BEREA, Ohio -- Free safety Tashaun Gipson has been through 45 losses in four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, but despite the struggles of the franchise, the veteran defensive back would like to remain in Cleveland.
Gipson wants to be in Cleveland for a turnaround after going just 21-45 in his first four years with the Browns, where he has played for three different head coaches -- Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski and Mike Pettine -- and last of whom was fired following Sunday's 28-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, which brought to an end a 3-13 season that saw the team drop 10 of its 11 games.
"I felt like the organization, the city, they took a shot on me," Gipson said. "They gave me a chance. They embraced me, and that's one of the things where it was like, 'Man, I was here for the 4-12s, the 5-11s, the 7-9s, 3-13s, and I want to be here for the 9-7s, the 10-6s, the 11-5s.' If that happens, I will be one of the most joyous people on earth because I've seen what it takes to turn this program around.
"I guess that part about me wants to be here, man, because I know what it takes. I know the sad and the disappointment after every year, losing double digits. I want to be here when the season and city is rocking, just like it was when we were 7-4 last year. I want to be a part of that, but at the end of the day, they've got to want me here, just like I want to be here. If not, then I'm sure I'll find somewhere else."
Although Gipson has not experienced much success and never made it to the postseason in his first four years in the NFL, he loves being in Cleveland, and is hungry to turn around the team.
"Being on a winning team is definitely something that the more I get in my career, it's not 100 percent about the money," Gipson said. "I'd be lying. The money plays a big part, but you want to be on a winning team. That is a solid question, like, 'Hey, man. You never know. In the next two years, we may have go through this all over again.'
"That part about it is frustrating, but I truly love being here. I truly love the city and I want to be a part of it, man, when we go from worst to first. It's not impossible. If you look at the Kansas City Chiefs before they started this run, two years ago, three years ago, they were one of the worst teams in football. We even beat 'em. They came here and we beat 'em when they had the Brady Quinn era. Now, they're vying for playoff spots and a true Super Bowl contender.
"I want to be a part of that when it happens."
As Gipson gets set to embark on free agency, he wants to be wanted back by the Browns and whomever their new coach is before committing long-term to the organization.
"When it comes down to it, it's a two-way street," Gipson said. "These new coaches, if they want me to be here, if they feel like I fit their scheme and does this play a part in free agency? Absolutely. You look at it and say, 'Is this the type of defense that you want to be in?' I've expressed how much I want to be in the city of Cleveland, and I'm definitely still very profound with that, that I do want to be here, but at the end of the day, I do have to do what's best for me and my career."
Whether or not Gipson is back next year, so long as they do not play against his new team, he will have a soft spot for the very franchise that gave him an opportunity to pursue his NFL dreams despite coming out of a small school, the University of Wyoming, and having to change positions from cornerback to safety upon entering the professional ranks.
"Ultimately, if the coach wants me around here, I think things will get done," Gipson said. "If not, then we'll see how it works out. I'm just excited to get through the season healthy. The season didn't go the way we wanted, but I know everybody's tired of hearing it, but we've got next year, and that's one of the things. As cliché as it may sound, I'll be excited to be here if I'm here. If I'm not, I still will always wish and hope that the Browns have success because they deserve it.
"Whether people believe it or not, from the pits of my soul I truly believe that Cleveland can and will change this thing around. When? I don't know. Maybe in my 10th year, maybe next year, I don't know, but I know and I want to be around and a part of it."
