Whoever the Browns select as the new General Manager, they will certainly be busy. In addition to finding a head coach, there are some current players getting ready to hit the free agent market. Allow us to save you some time Mr. Future GM, and let you know which of these players are worth bringing back to the team-
Let’s start on the woefully inept offensive side of the ball. There are two offensive linemen-Seth McKinney and Lennie Friedman, with expiring deals. McKinney is the type of bench guy you need to have. He can play several positions along the line, although he isn’t going to make the pro-bowl at any of them. He is relatively inexpensive though, and would be a decent fit. It’s probably time to cut Friedman loose. A 10 year veteran, he isn’t likely to start for the Browns anytime soon, and his roster spot should probably be used to develop a younger offensive lineman that has a chance to be a player.
Darnell Dinkins’ free agency could start a serious debate, and could tell us a lot about where this club is headed. The TE position was one of the deepest on the team at the beginning of the season. Guys like, well myself, thought the Browns would be wise to try and move Dinkins or Heiden for a defensive back. Certainly none of us thought that the position would be as devastated by injury as it was. (Then again, Winslow and Heiden have battled injuries of some sort all their careers.) How good is Martin Rucker? He looked fantastic in preseason and the training camp practices I attended. We have no idea now. No playing time this season makes him a huge question mark. Still, you have to think that with what the team has invested in Rucker, and his career at Missouri, Rucker deserves a shot. Dinkins isn’t chopped liver though. He is a decent blocker, and has good hands. He isn’t going to beat anyone deep, and may be starting to slow after his 8th season. With Winslow, Heiden, and Rucker in the mix it is probably time to say goodbye to Dinkins, unless the injuries are more serious than we understand. (John Madsen is listed as a LB in Walker’s piece, but he is in fact a TE. One that will be without a job.)
Jason Wright is the final offensive player. He will be entering his 5th season in the NFL, and saw limited action this year. The RB position will have to be addressed, and Jason Wright isn’t really the answer. He will more than likely not be in demand either. No reason not to bring him back to camp.
On the defensive side of the ball there are a number of players leaving. Let’s start with the linebackers. Andra Davis, Willie McGinest and Shantee Orr are unrestricted free agents. McGinest had said previously that this was his final season in the NFL. If for some reason he decides to play another season, I would welcome him back. He played hard ALL season long, including the final 3 games when a great number of guys had mailed the season in. He certainly isn’t in the prime of his career, but he can still get after running backs and take on blockers at the point of attack. Besides, I would like to see some house cleaning at this position, and McGinest is certainly not the worst of the bunch.
Shantee Orr was released and brought back this season because of injuries. He made a few tackles on special teams, and would be a decent addition there, but really doesn’t appear to be much of an impact player on defense. Perhaps it is time to let him go.
Andra Davis. I like the man. I love his loyalty to the Browns. I love that he restructured his deal to be more cap friendly. What I don’t love is his speed and ability to shed blockers. I’d love for Andra to get a position somewhere in the organization, as long as it isn’t putting the jersey and helmet on anymore. Andra, I’m afraid it’s time.
In the defensive backfield there is going to be some trouble. Travis Daniels, Mike Adams, Daven Holly and Sean Jones are all free agents. Holly and Daniels can go. Daven had some ability, but CB’s with extensive knee damage are not what you want to hang your hat on. It’s a mystery that Daniels was ever signed, and is no big loss, even though we have zero depth in the secondary.
Speaking of depth, that is exactly what Mike Adams brings. He can play both safety spots and can get beat as the nickel corner just as well as the rest of the guys on the roster. Seriously, I like Mike Adams. I think the Browns are better with him coming off the bench.
Sean Jones is a good safety that we may not have a chance to sign. He is the one free agent on this list that other teams might covet. The fiscal irresponsibility that has gone on over the past few seasons may mean that Jones will be priced out of Cleveland. Add to this the growing rift that existed between Jones and Crennel, and there may be too much damage to undo. That is a shame. Jones has a chance to be a well above average safety in this league, and he will probably be doing it somewhere else.
Author: Rick
Rick is a co-founder and editor of WFNY. His love of Cleveland sports is surpassed only by his faith and love of his family. Follow him on Twitter- @rickwfny.Rick has written 743 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
with our CB position as shallow as it is, I think they need to keep Sean Jones at any cost. Find the best offer and match it, throw in some incentives if you have to. the FS position isn’t an easy one to replace, and between him and Brodney we have a pretty solid deep secondary.
McGinest will be gone, he’s getting too old to run anyone down anymore. I like his heart and his drive, but sometimes the body just gives up.
Davis is a has-been, or maybe a never-was. He showed flashes of brilliance in his first couple years under Davis in the 4-3, but after the move to the 3-4 he seemed to get lost. D’Qwell Jackson is the future of the team at MLB, so we need to pick another one up.
I agree completely with your sentiments on the O-line.
as for the TE spot, Dinkins and Rucker are going to be Browns next year. So will Winslow and Heiden, but since neither one of them can stay healthy for an entire season, something tells me the Browns brass will keep all four TEs on.
I think the Browns need to make Sean Jones their top priority.
Despite New England’s success with older guys like Rodney Harrison and Junior Seau, I am going to be disappointed if they try and keep Willie McGinest in a Browns uniform next season. The game has passed him by and honestly the Browns need to fill spots like his with someone young who can bring some energy and upside to the position. Take what you wrote about Lennie Friedman and apply it to Willie as far as I am concerned.
The tight end situation will have to depend on the ability of the coaches. Are we going to have creative people who will find a way to utilize whatever talent they have on the team? Or will we have a coach that wants players that fit into a vanilla offensive scheme? I sure hope it is the former rather than the latter because otherwise we are going to squander some serious players at certain positions while trying to depend on others where there is far less talent. Example: Steptoe vs Rucker… Which would you bet on?
That remains to be seen though.
Actually, some of the most significant initial personnel decisions did not make your list: the impending demands to renegotiate existing contracts. Winslow and Drew Rosenhaus are set to demand a new one, and he might very well hold out and create the first major distractions of this new era. Braylon might do the same, believe it or not. And don’t forget Josh Cribbs, who already mentioned renegotiating last camp. If Winslow ends up being dealt, the players/draft choices we get in return will impact what potential free agents are re-signed. I’m really hoping the new Browns boss has a mature personality and handles these upcoming issues not only competently but also with class. So sick of the three ring circus that the Browns have become.
I say we hire the Mangenius
Cribbs will get a renegotiated deal – there’s no doubt in my mind. Braylon has nary a leg to stand on. And I’d say the same for Winslow, but that’d be a terrible pun…
I think that Dinkins does draw the short stick ( i hate to see a former buckeye go) But rucker i think will be as good if not better that Heiden and Dinkins, not to mention the fresher legs.
We need to keep Jones! I think if we were able to get some pressure on the QB more than twice a season, he could really step up his game. In the ESPN fantasy mag that came out before the season, they had Jones ranked as the 2nd highest 2ndary player in the league. I know this is only some writers projection, but 2nd in the league, the guy has talent.
good breakdown – how about lobbying for the WFNY team to get a shot at the GM position (by committee, w/ a little help from your blog readers). NFL 2.0 anyone?! Randy, you wouldn’t have to do ANYTHING!
I think hand’s down the linebackers are the main area that needs to be addressed in the offseason. We need to get a high impact player in the draft (Maluaga…sp.), and then McGinest might be a nice asset to have to speed up the learning curve. Hate to give up Sean Jones, as I think he could still be a pro-bowler if surrounded by the right personnel/scheme, but I don’t think he’s indispensable.
with regards to to the tight end possition , wait tell you see madsen in camp next year you will be retracting that part of the article . he has the same talent as winslow without all the b.s. i have watched this kid play the raiders did not use him right you will be seeing him on the field, also cant wait for next season, im excited,,,,,,, go browns
Sean Jones = Gone. It’s time to come to grips with that. I believe Pool used to play that position so mabye just move him over? Neither guy has proven able to stay really healthy. Bring back E-Rock.
I like Jones but I wouldn’t cry if he was gone. Our first priority would be receiver, linebackers, switch of defensive scheme, and then bolster the O Line. That is what I would do, after waiting to see if Parcells wants to take over the team.
Bronco’s fired Shanahan!!!! We must go get him to be our coach, but NOT GM.
if anything we need to get and keep all the DB’s and line players possible (O and D). Sean Jones is the only respectable DB we got out there