Red Right 88

The kind of list the Browns don’t want to be on

In his latest column, Grantland’s Bill Barnwell, a must read if there ever was one at ESPN, lists the 10 types of contracts that haunt NFL franchises.

And wouldn’t you know it, the Browns have someone on the list – linebacker D’Qwell Jackson.

The Browns resigned Jackson in the off season for five years and $42.5 million – $19 million of it guaranteed. Barnwell writes that deal falls into the category of “The Refilled Health Meter” in which a team signs “an injury-prone player to a long-term deal after a rare season of health.”

The new contract made Jackson one of the 20 highest-paid linebackers in the NFL. Browns linebacker Chris Gocong – who the team put on season-ending injured reserve on Monday – is also on that list.

Oh, and, as Barnwell points out, Jackson missed all of 2010 as well as one out of every three games as a pro since being drafted by the Browns.

Ouch.

Jackson accumulates a lot of tackles when healthy – an AFC-leading 158 last year – but there is some question as to the actual value of those tackles.

It’s so much fun being a Browns fan sometimes.

(Photo by Getty Images)