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April 29, 2014
The Browns just finished an awkward “transition tagged” time period with Alex Mack, and it’s good to hear they’d like to avoid any kind of repeat of that with Jordan Cameron. The good news is the Browns are apparently working on an extension with their newly crowned Pro Bowl tight end. The bad news is that it’s not imminent.
Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com reports that the Browns would like to avoid a repeat of the Mack situation and have been talking with Cameron about an extension that would keep him in Cleveland beyond the 2014 season. Those talks have been proceeding “without success,” so there’s no expectation of an imminent announcement of a deal.
Of course “bad news” is probably overstating things a bit. Jordan Cameron is an important player that the Browns should lock up, but it’s still early in the process. The Browns have him under contract for the 2014 season for a mere $1.43 million in salary. So, while the Browns aren’t completely in the driver’s seat, you have to think Cameron’s going to look pretty desperately to lock up a whole lot more guaranteed money before he puts his career on the line this season for that tiny amount of NFL compensation.
Where all this goes financially is anyone’s guess. Is Cameron’s representation looking for a Gronkowski-type deal? That deal was six years and $53 million with $16.5 million guaranteed.
One thing’s for sure. Jordan Cameron has $1.43 million guaranteed right now and you have to think he’ll want to multiply that number by around ten before he risks injury in the 2014 season.
20 Comments
Another guy starting his 3rd head coach, GM and offensive coordinator in 4 years. He has no reason to trust anything or anyone in Berea with his career. If I was his brother I’d tell him: “You’re a known talent now, someone will be paying you. See what this regime looks like this season before you commit to anything.” Sure, always the chance that he’ll suffer a bad knee injury or concussions, but there’s an excellent chance that with Ben Tate and a good rookie receiver drawing safety attention the middle of the field is going to really open up for him.
We’ve won what, 12 games in his tenure with the Browns? I bet he’d like to double that count before he retires.
Gronkowski money? Are you kidding?
He was just referring to what he might be asking for, not what he would get.
I hope that what we saw from Cameron last year is completely repeatable and I think it largely is. However, until it is repeated, it is extremely dangerous to go to all-in on any contract. I hope that both Jordan and Farmer are able to find a middle ground where it benefits both (mitigates the risk of the season and allows us some extra cap room for that mitigation).
I don’t expect anyone (Cameron and Haden specifically) to sign before July though. Not much reason for either side to do it now though you are seeing some guys like Earl Thomas sign.
Everything you said is valid, but (and maybe it’s just me) I think Cameron is in a pretty different position than Mack. Mack was a first rounder starter from Day one and might demand a little more from the organization in terms of stability. Cameron was a project that the Browns invested a lot of time & energy into – irregardlessness of which staff was here. Hopefully he acknowledges the commitment the organization has made in him.
Then again, pro athletes never cease to disappoint me, so he’ll probably turn into a big diva and ask for Gronk money to stay.
Great point about the risk & the investment the Browns made in him. I’m sure his agent is filling his head with dreams of Gronk money (and foam parties with college co-eds). But the reality is that Gronk produced from the get go, strung together a couple of great seasons, is more of a complete TE, and was durable (well before last year’s injury debacles that is). For the first two years, Cameron was repeatedly hurt and when not injured, was non-effective. Last year was a great breakout, no doubt, but people forget how his production waned over the second half of the season. Yes, yes there are many reasons and explanations, but the way I see it is that Farmer should be the cautious one going forward.
Good point on the injuries, I forgot about his early struggles there. The more I think about it, the more I think Farmer really needs to be cautious about Cameron’s next contract.
No, I get that part, and that is what I was referring to — to ask for Gronkowski money after one good year is crazy.
He would do better to listen to his sister. She seems to be an expert at locking up lucrative long term financial deals.
I think the team’s commitment to his development will have zero impact on his next contract, only his continued production will matter. First, every team knows he had to be developed from a basketball player into a route-running football player before he could do what he now does. Secondly, that commitment and belief was made 2 GMs ago. The OC who featured him is also gone.
Cameron runs beautiful, precise routes now, something he could not do his first couple of years. He won’t be punished in negotiations for his initial learning curve. I don’t think he deserves or will get Gronk money because he’s a lesser player. Here’s my point: he has good market value and if he can stay healthy someone will pay it. It’s a passing league, and the Browns have not been able to find a weapon at that position since Winslow decided to hop on his crotch rocket.
true
outside of his TDs, Gronk has only had 1 good year:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GronRo00.htm
Agreed. His market will be there. And with these uncertainties (unlike say Mack pre-contract year where he was a known entity) it’ll be a matter of risk assessment: Browns gauging JC’s ability to repeat & stay healthy vs. him gauging desire for immediate security and avoiding working on the cheap in 2014. Hopefully all parties will be able to strike a balance.
Also +1 for Winslow crotch rocket. Somehow I blocked that out.
Outside of his TDs, Cris Carter would be Jimmy Smith.
Haha, fair enough. But, Cris didn’t have Brady throwing him the ball either 🙂
that is so wrong. so completely and incredibly wrong. and I cannot stop laughing.
Based on his interview in the PD, it may be that Cameron wants out of Dodge to be closer to his young son in California. That would certainly be a good reason not to discuss an extension with the Browns or the media.
Now that you mention it, Jimmy Smith didn’t have Brady throwing him the ball, either … nor did he have Randy Moss running fly patterns on the other side of the field. *Note*: I am a HUGE Cris Carter fan and thought he was more than deserving of getting into the HOF.