Recap of what Sashi Brown told reporters before Cleveland’s third preseason game

Thursday morning, Sashi Brown talked to reporters down in Tampa for about 25 minutes. There is no press conference video or transcript of the session, but here’s what we were able to gather from various news outlets:

Cam Erving is the starting center, but ankle a concern

Center Cameron Erving tweaked his ankle during Wednesday’s practice against the Buccaneers, but head coach Hue Jackson thought he’d still be able to play on Friday. That sounds less likely after listening to what Brown had to say.

Brown specifically pointed out that Erving will have some time off before the start of the regular season, including the fourth preseason game, to recover. If you’re already thinking that far ahead for a guy who is still very much a developmental guy, then are you really going to play him in the third preseason game, two days after the injury? I don’t think so. Brown expressed confidence that Erving is firmly entrenched as the team’s starting center, though, even if he needs some time off.

Before the trading of Barkevious Mingo

The news of OLB Barkevious Mingo being traded to the Patriots broke this afternoon. I doubt that it suddenly materialized today, so Brown had to of known about it this morning when he was asked to comment on Mingo’s status with the team:

Vague on player issues

When the subject about disputes with players came up, Brown was pretty mum on the subject, especially when it came to CB K’Waun Williams. He also wouldn’t comment on whether they were working on an injury settlement with DE Desmond Bryant. However, he did say “discussions we had with [Bryant] when he left were positive.”

As far as other trades go, Brown remained firm that they aren’t trying to trade WR Josh Gordon. He wasn’t as decisive when talking about QB Josh McCown, though, saying, “We value Josh for a lot of different reasons but we also do feel as a quarterback he's a viable, starting caliber NFL quarterback.”

The future of CB Tramon Williams

Brown was asked whether CB Tramon Williams’ $6.2 million salary would be a reason to cut ties with him. Brown wisely answered with, “There's no reason that we would have to cut Tramon for salary purposes.” The answer allows him to escape what the real question I’ve been having is: does Williams even have a future with this football team?

“He's a savvy veteran that's come in and worked hard, played well, helped a lot of the young guys along as well,” said Brown. “We do value him.”

Earlier this offseason, I thought that the only reason Williams wasn’t sent packing with the other veterans who were cut was because CB Joe Haden was set to miss almost all of the offseason. Therefore, they wanted one veteran presence in place to help the younger guys out. That duty appears to be fulfilled now, and the team would love to see a youngster claim the nickel role. Unfortunately, the guy that should be claiming it is CB K’Waun Williams.

Other Nuggets

For other quotes from Brown, check out this article from Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer. The other quotes included stuff about WR Corey Coleman, WR Terrelle Pryor, DL Danny Shelton, being a winning football team, and more.