Reasons For Rogers Release

Not many were surprised when Shaun Rogers of the Cleveland Browns was released. We all figured it’s because he’s an aging veteran, whose production didn’t justify a $5.5 million salary plus a $500,000 roster bonus. Surprisingly there was a lot more to it, at least that’s what General Manager Tom Heckert said.

Here’s some of what Heckert said and implied, courtesy of Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

But Heckert indicated the team was weary of Rogers’ attitude and unwillingness to practice. Rogers routinely did not practice until Friday, a light preparation day. He was always listed on the injury report with ankle and hip injuries, yet somehow was active for 15 of the 16 games.

Because of the club’s inability to get Rogers on the practice field during the week, in addition to other injuries on the defensive line, coaches had to devise schemes that used as few linemen as possible because that’s how they practiced during the week.

Rogers became a part-time player making a team-high base salary of $6.9 million in 2010.

“Shaun’s a different cat,” Heckert said. “Shaun’s whole thing — and he’s stated a million times — is that he’s never been on a team that’s any good. Every team he’s ever been on has been bad. Right or wrong, I think it’s taken a toll on him.”

That really explains a lot, doesn’t it? And here I thought it was because he had career lows in tackles, 14, and sacks, two. Guess I was wrong.

What I found interesting is what Heckert said about Shaun and losing teams taking the toll on him. Grossi says that in ten seasons, the best record he’s seen was 7-9 with nine years of double digit losses. In my opinion, that’s just crazy and I could understand a players frustration but really that just sounds like a poor loser.

Heckert thinks his attitude will change if he moved to a winner, I’m not so sure. “”I think if he went to a good team, things might change. I don’t know.”

ESPN Dallas writer Calvin Watkins says that Rogers has a list of ten teams. What isn’t clear is if these are ten teams interested in him or ten teams he’s interested in. One thing that is known he met with the Washington Redskins. Watkins also suggests that a visit with the Dallas Cowboys could be upcoming, reason being former Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan (the new Dallas DC).

There’s no mention of any other teams and honestly I have no clue who they could be. He could play in the 3-4 and 4-3, so really the possibilities are endless.

After hearing the real reasons he was let go, I’ll just say good luck to anything that is crazy enough to add him to the roster.

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Tags: Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, NFL, Shaun Rogers, Washington Redskins