Cleveland Browns: First Round of Cuts

Jul 26, 2014; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Anthony Armstrong (86) during training camp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns made their first round of cuts today. The league mandates that teams have their 90 man roster down to 75 by 4:00 EST on August 26. Some popular names that made the first list of cuts included Anthony Armstrong and Edwin Baker. With the Browns now sitting at 75 players, players should start to become nervous of the next cut date of August 30, when teams have to cut their rosters down from 75 to 53. Here is the rest of the players that were cut:

        The surprise on this list would be Anthony Armstrong. Armstrong was supposed to be a veteran that was going to be a new X factor at wide receiver. Early in the offseason/training camps, Armstrong looked strong but has struggled throughout the preseason games. Armstrong only had 25 yards on 3 receptions during the three games he was on the team. With a receiving corps as weak and large as the Browns, players had to show they were needed. Armstrong wasn’t the only wide receiver cut, as undrafted free agents Tim Smith and Jonathan Krause were both cut as well.

Baker wasn’t as big of a surprise as he had stiff competition brought in after his great finish to the season last year. The additions of Ben Tate, Terrence West, Issiah Crowell, and Dion Lewis returning really hurt Baker’s chances. So far it looks as if Tate, West, and Lewis are going to round out the running backs for the Browns on the final 53 man roster. Baker only got 9 yards through the first 3 preseasons, only playing in one game. This tightens the running back competition for the final spot between Crowell and Lewis.

One player on the list that had a tough preseason was corner Royce Adams. Adams was burned multiple times including giving up multiple touchdowns mainly playing against the reserves. Adams was signed back in February. He was a final cut of the Jets before, never playing in an NFL regular season game. He has however succeeded in the Arena Football League.

With the next cut due by Saturday August 30th, the players that are on the bubble need to make the best of this last week of practice. The Browns may cut players all the way up to the cut off deadline or wait and make another large cut on Saturday. One player that hopes not to be on that list is wide receiver Nate Burleson. Burleson who hasn’t played yet this preseason due to hamstring issues. Burleson wants to go out with a bang before possibly retiring in the next few years.

This will be one interesting week, with intensive battles. Will Connor Shaw or Rex Grossman win the last quarterback spot? Crowell or Lewis at running back? Which wide receivers won’t make the cut? Who will make the practice squad? These are the questions that we will soon find the answers to.