There’s nothing worse for an organization then when it sinks a ton of money into a player that was supposed to turn around a franchise and instead he turns out to be a Grade A bust. As part of our ongoing Decade Debate series, here is a list of the 10 worst NFL free agent signings of the past decade. Whether it was because of performance, injury or the player’s attitude (or a combination of the lot), these signings just didn’t pan out.

10. Chuck Smith, Panthers, 2000/LeCharles Bentley, Browns, 2006

These players are listed together because they both fell victim to the same curse at separate times during the decade. After finishing as the Falcons’ all-time leader in sacks at 58.5, Smith signed a lucrative five-year, $21 million deal with the Panthers. But after playing just two games for Carolina, a knee injury cost him the rest of the season, as well as his career. If only Bentley were fortunate enough to play two games. After signing a six-year, $36 million deal that included $12.5 million in guaranteed money, Bentley ruptured a patellar tendon on his first day of training game, which led to a series of staph infections that almost led to doctors having to amputate his leg. The Browns essentially paid him $16 million for zero games and while injuries are to blame for both of these players’ misfortunes, they were nevertheless busted free agent signings for their respective teams.

9. Edgerrin James, Cardinals, 2006

The Cardinals opened up their wallet for James, who was coming off two consecutive Pro Bowl seasons with the Colts. But after shelling out a four-year, $30 million contract and committing $11.5 million in bonuses to the 28-year old back, James failed to rush for 4.0 YPC in each of his three seasons in Arizona. In his final year in the desert, James lost his starting job to Tim Hightower and managed only 514 yards on 133 carries with three touchdowns. Outside of a decent (and that’s putting it generously) effort in the postseason last year, James was a huge disappointment in Arizona.

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Former NFL receiver Joe Jurevicius is suing the Browns, ex-team Dr. Anthony Miniaci and current team Dr. Richard Figler for negligence and fraud stemming from a staph infection he got while being treated for knee injuries.

There had been speculation for months — and perhaps longer — that someone would eventually take the Cleveland Browns to court over their staph infection problem.

It turns out former Browns receiver Joe Jurevicius was the first to take the plunge.

Jurevicius, an 11-year NFL veteran, is reportedly suing his former team for negligence over a staph infection he received in his right knee last year. He has since been released by the Browns.

Several current and former Browns have had similar health problems with staph, including Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow Jr., LeCharles Bentley and Brian Russell. There are approximately seven known cases of staph infections linked to the Browns in recent years.

Jurevicius is a Cleveland native and very well-respected within the Browns’ family and his community. Most likely, he wouldn’t have gone as far as suing a team he grew up rooting for unless Jurevicius legitimately feels his playing days were cut short by staph.

If a total of seven known cases of staph infections can be linked to the Browns, there’s a problem here. Considering this doesn’t seem like a widespread issue in the NFL, it’s staggering that one team is having this many problems with this type of infection.

Maybe Jurevicius’ case will shine some light on this issue so no other Browns will have the same problem.

Notable Free Agents: Sean Jones, S; Andra Davis, LB; Willie McGinest, LB.

Projected 2009 Cap Space: $17,000,000

Draft Order: 5

Top Needs: Two years after signing LeCharles Bentley to a huge contract only to watch him suffer a career-ending knee injury on the first day of training camp, the Browns are once again in need of a center to bolster the interior of their offensive line. The team is also expected to beef up the linebacker corps and possibly add another defensive end for depth. Wide receiver and running back will also likely be addressed.

Offseason Outlook: Word has it that the Browns are already shopping quarterback Derek Anderson (the Jets have emerged as a possible suitor), which means Brady Quinn will likely become the unquestioned starter next season under center. But perhaps the majority of changes for the Browns this offseason will once again be made on the defensive side of the ball – especially in the front seven.

Adding defensive tackle Shaun Rogers via a trade with Detroit last offseason proved to be an outstanding move. Rogers was worth the risk (he was labeled as being lazy in Motown) and had a major impact along Cleveland’s defensive line last year. Corey Williams, another player the Browns added via offseason trade last offseason, was hamstrung with various injuries last season but showed his grit by playing hurt and is a steady player when healthy.

With the Browns set at those two positions on the D-line, they’ll turn their attention to the defensive end spot opposite Williams. Robaire Smith emerged as a quality playmaker in 2007, but a ruptured Achilles tendon cut his season short after only two games last year and the team was stuck with Shaun Smith, who proved to hit players more off the field (ask Brady Quinn), then he did on it. Don’t count on Cleveland upgrading this position in the first round of the draft because there simply isn’t a 3-4 end worth taking at No. 5, but the spot will be addressed at some point. Plus before his season-ending injury last year, Robaire Smith had only missed one game in the previous six seasons so if he can come back healthy, the starting job should remain his.

I was born in Cleveland (well, 30 minutes south of Cleveland). I’ve been a Cleveland sports fan my entire life. And as much as I have wanted to deny the existence of any sort of hex on the C-Town teams, at this point resistance may be futile:

Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley, one of Cleveland’s biggest free-agent signings this winter, injured his left knee during the Browns’ first 11-on-11 drill of training camp.

Bentley got tangled in a pile of players as he was blocking on a running play for Reuben Droughns.

Bentley screamed, “No,” before remaining on his knees as the Browns moved their scrimmage up the field so the 6-foot-2, 309-pounder could be attended to. He stayed on the ground in a seated position for several minutes before Cleveland’s medical staff immobilized his left knee and carted him to the locker room.

Bentley covered his face with a towel on the short drive to the field house as Browns players and fans looked on in shock.

Well of course they looked on in shock: they’ve seen Kellen Winslow, Sean Jones and Braylon Edwards go down with season-ending injuries the past two years, and now, according to the Akron Beacon Journal, Bentley’s season may be done too:

A source close to Bentley said there is a fear he has a partial or complete tear of the patella tendon in his left knee and would require surgery, sidelining him possibly for the entire 2006 season.

Bentley was to undergo an MRI exam to determine the severity of the injury. Results were expected to be available this afternoon.

I mean, COME ON! Outrageous. Absolutely outrageous. It was the FIRST DAY OF TRAINING CAMP. Nothing is confirmed yet, so I suppose he could come out of this with a sprain or something else less severe than a torn tendon, but it sure as hell doesn’t look good for Browns fans. Then again, when does it ever look good for Browns fans?

Does the Cleveland Sports Curse actually exist? Well, if it doesn’t, this city’s fans and teams have dreadfully bad luck.