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October 14, 2015I don’t think any Browns fans were particularly upset at losing Jordan Cameron to the Dolphins in free agency. The way in which the Browns lost Cameron was embarrassing, even if it wasn’t the Browns fault. Now that all the dust has settled, it’s safe to make up a scenario by which a player agreed to a deal verbally, only to use that verbal commitment to gain a commitment from a different team and then sign that one into actuality. If that is what actually happened with the Browns and Jordan Cameron — and based on the sequence of reports, it sure seems reasonable to deduce — then Cameron and his agents are kind of jerks, but it appears to have worked out in the Browns’ favor.
The Contracts
Jordan Cameron signed for two years and $15 million with $12.5 million guaranteed.
Gary Barnidge signed for three years back in March 2013 for $3.75 million. Only bad news for the Browns is that the 30-year-old is about to be a free agent.
The Production
Jordan Cameron has been targeted 28 times in 2015.
Gary Barnidge has been targeted 31 times in 2015.
Jordan Cameron has caught 12 passes so far.
Gary Barnidge has caught 24 passes so far.
Jordan Cameron has 170 yards and zero touchdowns.
Gary Barnidge has 374 yards and three touchdowns.
Unfair Anecdotal Visual Evidence
Here’s a picture of Jordan Cameron dropping a ball in embarrassing fashion.
Here’s a video of Gary Barnidge catching a football using his butt.
I’ll be honest when I say that I haven’t watched a whole lot of the Dolphins. Staring at statistics doesn’t tell the whole story. What I can say is that after watching Jordan Cameron play here for years and never quite put it all together, it’s been a joy to watch Gary Barnidge flash his way into the hearts of Cleveland Browns fans by making plays.
I wish Jordan Cameron the best, but after he used the Browns and embarrassed them in free agency this year, it feels like a little bit of justice that the Browns found a guy right under their nose who could step in and contribute meaningfully. Yes, even on plays with his butt…especially when they result in touchdowns.
30 Comments
Thank you Craig for pointing this out. Glad that Browns aren’t saddled with the Cameron contract, I wonder how much Barnidge will demand on the open market?
I was anticipating it to be Dray, but either way, I liked Barnidge and Dray better than Cameron, because they both are better than average pass catchers, and both block significantly better than Cameron.
i had posted earlier that if barnidge doesn’t stop messing around , he may find himself in the pro-bowl with gronk & eifert.
hi RGB … i actually thought housler was going to be a factor.
I was really surprised by the collective spaz out by Browns fans over Cameron. Mixed results, problems staying healthy, looking for a pay day… Not the kind of player that screams “stability”.
It was how he screwed the Browns over by seemingly accepting verbally and then using it to get a Dolphins deal. NFL Network employees said it was done he was back with the Browns. Felt like bonus to get him back and then POOF.
He can’t block, either.
I gotcha. And I’m not denying that the public failure didn’t add to the fan outcry. But I think even before that happened, the consensus was that he was a play-maker who we needed to resign. That’s a point of view that I’ve never cottoned to.
I don’t wish Cameron ill no matter how he leveraged his contract. He obviously worked hard to morph from a basketball-playing project to an excellent route runner with excellent hands. And he did it under a new coordinator and head coach almost every year. But his multiple concussions scared me, especially last year’s severe one.
As far as a talent comparison, let’s be real. Barnidge may block somewhat better but he’s not running a deep seam past a safety to paydirt like Cameron did, and let’s see whether he still gets so wide, wide open when the Browns start their run of quality opponents. After his 8 years of total anonymity this is fun, he’s careerin.’ It happens. Maybe he can even ride it all year. But if Cameron hadn’t been concussed multiple times it’s not close. I would have paid him, and I think the Browns would have too.,
I have to imagine that Barnidge’s ability to block makes it a little easier to get open since the defense can’t just sit back and wait for a pass when he’s on the field.
was it not obvious from Cameron’s behaviour last season that he was more interested in the payday than the team?
Harv, did you miss my anecdotal picture of Cameron dropping the ball? 🙂
I took it for the obvious wfny hatchet job it surely is. Clearly Cameron is getting hazed by teammates while exercising.
Yet another article praising the Cleveland Browns without mentioning Ray Farmer. Interesting how when Dwayne Bowe sits, Farmer is an idiot, but when Barnidge produces it’s the vague entity that is the Cleveland Browns that is responsible.
Not criticizing Craig here, although, I do think he fell for the same story the rest of the media fell for with Jordan Cameron. Bascially, Cameron’s agent used the Browns and the gullible media to drive up the dollar amount for his client in negotiations with the Dolphins.
I honestly doubt the Browns were ever interested in resigning Cameron given his injury history and also I think they knew what they had in Barnidge.
If you listen to Farmer and Pettine, when asked about the TE position during the offseason and into training camp, they constantly touted Barnidge. Well, it looks like they were right, but I highly doubt they’ll receive any credit because it would detract from the media’s bizarre campaign to get Ray Farmer fired.
Barnidge also blocks…
He was completeing the I-O
I honestly thought Cameron was done after the repeated concussions. Like Welker, I worry for the guy and how long he should keep doing this to himself.
hi RGB … i expected housler to be a cheaper version of cameron. good speed for a TE , decent pass catcher & not a good blocker.
hi ACHILLES … i think many browns fans expect perfection from farmer. and they aren’t going to get that from any GM. farmer needs to be given 4-5 years & he’ll get this thing built-up from the draft for long term success. yes , he is going to have some miscues along the way … he simply needs to be given the time to formulate his plan.
oh man, i NEVER wanted Cameron for the money. How many concussions does he have under his belt? I have to think the Browns passed easily on that one.
Yes. Cameron only “blocks.”
I really like Dray. I think he and Barney are a great tandem. I agree with you, though, that i thought it was gonna be Dray all the way.
I woulda won my fantasy week this week if i had started Barney over Gronk.
Too much health risk for me to want to sign him. I wouldn’t want him taking up a roster spot at the league minimum, even. I just think he looks like a shell so far this year. I have watched some Dolphins and I just don’t see him as a dynamic player at all.
I can’t worry about those guys. They’re competitor and nobody is making them stay out there. Calculated risk to trade millions of dollars and lifetime financial security for your family for a possible long-term head injury.
hundred.
it was a no pressure situation to tout Barnridge. It’s like rooting for the underdog: if they lose it’s no big deal. If Barnridge stinks nobody will remember they touted him.
I care less about Farmer (and Company) finding 10 Barnridges because it matters more if they find a freaking 1st round talent who plays up to his status. And so far, THAT, he has failed to do.
ahhh … the joys of fantasy football.
I dont’ even like fantasy football but my friends make me play. They’re like: “we just need one more guy to complete the league!!” So i can’t be the guy who ruins their fantasies. Every freaking year they get me. I should just write a $100 check to a charity instead.
LMFAO !! … fantasy football does take some skill , and it seems like you know your football … success will come. and we all know it takes a little bit of luck as well.