Cleveland Browns Free Agent Review: DE Robaire Smith

by Chris Pokorny on Jun 16, 2011 12:56 PM EDT in General News

We are currently in process of doing brief reviews of all of the free agents on the Cleveland Browns. Today, after a hiatus from doing these reviews, we take a look at a player who was on hiatus most of last season with an injury.

DE Robaire Smith

How and When He Joined the Browns: Before the 2007 season, Robaire Smith signed a four-year contract with the Browns and was set to be the team's starting defensive end after successful years in Tennessee. Smith was seen as a solid free agent pickup, one that was necessary to add some more credibility to the team's 3-4 defensive front.

Productivity Level Last Season: I liked how things were going for Smith to start off the season, but he only lasted five games before suffering an injury. In October last year, Smith was placed on the injured reserve due to a back injury, effectively ending his season. In Smith's four years with the Browns, his health status went like this: healthy (2007), not healthy (2008), healthy (2009), and not healthy (2010).

Why Keeping Him Could Make Sense: For all intents and purposes, the Browns have wiped the slate clean in terms of veteran defensive linemen. They need to make a decision on whether Smith is worth bringing back though, as having one "veteran," perhaps in a less-intensive reserve role, would benefit the Browns. Smith has enough experience playing in a 4-3 system and is the all-around effective player who can be counted upon to do his job, and I think the veteran pairing of Smith and Scott Fujita on the same side works well.

What the Browns Should Do: Smith was medically cleared to return to football back in March, but then the lockout happened. The medical results were sent to the Browns, and Tom Heckert reportedly said the team would be interested in Smith returning, depending on his medical evaluation. I have been a fan of Smith's, and I view him the same way I view Tony Pashos: he has injury concerns, but is a veteran player who can continue to act as a stopgap until we get some younger players in the mix. Keep him.

Now it's your turn -- vote in the poll below on whether or not the team should try to re-sign Robaire Smith!

Poll

Should the Cleveland Browns re-sign free agent DE Robaire Smith?

Yes

332 votes

No

91 votes

423 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

we need as many defensive linemen as possible. unless if there’s a better veteran DE on the market i’m not aware of, we should keep Robaire.

If we don't resign Phil Dawson until he retires from the league I'm going to cry like a little sissy boy.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jun 16, 2011 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

He’s worth resigning but i’d put him on a split contract in case he gets injured again.

by sleepy042 on Jun 16, 2011 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

I voted no. Average player at best. Injury prone.

Not to say we don’t need veteran lineman,

I guess there's only one thing left to do.....win the whole ******* thing. - Major League

by 24rubikscube on Jun 16, 2011 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

He’s better than average, and could have easily been our underrated player in the other article, but he can’t stay healthy. On a short, cheap deal he’s definitely worth it.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jun 16, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Fair enough. A one-year deal would be alright with me.

I guess there's only one thing left to do.....win the whole ******* thing. - Major League

by 24rubikscube on Jun 16, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

probably, if he still has enough in the tank to be at least a suitable backup in a 4-3. I am hopeful on this front, but not sure. I however voted no because I didn’t read and thought he was still hurt

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Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!

by bross09 on Jun 16, 2011 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

All sounds good, but i’ve hated our DL over the last few seasons so (while smith has een there) so no for me.

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by LondonBrown on Jun 18, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes because he could play DT in certain passing situations and goal line and wouldn’t be subject to as much injury. He has been our best defensive lineman outside of Rogers when healthy and he’s big enough and quick enough off the ball to rush the passer as a DT.

The deal would have to be cheap enough and short enough though, as Robaire isn’t getting any younger.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jun 16, 2011 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

Yes for all of the reasons other posters have listed. Not to mention the fact that as it stands right now we need bodies on the DL and Robaire is a body that can actually play.

by Justin Kowalczyk on Jun 16, 2011 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

I voted no. I have to agree that it is iimportant to have veteren leadership, but his injuries make him a waste of money. What would be the difference between an ineffective young guy on the field and an injured veteren off the field? Cut him loose and sign some free agent that can give us quality time on the field.

by Granville74 on Jun 16, 2011 4:12 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

the split contract would protect the team from injury. Say you give him a 1 year 2.5 mil contract for the year. However if he lands on IR he would be paid vet min (750k) prorated for the rest of the season. The rest of the money would go back to the team & not be counted vs the cap.

by sleepy042 on Jun 16, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

that’s what i wanted to say, but you did it much better than me. kudos.

If we don't resign Phil Dawson until he retires from the league I'm going to cry like a little sissy boy.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jun 16, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I love me some Robaire. Loved how he is so genuine and down to Earth. Liked reading about the tweet he made about respecting Mangini for sitting him down and talking about life after football.

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by SpecialBrownie on Jun 16, 2011 7:57 PM EDT reply actions

No. I like the guy, I think he’s a consummate pro. But the thing is, he’s a 3-4 end, who’s getting older and battling injuries. I’d like him, but its time for a fresh start for everybody involved in a new system.

by Fundamentals on Jun 16, 2011 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

maybe this is where my inexperience supersedes me, but isn’t a 3-4 DE pretty similar to a 4-3 DT? neither position tends to rush the passer much. aside from moving one gap placement each of their primary goal is run stopping. correct me if i’m wrong. i know rufio would know.

If we don't resign Phil Dawson until he retires from the league I'm going to cry like a little sissy boy.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jun 16, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions

It depends. Some teams like GB or SD are more “hybrid” systems that one-gap quite often. I am pretty sure that our line two-gapped the majority of the time under both Romeo and Mangini. So the techniques they use would be different.

4-3 DTs and 3-4 DEs are typically of similar size and physical ability. Both are going to need to be decent pass rushers, but neither would rack up the sack numbers that an edge rusher would. Both need to be tough/physical enough to deal with combo blocks and/or double-teams against the run.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jun 17, 2011 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

so essentially you agree that his ability would still be a warm welcome to the team even with his injury concerns assuming we get him for a fair deal?

If we don't resign Phil Dawson until he retires from the league I'm going to cry like a little sissy boy.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jun 17, 2011 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions

He could help at DT in a rotation/situational/backup role. If a backup gets injured, it’s not a huge deal.

And I’d be happy with a short term deal even if it is overpaying him a little. Barring something crazy, I don’t think we will be close to the cap this year or next. I have more respect for Robaire than most, but I think he’s been solid if not underrated for us, why not keep him and have one less hole that must be filled immediately?

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jun 17, 2011 2:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Meh. Same thing as DQ, if he is healthy and cheap, sure.

If the answer on either one of those is no, so is mine.

by Bernie19Kosar on Jun 16, 2011 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

He could serve as a backup to Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor on the interior line, I think he lacks the speed and dexterity to be a factor as a DE in a 4-3 outside containment role.

by mooncamping on Jun 17, 2011 7:31 AM EDT reply actions