Browns obtain Andy Lee from 49ers

This time of year often can be quiet on the NFL front as teams prepare for training camp,but the Cleveland Browns chose this day to upgrade a position that often is only noticed when the position is bad and did so at a nominal cost.

The Browns sent a 2017 seventh round draft pick to the San Francisco 49ers and in return added three time Pro Bowler Andy Lee to punt in Cleveland.
The incumbent booter Spencer Lanning was released to help his chances in catching on with another team,which I thought was a class move.
After all,the Browns didn't trade a draft pick for Lee just to keep Lanning,so a competition isn't needed or apparently desired...

Lee is more noted for his excellent directional punting skills (high hang time to force fair catches and getting balls downed inside the 20) than a huge leg,but still brings a quality player to Cleveland that is under contract through 2018,so the Browns can keep him without concern for four more seasons,which isn't bad for the cost of a seventh rounder.
The Browns have completely revamped their kicking game with the release of long snapper Christian Yount,kicker Garrett Hartley (a late season fill-in) and now cutting Spencer Lanning,so the Browns will have all new players at the three vital spots of the kicking game in 2015.
Andy Lee was the holder for placekicks in San Francisco and it is possible that he could do so for the Browns,which is preferable to me to the chance of injuring a backup quarterback as the holder,despite the increased options when it comes to fake field goals.

The Browns continue to build a team around the basics-run the ball,stop the run and be sound on special teams.
The trade for one of the better punters makes sense for the system and the cost is inexpensive-good work.