10 Most Likely Players Seen in a Cleveland Browns Uniform Next Year

The first question you may ask is how anyone can know what free agents the Cleveland Browns, not alone any team, can sign this early. But there is one definite trend that will never fail. Every time Cleveland gets a new head coach, a new general manager, or in the recent case, a new President, they must implement their new philosophy. For example when Romeo Crenell was first hired as head coach in 2005 he immediate implemented the 3-4 defense he used as a defensive coordinator in New England. We are currently seeing a new philosophy being implemented as Mike Holmgren has handpicked his general manager (Tom Heckert), quarterback (Colt McCoy), and now head coach (Pat Shurmur). A full-out West Coast Offense will be seen next year. In addition, defensive coordinator Dick Jauron classically has worked with a 4-3 defense prompting the team to return to the formation they employed prior to 2005.

So we know that the Browns will have a West Coast Offense with a 4-3 defense. Well first we can narrow down with what the Browns need. On offense they will need wide receivers and offensive linemen (a subject I will address further in future articles). On defense the conversion will require more defensive linemen and linebackers adept to the 4-3.

Lastly, what is the best way for any coach to implement his style? Of course, it is to use the same players that have played with him before. Each new head coach in Cleveland has done this. Here are just a couple players that came with head coaches and other executives:

Butch Davis (from the Miami Hurricanes) drafted runningback James Jackson (3^rd round, 2001 draft) who started as a rookie, wide receiver Andre King (7^th round, 2001 draft), and tackle Joaquin Gozalez (7^th round, 2002 draft) who started in 2004). In addition other former Hurricanes were signed through free agency included starting defensive end Kenard Lang, starting safety Earl Little, wide receiver Jammi German, and defensive end Derrick Ham.

Romeo Crennel (from the New England Patriots) was accompanied by starting guard Joe Andruzzi and defensive tackle Ethan Kelley.

Eric Mangini (from the New York Jets) brought quarterback Brett Ratliff, runningback Noah Herron, defensive ends C.J. Mosely and Kenyon Coleman, linebackers Eric Barton and David Bowens, and defensivebacks Abram Elam and Hank Poteat.

Mike Holmgren (from the Seattle Seahawks) brought quarterback Senaca Wallace and wide receiver Bobby Engram.

Tom Heckert (from the Philadelphia Eagles) acquired tight end Alex Smith, linebacker Chris Cocong, and cornerback Sheldon Brown.

Now looking at upcoming free agents that worked under Tom Heckert in Philadelphia and under Pat Shurmur with the St. Louis Rams, these are the players that Cleveland would most likely sign and make the biggest impact.

David Akers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: David Akers #2 kicks as Sav Rocca #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles holds against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (P

Kicker Philadelphia Eagles                                           

2010 season:      32 field goals out of 38 attempts, 143 points

Due to the holdout last season it appears that long-time kicker Phil Dawson will not return. Who better to sign than an effective kicker who played during Heckert’s entire stay in Philadelphia?

Mark Clayton

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 03: Mark Clayton #89 of the St. Louis Rams makes the catch as Kelly Jennings #21 of the Seattle Seahawks defends on October 3, 2010 at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 20-3. (Photo by Elsa/Gett

Wide Receiver St. Louis Rams    

2010 season:      306 yards, 2 touchdowns

A surprisingly effective starter for the Rams before getting injured several games into the season. Not the most talented starting receiver but with the dismal state of Cleveland’s wide receiving corps Clayton would easily start over Brian Robiskie and may even beat out Mohammad Massaquoi as the leading receiver.

Laurent Robinson

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ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 27: Laurent Robinson #11 of the St. Louis Rams catches a pass against the Green Bay Packers at the Edward Jones Dome on September 27, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Wide Receiver St. Louis Rams    

2010 season:      344 yards, 2 touchdowns

Robinson is one of many receivers thrust into the starting role in St. Louis. Like Clayton, he could start over Robiskie in Cleveland, or as a 3^rd receiver if another free agent is signed.

Reggie Wells

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Beanie Wells #26 is tackked by Reggie Nelson #25 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Backup Guard Philadelphia Eagles                           

2010 season:      8 games, 1 game started

Wells may have been a backup guard last year but he started for Arizona as recent as 2009. Cleveland’s weakness on the right side of the offensive line could use some stability with Wells as a starting or even backup guard.

Mark Setterstrom

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MINNEAPOLIS - DECEMBER 31: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams celebrates his touchdown with teammates Todd Steussie #79 and Mark Setterstrom #66 in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings on December 31, 2006 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodom

Backup Guard/Center St. Louis Rams

2010 season:      Injured

Setterstrom has seen starts at both guard and center in St. Louis. In Cleveland his versatility could prove useful as a primary backup and spot starter.

Victor Abiamiri

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 18: JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders passes against Victor Abiamiri #95 of the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 18, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobs

Backup Defensive End Philadelphia Eagles

2010 season:      Injured

With the switch to the 4-3 and only one quality defensive end not heading into free agency for Cleveland (Kenyon Coleman), they will need to stock up on linemen. Abiamiri could be a defensive end coming off the bench.

Gary Gibson

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 21: Gary Gibson #90 of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the Minnesota Vikings during their NFL game at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on September 21, 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 20-10

Backup Defensive Tackle St. Louis Rams

2010 season:      18 tackles

With the switch to the 4-3 Cleveland needs at least 3 defensive tackles. Currently they have only one quality tackle present in Ahtyba Rubin with Shaun Rogers falling out of favor and most likely leaving in free agency. Gibson could provide depth as a rotational lineman coming off the bench.

Stewart Bradley

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Stewart Bradley #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles breaks up a pass intended for Kevin Boss #89 of the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Imag

Middle Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles   

2010 season:      59 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception

Bradley is a talented linebacker for Philadelphia over couple years. He is a talent that would be very welcome to the Browns linebacking corps.

Omar Gaither

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Stephen McGee #7 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against Omar Gaither #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 14-13. (

Backup Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles

2010 season:      35 tackles

Gaither fell out of favor in Philadelphia after losing his starting job to Stewart Bradley. However he could provide solid depth in Cleveland for the linebacking corps.

Quintin Mikell

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: John Kuhn #30 of the Green Bay Packers loses the ball after getting tackled by Quintin Mikell #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philad

Starting Strong Safety Philadelphia Eagles

2010 season:      88 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions            

Signing Mikell would mean letting go of Abram Elam. But then again a decent safety in Sean Jones was also let go in favor of Mangini’s man in Elam. Jettisoning Elam in favor of more familiar Mikell would not be unheard of and would not be a downgrade.