BROWNS For Policy, one down and seven to go

The president has Courtney Brown in the fold, and now eyes seven draft picks.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BEREA -- Carmen Policy got one of his goals accomplished on Friday. He still has seven other ones to worry about.
The Browns' president restructured the contract of defensive end Courtney Brown -- the No. 1 overall pick in the 2000 draft -- and is now focusing on signing the team's seven draft picks.
"It was done in a very professional way," Policy said of the restructured deal. "We mutually agreed on a restructure that provides all the necessary cap relief to finalize the needs of the team."
The deal is expected to save the team about $2 million, Policy said.
"Courtney is still in position to be able to make every dollar that was contained in the package that represented the [2003] contract year," he said.
Draft picks
Policy has had less success signing the draft picks. The main roadblock is his insistence that all picks sign five-year deals.
The standard rookie contract lasts three to four years.
"We're going to give very, very fair offers," said Policy. "But we're asking for a long-term commitment.
"The reason we're asking is that the investment is so great -- a draft pick, serious cash, time and coaching abilities. We don't want to have to rush to judgment on a player."
Reluctant to sign
Players are reluctant to sign five-year deals because it takes longer to become a free agent.
"If you ask a player, he'll want to be a free agent after one year," Policy said.
The five-year contracts allow the Browns to avoid losing players to free agency and gain greater freedom under the salary cap, Policy said. While most teams sign rookies to four-year deals, teams such as the Raiders have signed five-year and even two-year deals.
"I think the five-year deals will become not only a trend [in the NFL], but I think it's what's called for by virtue of where the rookie pool [of money] has gone," Policy said. "I feel very strongly about it for this year."
Policy said he expects to sign top pick Jeff Faine, a center from Notre Dame, by today and to have five of the top seven picks signed by Tuesday.