Factory Of Sadness
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7 worst free agents signed by the Cleveland Browns since 1999

By Chad Porto

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 27: Defensive End John Abraham #94 of the New York Jets tries to get past tackle Ross Verba #77 of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL game at Giant Stadium on October 27, 2002 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Browns defeated the Jets 24-21. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 27: Defensive End John Abraham #94 of the New York Jets tries to get past tackle Ross Verba #77 of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL game at Giant Stadium on October 27, 2002 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Browns defeated the Jets 24-21. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 11: Outside linebacker Paul Kruger #99 of the Cleveland Browns jogs off the field against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 11: Outside linebacker Paul Kruger #99 of the Cleveland Browns jogs off the field against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Paul Kruger

In 2013, Paul Kruger proved why you should never sign a player to a big-money contract after just one good year of action. The Cleveland Browns locked Kruger up for five years and to the tune of $40 million. Did Kruger see all five years? Well, he’s on this list, so what do you think?

Kruger spent four years in Baltimore where he racked up 15.5 sacks across the entire time. In his last season as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Kruger put up nine sacks and helped the 2012 Ravens win the Super Bowl in February. Kruger had a playoff run to remember, racking up 4.5 sacks across all four games, and providing endless pressure.

Of course, the Browns, who had more sacks in 2012 (38 to 37) than the Ravens, went out and overpaid for Kruger. How did Kruger repay the Browns in 2013? He started all 16 games and only secured 46 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Now, he did bounce back in 2014. He had a whopping 53 tackles (eh) and an eyebrow-raising 11.5 sacks. Not bad at all. But in 2015 he’d fall to his lowest depths, starting 15 games, recording just 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

By the end of the 2016 preseason, Kruger would be cut, with two years left on his contract.

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