Browns Cut Shaun Rogers, Five Others

By FanHouse Newswire

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CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Browns are cleaning house.

 

On Wednesday, the team terminated the contracts of some big-name players, including their biggest player -- enormous nose tackle Shaun Rogers (right).

 

In addition, the Browns, who are rebuilding once again under new coach Pat Shurmur, also released veteran linebackers Eric Barton and David Bowens, defensive end Kenyon Coleman, tight end Robert Royal and right offensive tackle John St. Clair.

 

All six of the players are over age 30, and the moves will save the Browns nearly $19 million in base salaries.

 

The 350-pound-plus Rogers, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was slowed by injuries and played sparingly last season. He was due to make $5.5 million in 2011 with a $500,000 roster bonus.

 

The Browns announced the cuts in a one-paragraph statement, and moments later Barton expressed his disappointment at being let go on his Twitter account.

 

"No longer a Cleveland brown," Barton wrote. "I'm gonna miss the great friends I met there."

 

Rogers was on his own practice schedule last season, resting a leg injury so he could play on Sundays. He lost favor with former coach Eric Mangini, who used to go out of his way to praise defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin. A Pro Bowler in 2008, Rogers played in 15 games, but only made one start and finished with just 17 tackles.

 

Barton and Bowens were signed as free agents in Cleveland by Mangini, who was fired in January following his second straight 5-11 season. Coleman, who started 14 games at left end last season, also played for Mangini with the New York Jets before he was brought to Cleveland in a trade.

 

St. Clair made 10 starts last season, but missed five games with an ankle injury.

 

The Browns are expected to switch from a 3-4 defensive scheme to a 4-3 under new coordinator Dick Jauron, who coached Rogers in Detroit.

 

Bowens, who was close to being cut before the season, played well despite a knee injury and provided valuable leadership. He also returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the Browns' upset of New Orleans on Oct. 24.

 

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http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/09/browns-...rs-five-others/

I couldn't see what it would hurt. Maybe he'll thrive in our defense, but only 2 sacks and 14 tackles in 15 games last year better come at a discount.

I tend to agree. He might be a good rotation guy if the price is right...

 

I couldn't see what it would hurt. Maybe he'll thrive in our defense, but only 2 sacks and 14 tackles in 15 games last year better come at a discount.

 

It's worth kicking the tires. Rogers was always kind of a bad fit in a 3-4 defense. He's much better as a 1-gap DT in a system that lets him shoot his gap and get into the backfield. He could offer something as a 3-technique DT. Given that he's 32 and dinged up, I'd want it to be a 1-year contract with most of the value in incentives, though.

Rather have a OT and guard then another D lineman.

I'd rather have a billion dollars than a million dollars, but I'll settle for the million.

 

Basically, I don't think anyone's saying we get Rodgers in lieu of out biggest problem, the OL. It's in addition for the right $.

 

Rather have a OT and guard then another D lineman.

 

I would sign him RIGHT NOW! This guy is still good enough to demand a double team and could potentially help double Pepper's sack totals.

I would sign him RIGHT NOW! This guy is still good enough to demand a double team and could potentially help double Pepper's sack totals.

I totally agree. Rogers would be awesome next to Pepp, Melton, Toeina, and Izzy. That's a great rotation at DT.

Sorry reason I said rather have OT or guard was because of this, I heard all kinds a rumblings outa clevland about this situation. Detroit was saying the same thing.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81e4...le=HP_headlines

For what it's worth he is basically a big body lacking the talent of pass rushing that he might have once had. I see him more like the Williams' mold of Minnesota or Grady(?) Jackson of the Falcons / Packers. Great for run stuffing but little else. He had better come at a deep discount or forgedaboudit.

 

Have to say OL and #1 WR (big size) are still ahead of the rest.