Who Should the Browns Cut First?

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 24, 2008 1:31 AM EDT in General News

Don't worry loyal readers: I haven't gone on a "trade them all" rampage like Jay / Ryan over at Let's Go Tribe just yet. Believe it or not, me posting this item has nothing to do with the Browns playing poorly in their second consecutive preseason game.

It's a fact that the first roster cuts are due in on August 26 (this Tuesday). So, considering our current roster, I want you to act like you are Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage. You only need to make five cuts, and it's very unlikely that we would go over that amount. In otherwords, please don't reply saying "I would cut ten people" unless you really believe you have a legitimate point.

Here are my first five cuts (these are the ones I projected prior to the Lions game):

DB Brandon Mitchell - With Jones and Pool nursing injuries, this one may not actually happen now. Sticking with my original instincts though.
RB Austin Scott - The team seems to prefer RB Travis Thomas just a little bit more, though honestly I could care less which back goes first.
DL Brian Schaefering - I saw him for the first time against the Lions. Too many players are ahead of him in the running though, and it makes sense to dump the bottom of the depth chart if you're looking to give former draft picks Melila Purcell and Chase Pittman more reps in the preseason finale.
OL Jonathan Palmer - I'm not really fond of Isaac Sowells or James Lee at this point, but Palmer is probably behind them on the depth chart too, leaving the competition down to just two men for the backup tackle role.
TE Kolo Kapanui - Yet to really make any impact; appears as though four tight ends are ahead of him on depth chart.

While not required, please feel free to elaborate on some of your cuts. If you list a third-string player who never gets in on the action, I think it'll be self-explanatory. But, if you're going to cut a player like Travis Wilson or David McMillan right away, please explain why since those cuts, if necessary, can be made after our fourth preseason game. Your argument doesn't have to be sane to be acceptable; just provide a basis of where you're coming from and I'll be pleased ;)

P.S. My review of the ever-so-boring Lions / Browns preseason contest is due some time Sunday. Check back often.

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Comments

Agree with your choice of cuts. This round is not as interesting as the next because most of those players have had little opportunities outside of non-contact practices to show off their talents. The only one that anyone could debate is cutting Mitchell. The brought him in for a reason and I don’t believe that he has shown enough either way to say keep/cut. Why do you think he is going to be cut? I can’t see Nick Sorenson subbing for Pool or Jones in a ‘real’ game. If not Mitchell then maybe a WR?

by Guage80 on Aug 24, 2008 8:56 AM EDT reply actions

I like your cuts as well. I’m managing the Browns roster in a spreadsheet and will be ready to predict the 53 man roster!

I’ll keep your cuts, except I cut Lance Leggett on Tuesday and keep Mitchell for now (for the reasons you listed). I don’t have Mitchell making the final roster, however, so I think it’s just a matter of time. (Is Mitchell eligible for the Practice Squad?)

I’m also lacking excitement about Sowells and Lee. Wasn’t Sowells slated for guard? I was hopeful for him (wasn’t he a 4th rounder?) but he doesn’t appear to be taking advantage of his opportunity.

by CharlotteBrown on Aug 24, 2008 10:00 AM EDT reply actions

Mitchell has at least one more year of eligibility for the practice squad. He spent last year on the Texans practice squad before being release recently.

I agree with you that Lance Leggett should be cut before Mitchell.

by Guage80 on Aug 24, 2008 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m not sure if we can place somebody on the “waived/injured” list yet — I’d have to look at the specific rules on that. If Kevin Kasper is going to be out another few weeks (haven’t gotten an update on his condition yet), then we could place him on that list. Then, if needed, we could pay him an injury settlement later down the road to waive him.

Leggett has shown some nice ability the past two preseason games, but he could end up being a guy we sneak through the first cuts so that we know ahead of time whether or not we can get him on the practice squad.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 24, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

1. Nate Bennett- Dunno why but it seems he has a lot of stupid penalties when he is in. Although I could be thinking of somebody else… Its hard to keep track of the 3rd string linemen.
2. Austin Scott
3. Kolomona Kapanui
4. Lance Leggett
5. Jason Reda- No point in keeping him.

I dont see us getting rid of a DB at this point, nor any linebackers right now and linebackers are extremely important on special teams and I think there are still battles for special teams positions.

by kjc on Aug 24, 2008 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

Ah, that’s a good point about the kicker. I completely forgot he was even still on the team.

I, too, thought about substituting Bennett for Palmer on my list.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 24, 2008 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Thought Cieslak played well while he was in there. I realize it wasn’t prime time, but the first string offense didn’t look so hot. I always get a kick out of seeing Brad split out wide and he did a nice job on the 4th down conversion late in the game. Unfortunately, the Browns couldn’t get into the end zone.

Only a few days left of the preseason and two more cuts. It will certainly be interesting. As I’ve said before, I don’t expect Brad to stick in Cleveland due to the numbers (Winslow, Heiden, Dinkins and Rucker’s inevitable return) but I think he’s done a nice job. Dinkins dropped a few passes yesterday, however I think you guys already knew he’s not the best receiver.

Anyway, from what I’m told you guys have a great staff and really good guys working as coaches. No matter what happens, I hope the Browns have a great season. No one likes the Steelers. Good luck guys.

by ASC1980 on Aug 24, 2008 5:14 PM EDT reply actions

Your right. No one likes the Steelers. I am now a fan of your brother though.

by Bernie19Kosar on Aug 24, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Seconded. It seems he’s not eligible for the practice squad but I’ve seen enough to think he’ll stick with a team.

ASC, do us a favor and stop back when your brother catches on with another team. I’ll be rooting for him.

by NickFantana on Aug 24, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

4 more to cut... after Jenkins

Brandon Mitchell: Travis Key, also brought in early, apparently made some special plays that I hadn’t seen. Mitchell gets the short end of the stick. Peace.

Kolomona Kapanui: Cieslak is impressing even as the 5th TE. This guy isn’t going to make it, his work ethic is garbage after seeing the raw practice footages. Also lacks inside footwork, ask Vickers and the FB coach LOL.

Brian Schaefering: Hasn’t shown enough. Purcell and Pittman are back in the game (not the 53 man roster game) after getting some decent tackles during the Lion’s game. So I put them ahead of this guy. Peace.

Austin Scott: Personally, I like the way Travis Thomas was running in camp. He couldn’t do anything with third stringers out there but I still give him the nod over Scott. Thomas would probably do very decently in a first team offense. Sorry Scott.

by bcboncs on Aug 26, 2008 12:15 PM EDT reply actions