Written by Dave Kolonich

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It seems like it was only yesterday that a handful of disgruntled Browns players chose to raise their voices – albeit rather softly – regarding their contract status by sitting out the late Spring OTA’s.

It seems like it was only yesterday that these same players chose the most inopportune time to make such a statement – considering that a new management regime had just been installed in Berea.

And just like yesterday – and likely tomorrow as well – I’m not sure if anyone is listening.

In the manic frenzy of Capitalism that is the NFL, let’s just call this the Silly Season.

Heckert on Roth

Browns linebacker Matt Roth asked to be traded on Monday, but General Manager Tom Heckert said “it’s not going to happen.”

It was a strong statement to Roth and the other four restricted free agents who skipped the first day of voluntary organized team activities on Monday — Abe Elam, D’Qwell Jackson, Jerome Harrison and Lawrence Vickers.

Heckert viewed Roth’s trade request as part of the negotiating process. Roth received a second-round tender from the Browns worth $1.809 million. He has until June 15 to sign it or risk having the Browns reduce the offer. The other restricted free agents have second-round tenders of $1.759 million, slightly less because they’re four-year veterans and Roth is five.

“It’s tough for us to make a long-term commitment to these guys when we haven’t been around them,” said Heckert. “That’s not saying they’re not good players, it’s just tough to do, when you’re talking about financially quite a bit of money. Eric [Mangini has] only been around for a year, and we [Heckert and President Mike Holmgren] haven’t seen them at all.”

Asked if the players have any leverage, he said emphatically, “no.”

Don’t you just love that last line?  Regardless of the quality of player that Roth is and/or could be – and considering the lack of depth currently found at linebacker – and even based on the team’s desire to finally find and/or secure the services of impact defenders – the bottom line is this:

Roth has zero leverage. 

In fact, he’s pretty lucky to even be employed at this point.

After his extended pouting session with the Dolphins last preseason, Roth was fortunate to find a team as desperate for outside linebacking help as the Browns.  Granted, Roth played well – and immediately – but it’s truly hard to justify giving a long-term deal to a player who still only has a handful of games under his belt in Cleveland.

As for the potential of a trade, as Heckert suggests – this is nothing more than a negotiating tool.  Even so, what exactly could the Browns get for him?  If the Browns were to find a trading partner, then Roth’s new team would find themselves in the exact position Cleveland is in now – meaning the rights to Roth’s contract squabble would be included in the deal.

While it would be great to have Roth onboard for 2010 – and possibly even beyond, let’s hope the new Holmgren and Heckert regime take the opportunity to accomplish the following:

1.  Not cave into a player’s demands – especially one with absolutely no leverage like Roth.

2.  Not ruin the team’s salary cap (future edition) by locking up an inexperienced player to a long-term deal.

3.  Not derail the team’s future drafting priorities by considering Roth a cornerstone – at least based on some phantom long-term deal.

4.  Not emulate the ills of the Dwight Clark and Phil Savage era – meaning actually serving as the leaders of a rebuilding franchise.

As for more silliness – doesn’t this story seem all too familiar?

Dawson a No-Show 

Browns kicker Phil Dawson skipped the first day of organized team activities in what could be a statement about wanting a contract extension.

Dawson, a 12th-year pro, also sat out some OTAs last season in what was believed to be a contract issue.

Dawson, the Browns’ second-leading all-time scorer, is in the last year of his contract.

He sat out five games with a calf injury last season, but returned for the final nine games, making six field goals in the last two outings. 

I seem to recall a hazy late Spring day in 2009 when Dawson made a similar statement/non-statement.  Of course, Dawson was slightly overshadowed by Josh Cribbs, who was experiencing a similar situation.  A month or so later, Dawson limped his way through summer practice and training camp, quietly started the season, got hurt, came back, and all was forgotten.

And guess what will happen again?

Much like Roth, Dawson is lucky to still have a job at this point in his career.  If the NFL has taught us anything over the past few years, it is that veteran kickers begin to depreciate after hitting their mid-30’s.  This has happened to two of the league’s best kickers in Jason Elam and Adam Vinatieri.  Further evidence could be found in Dawson himself, as his calf injury sidelined him for five games last season.

Yet Dawson thinks he needs a new contract?

Really?

Sentiments aside, Dawson is an aging kicker who has had some recent injury history.  By the way, he’s also playing on a rebuilding team and not one who is going to challenge for a Super Bowl anytime soon.

While Dawson’s history as the last remaining expansion season Brown is remarkable, let’s take this for what it is.

Viva Zapata!   Not so much.