The Browns coaching staff is now busy writing a four-page report on every player, to help Coach Davis decide which players to keep. It’s a challenging task. You must factor in contract status, salary, age, and injuries. Then consider your depth at the position, a player’s versatility, and the potential alternatives available through the draft and free agency. And, of course, you cannot overlook talent, performance and intangible qualities like leadership, work ethic, and character.
The Plain Dealer, in today’s season recap, rated each Brown by listing them, with William Green on top and Joaquin Gonzalez at number 50, along with a one-phrase appraisal. Here’s my list, based only on these criteria: most valuable to the team’s 2002 success, and most important to retain for next year:
1. Dennis Northcutt: Electrifying all season. No one’s preseason pick became our best special-teamer and key threat on passing downs. 1,239 all-purpose yards and ten TDs in just 14 games.
2. William Green: Found his game mid-season and showed star quality with quick and powerful bursts. Gained 1,038 yards from scrimmage despite tentative beginnings.
3. Orpheus Roye: Restructed his contract, then led linemen in tackles. Held the middle well, yet was all over the field in pursuit.
4. Kelly Holcomb: Could start for many NFL teams, including this one.
5. Jamel White: 63 catches, 4.4 yards per rush, 988 all-purpose yards, no fumbles. With his sure hands and big-play ability, he sounds like a keeper to me.
6. Earl Holmes: Play improved and leadership took hold as year went on. Led team with 95 tackles (Griffith was next with 62).
7. Tim Couch: Tough and tenacious, but a little slow in making and acting on reads. If he takes it upon himself to improve, rather than bemoaning his situation, he still has upside potential.
8. Kevin Johnson: Led team with 67 catches, but 10.5-yard average is his lowest. Can his ego handle the “possession receiver” label?
9. Quincy Morgan: Proved he’s a true threat to stretch defenses, but his mental game is not top-notch. Still uses his hands too much to create separation, and he’s prone to drop passes.
10. Corey Fuller: Embodies the fiestiness and self-determined attitude this team needs. A wily vet we should keep as long as his body holds out.
11. Earl Little: Came on strong once he got healthy. Tough hitter, but coverage skills need some work.
12. Ross Verba: Would be better at guard, but still had a decent season at the key left tackle position.
13. Ryan Tucker: He’s a mauler, but needs to cut down his false start penalties.
14. Daylon McCutcheon: Excellent tackling and coverage technician, but at his size, injuries are resulting.
15. Andre Davis: Great surprise with eight TDs as a rookie. Better conditioning will keep him from “hitting the wall” again.
16. Mark Word: Situational player led team with eight sacks.
17. Dave Wohlabaugh: Solid if unspectacular center, will probably be cut if Coach Davis thinks Fowler is ready.
18. Kenard Lang: Played hurt, still deserves a chance to earn his big contract.
19. Brant Boyer: Capable veteran linebacker and special-teamer, but at 32 years old, will he be effective in coverage next season?
20. Gerard Warren: Lacks all the intangibles you like to see in a player. How hard he works this off-season will tell the story.
21. Phil Dawson: Trustworthy kicker also had some nice onside kicks (and a recovery!) this year. Needs more depth on kickoffs.
22. Chris Gardocki: Not his best season, but not terrible either. Look for a training camp challenger with a strong leg for kickoffs.
23. Courtney Brown: Ought to accept restructured contract. His rehab and confidence will determine whether he can ever match his potential.
24. Robert Griffith: Made lots of tackles due to porous run defense up front. Also missed some big tackles and hurt our own guys with some hits and penalties.
25. Shaun O’Hara: Smart and versatile, not a dominant blocker. Ideal as a backup center/guard, he started every game at RG.
26. Barry Stokes: Good for team chemistry, not so good for ripping open running lanes.
27. Anthony Henry: Sophomore jinx or fluke rookie year? Seemed to give too much cushion to receivers. Better suited to safety than cornerback.
28. Darren Hambrick: Decent fill-in LB. With Campo on the scene, I’d be surprised if he returns.
29. Tyrone Rogers: Decent backup pass-rusher, undersized for every-down play.
30. Dwayne Rudd: The helmet throw was far from the only evidence that he is undisciplined. Unlikely to return.
31. Mark Campbell: Showed good hands, but probably not the long-term answer at tight end.
32. Ryan Kuehl: Still one of the game’s best long snappers.
33. Steve Heiden: For his size, ought to be a better blocker.
34. Kevin Bentley: Will get every chance to earn starting LB job.
35. Devin Bush: Struggled with injury, then became the forgotten man.
36. Alvin McKinley: Another option for keeping DL fresh through rotation.
37. Chris Akins: Some nice special teams hits, but too many penalties. Finding another gunner who can also play from scrimmage would help team depth.
38. Andra Davis: Has the potential to become a starter some day.
39. Lewis Sanders: Became “most picked on” DB. May yet improve. Special teams ability helps.
40. Mike Jameson: Another special teamer/DB with potential.
41. Aaron Shea: Can he ever stay healthy?
42. Andre King: Had two important catches on the winning drive against the Ravens, but will be remembered for not getting out of bounds in time in Pittsburgh.
43. James Jackson: You don’t say the coach has “lost his damn mind” and get many more chances to show your stuff.
44. Melvin Fowler: Is he ready to supplant Wohlabaugh at center? Was inactive most of the year.
45. Darnell Sanders: If the tight end of the future is already on the roster, Sanders will have to be the man.
46. Josh Booty: Fortunately, third-string QB never had to show us whether he’s game-ready.
47. Paul Zukauskas: Getting better, but still not seen as a potential stalwart starter.
48. Cedric Scott: Late-season pick-up could help with the pass rush.
49. Frisman Jackson: Not much playing time given the deep WR corps, but has a very strong arm.
50. Joaquin Gonzalez: Seventh-round tackle from Miami was neither ready nor needed this season. I’m sure they’re past it now, but he was clearly critical of Davis for leaving Miami for the NFL.
