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Cleveland Browns: 10 best all-time free agent signings

By John Suchan

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 19: Quarterback Kelly Holcomb #10 of the Cleveland Browns huddles with the Browns offense during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers on October 19, 2003 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Chargers defeated the Browns 26-20. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 19: Quarterback Kelly Holcomb #10 of the Cleveland Browns huddles with the Browns offense during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers on October 19, 2003 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Chargers defeated the Browns 26-20. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 11: Tight end Gary Barnidge #82 of the Cleveland Browns catches a touchdown pass in front of strong safety Will Hill #33 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns No. 5 best free agent: TE Gary Barnidge

Gary Barnidge was signed by the Browns in 2013 with not a lot of fanfare. He had started his career with the Carolina Panthers in 2008. In his first two seasons with the Browns, he was used very little in the passing game but then Barnidge had a season to remember in 2015 when he caught 79 passes for 1,042 yards and nine touchdowns. He literally came out of nowhere to shock fans of the team.

It was Barnidge’s one shining moment and he never had that type of performance again. My favorite side story on Barnidge’s fandom was that the author of this article once tried buying a Gary Barnidge football jersey from China. It took like six weeks for the jersey to be shipped and when we opened the package of the jersey the last name Barnidge was misspelled!

Cleveland Browns No. 4 best free agent: QB Vinny Testaverde

After Bernie Kosar left Cleveland, it was Vinny Testaverde that came in and became a very solid replacement in the years prior to the team leaving for Baltimore in 1996. The former No. 1 pick of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a revival to his career when he joined the Browns.

In 1994 he helped lead the team to a playoff appearance and win against the New England Patriots. He finished his three-year stint in Orange and Brown with a 16-15 record and throwing for over 7,255 yards and 47 touchdowns.

Cleveland Browns No. 3 best free agent: Jamir Miller

The former first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 1994, was the big addition to the new Cleveland Browns when they started up their franchise in 1999. Miller was an instant impact player and though the team didn’t win much, he was one of the main faces of the franchise.

He finished with 304 tackles and 22.5 sacks. His best season as a pro was with the Browns that first season in 1999 when he recorded 118 tackles and had 4.5 sacks. In his third season, he had a solid 13 sacks on the quarterback.

Miller was named an All-Pro and made the NFL Pro Bowl in 2001. in 2002 he suffered a series of injuries and never played again but he was a great player and helped the Browns get off the ground again.

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