By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Before the Browns can plot their strategy in NFL free agency, which begins on March 13, they have to finalize decisions on their own potential free agents.
They have five key players who will be unrestricted free agents if they don't re-sign. Here's a look at each and the circumstances that may influence the Browns' decisions.
Running back Peyton Hillis: Each of the Browns' top decision-makers has repeatedly declined to say he wants Hillis back. 
At his season-ending press conference, coach Pat Shurmur said, "That's one of those questions I really can't answer at this point."
President Mike Holmgren said at his season-ender, "That's one of our players that is a free agent and we're not going to talk about it today."
General Manager Tom Heckert said this week on 92.3 FM: "Would we be averse to bringing him back? No. We have to see what else is available and what our plans are for all our free agents."
Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
A late spurt by Hillis lifted him to the top of the Browns' rushing list in 2011 with 587 yards and three touchdowns. Injuries and controversy limited him to 10 games.
Before contract negotiations broke down, the sides were wide apart in their estimation of Hillis' value. Reportedly, Hillis was looking for $10 million in guarantees and the Browns were offering about $4 million.
Prediction: Hillis leaves.
Kicker Phil Dawson: Dawson is the only player to receive the franchise tag in the Browns' expansion era. The Browns made this surprise move a year ago when talks for a multiyear deal went nowhere. Dawson signed the one-year deal for $3.25 million. 
If the Browns elect to franchise Dawson again, he would receive a 20 percent pay hike to about $3.9 million. That's a hefty sum for a kicker, even one as reliable as Dawson.
The more sensible thing would be to resume talks for a multiyear deal, but it doesn't appear to be in the cards. No doubt, Dawson is the franchise's premier player of the expansion era. He recently turned 37 and last year relocated his family to Austin, Texas -- a strong indication he would like to leave in free agency.
Prediction: Dawson leaves.
Middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson: Jackson proved to be a bedrock in the middle of Dick Jauron's 4-3 defense, leading the team by plenty in tackles and establishing himself as a locker-room leader. He is the leading contender for the league's comeback player of the year award.
Heckert has pretty much said Jackson will be back in 2012. The big question is whether they sign him long-term or use the franchise tag on him. If they choose the latter, it wouldn't be available for Dawson.
Prediction: Jackson returns.
Cornerback Dimitri Patterson: He didn't have any interceptions and was credited with only 27 tackles, yet Patterson logged a lot of plays in his role as the nickel cornerback covering the slot in three-receiver formations.
Towards the end, the Browns gave him some reps in Sheldon Brown's cornerback position. It appeared the Browns were testing Patterson as a replacement for Brown. If they liked what they saw, they could proceed with a transition of Brown to free safety.
Brown will be 33 in March. He is agreeable to moving to free safety, but it is a transition that the team must commit to in the off-season. If they go ahead with it, Patterson or somebody else must move into the starting cornerback spot.
Patterson will be 29 in June. That means he doesn't have too much time left as a starter. His price tag surely will dictate this move.
Prediction: Patterson returns.
Safety Mike Adams: In five seasons with the Browns, Adams played for three head coaches. Each would come to appreciate Adams' versatility on the field and value as a locker-room leader.
Every year Adams has been with the Browns, he was pegged as a special teamer and backup safety. This year, the Browns signed Usama Young in free agency and drafted Eric Hagg with the expectation of phasing out Adams.
In fact, Adams, 30, went on to have his finest NFL season in eight campaigns. He made 16 starts for the first time, and posted career highs in tackles and interceptions (three).
Adams' future with the Browns would appear to be tied to that of Brown. If the Browns intend to move Brown to safety, there would be no room for two safeties over the age of 30. Odds are that Heckert would favor Brown, whom he drafted in Philadelphia and traded for in Cleveland.
Prediction: Adams leaves.
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/cleveland_browns_facing_five_i.html
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