NFL Free Agency 2011: Ronnie Brown and Others Facing a Pay Cut This Offseason

With NFL Free Agency coming hopefully sooner rather than later, stars like running back Ronnie Brown and others will be getting a major pay cut.

When big star players play well for their teams, they expect to reimbursed financially, but what happens when their talent is diminishing?

When star players start to just be like any other player on the team, they will start getting paid that way.

The following list is of the ten players who will be getting a pay cut this season.

10. Roy Williams

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Roy L. Williams #31 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

While the terms of Roy Williams’ deal with the Cincinnati Bengals were never released, you can bet your bottom dollar that he won’t be making as much this season.

While with Dallas, Roy Williams was a solid safety and even though his second season in Cincinnati went well, he won’t earn as much money.

His speed has diminished and his coverage abilities are not what they used to be. In just 12 games, he had only 59 total tackles, but he fits in with what the Bengals are doing on defense.

9. Cadillac Williams

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 27: Cadillac Williams #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs past Will Smith #91 of the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on December 27, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

When Cadillac Williams came into the NFL as a highly touted running back, he signed five year contract with the Buccaneers worth $31 million.

Williams has seen injuries pile up over his career and has seen rookie LeGarrette Blount splitting time with him.

While it looks like Williams is finding his niche as a running back, he won’t be making the kind of money he’s made since 2005.

8. Tommie Harris

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Tommie Harris #91 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a sack of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by J

When defensive tackle Tommie Harris is playing at his best, he is a monster. The problem is that he can’t play like that anymore.

While Harris was making around $10 million per year, the Bears cut him On February 28, 2011 and are looking elsewhere for help in the middle.

If Harris can use this as motivation for next season, he could earn a solid contract somewhere in the NFL. Even if he does, it won’t be $10 million a year.

7. Carlos Rogers

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 3: Wide Receiver Malcom Floyd #80 of the San Diego Chargers catches the ball for a reception against the defense of Cornerback Carlos Rodgers #22 of the Washington Redskins on January 3, 2010 at Quolcomm Stadium in San Diego, Cali

While it looks like former Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers has recovered well from his major knee surgery from a few years back, injury problems have plagued Rogers.

Rogers has been one of the more solid pieces on the Redskins the last two seasons, but the injuries will be a huge factor in Roger’s contract negotiations.

For the past five seasons, Roger’s hasn’t made great money (over $3 million annually), but I can’t imagine it getting any better with his injury concerns.

6. Matt Hasselbeck

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to throw the ball during pregame before taking on the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

Matt Hasselbeck will not receive the kind of money he did while with the Seattle Seahawks.

Hasselbeck made $47 million over the last six seasons, but he is a free agent now and he won’t get anywhere near that.

While injuries have been major concerns for Hasselbeck, he could be a great addition to a team looking to ease a rookie quarterback into the starting role.

5. Terrell Owens

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches on before the start of their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Get

When Terrell Owens signed a one year, $2 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, I could have told you Carson Palmer would want to quit.

While Owens outperformed what I expected from him, with 72 catches and almost 1000 yards receiving to go along with his nine touchdowns, he won’t get the same money from any team in the NFL.

He will sign on with a team, but he will sign a veteran minimum deal that is full of achievement based bonuses.

4. Shaun Ellis

Al Bello/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots is sacked by Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by

While Shaun Ellis isn’t as good as he once was, he is still worth the under $4 million per year yea was making before with the Jets.

While some team may try to pay him more, Ellis wants to win a Super Bowl and he may have to take a pay cut to get on a winning team.

Ellis is still solid, recording five sacks last season, but he is not the same player, only registering 36 tackles in 15 games.

3. Randy Moss

Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - OCTOBER 7: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss answers questions from the media during a press conference at Winter Park on October 7, 2010 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

"I know I didn’t have a great season last year," Moss said to the Boston Herald. "But I also know that these (hands) still work and I know I can still play at a high level."

Well, he didn’t show it much last season and you better believe he will be signed to a very small contract if he is even signed at all.

While his talent even at age 34 is evident, it’s the intangibles that will scare teams.

He has had trouble everywhere he has gone, but he would probably sign a veteran minimum contract and help not harm a great team like the Patriots. If they’ll have him back.

2. Cedric Benson

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Imag

It’s hard to tell if Cedric Benson is running lazy or if the Bengals offensive line is that terrible.

Either way, it’s going to hurt Benson’s chances at a big contract. Benson is coming off a two year deal with the Bengals worth $7 million and it will be interesting to gauge the interest of teams in Benson.

While Benson has shown he can be a workhorse, having over 300 rushes the last two seasons, he averaged only 3.5 yards per rush last season.

1. Ronnie Brown

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Running back Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins scores a touchdown against the New York Jets fans prior to their game at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated New York 31-27. (Photo by Marc Sero

Ronnie Brown has had a tumultuous career with the Dolphins and it looks like it’s over.

Brown received a five-year contract after being drafted second overall worth nearly $35 million.

Now that injuries and a few years of not carrying a full workload have slowed his step, I can’t imagine he’ll be earning anywhere near that this season.