Sunday Morning - Roster Projections, Savage Upset

It's Sunday morning here in Cleveland, and we're all surprised that the Cleveland Indians have gotten their act together the past five games and come through in the clutch. For the Cleveland Browns though, we're still pondering on several issues regarding the team as the cuts draw near. I have updated my 53-man roster projection after needing to make a few changes. Here is a quick rundown of what was changed from the first edition:

• Offensive Line: Due to our need at center, Alonzo Ephraim is back on the 53-man roster, meaning that Jonathan Dunn had to be cut. New center acquisition Ross Tucker obviously had to make the team now, so I switched Rob Smith to the PUP list. I'm not sure if the Browns will do that if the injury isn't that serious, but we'll see.
• CB Switch: The Browns made the switch already, and so have I. I replaced Pete Hunter with Daven Holley on the 53-man roster. I never wanted to punt Hunter on the list in the first place, but at the time, the coaches named him as the third cornerback.
• Practice Squad: I'm not sure if they are all eligible, but I have placed QB Lang Campbell, RB Chris Barclay, OL Jonathan Dunn, WR Kendrick Mosley, DL J'vonne Parker, LB Clifton Smith, and S Shawn Mayer on the practice squad. Out of all those players, I believe Campbell and Parker still have legitimate shots at making the 53-man roster. Campbell would have the slight edge if he comes through this week against the Lions more than Derek Anderson.

Yesterday, general manager Phil Savage had some interesting words regarding the constant questioning of our quarterback situation: Savage seems frustrated obviously, but you have to see both sides of the story. Savage is already trying to patch the center position together, and realizes that the backup quarterback role is an underrated role that everyone around the league knows that the Browns are weak in. The organization has tried to portray that they have not given up on Ken Dorsey yet, but based on what we've seen in training camp so far, things aren't looking too good. If the Browns want the media off their back, they'll allow Dorsey to go out there and take some chances against the Detroit Lions this Friday. If we see the same dump-off passes once again, then what are we preparing him for? Being even more predictable than he already is? Honestly, I'd rather see him attempt some shots downfield and get picked in the preseason, so if we do need him in the regular season, we'll know whether or not he is capable in a situation like that. Also, Pro Football Talk bashed Savage for his comments regarding our center situation.

Here is a list of players who started against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, compared to who may start against the Detroit Lions this Friday:

Philadelphia Game				Detroit Game
Offense WR D.Northcutt LT K.Shaffer LG J.Andruzzi C A.Ephraim RG C.Coleman RT N.Dorsey TE K.Winslow WR J.Jurevicius QB C.Frye FB T.Smith RB R.Droughns	Defense LE O.Roye NT T.Washington RE A.McKinley LOLB M.Stewart MLB A.Davis WLB D.Jackson ROLB D.McMillan LCB L.Bodden RCB G.Baxter SS S.Jones FS B.Russell				Offense WR D.Northcutt LT K.Shaffer LG J.Andruzzi C Ro.Tucker RG C.Coleman RT N.Dorsey TE K.Winslow WR J.Jurevicius QB C.Frye FB T.Smith RB R.Droughns	Defense LE O.Roye NT T.Washington RE A.McKinley LOLB M.Stewart MLB A.Davis WLB D.Jackson ROLB K.Wimbley LCB L.Bodden RCB A.Perkins SS B.Pool FS B.Russell

Some of those positions are still up in the air. Ephraim could start, but then he'd still split time with Tucker. Wimbley may start, but McMillian will still see time in the absence of McGinest. Perkins or Holley will start ahead of Baxter. Pool looked solid against the Eagles, but Jones isn't out of it yet.

Don't forget, later today, we'll have a training camp report, as well as a scouting report on Cleveland Browns players in fantasy football leagues. Oh, and by the way, here's what Ben Roethlisberger did in his first game back with the Steelers:

Yikes.