The 5-Hole: Blue Jackets News and Notes – 12/29/09
December 29, 2009Josh Cribbs, Joe Thomas Named to 2010 Pro Bowl
December 29, 2009
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…
58 Comments
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!