I will do a more in-depth free agent preview in the coming weeks, but today, the Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi posted a review of the team's top five free agents, along with predictions as to whether or not those players will return next year. Among the players listed: RB Peyton Hillis, LB D'Qwell Jackson, CB Dimitri Patterson, S Mike Adams, and K Phil Dawson.
For all intents and purposes, Jackson is not a free agent, based on how confident the front office has been in saying that he will return next year. That leaves four players, and Hillis is going to be the most controversial one. Does he deserve to be back? Can we find another back at a more inexpensive rate to just plug in to the backfield? Has he worn out his welcome on the rest of the locker room? Here's the thing I wonder: even if Hillis tests the market to see what other teams will offer him, are there really a lot of teams out there who will break the bank on Hillis? Or, at the very least, make Hillis an offer to be a starting back? I don't think there are, given what happened this past year.
Shoving the unpredictable Hillis signing aside, Patterson is the team's most important free agent in my book. The element that prevented the Browns' secondary from thriving the past several years was that they didn't have that third cornerback who could challenge opposing team's receivers. Patterson was masterful in that role and also had some nice contributions on special teams.
I think you have similar situations when it comes to retaining Adams and Dawson. If you remove Patterson, Adams, or Dawson, you are suddenly adding three more positions to your offseason priority list. You could easily end up taking a step backward at those positions with new players. For this team to move forward, I think you need to continue stabilizing those positions by re-signing all of them, and then improving upon the more glaring holes (i.e. receiver, right side of the offensive line, linebacker).
0 recs | 75 comments
Patterson had to be one of the best Nickels in the game the past season. Can’t believe Philly thought he was the worst player in the NFL. Rotoworld seems to think that Adams can be expelled because Brown will be moved to FS and Patterson will take the spot opposite Haden and essentially Skrine would take Nickel situations.
SpecialBrownie - January 17, 2012
If we lost Adams though I think we would be dangerously thin at safety even with Brown playing there, I would rather keep him and Patterson.
BornAKardiacKid - January 17, 2012 via Android app
Well, Patterson may have been that bad the year before.
I would like to keep all of them. We have a decent secondary, I’d rather not get rid of pieces we know work until we have the replacements.
notthatnoise - January 17, 2012
Also, he is probably better as a nickel guy who only occasionally starts. In Philly, he started all year, and from what I read he really was not good. But he probably got picked on a lot with Assante Samuel on the other side.
TheDriveStillHurts - January 17, 2012
I think Patterson was a starter for Philly in latter half of 2010 and was pretty abysmal for them. I am not sure he was that much better for us, I just think he had a reduced roll which led to less exposure.
PaduaDSP - January 17, 2012
Not that INT stats necessarily mean anything other than he played opposite a pro bowler but he had 4 ints in that half season.
HenryDawg - January 17, 2012
As you say, int stats are pretty meaningless. Look at Nnamdi’s stats in Oakland — he had very few interceptions because teams were just not throwing at him. BMac used to pick up a lot of interceptions here, and the reason is pretty obvious: a ton of QBs were throwing at his man.
TheDriveStillHurts - January 17, 2012
Philly didn’t think he was the worst, some B/R type of site just had him in a list of 25 least valuable players. When they got Nnamdi and DRC he became expendable.
HenryDawg - January 17, 2012
didn’t they let him go well before they landed Nnamdi and DRC though? I guess I just feel like every time a team needed to pick up a third down they just threw right at Dmitri Patterson if he was in the game all season long and were very succesful doing. My perception could be absolutely wrong.
PaduaDSP - January 17, 2012
I don’t know, the FA period was like 3 days long last year
HenryDawg - January 17, 2012
I don’t know exactly how well he played to be perfectly honest, but he didn’t stick out to me as a problem. I wouldn’t be upset if he were gone, I just don’t think it’s necessary.
notthatnoise - January 17, 2012
I’d like most if not all of these guys back.
rufio - January 17, 2012
Jackson is an absolute must. Patterson and Dawson better be back as well. I think the ship has sailed on Hillis, but think we need him back.
Roger Dorn - January 17, 2012
WFNY tweeted today a quote from Dawson in which he was bemoaning being at home watching playoff football… again. Not counting on him coming back. I’d love to keep Pops and Patterson (of course, along with DQ). Hillis? If he stays, awesome. If he goes, it will hurt a bit but the guy will never make it through a season healthy.
Les Fleurs Du Mal - January 17, 2012
I definitely agree about Patterson, Adams, and Dawson. With any luck, the Browns are planning on re-signing all three of them. I think that Jackson is a must too. Although he isn’t a Ray Lewis-type, game changing linebacker, he could do a lot worse at the position, and so could the Browns for that matter. As far as Hillis, I think they should sign him. Yeah, he had a horrible year last year, but guys bounce back from bad years all the time; not to mention the fact the the media made the situation seem a lot worse than it actually was. The way he racked up the yards against Baltimore late in the season is a sure reason why they should sign him. I don’t know about anyone else, but I want to see Hillis in a Browns uniform next season, rather than Trent Richardson.
duke4711 - January 17, 2012
Richardson is just as tough to bring down as Hillis, but can also be a home run threat!!!!!
kevin4ua - January 18, 2012
I don’t think this is true. I’m not saying Richardson is easy to bring down, but Peyton Hillis is pretty unique in that regard. It’s really the only plus skill he has.
notthatnoise - January 18, 2012
He’s got good hands.
rufio - January 18, 2012
I’d like to keep all of those guys and I don’t even think the money on Hillis’ contract would really impact us that much. I was under the impression that we had plenty of room before we hit our ceiling and a minimum of something like $107 million that has to be spent. As for Adams, he has played better than I expected, but I wouldn’t mind finding another safety who could start over Adams and then sending Young off to … just about anywhere.
JustBob - January 17, 2012
I thought the salary floor started in 2013. I could be wrong.
rufio - January 18, 2012
You are correct but I would like to see them get some practice in using it this year. Signing these guys and even trying harder in Free Agency. Signing good players in FA is just a fantasy I cling to though, it isn’t rational.
Aussie Brown - January 18, 2012
How are we looking IRT cap space?
JustBob - January 18, 2012
They probably made it start in 13 so that teams could work up to it or plan for the future knowing they would have the floor. I am sure they are aware of the situation and planning appropriately.
rufio - January 18, 2012
I really want to see Hillis back. We got a glimpse of life without Hillis this year, and it wasn’t pretty. The offense was different with Hillis back, even if it still wasn’t good. If he demands a ridiculous amount then let him go, but I would try hard to resign him if I were Heckert.
tr1betime - January 17, 2012
If Hillis stays, fine. If he leaves, no big deal, IMO. Same for Phil Dawson, even though the new kick-off rule makes his kick-offs not a huge deal to me anymore.
Really want Patterson to stay here as the nickelback. I want another safety added this off-season but I like Mike Adams. Always seems to be solid when called upon no matter the role.
Would love to see DQ back. I think he really benefited from being “clean” this year with Rubin and Taylor eating up space in front of him. Not surprised that he had a career year behind that mass of humanity. Don’t think he will be going anywhere.
Bernie19Kosar - January 17, 2012
If Jackson leaves and we don’t make a real attempt to keep him I will be upset.
notthatnoise - January 17, 2012
This doubled for me.
Aussie Brown - January 18, 2012
if Hillis leaves you have to do everything it takes to bring a comparable replacement. For that reason we have to do what it takes within reason to keep him – but let him check the market. Its a risk but let him see that hes not what he thinks he is $$$ wise and come get what hes worth. DQ and Patterson are must haves, and Dawson would be really hard to see go…this guy is clutch. Adams surprised me this year but is the least of worries of these.
jlsclarity - January 17, 2012
Meh. Promote Jackson to #1, let Hardesty heal up, draft another fatty RB middle of the draft.
RB situation solved.
SpecialBrownie - January 18, 2012
Jackson isn’t a #1. I would be more confident in Hardesty.
Bernie19Kosar - January 18, 2012
I’m not confident in either as a #1. In fact, I’m not confident in Hardesty at all. OMGBanana is a better back at this point with Jackson as a 3rd down guy if those are our choices.
chitown browns fan - January 18, 2012
I think Hardesty has a big year this season. Remember, this was a guy who was sharing carries with Arian Foster at UT. He has the talent, just have to get him healthy.
Takes two seasons to come back from an ACL.
Bernie19Kosar - January 18, 2012
hasn’t being healthy been Hardesty’s issue for like 4 out of the last 5 years? He was constantly banged up at UT and has been injured pretty much since the second we drafted him. I don’t think the guy will ever be healthy.
PaduaDSP - January 18, 2012
Curious about the two seasons thing. Who are some guys that came back as good as they were prior to tearing an ACL?
Roger Dorn - January 18, 2012
Let’s hope AP.
Tom Brady
Jamaal Lewis
Jerry Rice
Nick Barrnett
Roman Harper
Edgerrin James
Braylon (barf) Edwards
Frank Gore
Donovan McNabb
To name a few.
SpecialBrownie - January 18, 2012
Wes Welker.
When did Braylon tear his ACL?
TheDriveStillHurts - January 18, 2012
Rookie year
SpecialBrownie - January 18, 2012
It’s 3:14 on January 17th and Braylon Edwards still sucks.
browndawgbacker - January 18, 2012 via iPhone app
Two yearsish before he had that breakout year in 07.
rufio - January 18, 2012
AP had a knee surgery in college, McGahey had his knee ripped in the NC game.
HenryDawg - January 19, 2012
Did AP tear his ACL in college? I thought he had ankle issues, not knee.
Bernie19Kosar - January 19, 2012
I believe Hardesty has torn his ACL in both his legs so the group of people we are comparing him to is miniscule. Jamal Lewis tore his ACL at some point early in his career and returned basically the same RB as before the injury. I can’t think of a guy that has torn both ACLs, let alone one that has torn both and returned to perform at his pre injury level.
PaduaDSP - January 18, 2012
He’s torn both in about a 3 year gap though.
SpecialBrownie - January 18, 2012
i thought so, he has also had microfracture surgery on one knee if I am not mistaken and the life of a repair like that is only 5-7 years. I have had both ACLs and microfracture surgery done, granted I am not a professional athlete and I didn’t get near the rehab Hardesty is getting and I am probably somewhere between 80-85% what I was before the surgeries. Hardesty I would imgaine is closer to 90-95% range but there is such a fine line in the NFL and he has been banged up in other areas as well. Knees are tough to recover from especially when you start piling up multiple injuries to both legs.
PaduaDSP - January 18, 2012
It’d be a huge bonus if he turned into anything.
Roger Dorn - January 18, 2012
I don’t think he’s had microfracture, where did you see that? I could be wrong.
rufio - January 18, 2012
thought he did it at Tennessee, I can’t seem to find it anywhere so I am probably wrong.
PaduaDSP - January 19, 2012
I don’t think he had microfracture surgery.
Bernie19Kosar - January 19, 2012
I think Steven Davis might have torn both ACL but can’t remember. There was some other guy that used to play for the Redskins, Terry Kirby maybe?
Roger Dorn - January 18, 2012
Unfortunately this is the wrong day to need wikipedia.
Roger Dorn - January 18, 2012
Google Cache baby.
TheDriveStillHurts - January 18, 2012
Or you can just hit the stop button on Wiki…
SpecialBrownie - January 18, 2012
Its usually 9 months till you can play again, a year and 9 months till you are full strength on that knee (strength being important to speed, explosion, etc.)
Its worked that way on about that timeline with people I’ve known that have had the ACL surgery.
rufio - January 18, 2012
Need to build mental strength too (confidence).
Brownie's Year - January 19, 2012
That’s another thing I’ve heard from people who have torn one.
rufio - January 19, 2012
It’s the weirdest thing, your knee feels fine but you keep thinking it’s gonna give way.
Bernie19Kosar - January 19, 2012
Jackson and Hardesty entering next year? Vomit.
Roger Dorn - January 18, 2012
I have seen a fair number of Mocks with us taking Lamar Miller at #22. Does that seem like a good fit?
PaduaDSP - January 18, 2012
I think it’s too high, and he is a bit overrated.
bross09 - January 18, 2012
I also see a fair number of Mocks with us taking LaMichael James in the third round. I think his durability could be an issue.
PaduaDSP - January 18, 2012
his could be. I don’t think miller will have those questions, but I am not the biggest fan.
bross09 - January 18, 2012
Because of all the cocaine*
North Coast Flea - January 19, 2012
I’d like to see the combine numbers before I figure out what RBs I like.
Roger Dorn - January 18, 2012
I’d like to see the combine before I see mock drafts.
Doc's Kid - January 18, 2012
Good fit, yes. I don’t think he’s that good though. Then again, a lot of people disagree with me on that.
rufio - January 18, 2012
I don’t think Shurmur knows how to use a good back and will not build an offense that takes advantage of a decent running back. If I thought otherwise I’d do everything to retain Hillis but I just don’t think it is worth it with Shurmur as the head coach. I’m afraid Hillis is gone and that probably is the best thing for him. He’ll be a Steeler or a Raven just to rub our noses in it. I agree with trying to retain the other 4 big FAs.
Brownsyup - January 18, 2012
looking at the stats for Stephen Jackson while Shurmur was in St. Louis he seemed to get decent production out of him. I think Hillis being hurt for a long stretch of the season kind of limited Shurmur although I question whether Shurmur would have used Hillis properly if he had been totally healthy all season.
PaduaDSP - January 18, 2012
Steven Jackson.
I am fine with bashing on Shurmur, if it has some backing. the RB situation was shit here to begin with and he wasn’t dealt a good hand.
bross09 - January 18, 2012
Steven Jackson in the last game of the year against the Seahawks with the playoffs on the line.
He deserves plenty of bashing for that.
Roger Dorn - January 18, 2012
definitely for that game…but overall its not like we can assume he can’t use a good RB because he never had a good, healthy RB here.
bross09 - January 18, 2012
He got the most out of Houston’s PS RB
HenryDawg - January 19, 2012
Steven Jackson, Brian Westbrook.
rufio - January 18, 2012
If they don't sign Hillis
Then the Browns will select a RB at 4th a WR at 24 or trade and select the future qb Weeden in the 5th round. He will start game three when the Browns are 0-2. I know Weeden is 28 but thats still prime and Farve played til 40 and hasselback i think is 38 and had a great season and is still playin so Weeden would have about 10 solid years.
Dawge - January 18, 2012
buuuuuuuh!
JustBob - January 18, 2012
Indeeb
North Coast Flea - January 19, 2012
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