Browns' Veterans In Free Agent Limbo - What Will Team Need?

An appeals court ruling is expected today or tomorrow on whether to maintain or lift a stay on the NFL lockout.  If the stay is lifted, that means free agency must begin - but what will it look like and what will the rules be?  Now that there is no Players Union, some of the old free agency rules might be challenged by the Players Association as violations of anti-trust laws, such as franchise tags and free agent tenders.  The most likely route for the NFL to take is to keep the same rules that were in effect in 2010: no salary cap, no salary floor and unrestricted free agency after six years of service instead of four.

Those rules put a whole lot of players with 3, 4, or 5 years of service in a potentially bad position.  Apparently, for those players whose contracts have expired with their current team, but who have yet to reach 6 years of service, the team still retains their contract rights - or the right of first refusal if another team wants to sign the player. 

If we assume the free agency rules from 2010 are in effect, the following Browns players are affected (note that we are only focusing on players of consequence - starters or 2nd string):

• Eric Wright - has 5 years service and is a restricted free agent;
• Marcus Bernard - his 1 year contract is up, but he only has 2 years of service;
• Brian Schaefering - his contract is up, but he only has 3 years service;
• Chansi Stuckey - 5 years service, contract up
• Jason Trusnik - 5 years service, contract is up

Regarding the above players, the Browns presumably will still have the right of first refusal if another team attempts to sign them.  No one will likely bite on Eric Wright, given his poor production last season, though a contract year player is often motivated.  Marcus Bernard is an important player, given that at 6'2", 256 pounds, and being the team's sack leader last season, he could play as a pass-rushing DE in the new 4-3.  The team needs to resign him, pronto - though they did not do so when they tendered and resigned several players prior to the CBA's expiration.  Brian Schaefering ended up starting several contests last season due to injuries and at 6'2", 295 pounds, he could play backup defensive tackle in the new scheme.  Jason Trusnik is a core special teamer and backup linebacker - not a priority.  Of this group, the team cannot afford to let Bernard walk in free agency.

The next group concerns as-yet-unsigned veterans at positions of consequence:

• Abe Elam - has 6 years service and his contract is up, was the starting safety last season opposite T.J. Ward;
• Chris Gocong - has 6 years service, contract is up, and he is projected at starting middle linebacker;
• Jayme Mitchell - was signed during the season last year, though he never played, he is a free agent and the only DE on the team with veteran experience in the 4-3;
• Matt Roth - has 7 years service and his contract is up, started at OLB last season in spots;
• Floyd Womack - unrestricted free agent who started season at RG and filled in at RT when Pashos went down and St. Clair was useless;
• Robaire Smith - UFA
• Lennie Friedman - backup Guard;
• Billy Yates - backup Guard;
• Nick Sorensen - backup safety is UFA.

Let's start with Elam: he was average and is not going to get any better.  But if the team lets him walk, they are left with only Mike Adams and rookie 7th rounder Eric Haag on the roster behind starter T.J. Ward.  Sorensen is a UFA as well.  Adams also plays nickle at times and has even started at corner when injuries depleted the group.  IF the team lets Elam go, they'll need to target another veteran free agent as Adams and Haag are likely not enough depth, nor ideal starters at this point.

Gocong: when a guy is projected to be your starter at MLB, you might want to re-sign him.  He doesn't thrill anybody, but if he isn't resigned, they need to get somebody.  Most sports writers are projecting D'Qwell Jackson at WLB, but he manned MLB in college at Maryland and performed well in the 4-3 there.

Matt Roth: I think he has to be re-signed, if he is interested.  He could be a nice base defensive end with his size, speed, and ability to stuff the run.  He thinks a little more highly of himself than what he should, so he may be ready to move on if he isn't a lock to start in Cleveland.

Floyd Womack: He must be re-signed. He was the starting RG last season and even did an admirable job at RT when Pashos and St. Clair went down.  His versatility, durability, and experience is a big plus when you consider most of the other backup O-linemen are UFA's as well.  All that's left are rookie Jason Pinkston and Shawn Lauvao, who is in only his second year.  If Womack is let go, a swing tackle and a backup guard will need to be found via free agency.

Mitchell is an odd situation: why did the team bring in a 4-3 DE last year in the midst of running the 3-4?  It would be beneficial to have another experienced 4-3 end on the roster, but who knows how the team feels about the UFA now?

Robaire Smith: His injury history and age probably means he is done in Cleveland.  When healthy, he can be a force on the line and could probably play DT in spots for the 4-3, but not being a fit as a starter, age, salary, and injuries add up to letting him go.  The Browns will need more bodies on the D-Line in free agency.

Sorensen/Yates/Friedman: These guys are quality backups who have all had to fill in at times.  Letting them walk means you must build more depth with free agency.  Sorensen was a great special teamer. 

CONCLUSION:
In our view, the most important players for the team to re-sign are Roth, Bernard, and Womack.  The Browns need bodies on the defensive and offensive line.  Womack is a serviceable starter at guard and a quality backup.  When he played, Hillis usually had a good game.  Without Roth or Bernard, the Browns will need to find additional DE's, including at least one free agent who can start opposite second round draft pick Jabaal Sheard.  Bernard was just starting to show his upside when he led the team in sacks last season, it would be a step back to let him go now - especially since the free agent pool this season would be limited to veterans with 6 or more years of service.  Bernard is the only player the Browns still have rights over if the 2010 rules are kept in effect.  The team may also need to keep Elam as a stop-gap starter for another year due mainly to the lack of bodies at the position.