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Report: Browns Closing In On Paul Kruger, Colts Looking At Cliff Avril

The reported "bidding war" between the Browns and Colts for free agent outside linebacker Paul Kruger may have been won by the Mistake by the Lake.

By Brad Wells
Rob Carr

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun is on Twitter and is making the Kruger-to-the-Colts fans cry:

The Browns and Colts have reportedly been in a "bidding war" for Kruger since the legal tampering free agent negotiating period began back on March 9th. If Kruger is out of the mix, Wilson gives us insight into Ryan Grigson's "Plan B":

Well, they've got to go after someone because I shudder to think of a Colts defense featuring Jerry Hughes and Robert Mathis as its primary pass rushers in 2013.

Nothing against Mathis, who is great, but the Colts are in serious need of some playmaking ability from either the OLB or DE positions.

My thinking is that Avril and his agent know this, and that they will try to get as much money out of Grigson and owner Jim Irsay as possible. This makes sense from their end. If the Colts fail to sign a quality pass rusher in free agency, a defensive end or outside linebacker becomes priority No. 1 in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Personally, if Kruger goes to Cleveland, I'm cool with that. I'm on record wanting Avril over Kruger. Obviously, nothing is official yet, but it would seem Kruger is out of the Colts picture at this point.

[UPDATE]:

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