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Paul Kruger | Linebacker

Team: Cleveland Browns
Age / DOB:  (27) / 2/15/1986
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 265
College: Utah
Contract: view contract details
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Browns agreed to terms with OLB Paul Kruger on a five-year, $41 million contract.
It reportedly includes $20 million guaranteed. It's a generous haul for a four-year veteran with just 15.5 career sacks, but probably not what Kruger had in mind before the start of free agency. Kruger will line up opposite OLB Jabaal Sheard in new DC Ray Horton's attacking 3-4 defense. Kruger's signing leaves Cliff Avril as the lone remaining pass-rushing jewel on the open market. Mar 12 - 4:40 PM
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

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Date:
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora considers the Browns "almost certain" to land free agent Paul Kruger.

La Canfora is calling the union a near certainty after the Baltimore Sun reported the Browns were "closing in" on the pass rusher Tuesday morning. We anticipate Kruger approaching $10 million in annual value on his Browns deal.
Related: Browns
Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
Mar 12 - 3:24 PM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

Sources tell the Baltimore Sun that the Browns are "closing in" on free agent OLB Paul Kruger.

The Browns have made no secret of their desire to make a big splash early in free agency, and Kruger has long been their prime target. With Cliff Avril getting linked to the Bucs and Colts, Cleveland's pursuit of Kruger has apparently intensified. We could see a deal done as soon as Tuesday evening.
Related: Browns
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter
Mar 12 - 10:13 AM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah passes along a "a lot of buzz out there" about the Browns being "VERY" aggressive in free agency.

The Browns are among the league leaders in salary cap space and have been connected to a large chunk of free agents via the media. Paul Kruger is believed to be their top target. They may also buy one of the most expensive cornerbacks.
Related: Browns
Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter
Mar 11 - 12:27 PM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

The Baltimore Sun reports the Colts and Browns will soon engage in a "bidding war" for free agent OLB Paul Kruger.

The Browns have been "particularly aggressive" on both Kruger and Cliff Avril since Saturday morning's negotiating window opened. One source predicted Kruger will command $10 million to $12 million per year. Both Cleveland and Indianapolis are flush with cap space and need pass-rush help. It's conceivable that the Kruger will go to the Colts and Avril to the Browns, or vice versa.
Related: Browns, Colts
Source: Baltimore Sun
Mar 10 - 5:06 PM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

ESPN's Ed Werder reported on SportsCenter that the Browns and Colts will aggressively pursue OLB Paul Kruger in free agency.

Per Werder, Cleveland is "definitely gonna go after" Kruger and will face "intense competition" from Indianapolis, which reportedly envisions Kruger as Dwight Freeney's replacement opposite Robert Mathis. Werder expects Kruger to be signed quickly after Tuesday's free-agent signing period opens. Kruger, 27, led the Super Bowl Ravens in 2012 sacks. We anticipate he'll command a contract worth in the $12 million range annually; perhaps $60 million over five years.
Related: Browns, Colts
Mar 8 - 11:29 AM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

The Cleveland Plain Dealer expects the Browns to "make a run at" free agents Paul Kruger and Cliff Avril.

Both would be fits in new DC Ray Horton's aggressive 3-4 defense. With Kruger's pass-rushing chops still up for debate, Horton's blitz-heavy scheme would be a nice landing spot. Each player should have robust markets, but Avril's price tag will be steeper.
Related: Cliff Avril
Source: Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter
Mar 6 - 1:52 PM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

ESPN's Ed Werder reported on SportsCenter Tuesday that the Ravens don't expect to re-sign free agent Paul Kruger.

Kruger is going to get paid like a premier NFL pass rusher, and GM Ozzie Newsome doesn't see him as that. "The Ravens have pretty much resigned themselves to the likelihood that he's going to play for another team," Werder reported. "And they drafted Courtney Upshaw last year to play that same position." Expect the Browns and Colts to show initial interest in Kruger.
Related: Browns, Colts
Mar 5 - 10:31 AM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

Yahoo's Jason Cole believes free agent OLB Paul Kruger could "blow past" $9 million per year on the open market, and potentially surpass $10 million.

Kruger is not expected to be franchise tagged ahead of Monday's deadline, which means he'll be free to hit the open market. With Joe Flacco due to count just $6.8 million against the cap this season, the Ravens have some breathing room, but don't appear willing to pay Kruger like a pass-rushing linchpin.
Source: Jason Cole on Twitter
Mar 4 - 9:40 AM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

The Cleveland Plain Dealer considers OLB Paul Kruger the "best fit" among the Browns free agent targets.

With the Browns moving to a 3-4 defense, Kruger could be signed as a pass-rusher to complement Jabaal Sheard in Ray Horton's aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme. Rotoworld ranks Kruger as the No. 5 free agent available this offseason.
Related: Browns
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Mar 2 - 10:49 PM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

The Baltimore Sun calls free agent OLB Paul Kruger a "luxury" the Ravens "can't afford to retain."

Kruger put on a pass-rushing show in the playoffs, racking up 4.5 sacks, including two on the biggest stage in the Super Bowl. He's likely to command a contract greater than $40 million, and Baltimore isn't set up to pay it with Joe Flacco needing a new mega-contract. Kruger has said he'd like to be back with Baltimore, but at this time, there are no talks scheduled with the team.
Source: Baltimore Sun
Feb 21 - 4:43 PM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

ESPN Cleveland calls Ravens free agents Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe "obvious targets" for the Browns.

If the Ravens are forced to use the exclusive franchise tag on free agent Joe Flacco, they will not be in a position to sign either of their high-profile defenders. The Browns could "double dip," strengthening their defense while weakening a division rival. Kruger is the top rush linebacker on the market and would fit nicely in new DC Ray Horton's hybrid 3-4 scheme. Ellerbe is penciled in as Ray Lewis' replacement at inside linebacker.
Related: Browns, Dannell Ellerbe
Source: ESPN Cleveland
Feb 12 - 8:23 AM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

Free agent OLB Paul Kruger amassed just 1.5 sacks in six games ahead of Terrell Suggs' 2012 return from Achilles' surgery, before closing out the season with 7.5 sacks across the final eight games with Suggs in the lineup.

Kruger also had 4.5 sacks in Baltimore's four playoff wins, all with Suggs aligned opposite him. It's worth debating whether Kruger's production was at least partially a product of Suggs commanding increased defensive attention. We fully expect 26-year-old Kruger to command a massive free-agent deal, but the sack statistics suggest he's more of a complementary than franchise pass rusher.
Source: Seattle Times
Feb 8 - 3:16 PM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

Impending free agent OLB Paul Kruger wants to return to the Ravens, but says "it's not up to me."

It's a pretty generic answer. "I just have to let it happen and let my agent do his job. I would love to be here, but it's not up to me," said Kruger. "I've never been through the process before." Kruger is wrapping up his rookie deal that saw him earn $615,000 in 2012. He's fully expected to command a long-term deal in the $35-$40 million range as he comes off a 13.5-sack season, including the playoffs. The Ravens may not have money for him as they attempt to lock up Joe Flacco.
Source: Baltimore Sun
Feb 4 - 9:04 AM
Paul Kruger - LB - Browns

J. Michael of CSN Baltimore says impending free agent OLB Paul Kruger "definitely" won't be re-signed by the Ravens.

Kruger posted regular season career-highs in tackles (42) and sacks (nine), and is reportedly seeking a contract in the $40 million range. His stock is on the rise after emerging on the national stage with a postseason flurry. Kruger graded out as a top-seven 3-4 outside linebacker in 2012 by Pro Football Focus. The Baltimore Sun suggests he could be a candidate for the franchise tag if the Ravens agree to a long-term extension with Joe Flacco before free agency.
Source: PFT Live
Feb 2 - 7:25 PM

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