Yesterday, Mike Holmgren went on record to say that he will in fact be hiring a general manager. The future of Eric Mangini is understandably a hot topic, but the unrestricted free agents that could be leaving the Browns this season could be key pieces to the puzzle that is the Orange and Brown.
The Browns currently have a list of five players whom will be looking for a new contract come the end of this season: Jerome Harrison, Lawrence Vickers, Ryan Tucker, D’Qwell Jackson, and Brodney Pool.
Harrison has had some huge games for the Browns since getting a chance to show what he can do. Vickers has been a big reason why Harrison has been able to flourish as well as his role in Josh Cribbs’ return game. Ryan Tucker was willing to restructure his deal to give the Browns more money. D’Qwell led the NFL in tackles one season ago and has been in discussions regarding a new deal for about a year. Pool is the last remaining member of the Browns 2005 draft class and has been a solid contributor when healthy.
Here’s where we hand you the reigns as general manager. If you could re-sign one, and only one, of the players listed above… Who gets the new contract? For playing field puposes, do not get into specifics of length and dollar amount. Which of these five guys could prove to be the most vital in the Browns rebuilding process.
Have at it…
Author: Scott
Scott is a co-founder/editor of Waiting For Next Year who resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Feel free to follow him on Twitter or email him at scott@waitingfornextyear.com.Scott has written 2076 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
In order of importance of resigning:
1) Harrison
2) D’Qwell
3) Vickers
4) Pool
5) Tucker
I’d be happy with just the top 3
The defense is bad and should influence this decision. Therefore it would be Jerome Harrison to keep the D off the field!
1. DQ
2. Vickers
3. Pool
4. Harrison
5. Tuck
Vickers, DQ, and Harrison in that order.
Pool is going to retire, or should.
Tucker? I dunno.
I’m more interested in the free agent WRs and DBs we might sign from other teams.
If the dumb 3-4 stays, D’Qwell. Impact LB for over a season is more important than a late-round RB who has been quite good for 3 games this year, especially with Davis and the usual 2-3 round and later RBs that are always available in the draft.
BTW…Tucker shouldn’t even be a 5 of 5.
First, he hasn’t played in a game since 2007! And hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2005.
Nice knowin’ ya Ryan!
1. Harrison
2. DQ
3. Vickers
4. Pool
5. Tucker
1. D’Qwell
2. Harrison
3. Vickers
4. Tucker
5. Pool
After the Top 3, it doesn’t matter. Brodney is probably done and as someone else mentioned, Tucker hasn’t been relevant for a couple season.
1) Vickers
2) Harrison
3) DQ
4) Pool
5) Tucker
My guess would be to not even bother with 4 and 5 because the former might retire with the next concussion (if there is one) and the latter has hardly touched the field for the Browns. Right Tackle and Safety should be priorities in the draft, as well as Linebacker, so 3 may not be a priority either. All three positions need to be addressed in the draft/free agency.
You have to bring back DQ, the rest of them to me are expendable. The defense is so bad they can’t afford to not bring him back.
Fullbacks are a dime a dozen.
Pool is sort of like Courtney Brown, good when on the field, but when is he on the field?
Harrison is good right now, against the Chiefs and Raiders, who knows if he can do this against the good teams, and for a 16 game season, he might be another Eric Metcalf type that we will try and run up the middle 3 times in a row.
And Tucker? Well if he takes like the vet minimum I’d keep him around. He’s not bad when he’s healthy, he’s sort of like the offenses version of Brodney Pool
Its gotta be:
1. Harrison
2. DQ
3. Vickers
Tucker and Pool are done.
“Ryan Tucker was willing to restructure his deal to give the Browns more money.” thats true, but i’d chalk this one up to “less money for tucker is better than getting cut and no money for tucker.”
Man, I hate having to pick just one. Pass on Tucker (hasn’t been healthy since the steroid bust and based on other examples [see Merriman, Shawne] he may never be the same). Pass on Pool (not a bad player, but the concussions will catch up to him if they haven’t already). I would sign all of the remaining 3. But since I have to pick one…
Probably D’Qwell, but it’s close. He’s shown he can play in either the 3-4 or 4-3, which might come in handy since we don’t know which base the Browns will use going forward.
But I’d really take all of DQ52, Jerome “The Harrier” Harrison, and Larry V.
#1 Vickers: He’s the best FB in the league, by far. We all know that to win in Cleveland you have to run the ball. It’s nice to have a 260 Lbs FB that has 4.6 speed crushing LB’s to open holes for what ever back is here next year.
#2 DQ: He’s a good MLB and those are hard to come by. Tackling machine and sets up the defense nicely. IF they get another play maker around him then he’ll be even better. IMO, he’s better than Urlacher and would be even better in a 4-3 system.
DQ should be the one and only re-sign if that’s all I can re-sign. He is an impact middle LB.. if we change to a 4-3 he’ll be one heck of a MLB. The other guys are replaceable. I just hate having to let Pool go when we have a very thin secondary, and Tucker go when the right side of our line is as weak as it is. Jennings/Davis/Cribbs could replace the production of Harrison and the first two (Jennings/Davis) would be a cheaper tandem.. Harrison is going to want a lot of money. Vickers would be nice to keep. He’s a stellar player.. But you can replace a FB fairly easy.. So I basically chose DQ-Jack b/c it’s harder replacing a true MLB than the rest of those guys.
@ Kevin Hignett.
I love the nicknames.. DQ52 and The Harrier… GOLDEN
Harrison
DQ
Vickers
Let Pool retire for his own good. Not committed to bringing back Tucker.
Focus rest of money on FA.
1. Jackson
2. Harrison
3. Vickers
No need at all to bring back Pool and Tucker.
Jerome, Vickers, and Deqwell are imperative, resign these guys for any amount of money that is not ludacris.
Tucker and Pool are good enough players, and should be resigned for a realistic amount of money.
People who say Vickers could be replaced easily need to take a look at the NFL right now. There is NO, I repeat NO, FB that can block like Vickers does, and he is a HUGE part of Cribbs stellar returns, and Jerome’s breakout runs. A great blocking FB is something that is not at all easy to come by, and he needs to stay on this team.
“No need at all to bring back Pool and Tucker.”
totally agree. pool is one concussion away from alzheimers and tucker’s just plain done.
harrison, vickers and DQ52 in that order. Qwell is last because we don’t know what D the browns are gonna run yet.
Second note however, if harrison is asking a lot of money, I think we have our back of the future in James Davis, but I would love for him to stay so they can share carries. And just imagine if T. Smith comes here, the speed we would have!!!!
D’Q no question
2nd Vickers – FB is underrated while HB is the most overrated
Why are people saying that we shouldn’t resign Harrison because he was only good in a few games? This seems like the kind of thing that could bite the Browns in the arse (I don’t know if that will be “WFNY edited” or not…but i tried) in years to come.
1a) Cribbs. Just thought I’d mention him since he still hasn’t actually signed an extension.
1) D’Qwell Jackson
1) Jerome Harrison
1) Lawrence Vickers
5) Brodney Pool (This is based on my hope of drafting Berry now that we’ve won ourselves out of the Suh conversation)
5) Ryan Tucker. Please leave. Thanks.
With our lack of depth at RB and my lack of excitement in the draft pool of upcoming RB’s, I’d have to go with Harrison. But, I’m conflicted about it. I think a quality FB is an underrated commodity.
Good, bad, or indifferent: Tucker will be lucky to be picked up by any team at this stage in his career. I, honestly, thought we had released him, already. What is the life span of an OL, anyway?
1) DQ
2) Vickers
3) Harrison
I agree with those who believe that DQ, when healthy, is a potential impact player. At the very least, he’s extremely solid. Same solid analysis applies to Vickers, though if we’re running the West Coast offense next year, I’m not sure how high a priority resigning your fullback should be. Harrison is more expendable as I don’t think his frame could hold up as a #1 back for all 16 games, but I’d like to see him return.
Agree with those who don’t think it’s even worth bothering talking about resigning Pool or Tucker. Pool probably should retire given his concussion history, and Tucker’s injury history will also probably lead to his retirement.
Put me in the camp of keeping Vickers for sure. You need a good blocking FB and I am not sure Cribbs would be the same on returns without him.
I also think we keep Harrison. I do think he and Davis will be a nice duo in the backfield for the next few years. Add to that Cribbs out of the Wildcat a few plays a game, and I don’t think we have much to worry about with a running game.
Jackson also should be resigned if for a decent amount of money. He is almost the only good LB we have and no matter if we switch to a 4-3 or keep the 3-4, we need actual playmaking LBs.
Agree with majority on the last two, Pool should retire for health reasons, and Tucker; nice knowing you.
1) Vickers: He may be the best FB in the NFL. He makes everyone around him better (I’m looking at Cribbs & Harrison on this one)
2) DQ52: Someones gotta make all those tackles.
3) Harrison: I’m excited about what I’ve seen over the last 2 games (and the potential that we’ve seen for 4 years now), but I wouldn’t want to sign him and not sign DQ or Vickers
4/5) Pool & Tucker – I like these guys too, but roster space is valuable in the league and I don’t see them contributing in the long or short term because of their injuries.
L.VICKERS: He is the only one that is near the top of the list @ his position. Harrison and Jackson are good players and I want the Browns to do what they can to re-sign them but if I am only picking one then it’s #47.(Pool & Tucker are most likely done)
1/2.) No matter who’s your running back, you need a FB and Vickers has been dominant since day 1. He’s still young and shouldn’t be overlooked.
1/2.) DQ’s stats speak for themselves (when healthy) and could be even better next year with a beefed up d-line and better LB’s complimenting him.
3.) Harrison has been great, but it depends what kind of money he’s looking for.
4.) I’d rather see Pool retire than see him helped off another handful of times next year with concussions.
5.) It’s nice of u to even mention Tucker, but… Come on, Man!
I know most (if not all) are unrestricted FA but can we tender them?
I remember with DA we were able to tender him (not francise him) for a 1st and a 3rd.
I really wish your article would have addressed that.
1. Jackson
2. Vickers
3. Harrison
4. Pool
5. Tucker
I am pretty sure DQ, Harrison, Pool, and Vickers qualify for tender offers since they were drafted by the team and here for 3 years.
If needed, we could tender them for a year for roughly 2.5 mill and force someone to give us a first and third round pick (which no one would do)if signed.
Disclaimer: I had to do some googling to get that response. I am not 100% sure if that is right. I based it off of reading articles and past football-fandom. Please comment if you know more.
gotta take Harrison at this point..
Isn’t Matt Roth going to be a free agent after this season as well?
Re-sign Vickers for sure and offer contracts to Harrison and DQ. We have 11 draft picks this year so we might now want to overpay for any of them except maybe Vickers. If we get a decent offer for Harrison I wouldn’t be opposed to trading him but only if it’s a complete steal.
It all depends on the system we get in cleveland. If there is a switch to the WCO then Vickers would be a hard sell since a FB isnt a high priority in that offense. Also, if we switch to a 4-3 (which I think is a mistake) then Jackson, while good, isnt a huge priority. We have Barton, then Miaiva (sp?) at MLB behind Jackson. So then there’s Harrison, who would be near perfect for the WCO. I dont think Jennings has a future in the NFL. I think Harrison will be a good RB with 20-30 touches with Davis and Cribbs as spell backs. Now, keeping the 3-4, we would need Jackson and he would go ahead of Harrison. I expect even with Mangini staying, Holmgren will want to get a WCO here since we have been garbage this year, therefore Vickers is 3rd on my list though I would like to keep all three. So depending on what happens, its Harrison/Jackson then Vickers. Pool is good, but he has a ton of concussions. if he were healthy a secondary of Pool and Berry would be sweet, but I dont see that happening.
Cribbs tops my list over everyone though as a side note.
Definiteley Jerome Harrison because of his enthusiasm and ability to hit the hole. I believe he can’t handle the full rushing load for the team but he’s an excellent change-up back.
Good post. This was a hard question to answer because each of these players have been doing a good job in December.
Why Jerome didn’t play early was truly a waste of talent.
Somebody said that dq52 isnt a priority in a 4-3? Thats just ignorance. A solid middle linebacker is exactly what you need in a 4-3. And that barton and maiva could fill in is another dumb statement. Sorry.. Gotta be negative nancy, but come on man. In the words of ISIS ‘observe’
1. Vickers
2. Harrison
I hate how everyone seems to think the 4-3 is great for cleveland. For one, the DL is made for a 3-4. If they put Rubin in the middle, Rogers and either williams, smith, and coleman on the other side its good. Rubin is not a DT in a 43. He eats blocks, not goes through them, which is what a NT is for.
Then look at the LBs. I’m not saying Jackson would be bad. BUT Barton and Maiava are both capable of playing MLB at a good level (yes Jackson is better, but the drop off is not that bad). Those two were doing a good job of plugging in for DQ when he got hurt. Heck, the D isnt all that different now with Bowens and Maiava then Barton and Jackson (scheme, and other factors like familiarity also play a difference I know). The point is, the drop off isnt THAT GREAT. Disagree all you want, but the facts are there. The D isnt that much greater with Jackson then with Maiava and Barton.
Definitely D’Qwell Jackson…and here is my order of priority:
1. DQ
2. Vickers
3. Harrison
4. Pool (don’t bother…concussion…)
5. Tucker (might be better WITH a concussion…don’t bother again)
1. DQ52 easily because I’m hearing that Holmgren will want to switch ove to the 4-3 and DQ will slaughter opposing offenses.
2. Vickers, watch Cribbs kick returns and you always see Vickers pancaking his man. We all know what he does in the running game.
3. Harrison, nobody really knows what we have here. Why didn’t he play more so we could have an idea of the kind of player he is. Draft a RB in the 2nd or 3rd and hope he does something. Or that James Davis can return to what we thought he was going to be.
1.) harrison
2.) vickers
3.) DQ
pool and tucker are both done
The reason our D is playing decent down the stretch has been QB pressure. Which is what a 43 would help with. My ideal 43 scheme would be Roth, Jackson, Barton/Bowens at LB and Wimbley, Coleman/Rubin, Rogers, and Williams on the line. Williams is a great DE in a 43 and Wimbley would provide good pressure against most LT’s. Coleman/Rubin and Rogers would eat up blocks AND would face less double teams then they do in a 34 giving them the ability to get penetration. So, if you think Rogers is effective in our 34 facing double teams every snap.. imagine him in a 43 with Wimbley occupying the LT and another DT next to him occupying the guards and center… I just think with the personnel we have; a 43 is better suited, especially bc we have a 350 LBer who can also move with grace in Shaun Rogers… the ideal 34 NT is Casey Hampton… big, strong, unselfish.. the ideal 43 DT is Warren Sapp and Shaun Rogers. Big, strong, fast, and a playmaker.
Disagree with me if you want. I’m just putting the players we have in the best defensive scheme we could run. I would prefer seeing a 52 defense.. but that hasn’t been run in.. what.. 30 years?… 52 scheme. Jackson and Roth at LB… Wimbley, Coleman, Rogers, Rubin, Williams, and Alex Hall on the line. Left to right. One on one in the trenches.. You have to take that DLine over most OLine’s.
^^^^^^ in 52 it’d would be Wimbley, Coleman, Rogers, Williams, Hall and Rubin would be a sub for the 3 interior lineman. Smith could sub for the ends… Imagine Rogers one on one with a center.. he’d have a field day
I agree that Rogers is better suited as a DT in 43 then NT in 34. Rubin however is not. He does not make plays like Rogers, and is more of the Casey Hampton style. So, use that and allow Rubin to get the double team in the middle, then have Rogers facing either a G alone, or a G and T then allowing the OLB to be free. Rogers is a force, and I think he would be better as a DE in the 3-4 where he not only could make plays, but allow the LB to make a play too. Imagine Rogers 1 on 1 with a G or the T doubles on him and then Wimbley is free from the outside.
As for your 43 argument, I dont think Wimbley would be that effective as a DE. Maybe he was good in college at it, but he has not been a good rusher in the pros until Ryan started moving him around to get free. Also, Corey Williams would be a DT with Rogers because Im pretty sure Coleman is a DE. And I like what Ive seen from Roth, but is he a LB in the 43? I would argue Wimbley-Jackson-Roth as the LBs if they switched to a 43. As it stands I like Roth and Wimbley on the outside being beneficiaries to the potential of having Rogers on the end in a 34. I am of the feeling that LBs are better playmakers in general then DL, so I would like to get more playmakers on the field. (generally, because obviously Rogers is a tremendous player)
Good question, but also not important. DQ52 and Vickers will 100% be back. Harrison only won’t return if he thinks these last 2 games make him worth top RB money.
Tucker and Pool are worthless anyways… Tucker was a great player for us in 07 but he’s done. Pool has showed glimpses and usually gives us more picks than anyone on the team… Problem is… one more concussion and this guys career is done. Hes not exactly the safest long term investment. Pool will want a large contract because of his health and no team will want to give him anything
Vickers is the most underated full back in the league and that’s good for the Browns. We can resign him for cheaper than would be otherwise if he got a Pro-Bowl big.
DQ52 is far from dominating but theirs no question his leadership and nack for getting to the ballcarrier is needed. Obviously his NFL leading tackles were due to the defense being on the field so much last year, but hes still got ability.
If I had to pick one it would be Vickers.
Harrison, Vickers and DQ
And we shouldn’t (can’t) forget Cribbs – who’s still unsigned for the long term.
More interested in the Browns:
a) draft focus – we need another deep threat and overall ofensive help
b) switch from the 3-4 to the 4-3
c) Holgrem’s choice for GM and new coach (Mangini is likely gone)
d) free agent pickups – with an abundance of draft picks there is a possibly to pick up impact players who can start today as opposed to drafting a player who (maybe) will pan out in a few years.
1- Vickers
2- Harrison
@ bobby.. Good points man. The problem with a 34 is the lack of presure.. Yes it puts more speed, and playmakers on the field.. But you are rushing 3 and with a blitz 4 guys. Its hard to get good pressure. And with the WR friendly league its really hard to cover receivers for more than 4 seconds. So, you need to put heat on the QB so the WRs dont have time to sit in the zones. Roethlisberger kills us when he rolls out and his receivers break free.. One more pass rusher could contain him.
One more thing. In my ideal 52. We would have 1000 lbs between our 3 interior linemen. And we could always go bigger by removing Hall and Wimbley and bringing in Smith and Coleman.. Thatd be like 1600 lbs on the dline.. You have to take that line over olines.. And with Rogers being a beast he would disrupt every run play bc no one can block him one on one.. I want a 52.. I will accept a 43
Vickers has to be first, he is one of the most underrated players in the league. He is one of the top blocking FBs in football and a great special teams blocker.
Harrison and DQ are tied for secind I cant pick one. Probab;y DQ since we have Jennings playing decent and Davis coming back, but Id love to keep all three.
And whats all this talk of Pool being pretty good? The Pool I’ve watched since he was drafted is one that can pass cover ok, but is absolutly TERRIFIED to hit somebody (probably a given due to his injuries but still…) I like him and he seems like a good guy… but he shouldnt be anymore than a backup or a situational player on a good team. Watching him “attack” a running back is almost laughable. You cerainly dont see Reed, Palomalu, Dawkins, or Rodney Harrison back in the day pull the terrible tackle attempts Pool does.
Tucker who? lol… Id try to keep him as a backup, but not for any significant amount of money.
If Vickers was responsible for Harrison’s emergence, why wasn’t the running game better before Harrison started getting all the carries? Vickers is definitely good, but I don’t see how any of those guys can be a higher priority than Harrison. Now, Cribbs on the other hand …
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/12/31/the-212-players-who-wont-be-unrestricted-free-agents/
they will be restricted free agents.
1.Vickers
2.Harrison
3.DQ
And the rest don’t really matter!