Indians 4, Royals 0: Tribe Pitches Around Trouble and Rain Delays
May 13, 2010The LeBron/Cavs Boots: Cleveland Curse, Optimism and New York Magazine
May 13, 2010Since the departure of Jamal Lewis, it seemed most of the obstacles between Jerome Harrison and a starting job were removed. The only other backs on the roster are James Davis- who essentially red-shirted his rookie season after getting injured in the now infamous “opportunity drill”, Peyton Hillis- the RB/FB brought over in the Brady Quinn trade, Chris Jennings- who hasn’t really earned his way onto the team just yet, and recently drafted Montario Hardesty. After five seasons Harrison should be the clear starter correct? Well, he would technically need to be signed in order for that to take place.
Harrison is one of several Browns that are restricted free agents. Also on that list is a man of particular importance to Harrison- fullback Lawrence Vickers. On the defensive side of the ball LB D’Qwell Jackson, S Abe Elam and OLB Matt Roth all started for the Browns last season (Roth signed mid-season and started after injuries leveled the LB corps). They are all restricted free agents as well.
The Browns offered all of them second round tenders, which means that if a team attempts to sign one of them the Browns could match the contract or let them walk and receive a second round draft pick as compensation. As you can imagine this is quite a deterrent. These contract tenders are for one season only.
There in lies the rub. These players were hoping to cash in on free agency this season. Unrestricted free agency that is. But when the union and owners failed to negotiate a new deal forcing no salary cap this season, they also increased the number of seasons a player had to have under their belt from 5 to 6 in order to qualify for unrestricted status. So instead of long term deals and some kind of security, like Jackson, Elam and Harrison in particular were hoping for, they find themselves staring at another season playing for a new contract.
D’Qwell Jackson has stated publicly that he was promised a new deal, but that was of course under old management. Abe Elam has also taken to the web looking for a multi-year deal.
The Browns start organized team activities next week, which essentially means group workouts and meetings- but don’t expect the RFAs to participate. Harrison and Elam are very significant players for this Browns team in that there really aren’t replacements for them on the roster. Hopefully the Browns will resolve these contract issues before the team opens camp.
(Hat tip- Mary Kay Cabot twitter)
9 Comments
Thank you for giving me more to worry about 😉
I miss our scintillating Anderson-Quinn debates, so I propose that Seneca Wallace should start ahead of Jake Delhomme.
/ Ducks thrown bottles, tomatoes, rotten eggs, bricks . . .
Now you know the easiest way to get a QB controversy going is to say that McCoy should start over Delhomme. And the question really isn’t IF there will be a controversy, but how many interceptions does Jake have to throw before he gets yanked.
I’m confident this will all work out, although it would be better if the situation with Harrison and Vickers worked out sooner rather than later.
As for Jackson, Elam and Roth, would the defense really miss them?
Will rookies be at OTAs? Or same situations since they are not under contract yet?
Roth maybe…
Kind of hilarious Elam want’s a long term deal.
#4- you want to go into the season with Mike Adams and the two rookies battling for the starting jobs?
I agree with Rick about the safety situation, and I don’t see us having so many DE/OLB’s that Roth is a luxury. I can’t remember anyone playing any better than him last year, and I have to believe that Wimbley’s trade had to be predicated on keeping Roth around. At least for a year.
[…] we discussed Matt Roth’s trade request. Last week it was Abe Elam who was requesting a long term deal, and “exploring his options” in order to get that type of contract. […]