FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Browns have been good to the Falcons over the past few years.
The Falcons hired offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan after he was released from his contract with the Browns in 2015.
Second-team All-Pro center Alex Mack signed with the Falcons in 2016 after opting out of his Cleveland contract.
The Browns cut wide receiver Taylor Gabriel and the Falcons claimed him on waivers last season.
The Falcons have recently signed former Browns starting tackle Austin Pasztor to be their backup swing tackle.
It's almost like the Browns have been the Falcons defacto farm system.
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Word out of The Land, according to multiple sources, is that the Browns are shopping cornerback Joe Haden. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, the former Browns grounds keeper, needs to make a call.
Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports first reported the news.
With the play of Jack Crawford and Takkarist McKinley the Falcons could offer Brooks Reed and/or Derrick Shelby and throw in some draft picks in an effort to obtain Haden.
The Falcons have a need at backup cornerback after watching several deep balls go over their heads in the exhibition season -- including a 99-yarder in Miami. Jalen Collins is suspended for 10 games for this season after serving a four-game suspension last season. With Haden, the could wave goodbye to Collins.
The Browns are going nowhere and, like the Jets, unloading expensive veterans.
Haden, a two-time Pro Bowler, is under contract for three more seasons, with base salaries of $11.1 million this year, $11.1 million next year and $10.4 million in 2019. That’s a lot of cash, but perhaps the Falcons can get him to restructure and make a run for Super Bowl.
Haden does have a history of groin injuries , but let the doctors check him out. He appears healthy and has played in all three exhibition games this season.
The Falcons could go to Mack and Gabriel for teammate background checks to see if he fits into the "Brotherhood."
I suspect that he's a fit and Dimitroff should make this move.
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