Sean Jones? Yay? Nay?

[swerb]

Think Grossi sums it up pretty well here:

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.s ... agent.html

6. Safety Sean Jones

Age: 26

NFL seasons: 5.

Comment: He, too, had a big opportunity taken away by a knee injury. He missed two preseason games and then four in regular season after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. When he returned, he just didn't look like the same player. He caught the bad-tackling germ and seemed to play tentatively. His four interceptions were second on the team. Two years ago Jones was this close to becoming an elite safety. It still could happen, but there is an element of risk in giving him a big contract.

----

Me personally, I was disgusted with an interview I heard on the radio with Jones, right after the Browns 0-3 start ... where he, in a nutshell, came out and said he was going to get his knee cleaned out in season because he was a FA at year end and had to take care of his future.

This is a high risk/high reward decision for ManKok. Jones upside is as high as any safety out there available in FA, and he is just entering the prime 3-4 years of his career. And while him having the in season surgery last year drove us nuts, it means he is full tilt heading into camp.

But his play, tackling, attitude have been erratic. Complicating matters is the fact that the Browns would have a gaping hole at safety if they let him walk, with just the inconsistent Brodney Pool as someone you can really count on to contribute there.

The FA ranks outside of Jones at safety have some intriguing names. Veterans that had nice seasons last year like Jermaine Phillips (TB), Yeremiah Bell (Mia) and Eugene Wilson (NE). Guys that have had nice careers but could be at the end of the road like Darren Sharper (Min), Lawyer Milloy (Atl), Mike Brown (Chi), and Brian Dawkins (Phil). Also some younger kids that emerged a little last year ... but may not be worthy of multi-year deals and a starting role. Names like Oshiomogho Atogwe (Stl), James Sanders (NE), Jim Leohnard (Bal), and Gerald Sensanbaugh (Jax).

End of the day ... I try and bring back Mike Adams because of his special teams play, and pray you never need him to play safety. I let Jones walk.

I really feel CB and S will be one position the Browns will attack hard in FA. While this years FA class is far from stellar, CB and S are two of the strongest positions for this off-season.

[pup]

I guess it depends on what he requires. Why create a hole? If he demands to be paid like he played 2 years ago, I have some hesitations.

My head says there is no reason to go out and have to pay someone who may be as good as he is. Especially when you realize you might not even get one of the couple of guys who are as good as he is. Find out what he wants, and if it is reasonable, keep him around. More objectives in FA is not what we need right now.

[peeker643]

Look at the holes on the team.

I think you have to focus on the 'blows and swallows' crowd before you look to lose the guys who are mediocre.

And you won't have to look further than LB to find 'blows and swallows'.

Now, if Jones wants mediocre money, welcome back. If he wants more than that I'd remove his name plate like it was a HoF mural.

[noles1]

Jones with me is a tough call. Personally I wouldn't be opposed to letting him go and bringing in someone else. I'd actually feel like you could go young here if you add the right piece. This draft has some real quality at the safety position.

That said, I can completely understand the rationale that why create a hole. Ultimately it will come down to the right price but I am leery of anyone that takes a "me-first" attitude.

Let's ask ourselves this... what would the Steelers do with Jones? What would they have done had he pulled that crap comment mid-season?

[mistero]

I think he'll get some decent offers. I wouldn't want to be in a bidding war to keep him.
He can get a decent offer to stay , but I'd let him test the waters first.
Like many players, he thinks he's much better than he really is.

[jb]

I guess it depends on what he requires. Why create a hole? If he demands to be paid like he played 2 years ago, I have some hesitations.

My head says there is no reason to go out and have to pay someone who may be as good as he is. Especially when you realize you might not even get one of the couple of guys who are as good as he is. Find out what he wants, and if it is reasonable, keep him around. More objectives in FA is not what we need right now.

^ + 1

[jb]

Jones with me is a tough call. Personally I wouldn't be opposed to letting him go and bringing in someone else. I'd actually feel like you could go young here if you add the right piece. This draft has some real quality at the safety position.

That said, I can completely understand the rationale that why create a hole. Ultimately it will come down to the right price but I am leery of anyone that takes a "me-first" attitude.

Let's ask ourselves this... what would the Steelers do with Jones? What would they have done had he pulled that crap comment mid-season?

The media would have ignored him becasue he'd have been a nobody on the bench behind Troy P ?

[Yinzer Hater]

Anyone think he'll be tagged before the 26th? Have the Browns ever franchised anyone???

[Ziner]

Anyone think he'll be tagged before the 26th? Have the Browns ever franchised anyone???

I would doubt they franchise him even though the safety tag is only 6.432 mil. I would think you could get a comparable player with less money. If I were the Browns I would just let the market play out and ask for a chance to match or beat his best offer. I dont see him breaking the bank.

And no I am pretty sure we havent franchised a player. we suck..

[ramllov]

Sean Jones, it is always about the price.

He is a good strong safety.

If the price is right, keep him.

However, if his demands are unreasonable, he goes away.

There are a few elite strong safeties in the league.

The switch to a more aggressive defense under Mangini, might require a SS with more pass coverage skills.

Again, it is all a matter of price.

Can Mangini find a better strong safety in free agency or the draft for a lower cost?

This is an open question.

Does Sean Jones want to stay in Cleveland and see what the Mangini defense can do. He has been hear for 5 or 6 years.

There are many required starting positions on this team.

If Mangini can fill Sean Jones, Ryan Tucker, JJ for another year, these are three starters that they do not have to find in free agency or the draft.

[ProgRocker]

I lean towards keeping him at a reasonable price. I'm not as down on the secondary as a lot of folks are and Jones is one of the reasons why -- the other being how shitty the LBs are. If the Browns can get two decent LBs and let the rest of the DB corps stay intact (keep in mind they're all fairly young, Jones included) I think the defense can step up a few more notches. But they can't create more holes if they can help it.

As for Jones' comments, they don't seem any worse than anything KW or Braylon said, and we know they're keeping at least one of those two guys if not both. His only mistake was saying it out loud - and knowing, of course, that he would never be punished by saying it thanks to the Sta-Puft Marshmallow Ex-Coach we had last year.

[DrPoove]

Me personally, I was disgusted with an interview I heard on the radio with Jones, right after the Browns 0-3 start ... where he, in a nutshell, came out and said he was going to get his knee cleaned out in season because he was a FA at year end and had to take care of his future.

I used to love this guy but he lost me, as well, after that interview. That being said, I would have to concur with the majority who said if the price is right then why create yet another hole.

If only Taylor Mays had come out for the draft. Ba$tard.

[BadBecks]

With Mangini's background in coaching DB's, I have a feeling that he may not be too impressed with Jones. Also, from what I've read the Browns paid quite a bit of attention of the safties that were in attendance at the Senior Bowl.

From what I've seen, as a fan, the Browns could benifit from a turnover in several areas of the defense. Along with DE, CB, a couple LB spots...strong safety is one of them. This team is in desperate need of high character team players as much as a talent upgrade. Stick a fork in the guy.

[jb]

With Mangini's background in coaching DB's, I have a feeling that he may not be too impressed with Jones. Also, from what I've read the Browns paid quite a bit of attention of the safties that were in attendance at the Senior Bowl.

From what I've seen, as a fan, the Browns could benifit from a turnover in several areas of the defense. Along with DE, CB, a couple LB spots...strong safety is one of them. This team is in desperate need of high character team players as much as a talent upgrade. Stick a fork in the guy.

becks - I can not concur completely. IMhO, it is the FRONT 7, not the back 4, that is the problem.

And "high character" ?

Naaah. Frankly, we need more thugs,particularly on D . Football is a game of violence as much as a sport of ability and skill. No way to soft sell that fact. I'm glad kam Wimbley is a good guy. I'd rather have Harrison or Porter.

Latest example? Ryan Clark arrested for disorderly conduct. That's the samne guy who is the CF enforcer (ask Welker) so Troy P can freelance.

We need some for real ass pipe wielding cats by the dozen who will kill you to win a football game. Right now we have Dante Stallworth.

We have none except maybe Shaun. Our cats are more interetsed in trying to injure the franchise QB in the weight room.

[jordan kramer]

dude is a stiff. new coach, new GM, we need to pretty much clean house on defense...

[Hydra Melee]

I hear a lot about "if the price is right".

The price won't be right. If/ when he hits open market, the price will be too much to match. I haven't checked the FA rankings recently, but a he's a probably one of the top two safeties that would be available. He's also 26, which greatly increases his desireability.

If this becomes about "a good price", than that's just riding the fence while supporting his departure.

[BadBecks]

With Mangini's background in coaching DB's, I have a feeling that he may not be too impressed with Jones. Also, from what I've read the Browns paid quite a bit of attention of the safties that were in attendance at the Senior Bowl.

From what I've seen, as a fan, the Browns could benifit from a turnover in several areas of the defense. Along with DE, CB, a couple LB spots...strong safety is one of them. This team is in desperate need of high character team players as much as a talent upgrade. Stick a fork in the guy.

becks - I can not concur completely. IMhO, it is the FRONT 7, not the back 4, that is the problem.

And "high character" ?

Naaah. Frankly, we need more thugs,particularly on D . Football is a game of violence as much as a sport of ability and skill. No way to soft sell that fact. I'm glad kam Wimbley is a good guy. I'd rather have Harrison or Porter.

Latest example? Ryan Clark arrested for disorderly conduct. That's the samne guy who is the CF enforcer (ask Welker) so Troy P can freelance.

We need some for real ass pipe wielding cats by the dozen who will kill you to win a football game. Right now we have Dante Stallworth.

We have none except maybe Shaun. Our cats are more interetsed in trying to injure the franchise QB in the weight room.

You can still be a "high character" player while playing like a thug on the field. I really meant it in a football sense. Not in a Jehovah's Witness door-to-door kind of way...at all. You use several Steelers players as examples of "thugs" that you want on the Browns. I agree. They are also high character types because they bust their ass, play the team game, and refuse to lose. No excuses. That is pretty much the type of football player I was talking about.

Examples of non "low character" guys would be me first players who don't fit the above bill like Donte Stallworth, Braylon Edwards...and yes, Sean Jones. The guy came off like a bitch because it was a contract year and once the season went South, so did his character and game. Kokinis knows this (it was his job to in B'more), that's why he hasn't even given Jones' agent a single phone call to date.