Cleveland Browns: Experienced players who could get cut in 2017
By Shane Carter
The Cleveland Browns added a lot of talent this offseason, meaning some players on the roster last year may be in danger of losing their jobs.
It happens every year. Teams clean house to make room for newer, younger players who not only have more talent but might even come at cheaper prices in certain instances.
This year, I expect a brand new Cleveland Browns team with familiar faces but also with many faces we saw last season no longer around. It’s a tough business but this is the reality many players face.
2017 is no exception, whether we like it or not. You may disagree, but here are just a few names of players who I’d be surprised if they returned.
G, John Greco
He has been with the team since 2011, but his last two seasons have been marred by injuries. Add all of that up with his age (32) and new free agent right guard, Kevin Zeitler, his days in Cleveland are numbered.
Doubtful he gets a backup shot here too with Spencer Drango entering his second season.
It doesn’t look good for Greco at this point.
This isn’t a case of age but rather others coming in with superior skills and a limited number of corners that a team will keep.
He was a 2016 fourth-round selection but the Browns have shown in the past that they can and will cut draft picks before they fulfill their initial four-year deals.
He shouldn’t take this too personally. The secondary was awful last year and I expect many brand new names to be back there.
Another one bites the dust. I said before I expect a new secondary, and Ibraheim Campbell hasn’t done near enough his first two seasons to warrant a return.
No forced fumbles, no interceptions, not even one single pass deflected. If a secondary player can’t at least knock the ball away ONCE then what are his chances of staying?
DE, Tyrone Holmes
You better call Tyrone… and tell him he’s been released. Originally he was drafted by Jacksonville, but he was axed there and picked off waivers last season.
Related: How many draft picks make the roster?
This isn’t his fault but the guys coming in have more skill than him (Garrett, Ogbah, Nassib, Orchard, etc.) and it’s a numbers game.
However, he did have one sack last season and production can make coaches give guys a second guess. Well, my first guess is that he’ll be on the practice squad. Not too bad, right?
He was waived last season and brought back to the practice squad before the team needed him and called him up to the active roster. I expect the same thing but maybe not be on an active roster any time soon.
CB, Marcus Burley
Undrafted out of Delaware in 2013, he has been a part of six teams. His best came when he was with Seattle and produced decently for them (two sacks, two interceptions) and once he was waived then claimed by Cleveland, many hoped he could produce for them as well. It has not been the case.
Now, he has to compete for time with Joe Haden, Jamar Taylor, Jason McCourty, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Channing Stribling and the eventual return of rookie corner, Howard Wilson. Not happening.
J.C. Tretter is the starting center, that much we know. The backup job, looks like it’s Marcus Martin‘s to lose. Cam Erving isn’t going to play center again any time soon but the team already has two guys who play this one position, and having three guys there is ridiculous.
Once again, it’s a numbers game. His number isn’t getting called.
RB, George Atkinson
Isaiah Crowell is the lead dog and behind him are two guys with similar sizes and game in Duke Johnson Jr. and Matt Dayes. I expect the team to only keep three backs and I don’t expect Atkinson to be one of them.
Next: Projecting the 53-man roster
Atkinson has been a player who has been waived and signed to practice squads until the team eventually needs his help late in the season. Practice squad is the likely destination for him.