Factory Of Sadness
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Cleveland Browns: New Regime, Same Old Team

By Nate Ellis

Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) runs the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) pursues during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) runs the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) pursues during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Oct 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) reacts after making a stop against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports /

Say Goodbye To A Starting Safety And A Great Special Teams Player

Tashaun Gipson

At this point, my hopes of retaining the Cleveland Browns high-quality free agent class had been dashed. I figured we would be able to keep Gipson after a less than stellar performance from him this year.

Gipson had his best year under defensive coordinator Ray Horton in 2013, when he finished with 12 passes defended and five interceptions. With Horton now back in the fold, I had been optimistic to see Gipson return to Cleveland and turn back up the production, while maintaining his status as one of the best ball-hawks in the NFL.

I should have lowered my expectations. Gipson signed a 5yr/$35 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars to be the starting free safety in Gus Bradley’s defensive scheme. The final nail was in the coffin as the final starter departed Cleveland on a fair deal.

More from Cleveland Browns

Johnson Bademosi

Why not throw some salt on the wounds, huh Cleveland? Most fans will remember Bademosi as the guy who got scorched by Antonio Brown as he did a flip in the endzone. However, despite his poor cornerback play, Bademosi was stud special teamer.

Bademosi led the Cleveland Browns in special teams tackles in all four of his seasons in Cleveland. His 61 special teams tackles since 2012 rank second in the NFL during that span. He also led the NFL in special team tackles in 2015 with 17. Despite the narrative, having good special teams is an important part of a team, and letting your best one leave is not good.

Obviously, the Detroit Lions paid Bademosi a hefty sum of money as a special team player, but it shows the Cleveland Browns consistent pattern of getting beat by other teams.

Next: Browns Get In On The Action

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