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The wide receiver appeared to be in some trouble late in the season, missing the last few games and releasing multiple questionable pictures on his instagram account. The problems came to a head when Bess was confronted for having "erratic" behavior at an airport.
BREAKING: #Browns have released WRs Davone Bess and Brian Tyms, and LB Paul Hazel.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 5, 2014
The Browns may be looking to recoup some of the present value of Bess' salary, as speculated back in February. Specifically, the Browns would be looking to void the $3.067 million on Bess' contract, because his base salary was supposed to be guaranteed. Although we want Bess to get the help he needs, from a football perspective, this doesn't appear to be much of a loss for the Browns. Bess was supposed to be a sure-handed receiver when the team acquired him from the Dolphins, but instead, he led the league in drops despite the fact that he wasn't an every-down receiver.
Incidentally, the Browns also released WR Brian Tyms and chronic special teams menace (LB) Paul Hazel.