May 18, 2013

NFL Free Agents: Running Backs

February 15, 2012 by 25 Comments

League-wide free agency begins March 13th. The Browns have stated all along they prefer to build the team through the draft, but will take a look at the players available in free agency. Previously we looked at the receivers available. Then a glance at the linebackers. Next, we stared longingly at offensive tackles before finishing last week with quarterbacks. We started this week by looking at defensive ends, and then moved on to safeties. Today we go back to the offensive side of the ball with running backs.

The Browns were 28th in rushing yards last season, and dead last in rushing touchdowns with 4. There is no sense in even bringing up the drama and injuries that plagued the team. It appears the front office is not in agreement with what to do with free agent Peyton Hillis, and we’re not even sure if Hillis really wants to sign another deal in Cleveland. What we do know is that the Browns will have Chris Ogbonnaya and Monterio Hardesty back (assuming they want both) as well as Brandon Jackson, who missed the entire season. It seems a certainty that if the Browns don’t sign Hillis, they will target a back in the draft. Or, could one of these free agents fill the void?

LaRod Stephens-Howling (ARZ) 24, 295 yds, 4.1 per – Restricted

Chester Taylor (ARZ) 32, 4,740 yds, 4.1 per

Antone Smith (ATL) 26, -3 yds, -3.0 per – Exclusive Rights

Jason Snelling (ATL) 28, 1,193 yds, 4.0 per

Ray Rice (BAL) 25, 4,377 yds, 4.6 per

Tashard Choice (BUF) 27, 1,216 yds, 4.4 per

Kahlil Bell (CHI) 25, 557 yds, 4.7 per – Restricted

Matt Forte (CHI) 26, 4,233 yds, 4.2 per

Cedric Benson (CIN) 29, 5,769 yds, 3.8 per

Chris Pressley (CIN) 25, no carries – Restricted

Peyton Hillis (CLE) 26, 2,161 yds, 4.2 per

Sammy Morris (DAL) 34, 3.053 yds, 4.1 per

Lance Ball (DEN) 26, 643 yds, 4.3 per – Exclusive Rights

LenDale White (DEN) 27, 2,349 yds, 3.7 per

Maurice Morris (DET) 32, 3,648 yds, 4.2 per

Kevin Smith (DET) 25, 2,212 yds, 3.9 per

Ryan Grant (GB) 29, 4,016 yds, 4.3 per

Arian Foster (HOU) 25, 3,097 yds, 4.7 per – Restricted

Derrick Ward (HOU) 31, 2,628 yds, 4.8 per

Jackie Battle (KC) 28, 597 yds, 3.8 per

Thomas Jones (KC) 33, 10,591 yds, 4.0 per

Le’Ron McClain (KC) 27, 1,236 yds, 3.8 per

Lex Hilliard (MIA) 27, 130 yds, 3.3 per- Restricted

Steve Slaton (MIA) 26, 1,896 yds, 4.3 per

Lorenzo Booker (MIN) 27, 230 yds, 3.8 per – Restricted

Kevin Faulk (NE) 35, 3,607 yds, 4.2 per

BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE) 26, 2,064 yds, 4.0 per

LaDainian Tomlinson (NYJ) 32, 13,684 yds, 4.3 per

Michael Bush (OAK) 27, 2,642 yds, 4.2 per

Rock Cartwright (OAK) 32, 956 yds, 4.2 per

Ronnie Brown (PHI) 30, 4,951 yds, 4.2 per

Mewelde Moore (PIT) 29, 2,247 yds, 4.5 per

Isaac Redman (PIT) 27, 726 yds, 4.5 per – Exclusive Rights

Jacob Hester (SD) 26, 319 yds, 3.4 per

Mike Tolbert (SD) 26, 1,410 yds, 4.1 per

Justin Forsett (SEA) 26, 1,287 yds, 4.6 per

Marshawn Lynch (SEA) 25, 4,542 yds, 4.0 per

Brit Miller (STL) 25, 14 yds, 2.8 per – Restricted

Jerious Norwood (STL) 28, 2,056 yds, 5.2 per

Cadillac Williams (STL) 29, 4,038 yds, 3.8 per

LeGarrette Blount (TB) 25, 1,788 yds, 4.6 per- Exclusive Rights

Earnest Graham (TB) 32, 2,047 yds, 4.3 per

Tim Hightower (WAS) 25, 2,054 yds, 3.9 per

The player’s age is listed after their current team, with career yards and yards per carry following.

The gem of this list is Foster, but he is also restricted, and there is no situation I could foresee in which he ends up playing for someone other than the Texans next season. Ray Rice and Marshawn Lynch are also not likely to end up anywhere but their respective teams.

I think Forte’s situation is intriguing. He tried to get an extended deal from the Bears before the season began, but ended up with nothing, and then got hurt. If the Bears try to use the injury as an excuse not to pay Forte, couldn’t you see him leaving them?

If the Browns were to add a back through free agency, it would likely be of the Peyton Hillis, Brandon Jackson variety. What I mean is a player that hasn’t had too many opportunities in the pro game, but one that the organization thinks can add value.

Is there a player on the list you would like to see the Browns target? Should they try and keep Hillis?

Related Posts

Zemanta
Filed Under: Browns Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
  • Nobody1231234

    Wow, there’s a lot of options on this list…this may be an area where the Browns look to free agency, if they feel they need a running back

  • REEPJP

    I can’t believe Marshawn Lynch is only 25…seems like he was in Buffalo for quite a while before getting moved to Seattle.  He’s been a beast for the Seahawks for a 4th and conditional draft pick.

    To think that he is one of the youngest guys on this list just blows my mind. 

  • Vindictive_Pat

    My favorite option was the last guy on the list… Tim Hightower.  He was putting together a pretty good season with Washington and their poor offensive line before getting injured.  When he came back, he found that he had lost his starting spot to Evan Royster.  We all know Shanahan thinks he can just grow a running back somewhere out back next to the tomatoes, so he might actually hit the free agent market.  I wouldn’t mind if the Browns picked him up, but I’d rather they draft David Wilson in the 2nd round.

  • http://twitter.com/bbo13 B-bo

    So…just grab Rice and Forte and call it a day, right? How am I not running a professional sports team yet?

    Honestly, I think Hightower could be a very nice (and realistic) pickup. And I know about the leg, but Michael Bush seems like he’d be a nice fit in this system: averaged over 11 ypc out of the backfield this past season (on almost 40 catches). He may not be pure RB1 material, but sharing the workload? I’d go for it.

  • saggy

    they want to build through the draft because it is cheaper.  Boo.
    go out and spend some darn loot if you want to WIN.  Obviously he wouldn’t sign with us, but why wouldn’t you make a huge offer to a guy like Ray Rice?  Makes no sense to me.  They have been saving money for years.  The Browns certainly have it to spend.  Instead, as usual, they will sign 7 marginal players for the same amount as 1 Ray Rice.

  • saggy

    I also think Derrick Ward would be a nice signing.

  • BuckeyeDawg

     I’m with you there…Figured he was approaching 30.  I would consider making him an offer with that in mind…

  • https://twitter.com/jimkanicki jimkanicki

    trent richardson is a beast there’s no denying.  physically the best back since.. dickerson?  in a long time anyway.  i want to get behind him. 

    but.  

    whenever i watched bama — and bama has a better o-line than the browns — richardson seemed to dance and wait for holes to open rather than just hitting the hole with all his power.  i cant decide whether it’s smart running or reflecting of a non-rugged attitude.

    anyone else notice the same?  it gives me the slightest pause about his eventually success.

  • mgbode

    of the guys who actually might leave their teams, I like:

    Hillis – obviously should be our top RB priority
    Tolbert – perfect WCO RB
    M. Bush – ok, doubtful Raiders let him walk w/ McF’s injury issues
    K. Bell – looked good in relief of Forte.  wonder what draft pick the Bears would demand back.
    Snelling/Forsett/Hightower – wouldn’t want any of these guys as the “main” RB, but wouldn’t mind having any of them for depth either.

  • mgbode

    you mean like on his TD in the nat’l championship game?

    yeah, it’s a double-edged sword.  he is patient and he has good vision at seeing the holes develop.  but, those holes won’t last as long in the NFL nor will they develop the same way.   it’s definitely an adjustment he is going to need to make but I see alot of Shaun Alexander in him.

  • https://twitter.com/jimkanicki jimkanicki

    i tweeted this very concern approximately 30 seconds before that run!  and promptly had my ass handed to me.  (need to get you on twitter bode!)  but even though that was a glimpse at the explosiveness, i still felt underwhelmed the rest of the game.

    i might have the read all wrong.  but if he’s the pick at 4, i wanted to be overwhelmed.

  • mgbode

    don’t forget that LSU has a sick DL too. 

    but don’t hold your breath on twitter.  i’m old fashioned that way (read: i’m too cheap to pay for a data plan and don’t have the need for it when i’m on my computer with WFNY)

  • steve-o

    If we finish building our O-line, the running game will improve regardless of which back we put behind it (assuming said back is healthy and has some ability). That is why I hope we draft O-line before RB (if we draft both). The mid rounds seem to be a good place to pick a RB. That is where a lot of the guys on this list came from. It would be surprising if we brought in a back (other than Hillis) to be the immediate starter. Mgbode, I agree with you about Tolbert. RB’s from the Chargers tend to light it up after they leave.

  • mgbode

    yeah Sproles and Turner are doing well.  funny thing is Tolbert is sort of a combination of those guys since he can run and catch (just not quite as good at either trait).

    I agree on drafting a RT high, but I don’t care which of the first 3 picks.  We can get a quality starting RT at any of those spots.   I think we are going to be fine at OG.

  • Humboldt

    “IS THAT YOU TOLBERT!”

    /Jake Taylor’d

  • Mpmholland

    Hillis all day! The guy is a monster who fell to the madden curse like countless othe cover boys have. He is blue collar and runs like Mack truck. Being him back and focus on the rt side of the line and wr

  • Joey Mac

     Derick Ward has been terrible for 3 years in Tampa, I won’t be suprised if he is done. Come on MAN!

  • Joey Mac

     Sorry 1 year in tampa and 2 in houston, hes so terrible that I didnt even know he was on the texans

  • Joemcrobie

     I agree 100%, I like Hillis, Bush and Tolbert.  Combine one of them with a draft pick, Jamir Miller, Lemichal james or chris polk 

  • Kildawg

    The first guy on the list (and only guy) they should sign is Hillis. He knows the offense, can run with power and authority, and he can catch the ball. Granted, he needs to stay healthy, but if he really loves Cleveland and playing for the Browns, he will be back. First priority though is re-signing D’Qwell Jackson, then Hillis and “Mr. Automatic” Phil Dawson. 

  • Jaker

    Isiah Pead and Doug Martin will be starters in the NFL. Mark my words.

  • Jaker

    Let’s end this debate.
    1- Resign Hillis (like our chances)
    2- If Hillis walks, go for Tolbert, but don’t overspend (not likely)
    No matter what, dont draft RB at #4. If T-Rich falls, I wouldnt mind picking him with ATL’s pick, but I’d rather get Martin or Pead in round 3-4. Even if we bring in a FA RB, I would like a mid rounder as well. I’m not sold on Hardesty or Jackson and would like them as leverage i we need to move up in the draft.

  • floydrubino

    Obviously most of the good ones will stay with their respective teams through one way or another. The best way to improve our line is sign a dominant right guard and draft a right tackle. It is stupid to spend any money on a guy unless it is ray rice or matt forte. If hillis will sign for a reasonable contract I am all for resigning him.  We will be getting back Steinbach so we could put anyone back there and they would run well. If we needed a realistic back to sign what about jackie battle for not much and taking a risk on steve slaton for next to nothing. If we sign those 2 guys and draft either lamichael james or isiah pead we would have some options for pretty cheap. I don’t want the other guys back from cleveland last year except for hardesty or hillis.

  • VEGAS Eddie

    since im not in the browns locker room i dont here all the actual talk about hillis and his attitude, all i know is that he is a powerfull runner and a very good receiver. keep him at a FAIR PRICE

  • Justin_hhi

    Resign hillis, pick up Hightower and get rid of the china doll known as hardesty. Hillis, Hightower, and Jackson would be a three headed beast