A Word on Free Agent Running Backs

Free agency starts Friday, and Browns fans have themselves in a bit of a “tizzy” when it comes to several available running backs.  Those running backs?

LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook, and Thomas Jones.  The problems?

First, the age of the backs: when the season starts Tomlinson will be 31, Westbrook will be 31, and Jones will be 32.

It is a popular notion that running backs falter at 30.  This comes from two realities: injuries and fatigue.  For example, through his career, Westbrook has had (at least) a torn triceps, a mid-foot injury, concerns about a swollen knee, a rib injury, an ankle injury, and last season suffered two concussions.

Also, although Jones rushed for 1,400 yards last year, Jones looked tired and worn down at the end of the season.  This was evident through the Jets’ use of Shonn Greene more at the end of the season and throughout the playoffs.  This may be because Jones has rushed for 1,000 yards for the last five seasons.

Similarly, Tomlinson rushed for at least 1200 yards each season until 2008, where he managed to get 1100 yards, but averaged only 17 carries a game, and last year’s 730 yard disappointment.

Seriously Browns fans?  You don’t remember the Jamal Lewis experiment?

If there is a running back 30+ that deserves mention among Browns fans its Chester Taylor.  Although 30 years old, he has only had 300+ attempts in a season once (in 2006).  Besides that year, he only averaged 103 carries a year.  Basically, he is not worn down as much as Jones, Westbrook, or Tomlinson.

Second, the misconception of the Browns needing an veteren back to “mentor” the young Browns backs.  As I told a friend the other day, that is why the Browns pay their running back coach.  Also, Harrison is 27 years old, and has been in the league four years.  He is not really a “young” back.  Finally, it is a waste of a roster spot to simply get a running back to “mentor” others.

Third, another friend mentioned that we should get Thomas Jones because “you don’t need the answer when you’re not a contender.”  I think that is just wrong.  Because the Browns are not contenders, they need a young running back to groom for the future, not waste money and resources for a back that will not help the Browns’ plans for the future.

In fact, I don’t think they should sign a free agent running back at all.

Rather, the Browns should draft a young running back with their Round 2 or Round 3 selection.  Possibly Jahvid Best or Joe McKnight in Round 2 or Toby Gerhart in Round 3.  Bring those running backs up instead of receiving 2-3 years of adequate production from an aging running back.

Here is the list of possible Free Agent Running Backs (ages in parentheses, tenders in brackets):

Leon Washington – Jets (28) – Restricted FA [2nd Round Tender]

Willie Parker – Steelers (29) – UFA

Pierre Thomas – Saints (25) – Restricted FA [2nd Round Tender]

Jerome Harrison – Browns (27) – Restricted FA [Will be tendered]

Darren Sproles – Chargers (27) – UFA

Le’Ron McClain – Ravens (25) – Fullback – Restricted FA [Likely 1st or 2nd Round Tender]

Cadillac Williams – Buccaneers (28) – Restricted FA

Mike Bell, New Orleans Saints (27) – Restricted FA [low tender, no compensation to Saints for match]

LenDale White, Tennessee Titans (25) – Restricted FA [2nd Round Tender]

Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons (27) – Restricted FA

Other Notable Free Agents:

Kenneth Darby, Rams (27) – Restricted FA
Kevin Faulk, Patriots (34) – UFA
Adrian Peterson, Bears (31) – UFA
Kolby Smith, Chiefs (25) – Restricted FA
Jason Snelling, Falcons (26) – Restricted FA
DeShawn Wynn, Packers (26) – Restricted FA
Justin Griffith,Seahawks (30) – Fullback – UFA
John Kuhn, Packers (27) – Fullback – Restricted FA
Tony Richardson, Jets (38) – Fullback – UFA
Naufahu Tahi, Vikings (28) – Fullback – Restricted FA
Mike Tolbert, Chargers (24) – Fullback – Exclusive Rights FA
Leonard Weaver, Eagles (27) – Fullback – Restricted FA

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Less than 24-hours to go before free agency begins.  Should be fun!

~Nichiren

The Quarterback: Free Agency

In an ongoing series, the Monk will bring you the possible free agents in every position.  Today’s installment  is possibly the most talked about and most crucial position on the field: Quarterback.

Free agency kicks off March 5, and this year’s version will be completely different.  With the pending un-capped year, teams and fans must get used to new rules.  The first is that a player can only become an unrestricted free agent if he has six years of service, not four years as was the case under the CBA.  This affects around 200 players.  Those 200 players will now be restricted free agents and their teams can sign them to one year deals at proscribed levels.  Those levels have corresponding  compensation if another team wants to sign them.

The second is the Final Eight Rule.  The Final Eight Rule restricts the eight teams in the divisional round of the playoffs from signing free agents.  Basically, the four teams that advanced to the conference championship games (Jets, Vikings, Colts, and Saints) can only sign a free agent if they lose one with a comparable salary.  The four teams that lost in the divisional round (Ravens, Cardinals, Cowboys and Chargers) can replace a player with a comparable salary and also sign one free agent with a first-year salary of $5 million or more.  But those teams can further sign unlimited players with a first-year salary of up to $3 million.

Of course, all of this goes away if the league and the union sign a new CBA by March 5.

As my Mom always said: Don’t hold your horses.

With these new rules in place, the Browns may not be major players in the free agent market.  The list of available Quarterbacks should provide an example why:

Unrestricted Free Agents:

Charlie Batch

Kyle Boller

Mark Brunell

David Carr

Dante Culpepper

A.J. Feeley

Rex Grossman (the only one on this list with a Super Bowl appearance)

J.P. Losman

Josh McCown

Chad Pennington

Jake Plummer (funny, cause he said he was retired…)

Patrick Ramsey

Chris Redman

Brian St. Pierre

Need I say more?  The Browns may take a look at Pennington or Batch, but consider this list a Browns Fans Commit Mass-Suicide news story if the Browns sign any of the others on this list.

By contrast, the Restricted Free Agents are more tempting:

Restricted Free Agents:

Kyle Orton

Gibran Hamdan

Brodie Croyle

Tavaris Jackson

Kellen Clemons

Charlie Frye

Charlie Whitehurst

Jason Campbell

Just kidding.  Still, if Holmgren is not in the building, don’t all of us think that Mangini gets Clemons?  That said, a trade may be the best bet here.

Trades:

Matt Moore (Exclusive Rights Free Agent)

Moore looked good against the Vikings, Giants and the Brees-less Saints at the end of the year, but the Pathers are likely to keep him.  Moore can’t leave the Panthers if they offer him a three year veteran minimum salary, so trade is how one would acquire Moore.

Jason Campbell (RFA)

Campbell is intriguing and allegedly not wanted in Washington.  Campbell has improved his completion percentage each year in the league and threw for 3,000 + yards with a crappy offensive line.  But some, mainly Clinton Portis question his leadership abilities, and some (mainly me) wonder if the 80+ sacks he has taken has given him David Carr syndrome.  As a restricted free agent, it may be cheaper to the Browns to trade for Campbell.

Seneca Wallace – Seattle

The connection? Holmgren brought him to Seattle, where he is backup to Matt Hasselbeck.  But there is no indication that Wallace could be an effective starting Quarterback in the NFL.  I say no thanks.

Troy Smith – Baltimore

Smith sparked interest in Cleveland when he requested a trade from the Ravens.  The connection is obvious: Smith is from Cleveland and played at Ohio State.  Smith played well in spot duty and preseason, but lost the starting job two years ago because of an illness.  Smith deserves a chance to start and I see this being a great move by the Browns if made.  I expect the price for Smith is higher for the Browns than for other teams in the NFL.

Matt Flynn – Green Bay

Holmgren likes backups (see Favre and Hasselbeck), and Flynn has potential.  I will leave the scouting to the scouts, but I think the Browns may consider Flynn if they are not satisfied with the draft prospects.

The Philadelphia QB’s

It is highly, highly, unlikely that Philly will trade one of its QB’s before the draft.  That said, it does not look like McNabb, Kolb, or Vick will be on the Browns, at least before training camp.  It’s best if Browns fans just look the other way.

* * * * *

All in all, there is not much there.  The Browns will make a decision about draft vs. free agency vs. Brady Quinn with regards to their young Quarterback, but do not be surprised if the Browns bring in a veteran Quarterback via free agency if Quinn is their man for 2010.

~Nichiren