DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum The Joe Haden question

Last year, for a short period of time, Joe Haden became the second highest paid CB in the NFL by signing a $68 mil contract extension. At the time Richard Sherman was signed for one less year, but was the only CB that was making more per year than Haden. Patrick Peterson signed a contract soon after Haden that exceeded both yearly totals.

Although it was believed that while Haden was not quite at the level of Peterson or Sherman playing wise, he was close enough to be at that pay level.

For the 2014 season Haden suffered a dip in production and was ranked the 29th CB by PFF. This year QB's have had an almost perfect 158.2 passer rating against him and he is ranked 105 out out 111 CB's. Several members of his own team are out-performing him to the point that he would have a hard time performing at the same level as the 3rd string right now.

The Cleveland defense is the highest paid defense in the league and is under performing. Adjustments will need to be made again and some of those adjustments will cost money. Haden is currently the highest paid defensive player by a wide margin.

Now the Issues.

1) Haden has performed at an elite level in the past, but has underperformed since signing his contract extension.

2) Haden has missed 4 games so far this season and will most likely miss his 5th game against Pittsburgh as he is still in the concussion protocol. Before this year, Haden had missed a total of 4 games to injury since his rookie year in 2010. This is his 2nd concussion this year and once you have had a concussion, you become more susceptible to the next concussion.

3) Aderall- Haden has also missed 4 weeks of his career due to a suspension for taking Aderall. Although there has been no indication that this problem will occur again, some have believed that his play has declined since that suspension. That may indicate an incentive to try taking the substance again.

The choices for the Browns.

1) Do nothing. The argument can be made that Haden's large drop off this year is due to playing injured and he could quickly return to form next year if healthy. People opposed to this could point out that our highest paid defensive player has is 2nd concussion this year and the odds of more concussions will only increase. Giving Haden another year does not mean that we can't revisit these choices again in 2017 or during the season in 2016 when a team might become more interested if in him if they have an injury.

2) Ask Haden to renegotiate. The argument can be made that due to some of the depth we have at corner, Haden might not even be a starter next year. His cap hit next year will be $13.5 mil. Of course Haden may reject this and force Cleveland to make another move if he still believes in his abilities.

3) Trade Haden. This may be difficult given his performance this year and his contract, but a large part of that contract is guaranteed for injury only, so a CB needy team may be interested.

4) Cut him. As stated before, a large part of his contract is guaranteed for injury only. If Haden were cut next year, It would be a 1 time cap hit of $10 mil. The cap savings would only be about $3.5 mil off of his cap hit of $13.5 mil next year.

we shouldn't even be considering trading or cutting away one of our best players. that's all i have to say about that.

But, he is not playing like one of our best players. Only his rep is saving him. If other guys were playing as bad as he has been, they would have been cut.

agree other than next week is the bye... but yeah rest him this week as I'd rather have Tramon on Antonio Brown anyways. Let Gilbert or Desir deal with Bryant.

Well, last I knew, Bowe was still a member of the Browns Vers.

The choices for the Browns.

1) Do nothing. The argument can be made that Haden's large drop off this year is due to playing injured and he could quickly return to form next year if healthy. People opposed to this could point out that our highest paid defensive player has is 2nd concussion this year and the odds of more concussions will only increase. Giving Haden another year does not mean that we can't revisit these choices again in 2017 or during the season in 2016 when a team might become more interested if in him if they have an injury.

2) Ask Haden to renegotiate. The argument can be made that due to some of the depth we have at corner, Haden might not even be a starter next year. His cap hit next year will be $13.5 mil. Of course Haden may reject this and force Cleveland to make another move if he still believes in his abilities.

3) Trade Haden. This may be difficult given his performance this year and his contract, but a large part of that contract is guaranteed for injury only, so a CB needy team may be interested.

4) Cut him. As stated before, a large part of his contract is guaranteed for injury only. If Haden were cut next year, It would be a 1 time cap hit of $10 mil. The cap savings would only be about $3.5 mil off of his cap hit of $13.5 mil next year.

Gaines will be playing as well.

LINK

I don't think it's injury related... but he really looks distracted

A point of clarification: Archer has been cut.

Then again, many fans give certain players a free pass and go off on others w/out much justification.

I am not sure either, Pit. Just my instincts kicking in when I have watched him play. Plus, he has made comments in the past that make me wonder about his commitment to winning.

Again, I have no real proof. I'm not positive. Just a feeling. And you've been around long enough to know what usually happens when I feel that way about a guy.