Here’s an update to the projected roster I posted at the outset of training camp. Bold and strikethrough type indicate changes from the pre-camp view. This provides a quick glance at the impact that training camp had on Browns personnel, compared to the conventional wisdom as I saw it then.
QB
Starter: Charlie Frye
Backups: Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson
Cut: Ken Dorsey
RB/FB
Starters: Jamal Lewis, Lawrence Vickers
Backups: Jerome Harrison, Jason Wright, Charles Ali
Practice squad: Chris Barclay
Cut: Jerome Jackson, Charles Ali, J.R. Niklos
IR: Jerome Jackson
TE
Starter: Kellen Winslow
Backups: Steve Heiden, Darnell Dinkens, Ryan Krause
Practice squad: Jonny Harline
Cut: Buck Ortega, Ryan Krause
OL
Starters: Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Hank Fraley, Seth McKinney, Ryan Tucker, Kevin Shaffer
Backups: Kevin Shaffer, Kelly Butler, Lennie Friedman, Isaac Sowells, Nat Dorsey
Suspended: Ryan Tucker
PUP: LeCharles Bentley
Practice squad: Cliff Louis, Rob Smith, Fred Matua
Cut: Nat Dorsey, Andrew Hoffman, Pete Lougheed
WR
Starters: Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius
Backups: Travis Wilson, Josh Cribbs, Tim Carter
Practice squad: Syndric Steptoe, Steve Sanders
Cut: Kendrick Mosley, Mike Mason, Maurice Mann, Efrem Hill, Steve Sanders
DL
Starters: Orpheus Roye, Ted Washington, Robaire Smith
Backups: Shaun Smith, Simon Fraser, Ethan Kelley, Orien Harris
Practice squad: Melila Purcell, Chase Pittman, Babatunde Oshinowo
Cut: J’vonne Parker, Babatunde Oshinowo, Orien Harris, Chase Pittman, Alvin Smith
NFIR: Alvin Smith
OLB
Starters: Kamerion Wimbley, Antwan Peek, Willie McGinest
Backups: Antwan Peek, Matt Stewart, Jason Short Willie McGinest, David McMillan, Chaun Thompson
Cut: Jason Short, David McMillan, Kris Griffin
IR: Matt Stewart
ILB
Starters: Andra Davis, D’Qwell Jackson
Backups: Leon Williams, Kris Griffin Mason Unck
Cut: Chaun Thompson, Clifton Smith, Kevin Sears
IR: Mason Unck
CB
Starters: Leigh Bodden, Eric Wright
Backups: Daven Holly, DeMario Minter, Kenny Wright, Brandon McDonald, Jereme Perry
PUP: Gary Baxter
Practice squad: Brandon McDonald, Tim Mixon
Cut: Jereme Perry, Therrian Fontenot, DeMario Minter
S
Starters: Sean Jones, Brodney Pool
Backups: Justin Hamilton, Mike Adams, Gary Baxter
Cut: Justin Sandy, Jeremy LeSueur, Justin Hamilton
Specialists
K Phil Dawson
P Dave Zastudil
LS Ryan Pontbriand
Cut: Jesse Ainsworth, Kyle Basler
NFIR: Kyle Basler
Last year when I did this, only the linebacker positions were accurately anticipated in my pre-camp post. This year, it’s the position that’s gotten as much ink as any: the quarterbacks. Actually, the entire offense managed to break camp according to form, with Tucker’s suspension and Nat Dorsey’s ascent to adequacy the only real surprises.
On defense, most of the surprises stem from injuries. Vets McGinest and Baxter made the final 53, though they won’t be ready to dress on game day for a few weeks yet. Meanwhile, injuries played a role in the release of 2006 draftees Justin Hamilton and DeMario Minter, as well as Jason Short, who I figured would be a lock as a special teams demon, especially with Mason Unck and Matt Stewart on the shelf. Chaun Thompson, now in the final year of his rookie contract, and Kris Griffin, who had 22 special teams tackles for the Chiefs last year, stepped up in camp.
Also, breaking camp with just six defensive linemen, given the age of the starting trio, is shocking. I’m disappointed that Baba’s gone bye-bye. Doug Dieken has more influence than I thought. I’ve been intrigued by the kid ever since I profiled him in the January 2006 Bernie’s Insiders (now the Orange & Brown Report) Magazine. If those inside backers can’t fill the run gaps in a hurry, hopes for this season will get ground to a pulp before the first snows fall.
