I'm sure a few of you have seen this by now, but Cleveland Browns middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was interviewed by the Boston Globe recently. In the interview, he talked about the tough road he had in making his return to the NFL this past season.
"I’ve had a tough three years where you’re a kid, you come into the league, you have success early, and then you go through a lot of adversity from your personal life - me being divorced - to the back-to-back season-ending injuries."
Jackson wasn't sure if anyone would still take a chance on him after his injuries, but the Browns decided to retain him for the 2011 season. Now, as has been discussed several times already, Jackson remains adamant that he wants to be a member of the Browns next season.
"I want to be in Cleveland," said Jackson. "Yeah, I want to be in a new deal. I feel like I’ve proven to myself and the rest of my teammates that I can still play. If it’s the franchise tag, it’s the franchise tag. As long as I still have my health, that’s what is most important."
Jackson is a top candidate for the league's Comeback Player of the Year award.
0 recs | 56 comments
SIGN HIM YESTERDAY.
SpecialBrownie - January 23, 2012
I could be wrong, but didn’t Heckert say Jackson will be here next year during the H&H conference? I hope they plan on giving him a deal worth staying for.
Brownie's Year - January 23, 2012
I think they really want to sign him long term, but worst case scenario I think we franchise him. So yeah, he should be back for at least next year.
tr1betime - January 24, 2012
But if we do that, how will we keep Dawson?
JustBob - January 24, 2012
You get one franchise tag on each side of the ball, I thought. We could probably call Dawson offense…because he’s responsible for most of our points.
rufio - January 24, 2012
I think you only get one per year for the whole team. The Wolfert kid made a couple of nice long kicks last pre-season in lousy, rainy weather.
HenryDawg - January 24, 2012
Yes, you only get one per team.
Bernie19Kosar - January 24, 2012
Rufio is human! I didn’t think he ever got things wrong.
TheDriveStillHurts - January 25, 2012
The world as I know it has been destroyed. Where’s my suicide booth?
SpecialBrownie - January 25, 2012
North Coast Flea - January 25, 2012
haha that’s funny.
Brownie's Year - January 25, 2012
And you’re only allowed to franchise a player three times.
Brownie's Year - January 25, 2012
So we have Phil for two more years at least.
JustBob - January 25, 2012
We need to tag DQ this year. If a team wants him badly enough we’ll have a huge first round draft,
Brownie's Year - January 25, 2012
I think we’ll get him a long term deal. Or at least not have to use the tag. He sounds reasonable.
rufio - January 25, 2012
He was difficult last year. And you’re right. No tag is needed if he really wants to play with our kickass D.
Brownie's Year - January 26, 2012
I think Jackson probably want’s that big money long term deal, knowing this will be his only chance to capitalize on such a deal. So far in his tenure, outside of the Joe Thomas deal, Tom Heckert has not seem inclined to give players such deals. While Jackson is good I don’t think he is on Joe Thomas’ level. I think he gets the franchise tag this year and then bolts to the highest bidder in free agency after that.
PaduaDSP - January 24, 2012
Are you mad? Dqwell jackson is absolutely the browns defensive equivalent of joe thomas. Jackson too started every game and led the league in tackles prior to week 17. People underestimate “league leader in tackles” an award fought for by multiple defensive lineman, and multiple linebackers
Jonngotti - January 24, 2012 via mobile
no I am not mad, I just don’t think our very good MLB is on the same level as our All Pro LT. Joe Thomas is clearly the best LT in the NFL, Jackson is clearly not the best MLB and might not be in the top 4-5. I just think he is going to overvalue himself, just like Peyton Hillis and want far more than what we are willing to pay/offer. This will be his only chance to get a big pay day and he will be looking to cash in big.
PaduaDSP - January 24, 2012
I hope he can cash in… if not in Cleveland, then somewhere.
He seems to be a good dude, on top of being a good MLB
Notice, I do not call him great. I don’t know his stats,,, but he was a part of the browns terrible run D. He does make tons of tackles, 5 yards past the L.O.S.
Just like A.Davis used too, he won’t let ya by, but, he doesn’t seem inclined to attack.
Maybe, however, that’s his role in the Scheme the Browns used.
mr.saturday.night - January 24, 2012
Heckert gave big deals to Rubin and Gocong as well I believe. Maybe some others. The point of saving our money during free agency is to spend it on the good players we already have. I think DQ is one of those guys and he’s still on the right side of 30, so I think he’ll get a deal.
notthatnoise - January 24, 2012
Bingo
rufio - January 24, 2012
This is all speculation. The Browns haven’t had a player to sign in the H&H regime that is the level of DQ though. They were all lower level guys like Gocong and moore.
Also, H&H did say the want him back and would try to resign him. He says he wants to be back. Because of the mutual desire, money may not be as big of an issue as it would be with Hillis.
bross09 - January 24, 2012
Rubin I would say played at the same level as DQ
HenryDawg - January 24, 2012
I forgot about Rubin. He also got a bigger deal than the type PaduaDSP was talking about.
bross09 - January 24, 2012
I guess the length of Rubins contract, 3 years 18 mil guaranteed, makes it seem a bit underwhelming to me but that’s just my opinion. Another issue for me is that 3 years from now Rubin and both Taylor’s and Sheards contracts will all be up at the same time. I really don’t see how we would possibly be able to keep all of them three years from now. I suppose by then we will just be ready to kick Rubin to the curb.
PaduaDSP - January 25, 2012
Maybe, hopefully not but your roster is in constant flux, whether it be free agency, retirement, or players not working out.
HenryDawg - January 25, 2012
Who is his agent?
JustBob - January 24, 2012
Brian mackler who has been around for a while, but doesn’t represent the big superstars. A lot of very good, low key players like DQ. He did go on the record and chastize the Browns last year for not giving DQ a multi-year deal. make of that what you will.
bross09 - January 24, 2012
Does the fact that he’s been interviewed in the Boston Globe mean that he’s moving to the Patriots in Free Agency. :-((
Aussie Brown - January 24, 2012
I think it’s because our beat writers stink.
Why is the plain dealer not doing this interview?
Bernie19Kosar - January 24, 2012
Because they suck and maybe DQ is located in Massa?
SpecialBrownie - January 24, 2012
Pssh, listening to players is NOT part of Tony’s job description, pal.
Adrock2099 - January 24, 2012
Love the picture
Bernie19Kosar - January 24, 2012
You were the one who said someone should use it, right? I figured I needed a change anyway. It’s such an awesomely 80’s picture.
Adrock2099 - January 24, 2012
Is that Bob Golic?
dawgtribe - January 25, 2012
Nah man….. that’s MAD DOG Golic.
aka Bob
Vududawg - January 25, 2012
That was my favorite poster as a kid! Right over the bed, thanks for the memories.
Vududawg - January 25, 2012
Because Grossi is “pathetic” and an “irrelevant reporter”
Kimble_79 - January 24, 2012
Pay da man! I think he is one of the key players now that can bring continuity to the defense. Plus he played angry this year and was just all over the field making plays. We need a D with a chip on their shoulder IMO.
browndawgbacker - January 24, 2012 via iPhone app
I know this is about DQ on this, but it was just reported, Peyton Manning said he has no clue what his future is with the Colts. He said everything has changed. SO I am assuming the only quarterback the Browns will be able to consider with the number 4 pick is RGIII, because it sounds as though Irsay will be as he said “Drafting Luck”. I am thinking Peyton Manning will retire
champion64 - January 24, 2012
I think if Manning hits free agency and he is healthy, he goes to a place like Arizona. They have an offense tailor made for him, vertical passing game, great WR, decent running game and offensive line, half way decent defense, warm weather city that plays lots of teams in domes/other warm weather cities. Everyone seems to think he would go to the Jets but I think that would be a bad move for Petyon. Does he really want to go to a division where he has to play Brady/Belicheck twice a year? I would argue probably not.
PaduaDSP - January 24, 2012
Do you think we are set on RGIII? How about this scenario trade down, and acquire draft picks and wait till next year to draft a QB? Our extra picks we acquire by trading down we take a shot at Barkley or Jones next year? any thoughts of that?
champion64 - January 24, 2012
the problem I have with this theory is we have no idea if we will be in position to do that next year or not. I think this team is inevitably going to improve next year, maybe only to 6 wins but that drops us into the 10-15 range, which puts us well out of range to get Barkley outright and with no idea who will be QB needy in front of us. We sit in a pretty good position to get RG3 out right or pay a much smaller price this year than we would have to pay next year. Barkley probably sits as the best QB in next years draft and will likely go #1 overall if a QB needy teams sit in that spot and to be honest I would much rather have RG3 than Landry Jones.
PaduaDSP - January 24, 2012
Landry Jones may just need another year. NOT comparing him to Tom Brady, but Tom Brady did not even win the outright starters job as a senior at Michigan till later in the season. He shared that duty with Drew Henson. Sometimes that extra year helps them. I dont know much about him.
champion64 - January 24, 2012
I think Landry Jones is a mess right now especially in the confidence department. He had a terrible year this year. As I said right now I have much more faith in RG3 than I do in waiting a year to see if Landry Jones gets it together.
PaduaDSP - January 24, 2012
Tom Brady doesn’t really compare to any other QB.
notthatnoise - January 24, 2012
Exactly.
TheDriveStillHurts - January 25, 2012
Jones is a smart guy and I could see him turning it around next year.
HenryDawg - January 24, 2012
Agreed. Don’t wait to pick up the QB if you can.
Aussie Brown - January 24, 2012
I don’t want us to trade down. We need an exceptional, impact player on offence. If we don’t use our high pick this year, then when? If both RGIII and Blackmon are gone, maybe trade down using Kalil. But only as an absolutely last resort, and not 21 spots like last year. Remember, even then they had to burn a 3rd rounder to pick the player they wanted.
Aussie Brown - January 24, 2012
The writing has been on the wall for Manning since the owner let the Polians and Caldwell go.
rufio - January 24, 2012
Somewhere around here, is a pre-season prediction thread. If I remember correctly, I had DQ52 being comeback player of the year. Along with, Cam Newton being ROY. If I am remembering correctly, all other predictions weren’t even in the ballpark. Can’t be sure, wish I could find it to review. Any leads?.
DawgsNHawgs - January 25, 2012
I remember getting lumped in with Rocland when I said I think this team has a ceiling of 5-11. Yours is here. You called for an 11-5 season. You had DQ listed as our surprise player of the year.
North Coast Flea - January 28, 2012
Here and here are instances of my correct prediction. Here is the one I’m ashamed of was my prediction that this would be a certain mythical creature’s breakout season.
North Coast Flea - January 28, 2012
Heh, proofread fail.
North Coast Flea - January 28, 2012
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