The Raven Report 9.6.15: The #Browns & #NFL Cut Day

By @nevaRWilliams

Welcome everyone to The Raven Report for Sunday, September 6, 2015.

As many of you know, Saturday was the final cut down day for the upcoming NFL season. While I’ll get to some notable cuts in a bit, I’d like to go over the cuts made by the Cleveland Browns.

First of all, in case you missed it earlier in the week, the Browns had to cut down from 90 players to 75. The big names of that group were 2011 draft pick but oft injured defensive lineman, Phil Taylor. While Taylor seemed to get mixed reactions about his play from fans and media alike, he seemed to have trouble staying on the field due to injuries suffered every season. Along with that, the selection of Danny Shelton in this past year’s NFL draft made Taylor expendable, since Shelton has shown off his power, drive and fresh legs in the preseason. Other names in the 75 cut, was local Cleveland fan favorite, wide receiver Shane Wynn.

Onto the cuts down to 53. If you watched Thursday’s Browns vs. Bears preseason game, then you know the lackluster performance that quarterback Thad Lewis put on. Lewis, in his second stint with the Browns, finished the game poorly with just 100 yards passing, one interception and took on 7 sacks. Any QB who puts on that showing deserves to be cut, and thats what the Browns did on Saturday afternoon. Other recognizable names cut Saturday afternoon were wide receivers Josh Lenz, Darrius Jennings and Vince Mayle. Mayle was a 4th round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, but did not give anything worth noting throughout four preseason games.

Josh Lenz on the other hand proved to many in the Browns organization and fellow teammates that he just might have what it takes to become an NFL wide receiver. But with the Browns keeping four tight ends, Gary Barnidge, Jim Dray, EJ Bibbs and Rob Housler, younger players like Lenz, Jennings and Mayle became expendable. For me, I still feel like there is a chance that Lenz, Jennings or Mayle may still find a spot on the Browns practice squad.

The rest of the Cleveland Browns cuts are as follows:

QB Thad Lewis, OL Karim Barton, QB Pat Devlin, RB Shaun Draughn, DB Landon Feichter, RB Tim Flanders, DB Kendall James, WR Darrius Jennings, OL Erle Ladson, WR Josh Lenz, WR Vince Mayle, DL Jacobbi McDaniel, OL Andrew McDonald, OL Darrian Miller, DB Robert Nelson Jr., OL Vinston Painter, LB Hayes Pullard III, DB Joe Rankin, LB Mike Reilly, DB De'Ante Saunders, DL Dylan Wynn, OL Eric Olsen, DT Phil Taylor, TE Anthony Ezeakunne, WR Shane Wynn, LB Everette Brown, LB Moise Fokou, RB Jalen Parmele and DB Aaron Ross.

With the cutting of so many offensive linemen and both Thad Lewis and Pat Devlin, I fully believe that the Browns will look at the waiver wire to see if they can find a suitable back up quarterback, as well as a few linemen.

In what some believe to be a “stunner cut”, the San Francisco 49ers cut defensive lineman Darnell Dockett after giving him $2 million in guaranteed money in the offseason. It’s believed that Dockett may retire and even begin an on-air broadcasting career.

Elsewhere around the league, the Philadelphia Eagles cut QB Tim Tebow, despite a solid showing in the fourth preseason game. The Eagles also recently traded QB Matt Barkley to the Arizona Cardinals.

Former Colt receiver Reggie Wayne was let go by the New England Patriots. Some industry insiders believe that Wayne could opt for retirement.

Speaking of former Indianapolis Colts, the Tennessee Titans parted with Hakeem Nicks after having just three receptions for 59 yards in his two preseason games with the Titans.

Other notable cuts around the NFL:

DT Devon Still, Bengals
QB Matt Cassel, Bills
RB Jonas Gray, Patriots
WR James Jones, Giants
WR AJ Jenkins, Cowboys
FB Henry Hynoski, Giants
DE Jason Babin, Jets
QB Matt Flynn, Jets
DT Red Bryant, Bills
K Nick Novak, Chargers
LB Jameel McClain, Giants
OL Derek Sherrod, Chiefs

QB Christian Ponder, Raiders
S Taylor Mays, Raiders
P Steve Weatherford, Giants
WR Duron Carter, Colts
DE Da’Quan Bowers, Buccaneers
DE IK Enemkpali, Bills
QB Logan Thomas, Cardinals
DE Quentin Groves, Bills
LB Philip Wheeler, 49ers
QB Matt Simms, Bills
DB Will Blackmon, Seahawks

DB Charles James, Texans
WR EZ Nwachukwu, Texans
LB Kourtnei Browns, Texans
DT Jerel Worthy, Packers
DE Corey Wootton, Packers
LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Rams
QB Rex Grossman, Falcons
QB TJ Yates, Falcons
QB Josh Freeman, Dolphins
K Caleb Sturgis, Dolphins

DL Louis Nix, Texans
RB Storm Johnson, Jaguars
DL Josh Chapman, Colts
LB Matt Shaughnessy, Cardinals
QB Ryan Lindley, Patriots
LB James-Michael Johnson, Chiefs
FS Sanders Commings, Chiefs
OL Isaiah Battle, Rams
DB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Saints

Lastly, be sure to check out the Triple Threat CLE Radio Show on No Static Radio, Friday nights at 9pm EST on NoStaticRadio.com. This coming Friday, September 11, we will break down the Browns schedule for the season and go over the rest of the leagues games and much more.

Leadoff with Lee 8.28.15 #KyrieIrving #Browns #Steelers #DarrylDawkins

By @cleeverizon

- There is a chance Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving may not be available for the season opener on October 27th when the team visits the Chicago Bulls. While rehabilitation has been going smoothly, the Cavs are in no rush to plug him back into the starting lineup. The original 3-4 month timetable for his return has been slightly altered so he can at 100% and be fresh for the playoffs with so setbacks. According to one team source, Irving maybe out until January. In his absence, the Cavs have newly acquired Mo Williams and the re-signed Matthew Dellavedova to hold down the position until his return.

- The Browns worked out and signed reserve quarterback Pat Devlin yesterday. He is listed at 6’3”, 220 pounds and is in his third season out of Delaware. Devlin, 27, was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins in 2011 and played with them until 2013. He was apart of the Minnesota Vikings quarterback group in 2014 and spent part of the 2015 offseason with the Chicago Bears. It’s not expected for Devlin to be a long term solution for the Browns, as he is expected to get cut when the roster needs to be trimmed down to 53 on September 5th. He is nothing more than a camp arm to give Johnny Manziel a chance to rest his sore elbow for the remainder of the preseason.

The Browns released OL Ryan Seymour to make room for Devlin. Seymour is currently serving a four game suspension for use of PEDs.

- Yesterday's Browns Berea Bike Brigade included Phil Taylor (DL), Ish Kitchen (DL), Michael Bowie (OL), Justin Gilbert (DB), Robert Nelson (DB) and K'Waun Williams (DB).

- Here’s the uniform combination for Saturday’s Browns vs. Buccaneers game:

- Steelers WR Martavis Bryant is facing 4-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy. The NFLPA and Bryant are appealing the suspension. This was will be Bryant's second violation since entering the NFL in 2014.

- Green Bay's Letroy Guion is suspended the first three games of the season for violating the NFL’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

- The details of the Patriots and Reggie Wayne contract have been disclosed and it is incentive laced. Wayne's 1-year deal is worth up to $2.3M and his contract includes a $1.1 million base salary which becomes fully guaranteed if he is on the Week 1 roster. The deal also has a roster bonus worth as much as $750,000 ($46,875 per game) and incentives up to $500,000 ($250,000 for 55 catches and $500,000 for 65 catches).

- Former Sixers and Nets star Darryl Dawkins has passed away at the age of 58. He earned his nickname of "Chocolate Thunder" for his rim shattering dunks. Dawkins was the first player ever drafted straight to the NBA out of high school. He averaged 14 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block in his 14 seasons in the NBA.

Leadoff with Lee 3.8.15 #NFLFreeAgency #Kentucky #Boeheim #Browns

By @cleeverizon

- The Green Bay Packers and WR Randall Cobb agreed to a 4 year, $40 million contract. While he was offered more from other teams, like the Raiders, Cobb decided to stay in Green Bay and catch passes from the MVP, Aaron Rodgers.

- Cornerback Kareem Jackson and the Houston Texans agreed to a 4 year, $34 million deal, that includes $20 million in guaranteed money. The soon to be 27 year old Jackson has 10 interceptions and 50 passes defensed in his career with the Texans. If Kareem Jackson can pull in this type of contract, what will be offered to Browns (or former Browns) cornerback Buster Skrine?

- Mary Kay Cabot of Northeast Ohio Media Group reported 8 teams have expressed interest in Browns cornerback Buster Skrine in the first 3 hours of the negotiating window on Saturday. With so many teams involved, I don't see the Browns getting into a bidding war to re-sign Skrine. Ray Farmer has said multiple times he wants to build a team through the draft. It seems as if Farmer has his eyes set on another slot/nickel corner in the draft. And with the emergence of K'Wuan Williams and the depth of Pierre Desir, Skrine becomes expendable.
- According to a league source 4 teams have showed interest in quarterback Brian Hoyer, including the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills.

- The Browns announce they resigned punter Spencer Lanning and running back Shawn Draughns. Recently released former Eagles defensive end, Trent Cole, is scheduled to meet without the Browns on Sunday. Cole has played defensive end in the 4-3 and outside linebacker in the 3-4 schemes.

- The Chicago Bears trade the often troubled wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets for a 5th round draft pick. In 13 games last season with the Bears, Marshall had 61 receptions for 721 yards, scoring 8 touchdowns.Prior to the 2014 season Marshall had 7 consecutive seasons with 1,000 plus yards receiving. The Jets are expected to cut ties with wide receiver Percy Harvin, who is rumored to sign with the New England Patriots.

- Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch agrees to a 3 year, $31 million dollar contract extension. Lynch will receive $12 million this year, in the form $7.5 million signing bonus and a $4.5 million fully-guaranteed base salary. In 2016, Lynch  will receive a base salary of $9 million dollars, and  In 2017 a base salary of $7 million in addition to a $3 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2017 league year.

- Former Colts safety LaRon Landry suspended 10 games for violation of the Performance Enhancing Drug policy. In the 2014 season, Landry was suspended 4 games for the same violation. Indianapolis released the veteran in February.

- Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski has signed his franchise tag tender worth $4.59M for the 2015 season.

- The New Orleans Saints and wide receiver Marques Colston have agreed to restructure his contract and will remain with the team next season. The Saints were debating releasing the teams all-time leading receiver if the two side couldn't come to terms. Colston was set to make $9.7 million next season and it would have went against the Saints low salary cap. Details on his restructured contract are expected to be made public as early as Monday.

- The Saints also agreed to a new 4-year, $16 million deal with running back Mark Ingram.

- The Colts have announced they won’t re-sign wide receiver Reggie Wayne. The 14-year veteran of the team had 64 receptions for 779 yards in 15 games and scoring only 2 touchdowns last season. Wayne ranks 7th in all-time NFL receptions and 8th in all-time receiving yards.

- The NCAA suspended Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim for nine ACC games, took away 12 scholarships, and ordered that 108 wins be vacated as a result of a multiyear investigation into the university's athletic programs. The following article by Emily Jones from NCAA.org details the infractions and penalties for the university. Click here to read that

- The University of Kentucky men's basketball team and number one team in the country finishes the regular season 31-0. Kentucky is the first team from a major power conference to complete the regular season unbeaten since Indiana did it in 1976. This is the Wildcats first unbeaten regular season since 1954. The Wildcats wore t-shirts after the game that read "31-0 Not Done". With nine more wins Kentucky will finish 40-0 and be crowned "National Champions" (Alcorn State was also undefeated in the 1976 season but didn't make it to the national tournament. The field at the time was only 32).

- Cavaliers forward LeBron James tied Mark Price for the Cavaliers' career assist record of 4,206.