Daily Dawg Tags: Phil Taylor a surprise cut
By Thomas Moore
Spanning the virtual globe to bring you the best of Cleveland sports – from the Browns to the Indians and Cavs – these are your Daily Dawg Tags for Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Cleveland Browns:
Phil Taylor released as Browns trim roster to 75:
"The Cleveland Browns released former first-round draft pick Phil Taylor on Tuesday as the club reduced its roster to the NFL-mandated 75 players. The club also waived defensive lineman Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, fullback Luke Lundy and kicker Carey Spear."
Johnny Manziel says sore elbow not a problem:
"Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel said on Tuesday that he will not require surgery for the sore elbow that has sidelined him until at least the start of the regular season."
Josh McCown executing his role perfectly:
"So far, so good for starting quarterback Josh McCown."
A Cleveland moment: Julio Jones gets $71 million, Phil Taylor gets cut (ESPN):
"Call it Cleveland Browns irony. The same week that Julio Jones is given a $71 million contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons, the Browns release Phil Taylor. (Editor’s note: Over the past two seasons, the Browns are 11-21, the Falcons are 10-22.)"
NFL News:
Mike Shanahan belives Kirk Cousins is a Top 10 quarterback (Riggo’s Rag):
"Well now that the Washington Redskins and head coach Jay Gruden are all in on quarterback Kirk Cousins leading their team, they better hope he can help them have their first winning record since…well 2012, when Robert Griffin III was their starter. Former Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan is certainly a believer in Cousins. (Editor’s note: And people think the Browns have problems at quarterback.)"
AFC North still the NFL’s toughest division (Stripe Hype):
"The AFC North is still number one, number one being the best division in the NFL. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) recently projected the Ravens, Bengals and Steelers to win at least 8.5 games each, the only division to boast three teams with an FPI rating of 8.5."
Where might Phil Taylor land next? (NFL Mocks):
"Now that the Browns have released Phil Taylor, where might the defensive end be playing this fall?"
Is Baltimore’s Jimmy Smith the NFL’s best cornerback? (Ebony Bird):
"When you ask most people who the best cornerbacks in the NFL are, you generally hear the same names – Richard Sherman, Darrelle Revis, Patrick Peterson, etc. But what about Jimmy Smith? Perennially underrated, Smith missed out on his chance to finally finish his ascension to greatness in 2014 after a Lisfranc injury ended his season prematurely. (Editor’s note: He’s not even the best corner in the division.)"