Late Saturday afternoon the Cleveland Browns, along with the rest of the NFL, were forced to cut their roster down to 53 players. It is a hard time for the coaches, players, and yes, the fans. For the fans, it is a glaring reminder, nothing is forever and your favorite today may be playing for some other team tomorrow.

The most notable of all the cuts the Browns made yesterday was the release of RB Lee Suggs. Suggs was once thought to be a steal in the 2003 NFL Draft. After suffering from several injuries in college his stock fell and he was picked up by the Browns in the 4th round. Many at the time thought the move was curious as the team had just drafted William Green the year before with their first pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. The fact remained however, Suggs' potential was just too good to pass on and though he had flashes of brilliance over his career with the Browns, he showed he was not durable.

The Browns tried to trade Suggs to the New York Jets early last month, but the Jets voided the trade when Suggs failed their team physical. The writing was on the wall; Lee Suggs was done as a Cleveland Browns running back.

As for Suggs' one time backfield mate, William Green, he was placed on injured reserve and has likely played his last game in Cleveland.

The Browns decided that rookie Jerome Harrison, who has been a sensational addition to the team and Jason Wright would be more then adequate to backup starter Ruben Droughns. Harrison has shown he can be the teams much needed change or pace and 3rd down back and Wright seems to be a blend of Harrison and Droughns, tough inside running and allusiveness in the open field.

The news was not all bad on Saturday though for the Browns. After spending much of the of-season trying to acquire a starting quality center, they finally did Saturday. Using a conditional 6th or 7th pick in 2008's NFL Draft the Browns acquired veteran center Hank Fraley in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. The trade was needed after the team attempted to use 5 different centers in pre-season to replace injured starter LeCharles Bentley. The team had been monitoring Fraley's situation with the Eagles and had hoped the Eagles would release him when final cuts were made. When it was apparent he would not be cut, the Browns pulled the trigger on the trade.

Fraley, a 7 year pro, has played in 71 games, starting 70 of them. Though he does not possess the size and strength of Bentley, he does bring experience to the position that the Browns sorely needed. Fraley is in the last year of his contract and the Browns will see, through his play this season, if he is in their future plans. Do not be surprised to see the Browns resign Fraley, as there is still some speculation on how quickly Bentley can return from his injury.

Even with the all the moves made by the Browns on Saturday the question remains, will the Browns sign a veteran backup QB? It appears the Titans are holding on to veteran QB Billy Volek and the Raiders kept long-time backup QB Marques Tuiasosopo. So what do the Browns do? Surely, they will not go into the season with Ken Dorsey and Derek Andersen as the backup QB's to starter Charlie Frye. Head coach Romeo Crennel has veteran QB Vinny Testaverde's number on speed dial and he may be ready to call him ASAP.

For now, the Browns roster seems set as the team will now turn its attention to the season opener against the New Orleans Saints on September 10th.

Back to DawgBones.com