BEREA — When Phil Savage identifies a need, look out.
The Browns general manager entered free agency with fixing the defensive line as his No. 1 priority. In less than
24 hours, Savage traded for Green Bay’s Corey Williams and reportedly had finalized a deal for Detroit’s Shaun Rogers.
The Browns employ a three-man front, so adding two potential starters constitutes an overhaul.
The Browns gave up a second-round draft pick for Williams (6-foot-4, 313 pounds) and reportedly starting cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick for Rogers (6-4, 340 pounds). The Browns wouldn’t confirm the Rogers deal late Friday night.
Friday afternoon, Rogers was headed to Cincinnati in a trade for third- and fifth-round picks, but the deal fell through.
The Browns were already without a first-round pick in April’s draft as a result of the trade to take Brady Quinn last year. The latest moves leave them without a pick until the fourth round, which is tough for a guy like Savage, who made his name as a scout.
“Nobody loves the draft more than I do,” Savage said Friday night while discussing the Williams deal. “Sometimes you can use the draft, like we did in ’06. Other times you might have to use a trade. Other times you use free agency.
“In this particular case we had to use a draft pick to try to benefit ourselves. Corey’s a legitimate veteran defensive lineman who’s still got a lot of upside potential and seemed to be a good fit for us.”
Williams, 27, has played four years. He started 11 games in 2007 with a career-high 51 tackles and seven sacks. He also had seven sacks in 2006. He’s projected to play end in the Browns’ 3-4 scheme.
The Packers had used the franchise tag on Williams to prevent him from leaving without compensation. The Packers were unable to work out a long-term deal and decided to take a draft pick.
Williams signed a six-year deal with the Browns, reportedly worth $38 million with $18 million guaranteed. He passed the physical Friday night and will meet the media this morning.
“It’s worth a second-round pick for us to get a defensive lineman who’s played in the league and had success in the league,” Savage said. “He fits the dimensions of the 3-4. He gives us some legitimacy on the defensive front.
“When we met about the draft, I was not comfortable at all that we’d find a defensive lineman (in the second round).”
Rogers will turn 29 this month and has played seven seasons. He had 39 tackles and seven sacks in 2007 and started at least 12 games in six of seven years. He’s big enough to play nose tackle or end.
Bodden had a disappointing 2007 season. He still started all 16 games and finished with 92 tackles and six interceptions. 

LaBoy, Stallworth sighted in Berea

The black stretch limo parked in front of Browns headquarters was a dead giveaway. Free agency was under way and the Browns were an active participant.
The team’s policy is not to comment on which free agents visit, but that doesn’t mean word doesn’t get out. Travis LaBoy, a defensive end from Tennessee, visited Friday, his agent confirmed. Patriots receiver Donte Stallworth was also reportedly in the building.
Savage wouldn’t name the visitors, but said they were staying in town overnight.
“We hope to get some things wrapped up over the weekend,” Savage said. “I’d love for this (the Browns’ big moves) to be over by Monday. I’m hopeful of it, but you never know.”
LaBoy, 26, is 6-foot-3, 260 pounds and would have to make the conversion to outside linebacker. At the minimum, he would be used as a situational pass rusher.
He has started 20 games in four years, but didn’t start this season. He totaled six sacks and 13 tackles. He has 19½ sacks in his career.
Stallworth, 27, would start opposite Braylon Edwards and shift Joe Jurevicius to third receiver. Stallworth started nine games in 2007 with 46 catches, 697 yards and three touchdowns.

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