. this suxs!

A.J. Edds, Iowa is my selection in round two now

WLB
Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
Jerry Hughes, TCU
Sergio Kindle, Texas

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

I liked Fujita too, but him and Shanle are just to slow on the outside. We need to get younger and quicker at linebacker. As much as Gregg Williams likes to blitz, we need more speed!

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

crap ! best of luck to him.

Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita talks about moving on
 

Just heard from Scott Fujita, who obviously has some mixed emotions after four unforgettable years in New Orleans, now that he's joining the Cleveland Browns. Here's what he had to say about the move via email:

"Obviously this is a bittersweet time for our family. We're extremely excited about this new opportunity, but it's definitely hard to say goodbye to all the great friends we've made in New Orleans.

"I am so proud of all the things we accomplished here -- both on and off the field -- and I'm proud of the role I played in helping this incredible city experience it's first Super Bowl. In planning for their future, the Saints just didn't value that partnership the same way. And that's fine -- this can be an interesting business, but I wish the Saints nothing but the best.

"We leave New Orleans with no hard feelings whatsoever, and have so many memories that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. New Orleans will always hold a special place in our hearts...it's given us so much. Now it's time to turn the page and start a new journey.

"We're so thankful to Sean & Mickey for bringing us in to be a part of this great organization, and I'm eternally grateful to all the people of this city for embracing us from day one. We will never forget it. My wife just asked me to say that we will always come back to New Orleans. We promise."


Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita talks about moving on | - NOLA.com

re: Fujita Signs with Browns * MERGE*
 

Bad move....we dont have any loyalty to our team leaders...I wish Scott the best...he should have stayed a Saint....he's a proven leader and player ..how do we replace that??...You tell me???...BULL****!!!..We didnt even offer him a new deal..no phone calls.. nothing...****ty on our part..i dont blame Scott..would you want to stay where your not wanted.....im frikin steamed!!!!