NFL teams reduced their rosters to the regular season number of 53 players on Saturday. For teams trying to build such as the Browns, though, the roster makeup is fluid.
Browns president Mike Holmgren, coach Eric Mangini and general manager Tom Heckert are likely evaluating roster cuts made around the NFL.Cleveland, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns and the 31 other NFL teams reduced their rosters to the regular season-size 53 players on Saturday.
For teams trying to build, such as the Browns, the roster remains fluid. James Walker mentions that in his roster cutdown analysis for ESPN.com:
Despite Cleveland establishing its 53-man roster, the Browns should still be active on the waiver wires. This roster overall is not very deep, especially compared to its AFC North counterparts. So the Browns could make some additions in several areas to improve the bottom of their roster. Backups shouldn’t get too comfortable in Cleveland.
Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot reports that the Browns signed six players today to their practice squad. All six had been cut by the team on Saturday.
Plain Dealer Browns coverage includes beat writer Tony Grossi's report on the Browns' roster cuts; his "Hey, Tony;" columnist Terry Pluto's "Terry's Talkin," columnist Bill Livingston's commentary that only Browns owner Randy Lerner could solve the rift with former Browns great Jim Brown.
The Browns begin their season next Sunday afternoon in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers.
Jim Brown's fumble
Conversation continues about Jim Brown's plans to not attend the Browns' Ring of Honor ceremony on Sept. 19, and about things Brown has said regarding the situation.
Les Levine writes for the News Herald that the Cavaliers made the right hire with coach Byron Scott, and then addresses the Browns/Brown rift.
Levine writes, referring to Browns owner Randy Lerner:
Lerner provided Brown with a good-sized personal contract, along with sizable contributions to Amer-I-Can, the two believed to total more than $1 million a year. But this never was intended to be a lifetime arrangement, and Brown had to know that.
Because Brown, who once represented Art Modell's Baltimore Ravens ($$$), has a problem with the current management of the Browns, he has forever changed his relationship with the fans and his former teammates, including Leroy Kelly, Paul Warfield, Mike McCormack and Bobby Mitchell, who will also be placed in the ring of honor. While it is their time to shine, the focus probably will be on Brown's absence, unless cooler heads prevail.
Get it right
NBCSports.com features photo galleries of overpaid and underpaid offensive and defensive players around the NFL. Browns starting guard Eric Steinbach, regarded by most as an above-average player, is included among the overpaid offensive players.
If NBC wants to quibble about the money being paid to Steinbach, that's one thing. But its rationale diminishes the credibility of the opinion. The text accompanying Steinbach's photo:
For nearly $6 million, a guy should be guaranteed to start, and the Browns don't have that.
Big dollars
In fact, Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository writes about Steinbach's contract. The Browns signed Steinbach, who plays between Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas and promising center Alex Mack, to a seven-year, $49 million contract in 2007.
Doerschuk writes:
Yet, the Browns could have three stars — certainly, that’s what they are paying for. The trick is for them to play to their ability and to function well with right guard Shaun Lauvao and right tackle Tony Pashos.
The shock value of Steinbach’s contract has worn off quickly. This past offseason, the Saints gave left guard Jahri Evans a seven-year, $56.7 million deal.
Evans helped the Saints win a Super Bowl earlier this year. For the Browns, the heavy investment in linemen is just crazy money unless these guys do more than look decent on film.
Be involved
Warren Tribune Chronicle sports editor Ed Puskas comments on the spat between the Browns and Jim Brown.
Puskas writes, with references to Browns owner Randy Lerner and team president Mike Holmgren:
Holmgren essentially tried to reduce the role of a Cleveland icon to that of a ceremonial greeter. Brown bristled at what he considered a demotion and later went public with his complaint. He also played the race card in a letter to the team in which he said he would not attend the team's Ring of Honor ceremonies later this month.
Lerner needs to pay less attention to his Aston Villa soccer team and more to the Browns. He doesn't have to be as hands-on as Jerry Jones or Al Davis, but doing nothing as the relationship between the Browns and the greatest player ever to wear their colors deteriorated is blatant neglect.
Sideline to sideline
A story on linebacker Marcus Benard by Matt Florjancic on ClevelandBrowns.com.
Reports on the Browns roster cuts by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal; Nate Ulrich for the Akron Beacon Journal; Brian Dulik for the Medina County Gazette and Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.
On Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report, Fred Greetham reports on what Browns GM Tom Heckert said about the roster cuts.
A ranking of the NFL's head coaches, 1 to 32, on SportingNews.com.
Nate Ulrich answers a reader's question on the Akron Beacon Journal's Browns blog.