BEREA, Ohio -- On a day Cleveland went logo loco, the local football franchise also announced Brownie the Elf would return for another season.
Now that he's not using his hands to make the Johny Manziel money sign -- see countless Twitter avatars -- the club might need to employ him as a tight end.
Although the Browns' quarterback quandary continues to dominate headlines, there are no easy answers at a position of growing importance. Should they retain oft-injured Jordan Cameron? Spend big money to acquire a tight end in free agency? Or select one in the draft?
The best solution might involve a kid named Clive Walford, who sounds like he should be a love interest of Lady Mary Crawley on Downton Abbey. But that's getting ahead of our story.
It wasn't long ago the Browns appeared set at tight end after Cameron enjoyed his breakout Pro Bowl season in 2013. Remember when fans were concerned about giving center Alex Mack too much money because the team would need it to re-sign Josh Gordon and Cameron?
The tight end possesses good size, high character and acrobatic pass-catching abilities. The only thing scarier than his athletic ability is his medical file. That's what makes re-signing him or placing a franchise tag on Cameron so problematic. He's sustained a concussion in each of the past three years and also missed time last season with a shoulder injury.
Despite having the league's third-most salary cap space, it's understandable why the Browns might balk at committing to Cameron. They have until Monday to decide whether to franchise him for one season at $8.8 million. It's a tough call and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Browns allow him to walk.
Brownie the Elf is back, but his pass-catching skills are limited.city-data.comAt his best, the USC product represents the new breed of tight ends who stress defenses in the seams with the matchup problems they create. Picture Cameron's 80-yard touchdown against the Panthers in Week 15.
But he's not the only tight end of value who could hit the market March 10. The biggest name is the Broncos' Julius Thomas. The 6-4, 251-pounder grabbed 24 TD receptions over the past two seasons, making him one of the league's top red-zone threats. But Thomas comes with injury concerns, as well.
There's also the matter of who's throwing the passes. Teams must ask themselves whether the tight end would thrive without Peyton Manning as his quarterback and Demaryius Thomas creating space for him at wide receiver?
Regardless, he should attract ample suitors and the Browns probably would need to seriously overpay for Thomas' services. Other free-agent possibilities include Dolphins' Charles Clay and Ravens' Owen Daniels. Clay is an intriguing figure, but he could command $6 million per season on the open market. He's also coming off an injury-plagued season. There's a strong chance Clay remains with the Dolphins.
The Browns are meeting with Eagles' discard James Casey, who has a combined six receptions in the past two seasons. The club already has dependable depth tight ends in Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray.
If the Browns don't re-sign Cameron, their best bet to land an impact tight end might be in the draft, perhaps in the second or third round.
A dream scenario is University of Minnesota's Maxx Williams -- likened to the Cowboys' Jason Witten -- falling to them at No. 43 overall. Considered the best prospect at the position, Williams is 6-4, 249 pounds with good hands and NFL bloodlines. (His father, Brian, is a former Giants' center.) But if the Broncos lose Thomas it's easy to imagine them snatching Williams late in the first round.
That brings us to our man, Clive. Walford is 6-4, 251 pounds of attitude. He showed improvement in each of his four seasons at Miami and impressed scouts with his Senior Bowl practice week.
"I am the best tight end in this draft ... because I can block, I can catch, I can run after the catch, do everything that a tight end is expected to do," said Walford, who registered 44 receptions for 676 yards and seven TDs last season.
Scouts have questions, however, about his consistency and penchant for mental mistakes. Who else, then? Maybe, Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman as a mid-round alternative.
There are no certainties here for the Browns other than they need a good tight end. Absent a high-profile quarterback, they must surround whoever wins the job with talent at the skill positions to compete in the AFC North.
The Browns should get a quality receiver if they dedicate a first-round pick to acquiring one. The tight end options are a different story.
As for Brownie, he might be able to throw a decent stiff arm, but he lacks good foot speed and catching radius. Besides, many NFL talent evaluators see him as a two-dimensional figure.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/02/cleveland_browns_have_no_easy.html
