Cleveland Browns Quietly Making Smart Free Agency Moves

Amid the epic free agency turmoil that has been the 2015 free agency season, the Cleveland Browns have quietly watched from the sidelines.

Aside from the early signing of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline, the Browns have re-signed backup center Ryan Seymour, special teams kick returner Marlon Moore, and punter Spencer Lanning.

That’s it, so far.

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Hartline adds a steady veteran presence to the wide receiver corps, with experience as a #1 and #2 wide receiver. Like Browns receiver Andrew Hawkins, Hartline can play on both sides of the field and in the slot.

Cleveland Browns Staff Writer Kevin Jones notes the similar flexibility with Hawkins and Hartline could pose a challenge to opposing defenses.

“The fact that both receivers can line up all over the football field is going to keep offensive coordinator John DeFilippo busy drawing up patterns to give Cleveland’s offense a jolt.”

This is great news for a receiving corps that was looking threadbare with yet another season-long suspension taking 2013 receiving yards leader Josh Gordon off the field.

The other free agent signings shore up quality backup positions and special teams. Marlon Moore was the team’s top kick returner in 2014, and threw in a bunch of tackles and a forced fumble last year, for good measure.

In other words, these moves were solid, respectable and understandable. So what’s next?

Dec 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

While other organizations have made splashy (if somewhat puzzling) moves, Cleveland has placed tenders on some of their key free agents and waited.

According to Andrew Gribble of ClevelandBrowns.com, the Browns placed tenders on safety Tashaun Gipson, linebacker Craig Robertson, defensive lineman Ishmaa’ily Kitchen and special teamer Johnson Bademosi.

Placing the tenders reserves the Browns’ right to match any contract offers these free agents might receive, and sets a price in terms of a commensurate draft pick for any team that would sign the player away. It’s a good way to test the price of players without risking them leaving on a blockbuster deal.

Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Of these players, Gipson is the most important to re-sign. Despite a season ending knee injury in week 11, Gipson was second overall in the NFL for interceptions in 2014. He also made the Pro Bowl, the first undrafted Browns player to do so in over 20 years.

Gipson has shown steady improvement since joining the organization. 2014 was a break out year for him and there doesn’t appear to be any concerns about the knee injury going forward. This year’s draft and free agency is thin for secondary players. He would be hard to replace.

The Browns have also lost a few players to other teams.

Cornerback Buster Skrine was an early signing with the New York Jets, making the re-signing of Gipson all the more important.

Offensive linebacker Jabaal Sheard, rated as the twenty-fifth best free agent by NFL.com, was signed by the New England Patriots.

Bran Hoyer, former starting quarterback, has signed with the Houston Texans. He had already been replaced by Josh McCown. Quarterback is still a question mark for the Browns. If Johnny Manziel cannot make enormous strides in training camp, the team looks to start the 36-year-old former Tampa Bay Buccaneer on opening day – unless something radical happens in the draft.

Lastly, safety Jim Leonhard and wide receiver Miles Austin are still looking for a home.

With the signing of Hartline, it’s more likely the Browns will pick up a young receiver in this year’s loaded draft class than re-sign Austin. Leonhard, at age 33, is a candidate to retire after ten seasons.

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