Over the next couple weeks we're going to talk about the free agents at each major position. Last week we talked about the quarterbacks. Today we're covering the running backs. It looks like 2012 is going to be another deep free agent class with a lot of high profile players and the running backs are no exception.
With Peyton Hillis set to hit free agency, the Cleveland Browns very well may be in the market for a running back. Unless they actually trust the injury prone Montario Hardesty to take on the starting role. The Browns also have Brandon Jackson but he has yet to play in a regular season game for us since suffering a toe injury last preseason. Some people have speculated that the Browns will address the issue by drafting Trent Richardson, but that remains to be seen. There are still a lot of things that will happen between now and then, which includes a deep pool of top notch free agent running backs. Though, which of them are due for a franchise tag?
Remember, if you think there is a potential FA RB that the Browns should target that might have been overlooked or is even just worth mentioning, feel free to discuss that here. Think of this as a free agency open thread dealing with running backs.
- Peyton Hillis (CLE - 26) – First and foremost, I feel that the smartest move the Browns can make in free agency this year is retaining Peyton Hillis. That is, as always, if the price is right. It’s true that last season Hillis was plagued by injuries and was generally unproductive. But I’m still not buying into the manufactured controversy. It’s also not worth ignoring the potential that we saw the year before. Even by the end of the season we saw his return to form, at least against the Ravens in Week 16. With a full recovery and without the target on his back coming from the Madden cover, I still think Hillis can be the running back that the Browns' offense needs him to be. He fits the system and if the front office can come to terms, I think he wants to be here. Now, as much as I think the Browns should bring back Hillis, the chances of that actually happening are much slimmer. This time in past years, the front office was pretty open about the guys they wanted back. On the Hillis situation, quite the opposite seems to be the case. I don’t expect to see Hillis in a Browns jersey next season, but I hope whatever decision they make that it turns out to be the right one.
- Ray Rice (BAL - 25) – Ray Rice is probably the best running back in this year’s free agent class. But he’s also going to be among the hardest to obtain. If the Baltimore Ravens can’t get a new deal done, they’ll likely franchise tag him and focus on other contract issues. A franchise tag for a back like Rice shouldn’t be at all surprising. He’s been among the most consistently productive running backs over the past three seasons both on the ground and receiving. All the while, he’s never made his contract situation a distraction nor threatened to hold out at any point. To put it simply, he’s just about a picture perfect running back and the Ravens would be crazy to let him go. And that’s why they won’t.
- Matt Forte (CHI - 26) – Matt Forte is definitely among the top tier running backs as well. He was one of the few free agent backs that I wouldn't have mind seeing replace Hillis if that deal never materialized. However, it would appear that he, too, may be unobtainable. It seems that the Chicago Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips is entirely willing to go all in to keep Forte with the Bears. As good as I think Forte is, I was still surprised to hear that news. Not only does that give Forte more leverage in future negotiations, but he’s also made it clear that he wouldn’t be happy about a franchise tag. I’d imagine the last thing the Bears would want is to have Forte holdout during training camp when they could have hammered a deal out months before. While Forte was on pace for what could have been the best season of his career, he did suffer a sprained MCL in Week 13 and was placed on injured reserve. Despite the injury, I think Forte is in for a big pay day and I think the Bears will be signing the check.
- Marshawn Lynch (SEA - 25) – Marshawn Lynch has certainly had his ups and downs both on and off the field. He came out of the gate strong and had two good years with the Buffalo Bills from 2007 to 2008. But his slew of legal troubles held him back. He was suspended for the first three games of the 2009 season and eventually lost his starting job to Fred Jackson. The Bills traded Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks the following season. Then in the final year of his contract and first full season with the Seahawks Lynch had just the breakout season he needed, which was also the best of his career. With Lynch avoiding any further legal issues since being in Seattle, it would be smart for the Seahawks to retain him. He could even potentially be the third candidate among free agent running backs to be franchise tagged, especially considering that route will be cheaper for teams than it has been in years.
- Michael Bush (OAK - 27) – Michael Bush is about as reliable a backup running back as you can ask a backup to be. His latest season also showed that he can be effective catching out of the backfield. But in addition to that, it showed that he’s not the kind of back you want to take the full load. He’s filled in well for an injury prone Darren McFadden over the past few seasons. I think where ever he ends up in 2012, he will add excellent depth at the position.
- Mike Tolbert (SD - 26) – Mike Tolbert is another solid running back that adds depth. He’s proven himself to be quite an effective goal line back and he, too, is a receiving threat out of the backfield.
Honorable Mention:
- Arian Foster (HOU - 25) Restricted – As an RFA, it’s not likely that the Houston Texans will let Arian Foster go. Even after some serious injury concerns to begin the season, when Foster was finally able to return to the field at 100 percent in Week 4 he blew the doors off once again. He finished with another remarkable season.
are you gonna make an article about FA RTs?
pwndabear - February 13, 2012
must… resist… urge…. to make… infantile… joke…. aarrrrgh…..
Vududawg - February 13, 2012
i already beat you to the joke.
pwndabear - February 13, 2012
Kudos… I like the subtle ones
Vududawg - February 13, 2012
That was subtle?
TheDriveStillHurts - February 13, 2012
i only said FA RT once as opposed to 5 times.
pwndabear - February 13, 2012
SBDs…Those are typically the worst ones, too.
Brownsbacker488 - February 13, 2012
FA RTs are probably going to be lumped in a larger post about OL.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
FA RT’s and lumps really shouldn’t be in the same sentence.
Kaner - February 13, 2012
why not? some of the best FA RTs are lumped together!
pwndabear - February 13, 2012
But if you push for them you could be in trouble.
Brownie's Year - February 13, 2012
i tried. i cant come up with anything near this perfect. bravo.
pwndabear - February 13, 2012
More fiber could help.
Doc's Kid - February 13, 2012
That would make it worse.
Brownie's Year - February 13, 2012
At least we’d have some consistency.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
Depends..
Kaner - February 13, 2012
you’d need em if you pushed some lumped together FA RTs too hard.
pwndabear - February 13, 2012
stock up on depends. :)
Poppawolf - February 13, 2012
Beautiful.
notthatnoise - February 14, 2012
I wouldn’t mind pushing for a FA RT so long as they have no history of hernias. That would just be a butt load of money down the drain for us.
Brownsbacker488 - February 13, 2012
Well played, sir.
JustBob - February 13, 2012
I saw that this post was up over 100 comments and thought, “I’d better join this, there must be some serious RB discussions going on.” How foolish of me to forget that I was on DBN…
Dawg Nuts - February 14, 2012
imagine the running power we would have if we were able to retain Hillis at a good price as well as get Forte? We would be unstoppable.
pwndabear - February 13, 2012
Yeah, that does make one salivate, but can you realistically see us getting Forte without giving up at least a 1st rounder?
Vududawg - February 13, 2012
dream on
27BUCKEYE27 - February 13, 2012
That will never be a legitimate option.
Brownsbacker488 - February 13, 2012
I imagine if we get really strong FA RT we would be able to clear some big holes for Hillis to run through…
Poppawolf - February 14, 2012
Sorry, I’ll stop…promise
Poppawolf - February 14, 2012
I don’t want to break the bank on $10 million RBs. Give Hillis 4-5 million a year and let him pound it out. Especially if we can stretch the field a bit and have any semblance of run blocking on the right side. The fact that he’s one of only a couple players to run for over 100 against Bmore twice is in itself a good enough reason to keep him. If they can actually carry out the plan for last year and keep him fresh with Jackson, Hardesty and now Obi, he should be extremely productive. He also can catch.
HenryDawg - February 13, 2012
4-5 is too much. i would say 3 max
pwndabear - February 13, 2012
We are paying Gocong like 6 mil. Hillis is better then Gocong.
-bobby- - February 13, 2012
Agree 110%
27BUCKEYE27 - February 13, 2012
Agree with Bobby
27BUCKEYE27 - February 13, 2012
Hillis will get 5 elsewhere and be gone
27BUCKEYE27 - February 13, 2012
I agree, 3-4 sounds right.
If he can get his head right and Jackson can stay healthy, I think they could be a pretty effective tandem. I also like the fact that they are both a threat catching the ball out of the backfield or on screens.
Vududawg - February 13, 2012
We have Owen Marecic for that.
Dawg Nuts - February 14, 2012
I’d be happy with that.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
Bush and Tolbert are intriguing, but not exciting. Definitely not worth breaking the bank for. I think I would be more disposed to want to keep Hillis than go after those guys.
As far as the rest, its hard to imagine any of those guys not being retained, or at least given the tag or a first round tender.
Vududawg - February 13, 2012
I’m not sure Oakland won’t just tag Michael Bush as well. They’d have a nice chunk of money tied up in RBs, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did it anyway.
nickjs21 - February 13, 2012
I’ve seen Tolbert wants to stay in SD because his wife is from there. I’d be interested in Bush and Hillis.
I don’t expect Forte to get away from the Bears because the ownership after firing Angelo said it’s a priority to keep Forte around.
Roger Dorn - February 13, 2012
Even as more and more of the carries are transitioning to Ryan Matthews, I think SD would be happy to keep him aboard. They make for a nice 1-2 punch, just not for fantasy owners.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
From what I hear on the radio here he will most likely stay in SD. The fans love him.
Brownie's Year - February 13, 2012
You know me. Hate spending $$ on RB’s. Here are some cheap ones I do like.
Kalil Bell: Restricted free agent, if the Bears keep Forte, they may be willing to let Bell walk. Looked good at the end of this season carrying the Bears offense.
Justin Forsett: His YPC has dropped every season since his rookie season, but he has shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and return kicks previously.
I would rather use one of these guys with Hardesty and Jackson and see what we have then go big ticket.
Bernie19Kosar - February 13, 2012
I would like Forsett. He’d be a nice addition without too much money.
macdowellm03 - February 13, 2012
I think we need to find a balance in not spending too much but having a legitimate #1 running back. I think Hillis is that balance. If he’s asking for Chris Johnson money, let him walk.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
If he asks for Chris Johnson money, he’s stupid.
macdowellm03 - February 13, 2012
This has been mentioned as a distinct possibility…….
DaveDawg09 - February 13, 2012
That’s ridiculous, NO runningback deserves 5 million, except maybe AP, and he’s future is in question with is ACL-MCL thing.
macdowellm03 - February 13, 2012
By the same media source that said Cribbs was demanding Hester money?
JustBob - February 13, 2012
Cribbs got Hester money. With his incentives he can make more money than Hester.
Bernie19Kosar - February 13, 2012
I think that’s a huge point. Personally, I’d like to see the Browns re-sign Hillis but would like to see the deal be high on the incentives side and lower on the base salary side. Could be the win-win scenario… Does anyone know how those components of contracts tie into the salary cap?
Mal Reynolds - February 14, 2012
I don’t really know under the new CBA. I think most of the teams are still trying to figure that stuff out.
Bernie19Kosar - February 14, 2012
I was unaware of that. I thought Hester got some gawdawful big contract. HOwever, if Cribbs is able to hit those incentives, by all means, pay da man!
JustBob - February 14, 2012
I meant it has been suggested that Hillis is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, both because of his contract demands and locker room behavior.
DaveDawg09 - February 14, 2012
If either guy is our number 1, I think we are in trouble. I hear you about rb’s, but at the same time, our offense was loads better when Hillis was healthy.
Roger Dorn - February 13, 2012
All of this. RBs are like guards and centers, their marginal value over other RBs is not as high as other positions, but you still need good ones. You can’t just plug in anyone and see what happens. Two very good examples of that: (1) This season with and without Hillis — we saw the difference; (2) last season’s Green Bay Packers with Brandon Jackson — he was not very good as a full-time back and their offense suffered without Ryan Grant until James Starks found stride in the playoffs. Two good examples of the difference between average RBs and good RBs.
TheDriveStillHurts - February 13, 2012
It’s also worth noting that the Packers and the Patriots (two teams without top tier running backs) have elite head coaches with elite QBs. They can compensate for the lesser backs.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
Yup. And if we went into the year with Hardesty, Brandon Jackson and Ogbonaya, we would have way worse running games than either of those teams.
TheDriveStillHurts - February 13, 2012
If that was the trio and Colt as QB, I might not even watch the games next year.
Roger Dorn - February 14, 2012
Sadly that’s one Brandon Jackson than what we had last year
HenryDawg - February 14, 2012 via mobile
Brandon Jackson after missing a year isn’t making a difference, hate to break it to everyone.
Roger Dorn - February 15, 2012
I agree, its basically the same.
HenryDawg - February 15, 2012
Excellent point. Manning and the Colts post Edgerrin James is another example.
Mal Reynolds - February 14, 2012
Forsett sucks
24rubikscube - February 13, 2012
Though I have no idea what it would cost, and I already know it would cost too much, I’d rather try to trade for Pierre Thomas over any of these guys. New Orleans has, last I checked, 19 RBs on their roster, and I really like Thomas.
nickjs21 - February 13, 2012
Forte is the best player on the Bears hands down. He can be a very reliable receiver and a stud running back, although we probably won’t get him. Living in Chicago, there would be riots if the Bears can’t retain Forte.
abock15 - February 13, 2012
As out of fashion as running backs are today, I could see Jim Brown falling to us at number 4 and people arguing against taking him. And I’m talking about Brown in his youth.
Kaner - February 13, 2012
Perfect.
Spidey - February 13, 2012 via mobile
In today’s game I wouldn’t take Brown at 4.
Brownie's Year - February 13, 2012
It would be a waste.
Bernie19Kosar - February 13, 2012
I am willing to make the bet that Richardson will not be the best back of all time. And I think he’ll be really good.
rufio - February 13, 2012
Different brands of football are being played now compared to Brown in his prime.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
And that might just be a shame. The bread and circus providers of the NFL have decided we can only have a circus. Our attention span isn’t long enough to suffer through a good run game. Let’s just air it out so we can all say “wooo”.
Kaner - February 13, 2012
Judging by the explosion of the NFL, it looks like its working.
Bernie19Kosar - February 13, 2012
People also figured out that they could level playing fields by passing the ball. It is kind of like the 3-4 defense; teams figured they could get one elite NT that everyone else wanted, then fill the rest of the defense with “tweeners” that fell down draft boards because they didn’t fit the 4-3.
Now, people figure they can get one elite QB and he’ll make your offense look good with similarly de-valued players around him.
This stuff is all cyclical and must exist in balance. If the NFL ever swings to being too pass-happy (it probably won’t) some team will start cramming the ball down everyone’s throats. We’re already seeing it in college; teams got faster and smaller and more and more spread, then Stanford and Wisconsin recruit a bunch of big ol’ linemen, pound the rock, and win because everyone recruits to stop “the spread.”
rufio - February 14, 2012
Yeah, but he was fun to watch…Browns kicked ass back then…
Poppawolf - February 13, 2012
Oh, I definitely agree on that. I love Jim Brown highlights. But the game was different back then. Jim Brown caliber running backs are no longer the key ingredient to a championship team.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
Even then, Jim Brown type RBs were never the key to a championship team. JB won one championship. Otto Graham won 7, and Johnny Unitas won 3. Even then, it was a QB’s league.
TheDriveStillHurts - February 14, 2012
Good point.
Kaner - February 14, 2012
NFL players are a lot bigger and faster today than when JB ran the ball..he was hard to tackle, because a was so darn big (6’ 2, 232 lbs)…I think he would have done well today…he had 2500 yards as a receiver. With modern science, diet, weight training today, who’s to say he would not have been bigger and stronger back…still its hard to imagine JB achieving the same numbers.
Poppawolf - February 14, 2012
Just an FYI, if you have NFLN they are doing a 2 part documentary on integration in the NFL and the Browns and Paul Brown will be a big part of that as the first team to integrate. Starts tonight at 8pm and tomorrow same time.
HenryDawg - February 14, 2012
Forte, Rice, or Lynch would be good backs but I don’t think they would be worth it. I think Hillis would be worth what it would take to retain him.
Otherwise, draft a RB and go with what we got.
rufio - February 13, 2012
If Hillis is asking for too much and Forte, Rice, and Lynch are all tagged, I wouldn’t mind another shot at a second/third round RB. I still think Hillis is our best option so we can use the draft to address other needs. I just don’t like the idea of creating another hole because the FO was tired of locker room “drama.” If Hillis goes elsewhere at a price that was entirely reasonable for us to pay, it’ll really disappointing.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
This is always been our problem since 1999. We can never build anything because we’re always shipping our good building blocks out the door.
HenryDawg - February 13, 2012
I’m with you.
rufio - February 14, 2012
But I also hope we get a sweet supplemental pick.
rufio - February 14, 2012
Compensatory picks are awesome.
Brownie's Year - February 14, 2012
I don’t think Hillis will be asking for much. He got a lot of media hype two seasons ago, but even that season wasn’t amazing. Then he was injured most of this season. He’s not a home run threat, and now he has a lot of negatives associated with him. NFL teams know that he hasn’t really played at a great level in a while, and that means his agent does too. They can ask for big money, but I don’t think they get it.
notthatnoise - February 14, 2012
I would also be for drafting a RB in 2nd round. All those other backs would be too costly or unavailable. Hillis at $3.5 maybe $4, but no more.
kamasutraman_007 - February 13, 2012
how about 3 mil plus incentives?
Poppawolf - February 13, 2012
Are we maybe forgetting how Hillis was last year? The agent thing with the strep throat, fooling around on the side line when he allegedly wasn’t healthy enough to play. Having to have an intervention in the locker room where he was pretty much always off to himself. I understand that signing him might be a quick way out of our RB problems but I wonder if we can take all that drama again.
Kaner - February 13, 2012
The drama happened because it was a contract year and he had a terrible agent. New agent, non-contract year, I don’t think it will be a problem.
rufio - February 14, 2012
Did he get another agent?
HenryDawg - February 14, 2012
He has had multiple (I think the count is past 3 now) over the past two seasons.
Bernie19Kosar - February 14, 2012
Some of the drama was real, but a lot of it (most?) was a media creation. I agree with rufio in that I don’t think there will be anymore drama. After all, Hillis came back at the end of the season and played his ass off.
notthatnoise - February 14, 2012
My big fear is that we see Hillis twice next year in black and gold. That would be a hateful thing.
Brownsyup - February 13, 2012
Mendenhall ought to keep that from happening. But yes, that would be dreadful.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
Mendenhall maybe lost for the year with that ACL.
Kaner - February 13, 2012
True, but he’s only 24 years old. It’d be crazy for the Steelers to break the bank on a 1 year band-aid.
Jon @ DBN - February 13, 2012
Am I the only person who thinks Mendenhall kinda sucks?
Bernie19Kosar - February 14, 2012
I’ve always hoped he was overrated, but his last three seasons have been solid. To have 813 for 3,367 yards, 4.1 avg and 29 TDs at 24 years old isn’t bad. Whether he can sustain that after he retains from the ACL tear remains to be seen. He’s certainly not an all-pro running back, but up until the injury, he was sufficient.
Jon @ DBN - February 14, 2012
And it’s not like he has had some amazing O-line either.
TheDriveStillHurts - February 14, 2012
His stats have been solid and the numbers haven’t been bad, but I think that is partially the product of having a huge, mauling O-Line that can push the other team back extremely well.
bross09 - February 14, 2012
You can say what you want about this “mauling O-Line” of Pittsburgh’s, I think “suck” is too strong at this point. I stand by my opinion that he’s sufficient.
Jon @ DBN - February 14, 2012
He is sufficient for their needs. He puts up solid numbers, but he is a steeler and benefits from an O-Line that is the NFLs version of Wisconsin…so he sucks.
He also isn’t a receiving threat at all. To me, he is a bit better Cedric Benson with a much better O-Line.
bross09 - February 14, 2012
You’re talking extremely highly of 5 very overrated Steelers.
Jon @ DBN - February 14, 2012
Yeah I think that o-line sucks. So does Mendenhall.
In general, the Steelers suck.
Bernie19Kosar - February 14, 2012
I think their O-Line can’t pass block for crap, but can push the DL back well.
bross09 - February 15, 2012
I’m with you in that I think he’s sufficient, but that isn’t exactly high praise.
notthatnoise - February 15, 2012
you and every single other person who has ever posted here on DBN.
pwndabear - February 14, 2012
nope. He has the 3rd best O-Line according to football outsiders and he barely rushes above 4 ypc.
bross09 - February 14, 2012
no
Poppawolf - February 14, 2012
I thinks all Steelers suck :)
Poppawolf - February 14, 2012
Nope.
rufio - February 15, 2012
I think he kinda sucks, but he has been held back a bit by their O-line troubles too.
DaveDawg09 - February 14, 2012
I feel the same way, but at least we have the fact they are in the midst of managing some salary cap pains, and since it sounds like he’s looking for pretty good money, he’d probably have to take a discount to sign there. Plus they still have Mendenhall on their roster to pay, even on IR.
Now the Bengals, who are apparently parting ways with Benson, well, I hope Mike Brown doesn’t suddenly loosen his purse strings uncharacteristically.
ouched - February 14, 2012
With the Bengals being 40 million dollars under the cap, they could really do some serious dealing in free agency. That along with getting lucky in last years draft and a decent position in this years draft could really improve their team. It would make chasing them down from behind just that much harder.
Kaner - February 14, 2012
I can see 3 big FAs going to Cincy.
Brownie's Year - February 14, 2012
Hillis
You know I read story after story on the Browns.What is the reason we can’t keep Hillis? Is it a money issue,if so make his contract read to the fact he has to play a whole year first if he gets hurt then his contract has to reflect that.Build incentives in to performance based guidelines,and make it worth it to him.
To me he is the old school looking true football machine.Hell I could see him sitting on the sidelines smoking a cigarette.Yes look at old films that really used to happen.I think he has been one of the bright spots in an otherwise average(term used in positive thinking) team.
I really haven’t found what the problem is and what he wants to stay.If I have missed that I will gladly take a link to explain this to me.Yes he was injured(too long maybe) but when he came back we started seeing again what he is capable of doing for this team.
Some of the other blogs or whatever you call them I keep seeing Matt Flynns name coming in to discussion.Once again why? Just click on his name and look at his stats.Everyone has said he has been nothing but a bench warmer for 2 pretty good QB’s.He did start 15 games in like 2009 and his stats are some of the worst I have ever compared.He certainly can’t run to save his life(important in Cleveland) look at his numbers….please smart people on here,set me straight.
And I for one want “Luck” on the back of a Browns Jersey,It could happen.My guess is were going to trade that 4th pick and probably get little or nothing for it in return..who knows? Go Browns….please!
Rxshun2011 - February 14, 2012
Those are two excellent reasons why we should re-sign him.
Is there some other Matt Flynn that I don’t know about? One who backed up two good QBs (not one)? and one who started 15 games when he was a rookie (instead of 2 games in the last two years)?
TheDriveStillHurts - February 14, 2012
I think he could be a good RB for the Browns..Hammy injuries take a long time to heal….he tried to come back to soon and reinjured it…I think he deserves another chance on the Browns…at the right price of course…
Poppawolf - February 14, 2012
I would love to see Michael Bush here. I think he can be a number one back.
RyanBr - February 14, 2012 via Android app
I would like to see Hillis back, 3-4 mil range is about right for him but…
1. Is our FO really interested in keeping him?
2. Is Hillis really interested in staying here?
We can all say we’d pay 3-4 mil for him, even if he would take 3-4 mil, would he want to take it from us?
His first agent may have been a total ass but when you change agents 3 or more times in two years, right before contract time, that looks like he’s wanting huge money or just out of here for somewhere specific that an agent has good rapport with.
If the Bears don’t tag Forte & Hillis is gone, he would be a great replacement as he is a hard runner with very good hands like Hillis. Providing he’d wanna come here that is, because he wants big money & it’s probably more than what Hillis wants & I
doubt we’d goknow we won’t go that high.Groza - February 14, 2012
Indeed, combined with “How much $ does he want?” those are the three biggest questions surrounding the situation.
Jon @ DBN - February 14, 2012
I would say the odds of getting Forte are about as good as getting Brees. The only exception would be if his injury was really bad, in which case, not sure you want him anyway.
HenryDawg - February 14, 2012
That injury only keeps a player out for a little while. He’s probably fine right now. But it is the second time that he’s done that which is more concerning.
Brownie's Year - February 14, 2012
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