By Chris Lee, @TripleThreatLee
The Cleveland Browns cut day, like most teams, was swift and heavy. While there weren't many surprises, there were some notable names that are no longer with the team.
The Browns traded CB Justin Gilbert in a rare in division trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2018 sixth-round pick. In his 23 career games, Gilbert has 39 combined tackles and 1 interception.
Browns agreed to a one-year contract with former Denver Broncos punter Britton Colquitt. The punter with eight seasons under his belt, had 84 punts last year for Denver, averaging 43.6 yards.
As for the Browns and running back Raheem Mostert, his agent announced on Twitter his client was cut. The Browns likely view George Atkinson as a replacement for Mostert, who seemed to be the favorite for the No. 3 running back job until a hamstring injury interfered a couple of weeks ago.
The team also released S Rahim Moore. The 6th year DB was picked up by the team in the offseason, but the team obviously has decided to go in another direction. Moore had 16 combined tackles and 1 interception last season with Houston.
Also leaving Cleveland is veteran WR Marlon Moore along with the following waived players:
DL Kenton Adeyemi, DL Chigbo Anunoby, DB Pierre Desir, RB Jahwan Edwards, DB Mikell Everette, OL Dan France, WR Taylor Gabriel, DB Charles Gaines, OL Garth Gerhart, TE Connor Hamlett, TE J.P. Holtz, WR Darius Jennings, OL Kaleb Johnson, OL Mike Matthews, LB Jason Neill, DB Eric Patterson, P Kasey Redfern and LB Justin Tuggle.
The Browns did manage to claim running back George Atkinson, defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun defensive back Marcus Burley, defensive end/outside linebacker Tyrone Holmes and linebacker Corey Lemonier before the Sunday deadline. Cleveland also signed veteran DL Stephen Paea.
Here's what the roster looks like as of now:
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (3): Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Cody Kessler;
Running backs (3): Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson Jr., George Atkinson
Fullback (1): Malcolm Johnson
Wide receivers (6): Terrelle Pryor, Andrew Hawkins, Corey Coleman, Ricardo Louis, Jordan Payton, Rashard Higgins
Tight ends (3): Gary Barnidge, Randall Telfer, Seth DeValve
Offensive line (8): Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Cameron Erving, John Greco, Austin Pasztor, Shon Coleman, Spencer Drango, Alvin Bailey
DEFENSE
Defensive linemen (7): Danny Shelton, John Hughes III, Stephen Paea, Carl Nassib, Xavier Cooper, Jamie Meder, Tyrone Holmes
Linebackers (9): Christian Kirksey, Demario Davis, Tank Carder, Dominique Alexander, Scooby Wright III, Emmanuel Ogbah, Nate Orchard, Joe Schobert, Corey Lemonier
Defensive backs (10): Joe Haden, Jamar Taylor, Tramon Williams, Tracy Howard, Ibraheim Campbell, Jordan Poyer, Derrick Kindred, Don Jones, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Marcus Burley
SPECIALISTS
Kicker (1): Patrick Murray
Punter (1): Britton Colquitt
Long snapper (1): Charley Hughlett
Reserve/Suspended
Receiver Josh Gordon (4 weeks)
Defensive end Armonty Bryant (4 weeks)
PRACTICE SQUAD
OL Dan France
TE Connor Hamlett
WR Darius Jennings
OL Kaleb Johnson
QB Kevin Hogan
OL Anthony Fabiano
DT Gabe Wright
- The Eagles corrected a huge mistake by taking advantage of the desperate Vikings. Philadelphia's deal of Sam Bradford to the Minnesota in exchange for a 2017 first-round pick and a 2018 fourth-round pick cures the loss of Teddy Bridgewater. It's worth noting that the Eagles paid Bradford an $11 million signing bonus essentially for offseason practices, so the Vikings "only" owe Bradford $24 million over the next two seasons. Sam Bradford brings a fully guaranteed $7M cap hit to the Vikings for 2016 ($17M in 2017); leaving dead caps of $5.5M in '16 & '17 w/ the Eagles.
- Former Broncos and Eagles QB Mark Sanchez is going to sign with the Dallas Cowboys.
- Former Browns QB Austin Davis and 5th year passer is signing with the Denver Broncos. He will come in as the No. 3 and mentor Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch initially.
- The San Diego Chargers are waiving CB Steve Williams to make room for former Browns CB Pierre Desir.
- The Atlanta Falcons announce they've waived WR Nick Williams to make room for former Browns WR Taylor Gabriel.
- Cleveland Indians starter Corey Kluber, who's making a serious case to win his second AL Cy Young Award, has been named the AL Pitcher of the Month for August. Kluber went 5-0 with 44 strikeouts and a 2.43 ERA in August, holding opponents to a .224 average. Corey hasn't lost a game since July 3, going 7-0 with a 1.94 ERA in 10 starts. Opponents have hit .224.
- Lawrence Taylor often had no trouble finding the quarterback during a 13-year NFL career that enshrined him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. But off the gridiron, he has found trouble of various sorts.That pattern repeated itself Friday afternoon when Taylor was arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, and charged with driving under the influence, according to an arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol. The former New York Giants star was driving a 2010 Bentley on the Florida Turnpike south of Palm Beach Gardens when he allegedly struck the right side of a mobile home and also sideswiped a Florida Highway Patrol vehicle, troopers said. Police say the former professional athlete was arrested after he performed poorly on three field sobriety exercises at the crash site. The damage to the trooper cruiser was minimal,said Sgt. Mark Wysocky. Taylor was brought to Wellington Regional Medical Center after complaining he was going to throw up, the highway patrol said. He was then taken to Palm Beach County jail, according to highway patrol.
The two-time Super Bowl champion's checkered past includes:
-In 2011, he pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with a teenaged girl and was sentenced to six years probation.
-He was suspended twice during his NFL career for substance abuse.
-He was arrested multiple times after retiring from football in 1993.
- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr will not return to competition during the remainder of the 2016 season as he continues to recover from concussion-like symptoms. Hendrick Motorsports officials made the announcement Friday morning, saying that Alex Bowman and four-time series champ Jeff Gordon would split time in the No. 88 Chevrolet for the remaining 12 races of the season. Gordon is drove the No. 88 as Earnhardt's replacement this past weekend at Darlington.
