Browns Make Cuts to get to 53, but More Moves Coming
By Peter Smith
Aug 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski watches on the sideline against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The Browns made their decisions on who to cut today, but their cuts also require them to make additional moves.
Among those cut included both kickers, Shayne Graham and Brandon Bogotay. The Browns are currently without a kicker. Bogotay, they would probably like to get on the practice squad to keep trying to develop that huge leg of his.
David Nelson was let go. Evidently, the Browns understandably just could not keep him with the injuries he was battling through and in the one preseason game he played, he had some troubles trusting the knee and it showed. The Browns need someone who can play right now since Gordon is suspended. Naaman Roosevelt and Tori Gurley were also released, which means that Josh Cooper is currently the Browns fifth wide receiver.
The most painful cut in terms of talent had to be that of Brian Sanford. He clearly had the talent to make the team, but the Browns have so many talented defensive linemen. They kept seven, meaning that both Ishmaa’ily Kitchen and Armonty Bryant made the team. That also means that Jason Staples Hall Davis were released.
The next most talented player they let go might have been Justin Cole, who flashed a number of times throughout the preseason. Perhaps, the Browns are confident Barkevious Mingo will be able to return for the opener against the Dolphins.
They also let go of Jamaine Cook, the young running back out of Youngstown State. Currently, the Browns have Trent Richardson, Brandon Jackson, and Chris Ogbannaya. That is it.
The Browns let go of James-Michael Johnson, the inside linebacker, who was a fourth round pick last year. With the release of Trevin Wade and Ryan Miller, this front office has let go of three of the picks from the last regime’s draft. The release of Johnson means that both L.J. Fort and Tank Carder, undrafted rookies from the Heckert days, have made the team. Both outplayed Johnson in the preseason. It also seems that Paul Hazel and Eric Martin, two linebackers they grabbed off of waivers over the last week and a half, have been kept as well.
They let go of Jamoris Slaughter, the team’s 6th round pick from this year, who just never got healthy and was not able to contribute. There was some who thought they might look to put him on injured reserve and would probably like to get him on the practice squad if they can. That means the undrafted rookie, Josh Aubrey has been retained, so as irritating is might be for some that Slaughter is gone (for now anyway), they did find someone they like in Aubrey, though the position looks like it needs more long term help in the future.
According to Chud, “The roster is fluid.” No kidding.
Currently, the Browns are carrying a staggering 12 offensive linemen. They let go of Aaron Adams, but currently seem to have Joe Thomas, Mitchell Schwartz, Alex Mack, Jon Greco, Shawn Lauvao, Jason Pinkston, Garrett Gilkey, Oniel Cousins, Caylin Hauptmann, Rashad Butler, Jarrod Shaw, and Martin Wallace.
It also appears as though the Browns have three tight ends currently and have held onto Kellen Davis for the time being.