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Andruzzi leaves NE for Browns


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Let the raiding begin. Can Corey Dillon be far behind?? :lol:

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CLE/8246614

Browns sign free agent G Andruzzi

NFL.com wire reports

CLEVELAND (March 2, 2005) -- The New England Patriots' dynasty has another crack.

The Super Bowl champions lost one more player when free agent guard Joe Andruzzi signed a four-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, reuniting him with coach Romeo Crennel.

Andruzzi is the fourth player to leave the Patriots, following wide receiver/kick returner Troy Brown, linebacker Roman Phifer and four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law.

Andruzzi's agent, Joe Linta, said he spoke with New England about a new deal.

"We were going to give them a hometown discount," Linta said. "But we couldn't close the gap. He felt real comfortable coming to Cleveland to be with Romeo."

Andruzzi will help anchor an offensive line in Cleveland that has been plagued by injuries the past few seasons, hasn't opened many holes for running backs and not done a good job protecting quarterbacks.

Andruzzi was part of a group in New England that made sure Patriots QB Tom Brady kept his uniform clean. Brady was sacked just 26 times last season, and only 89 sacks in the past three years.

By contrast, Browns quarterbacks have been sacked 116 times in the same span.

The 29-year-old lineman started all 19 games for the Patriots last season, and 50 straight in the regular season games since joining New England as a free agent in 2000 from Green Bay.

Andruzzi gained national attention in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks because his three brothers are New York City firefighters and survived the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.

The Andruzzi brothers and their father, Bill, a retired New York City policeman, were honorary captains for the Patriots before a game against the New York Jets on Sept. 23, 2001.

Andruzzi also represents the kind of high-character player Crennel wants to bring to Cleveland. The 6-foot-3, 312-pounder was the inaugural recipient of a community service award in New England in 2003.

"Joe is a tough, hard-nosed, blue-collar football player," Crennel said. "He gives us flexibility by being able to play both left and right guard and he will add stability to our offensive line."

Earlier, the Browns traded defensive tackle Gerard Warren to Denver for a fourth-round pick. The club also gave roster bonuses to defensive tackle Orpheus Roye and offensive tackle Ross Verba.

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