Does anyone know what is gong on with Gipson ? All I have seen is this story on the Browns' Spending this year...
Browns' commitment to defense evident in salary cap numbers
March, 20, 2015
Mar 20
3:00
PM ET
By Pat McManamon | ESPN.com
Very few NFL teams have committed more money to the defensive side of the ball than the Cleveland Browns.
It’s only March, and much (including the NFL draft) can happen before rosters are finalized, but at this point in the offseason, the Browns' commitment to winning with defense is reinforced by the salary cap numbers.
ESPN’s Roster Management System has the Browns second in salary cap money committed to the defense, but OverTheCap.com has them first.
Either way, the difference between the offense and defense in terms of cap commitment is not insignificant.
ESPN has the Browns at $57.8 million on offense, $75.2 million on defense.
OverTheCap has the numbers at $52 million on offense, $77.7 million on defense.
Neither site has accounted for Dwayne Bowe’s two-year deal, which he signed on Friday. Numbers on that contract have not been made public, but they should not change the overall emphasis.
The other factor that becomes clear from the cap numbers: Mike Pettine loves his cornerbacks. The Browns rank third in the league in cornerback spending -- even after Buster Skrine left for a $25 million deal in New York. The signing of Tramon Williams and his $10 million in guaranteed money means the Browns have just under $24.3 million committed to cornerbacks this season.
The leading teams: The Jets, who spent heavily on their corners, and the Cowboys.
Where does that Browns money go? Joe Haden is worth $11.7 million under the cap, Williams $6.5 million and Justin Gilbert $2.9 million. That’s $22.1 million right there.
Gilbert’s rookie contract of $12.8 million, by the way, is fully guaranteed.
Maybe this kind of spending pays off. Last season Dallas and Green Bay were the top spenders on cornerbacks in the league. Both made the playoffs. Seven of the top 10 spenders on corners were playoff teams. One of the three was the Browns, who ranked fifth and committed $17.4 million to the position.
In terms of guaranteed money, the Browns have three of the 29 most expensive cornerback contracts in the league. Haden ranks fourth ($22.678 million), Gilbert ranks 16th and Williams ranks 29th ($10 million).
In terms of average per year, Haden again ranks fourth ($13.5 million) and Williams ranks 19th ($7 million). That reality should erase any doubt that Williams is penciled in as the starter. Based on the way this coach treats things, Gilbert will be given a chance to start, but more than likely he’ll be competing with K’Waun Williams to be the team’s nickel back. Williams won the job last season. If he does again, the Browns will have a very expensive dime back on the roster.
At other positions the Browns rank …
•24th in quarterback spending ($6.8 million, or 30 percent of what they’re spending on corners)
•32nd in running back spending ($2.31 million), the result of having two second-year backs
•Eighth in offensive line ($27.281 million) and linebacker ($22.316 million) spending
•Ninth in safety spending, though their rank and total cost will go up if they can sign Tashaun Gipson to a contract extension.
The Browns rank in the top 10 in the league at three defensive positions.
http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-browns...ary-cap-numbers
