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Is Cleveland Browns’ Joe Haden Still A 1st-Tier Corner?

By Nick Dudukovich

Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) catches a pass ahead of the defense of Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) catches a pass ahead of the defense of Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

What Equates Success For Joe In 2016?

KRIS: It depends on what you expect by the phrase “bounce back.” There’s a big “IF” factor involved here. If Joe Haden is completely healthy, he has all the opportunity in the world to bounce back in 2016. He has to overcome being concussed twice last year, and he has to be fully recovered from his off-season ankle surgery. He’s the best defensive player on a defense that’s going to be very young and lacking of talent. So like I said above, it will depend on what his teammates do to help him. Haden can only do so much on his own. So when I think of bounce back, I think that yes Haden can, but it’s going to be up to his body and his teammates.

JOE: I think Joe Haden can bounce back and Kris is right, it all depends on his health. He’s been banged up the last few years and 2015 was a wasted season due to hand, ankle, and concussion issues. While the talent around him is poor at best, Haden will still be able to prove he can be a second tier corner on his own. I highly doubt he makes the Pro Bowl in 2016, there’s a good chance he will look more like the Might Mouse we’ve expected him to be in years past.

KRIS: Yeah, I wouldn’t expect Haden to return to the Pro Bowl in 2016 either. Now that’s not me going back on my belief in his talent. It’s just that Haden will likely suffer from leading a young defensive unit with a lack of experience. Thus, there will be blown coverages and missed switches that will lead to big plays. Those big plays will make Haden look bad. Could he surprise us all and come back better than ever? Sure! However, it’s likely that perception based on his team’s play will cause Pro Bowl voters to look elsewhere.

JOE: Kris is dead on that team perception will hurt how Haden’s comeback is viewed. The big plays will absolutely not help and we all will replay the image of Haden getting crushed by multiple Cardinals receivers, but maybe Ray Horton can work wonders with him.

Next: If not one of the top corners, where does Haden rank?

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