Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

6 of the best free agents signed by the Cleveland Browns since 1999

By Chad Porto

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 9: Quarterback Kelly Holcomb #10 of the Cleveland Browns and Head Coach Butch Davis walk the sideline during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs November 9, 2003 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 41-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 9: Quarterback Kelly Holcomb #10 of the Cleveland Browns and Head Coach Butch Davis walk the sideline during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs November 9, 2003 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 41-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND – DECEMBER 4: Defensive lineman Orpheus Roye #99 of the Cleveland Browns lines up against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 4, 2005 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Jaguars defeated the Browns 20-14. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND – DECEMBER 4: Defensive lineman Orpheus Roye #99 of the Cleveland Browns lines up against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 4, 2005 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Jaguars defeated the Browns 20-14. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

DL Orpheus Roye

The name that was next to Gerard Warren in 2002 was that of Orpheus Roye. Roye spent his first four seasons in Pittsburgh, where he put up some decent numbers as the team’s backup, and then starting 3-4 defensive end. After the 1999 season, however, Roye would commit sacrilege against the city of Pittsburgh and leave it for the much more welcoming shores of Cleveland.

Roye would move from end to defensive tackle in Cleveland’s 4-3 system, and would instantly become the team’s best run-stopper on the defensive line. His arrival helped make Jamir Miller into the force he was, as Roye was excellent at causing double teams, and collapsing the line in around him.

Roye wasn’t big on sacks, his best season chasing the quarterback down came in 2005, in Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 defense where he moved back to defensive end. He had three sacks that season but also had 88 combined tackles. Easily his best season ever and he was 32 years old at the time.

All in total he’d play eight years in Cleveland and would be a major contributor to the Browns’ 2002 playoff run. His impact wasn’t obvious in the stat line but he continued to outperform anyone the team put against him on the line. When you can go eight seasons as a reliable starter, you make these types of lists.

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