The Cleveland Browns surprised a few people by releasing two veterans in the past week in CB Rod Hood and offensive lineman George Foster. Yesterday, the team put Ryan Tucker on injured reserve. It was a good gamble to bring these guys into camp, particularly Tucker and Foster, because you never know when you will need depth on the offensive line.
Tucker is not a surprise as he has developed into a guy you cannot count on over the past few years, something coaches loathe. He missed time in ’07, played just one game in 2008, and now will be out this year. People have said he is arguably the Browns’ best offensive lineman when he plays, however, that’s the rub…he can’t get on the field.
Look for the Browns to pick up an experienced offensive lineman when the rosters are cut down to 53 next week. Some quality depth will be out there, and Eric Mangini will definitely be interested in adding to the depth of his roster. Currently, the only experienced reserves are Hank Fraley (assuming Alex Mack starts at center), and Floyd Womack (assuming Rex Hadnot starts), because Fred Weary was also placed on the injured reserve list yesterday.
Corey Ivy and impressive looking rookie Coye Francies beat out Hood for a spot on the roster. Francies has stood out with his physicality among the defensive backs.
Many times coaches make moves with veterans like Foster and Hood so they can hook on with other teams quicker.
The Browns also dealt DL Louis Leonard to Carolina for an undisclosed draft pick. Having Robaire Smith healthy, and the strong play of Ahtyba Rubin made Leonard expendable. Also, the latter’s argument with defensive line coach Brian Cox a few weeks ago didn’t help his cause. Once again, this is a case of Mangini showing who’s the boss. And there is nothing wrong with that.
It appears that Mangini is fair on the makeup of his roster as well. He has been willing to let go of some of the players he and GM George Kokinis brought in over the off-season, and that is a refreshing trait compared to some of the past management regimes (see Davis, Butch). The current management seems to want the best 53 players on the roster, with no hidden agendas.
Following Thursday’s game against Chicago, there will be a bevy of activity in Berea. Twenty two players have to be let go to get to the 53 man roster for the regular season, but the guess here is more than that many will not be wearing a Browns’ jersey come September 13th. There will be three or four players cut by other organizations, who will be standing on the sidelines against Minnesota.
The Browns want to keep upgrading their talent level.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 