The astonishing announcement that RFA QB Derek Anderson agreed to terms with his Cleveland Browns, though nothing has at yet been signed, may be a response to what the Packers did to Browns' GM Phil Savage concerning GB UFA DL Corey Williams.

Though it is supposedly illegal to "tamper" with prospective free agents prior to the start of the official free-agency period, which this year was to begin at midnight signaling the arrival of Friday Feb. 29, it can be deduced the Pack somehow got wind of serious interest on the part of the Browns for Williams, resulting in the DT being "franchised" by GB.

It can also be deduced the "leak" did not come from the Cleveland organization, though the resultant rise in cost was incurred by it. Unless it was the Cleveland GM's way of assuring himself an exclusive shot at the GB lineman. Maybe it was he, in fact, who suggested GB franchise Williams, with the promise to surrender his second for the player, once trading season commenced simultaneously with the onset of free agency.

The off-shoot of that manuever is Cleve was thereafter required to forward compensation additional to the financial package the player and his representation would demand. The Browns were forced, if they wanted Williams, to part also with a second-round choice in the upcoming April 26 NFL draft, with GB receiving that bonus booty.

Perhaps it was this experience which explains what is going on presently with Anderson. Perhaps Savage, aware it is now too late to "franchise" the QB, has resolved to get for himself (and the franchise he represents) more compensation than he'd otherwise receive had DA simply signed on with another organization at the compensation rate of  first and third selections.

Could it be that negotiation is at the heart of what is holding up the official confirmation of DA's extension? And with it the rationale for the organization's seeming reversal, having gone from a tone of resignation to his anticipated departure to this morning's Associated Press announcement that the QB and the club had agreed to a three-year contract, highlighted by an estimated $14 mil in guaranteed monies?

This much seems clear: Whatever are the terms of the DA extension, they must permit the Browns easy means to liquidate him as an asset without serious salcap ramifications. Ordinarily, NFL trades are discouraged by rules pertaining to signing bonuses. Typically, the remaining guaranteed sums immediately accelerate onto the payroll of that team's salcap the year of the player's trade. In other words, barring specific language intended to supercede this stipulation, dealing DA this year would cause all of his reported $14 mil to consume an immense amount of Cleveland's available salcap space in the form of "dead money."

Such a prohibitive reality would essentially preclude Savage's dealing Anderson away. It might also cause him to instead consider parting with the supposed QB of the future, Brady Quinn, were he determined to get substantial return on one of his QBs this season. It should be remembered, however, that the GM established as two of his off-season priorities the re-signing of both RB Jamal Lewis (accomplished) and QB Anderson.

That Savage was likely careful to leave himself the means to safely deal Anderson explains the phrase "trade friendly" that accompanied the morning announcement of DA's agreement with the Cleveland team.

At any rate, as teams become even more familiar with the ins and outs of free agency, NFL front office types evolve in their comprehension and manipulation of its loopholes.

It just adds to the drama of the process, making for good theatre, intrigue and speculation.