Cleveland Browns: With Joe Haden Facing Possible Suspension, Time for Dimitri Patterson to Earn Contract

By Kris Knox
Senior Writer

It certainly has been a disappointing couple of days for fans of the Cleveland Browns.

On the same day fans learned that rookie running back Trent Richardson is set to undergo minor knee surgery, they also learned that the team may be forced to begin the season without star cornerback Joe Haden.

On Wednesday, multiple reports surfaced that Haden, the seventh overall pick in the 2010 draft, has been notified that he failed a league-administered drug test earlier this offseason.

Few details have emerged on the situation, but reports indicate that Haden tested positive for the prescription drug Adderall, commonly used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Narcolepsy.

The NFL considers Adderall a stimulant and the drug is currently found on the league’s banned substance list. If the positive test is confirmed, Haden will face a four-game suspension to start the 2012 season and will be declared ineligible for any league honors, including a Pro Bowl nomination.

While any suspension is pending a second test from the original obtained sample and a possible appeal by Haden, the prospect of opening the season without the team’s top defensive back has to weigh heavily on the Brown.

Fortunately, Cleveland’s secondary—which ranked second in the league against the pass in 2011, has depth.

If Haden does indeed miss playing time, the Browns will likely turn to seven-year veteran Dimitri Patterson, a player the coaching staff has been high on since last season.

Patterson, who signed a new three-year, $16 million deal this offseason, was expected to compete for a starting job during training camp, but has surprisingly been held off by 10-year veteran Sheldon Brown.

While Patterson has been unable to overtake Brown on the depth chart, his contract seems to indicate the coaching staff is confident in his ability to remain a solid contributor on Cleveland’s emerging defense.

Patterson appeared in 14 games last season, including one start, and produced 28 total tackles and an impressive 12 passes defended. Patterson appears poised to take a step forward this season, if he can earn a more prominent role on the defense.

Now it appears that Patterson may get that opportunity.

Cleveland may also look to get more production out of second-year man Buster Skrine, who came on strong toward the end of last season. Skrine did not see extensive playing time in 2011, but managed to appear in all 16 games and flash a fair amount of potential when given the opportunity.

Also vying for playing time will be rookie seventh-round pick Trevin Wade. The 5’10″, 190-pound Arizona product is considered a raw prospect, but possesses tremendous speed and agility, which should allow him to compete at the next level.

The bottom line is that a possible suspension for Haden is bad news, but is isn’t the end of the world for the Browns. Skrine and Wade must be developed for the team’s future, and Cleveland needs to know exactly what it can get out of Patterson, who will be under contract through 2014.

Follow Kris on Twitter: @Kris_Knox

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