BOOTY BOUNCED!

The Browns have waived their third-string quarterback, Josh Booty. Apparently they will go with just two QBs, as they have signed guard Craig Osika.

I didn’t believe this when I first saw it via a Browns List email. But sure enough, Bernie’s Insiders have reported it, and the official site’s roster reflects these moves (though, of course, the team has not actually made an announcement as of this posting time).

Since joining the Browns in 2001, Booty never got into a regular season game. He did fend off a few challengers — Pat Barnes and Nate Hybl — in seeming to cement the number 3 job. Hybl was signed to the practice squad after getting cut in training camp, so it looks like he’s the emergency option in case Holcomb and/or Couch get injured.

Funny, but I seem to recall Butch this summer praising Booty’s improvement over last season and noting that his arm was the strongest among the team’s QBs. (Booty, 28, was a minor league third baseman who had a few cups of coffee with the Florida Marlins before switching to LSU and football full time.) But then we know better than to take Butch at his word, huh?

Also, here’s what Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians said about Booty about three months ago:

“The guy’s got a tremendous arm. Again, it’s when those guys are coming for you trying to kill you’re butt that you’ve got to learn it’s not just dropping back and throwing. When you have all 11 guys running all over the place, where they’re coming from, getting yourself picked up and blocked up, that’s a whole different story. But, Josh (Booty) has made really good progress. I recruited Josh in high school. He’s one of the top three quarterbacks I’ve ever evaluated in high school. I had him rated higher than Peyton (Manning) and they came out the same year, the same state. I don’t know if Josh can be a starter at this time in his career, but he can be a number two. If he gets out there, he can throw it really good. “

I just hope this isn’t a case where cutting a talented player due to a short-term need becomes a nightmare when the player fulfills his potential with another team. I also hope our remaining QBs stay healthy. Remember the backfield tandem of KJ and ‘Cutt in 2000?

That brings us to the lineman, Osika. He was in the 49ers’ camp this year, so he’ll definitely be debriefed pronto for any intelligence in advance of Sunday’s game at San Francisco. Beyond that, we’ll just have to see how this shakes out. It doesn’t exactly look like a vote of confidence for Fowler, Zukauskas, and crew.

Bernie’s Insiders is also reporting that Barry Stokes has a high ankle sprain and, citing an unidentified team source, says he’s an even bet to play this weekend. If not, look for Ryan Tucker to move from right to left tackle, and Joaquin Gonzales would get his first pro start at right tackle.

If Stokes — who is already the fill-in for Ross Verba, who went on injured reserve — can’t play, this game, and this season, will go from ugly to grotesque faster than Kelly Holcomb’s supposed quick release.