Indianapolis Colts 07/23/2008 4:25 PMBigCProfootball.com reports the Indianapolis Colts have signed fifth-round draft pick linebacker Marcus Howard to a four-year contact. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Howard is a relentless pass-rusher registering 42 quarterback pressures and led the Georgia Bulldogs defense with 10.5 sacks in 2007. He had four tackles, three sacks, two tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown in his final game in the Sugar Bowl.Read more
Cleveland Browns 07/22/2008 9:28 PMBigCProfootball.com has learned that the Cleveland Browns have signed fourth-round draft pick LB Beau Bell to a four-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Cleveland surrendered its top three picks in the 2008 draft because of trades, making Bell its "Top Dawg" at No. 104 overall. The Browns traded their '08 No. 1 pick to Dallas during the 2007 draft so they could pick quarterback Brady Quinn in the first round at No. 22 overall. They sent their No. 2 choice to Green Bay for defensive end Corey Williams, then shipped their No. 3 — plus cornerback Leigh Bodden — to Detroit in exchange for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. Bell surprisingly slipped to the fourth round on Day 2 of the draft and that's when the Browns made their move. Bell received a phone call from head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage informing him that the team was going to trade up (from No. 122) to select him.Read more
Denver Broncos 07/22/2008 6:35 PMBigCProfootball.com reports the Denver Broncos have signed fourth-round draft pick offensive guard/center Kory Lichtensteiger to a four-year contact. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound Lichtensteiger started 48 consecutive games while playing at Bowling Green and was named first-team All-MAC twice (senior and junior year) and second-team All-MAC his first two seasons with the Falcons.Read more
Cleveland Browns 07/22/2008 6:10 PMBigCProfootball.com reports the Cleveland Browns have signed seventh-round draft pick DE Alex Hall to a four-year contact. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Hall is a very talented player and will be expected to contribute on special-teams right away due to his athleticism and versatility. Hall made 46 tackles (23 solos) in nine games and led the team with seven quarterback sacks for minus 48 yards his senior season. He posted 15 stops for losses of 79 yards, ranking 18th in the nation in that category. The Browns are building a solid defensive front and will look to develop Hall as a future pass-rusher.Read more
