2021 53-Man Roster Cut Discussion

[adam81king]

Can anyone remember a single year when the Browns cut multiple players that went on to start, or play pivotal roles for other teams?

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Everybody still sleeping on Sheldon Day.

He was a starting three tech with that incredible 49ers defense, then followed DeForest Buckner to his hometown Colts.

A knee injury ruined his season last year, but his ties to Chris Kiffin and Joe Woods from that 49er defense run deep. His success in preseason games are coming against the opponent's starters and 2nd team. That counts more to me than what Malik McDowell does in the fourth quarter.

I'd be surprised if Day didn't make it.

We really need Takk, though. He would be extraordinarily helpful because he gives us some flexibility to move one of the other two DE's inside on big plays.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Nick Harris is just god-awful. He still probably makes the team because nobody else is ready to back up that position, but center is a position we need to look at in the draft next year, or get a decent FA. If Tretter goes down, the OL is going to look significantly worse.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I'd be surprised if Day didn't make it.

We really need Takk, though. He would be extraordinarily helpful because he gives us some flexibility to move one of the other two DE's inside on big plays.

So many questions with Takk. Yes, the team needs a speed rusher for passing downs. I know he was out due to physical health problems last year. Is he currently out due to a physical problem or mental health issues? I'm very concerned at this point. I'd rather have Porter Gustin who *can* get on the field than Takk in Planet Bullshit status.

 

[Douglar]

Nick Harris is just god-awful. He still probably makes the team because nobody else is ready to back up that position, but center is a position we need to look at in the draft next year, or get a decent FA. If Tretter goes down, the OL is going to look significantly worse.

Probably why Hance had snaps at center yesterday.

 

[Man Called X]

So many questions with Takk. Yes, the team needs a speed rusher for passing downs. I know he was out due to physical health problems last year. Is he currently out due to a physical problem or mental health issues? I'm very concerned at this point. I'd rather have Porter Gustin who *can* get on the field than Takk in Planet Bullshit status.

I just want to thank you for giving us Planet Bullshit to add to the RCF vernacular. It's really been a helpful phrase.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Probably why Hance had snaps at center yesterday.

Harris was injured, so they needed somebody. And he didn't look that good either. But I think the long-term plan of letting Tretter walk and sliding Harris into that position has a big hole in it, and I was one of those confident that Browns must have gotten that right.

 

[Smooth]

2 QB (Mayfield, Keenum)
4 RB (Chubb, Hunt, Johnson, Felton)
1 FB (Janovich)
6 WR (Beckham, Landry, Peoples-Jones, Higgins, Schwartz, Hodge)
3 TE (Hooper, Njoku, Bryant)
9 OL (Wills, Bitonio, Tretter, Teller, Conklin, Hudson, Dunn, Harris, Hubbard)

3 ST (K, P, LS)

9 DL (Garrett, M. Jackson, Billings, Clowney, Gustin, Elliott, Toigai, McKinley, Wilson)
6 LB (Walker, JOK, Smith, Takitaki, Wilson, Lee)
6 CB (Ward, Newsome, Hill, Williams, Green, Jackson)
4 S (Johnson, Harrison, Delpit, LeCounte)

Is my guess.

I think you have it pretty close to what it'll likely be..

Bubble positions I see currently:

Hodge vs Natson vs Stanton vs another TE via waiver or on the team
Dunn vs Hance vs Forbes vs Senat (with Dunn having leg up)
What the DL looks like outside of Garrett, Jackson, Clowney, Elliott, Togiai and maybe Takk -- that's 2-3 positions up for grabs
Redwine vs Stewart vs Moffatt -- I don't see any way Jackson makes the team with the depth there

How I see the PS shaping up:
Lauletta, QB
Stanton, H-back
Kelly, RB
Davis, WR
Bradley, WR
Davis, TE
Hance, OL
Senat, OL
Wilson, DL
McDowell, DL
Weaver, EDGE
Moffatt, S
Rugamba, CB
McLaughlin, K

 

[col63onel]

I am very much in the "don't keep 4 RB" camp. I think we can get a perfectly fine RB onto the practice squad. And there will be vets available, either via trade or off the streets, later in the season. I view it as a position where there are more rosterable RBs than there are roster spots available for RBs, IMO.

 

[Vee-Rex]

I am very much in the "don't keep 4 RB" camp. I think we can get a perfectly fine RB onto the practice squad. And there will be vets available, either via trade or off the streets, later in the season. I view it as a position where there are more rosterable RBs than there are roster spots available for RBs, IMO.

Thing is I like Johnson more than I like Felton right now. Felton is agile/quick but doesn't attack downhill the way I want. Even in the open field on a couple plays he seemed more focused on setting up his next shifty move to make a defender miss, rather than plowing ahead and picking up big yards. And he hasn't looked special on special teams either, IMO.

I just got the feeling that the team will move on from D'Ernest just because Felton was our 6th round pick this year.

 

[chrisrich91]

Thing is I like Johnson more than I like Felton right now. Felton is agile/quick but doesn't attack downhill the way I want. Even in the open field on a couple plays he seemed more focused on setting up his next shifty move to make a defender miss, rather than plowing ahead and picking up big yards. And he hasn't looked special on special teams either, IMO.

I just got the feeling that the team will move on from D'Ernest just because Felton was our 6th round pick this year.

I agree with this. I like Felton as a versatile hybrid guy, but I truly think this offense could get by with D'Ernest as an every down back. I think he's a pretty underrated player.

Now, do we need that with Chubb and Hunt on the team? Ideally, no. But in the case of an injury to one of our two studs, I think D'Ernest could prevent us from missing a beat in the run game in a way Felton could not at this point.

 

[col63onel]

I agree with this. I like Felton as a versatile hybrid guy, but I truly think this offense could get by with D'Ernest as an every down back. I think he's a pretty underrated player.

Now, do we need that with Chubb and Hunt on the team? Ideally, no. But in the case of an injury to one of our two studs, I think D'Ernest could prevent us from missing a beat in the run game in a way Felton could not at this point.

I more think if Chubb and Hunt get hurt, we get a guy off the street that is good enough.

 

[Smooth]

Thing is Felton and Johnson are different players but both of their abilities to play special teams (Johnson on all units and Felton as a returner) is what enables both of them to make the roster..

Johnson is the third running back, I don’t think anybody would say Felton is a better runner right now…

However, Felton’s ability to play three roles (RB, WR and returner) in addition to potentially providing the speed/gadget spark while Schwartz is out, is why he’ll likely be suiting up on game days…

And Carlson’s injury is further flexibility in keeping both on the initial roster..

 

[Douglar]

Here are my "fanboy 53" picks:

I'm rooting for Hance to make the final 53. I know stories don't win football games, but he has a great story. He'll make the team if his ability is anything close to the story.

Maybe the Browns can find a trading partner for their extra OL depth instead of letting bad teams claim them off the waiver wire. Would be sweet if the Browns manage to turn some of their extra OL depth into a real kicker. Parkey makes the kicking game too exciting.

I wasn't super high on the McDowell signing, but he had a great second half yesterday. He looked like a man among boys out there. It would be awesome if he's turned things around and doesn't lose his mind again. Need some big bodies on the line.

Maybe Berry considers letting Billings go if he has a weak 3rd preseason game, but this is all small sample size. One good game and he's back as a starter. His guaranteed salary means that waiving him doesn't free up any cap space, yes?

My guess is that the Browns keep Schwartz & Felton over Jojo & 7th line backer, but like most fan boys, I always over rate the draft picks.

Seems like there's a decent chance that the Browns keep a 4th TE instead of defensive depth. Franks seems like the front runner, but maybe they find a way to keep Conner Davis instead. Davis has versatility & size is important when you have a short QB. Missy from down the street wants him for the flowing locks. She has a not so secret crush on all of the Browns tight ends, so let's keep the TE room pretty for her.

No idea who fills out the back end of the secondary, and I don't really care because I'm going to be the "team is 1/2 healthy" optimist and hope that whoever they are, they don't have to play very often out side of special teams and blowouts.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Here are my "fanboy 53" picks:

I'm rooting for Hance to make the final 53. I know stories don't win football games, but he has a great story. He'll make the team if his ability is anything close to the story.

Maybe the Browns can find a trading partner for their extra OL depth instead of letting bad teams claim them off the waiver wire. Would be sweet if the Browns manage to turn some of their extra OL depth into a real kicker. Parkey makes the kicking game too exciting.

I wasn't super high on the McDowell signing, but he had a great second half yesterday. He looked like a man among boys out there. It would be awesome if he's turned things around and doesn't lose his mind again. Need some big bodies on the line.

Maybe Berry considers letting Billings go if he has a weak 3rd preseason game, but this is all small sample size. One good game and he's back as a starter. His guaranteed salary means that waiving him doesn't free up any cap space, yes?

My guess is that the Browns keep Schwartz & Felton over Jojo & 7th line backer, but like most fan boys, I always over rate the draft picks.

Seems like there's a decent chance that the Browns keep a 4th TE instead of defensive depth. Franks seems like the front runner, but maybe they find a way to keep Conner Davis instead. Davis has versatility & size is important when you have a short QB. Missy from down the street wants him for the flowing locks. She has a not so secret crush on all of the Browns tight ends, so let's keep the TE room pretty for her.

No idea who fills out the back end of the secondary, and I don't really care because I'm going to be the "team is 1/2 healthy" optimist and hope that whoever they are, they don't have to play very often out side of special teams and blowouts.

Do we actually have that much good OL depth? I don't see us with a good b/u center, and Hudson definitely has a long way to go at LT. We'll probably keep Dunn. So who else is there? Forbes seems like a non-entity.