Heckert's reasons for terminating the contracts of Sean Rogers and 5 other vets

[SJ_Browns]

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/...reason_cle.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio Age was the number one factor -- but not the only one -- in terminating the contracts of six veteran players this week, said Browns General Manager Tom Heckert.

On Wednesday, the Browns cut defensive linemen Shaun Rogers (31) and Kenyon Coleman (31), linebackers Eric Barton (33) and David Bowens (33), tight end Robert Royal (31) and offensive tackle John St. Clair (33).

"It's a combination of a lot of things, but age is the main thing," Heckert said. "One of our goals is to get younger."

Other factors included money, of course. The six players were scheduled to make about $17 million in salary and bonuses in 2011. Also, most of them didn't fit the new systems the Browns are planning on offense and defense.

Key players still on roster

The Browns started their (biennial) roster overhaul by terminating the contracts of six players Wednesday.

GM Tom Heckert told The Plain Dealer on Friday that no more roster deletions of players under contract are in the works.

Here is a look at the roster and/or contract status of a number of key players from last year's team.

Offense

QB Jake Delhomme, 36: Due a base salary of $5.4 million in the last of his two-year deal.

QB Seneca Wallace, 30: Unsigned. Might be the No. 1 backup and tutor Colt McCoy in the West Coast offense if re-signed. Might drum up interest elsewhere when/if free agency begins.

LG Eric Steinbach, 30: Signed through 2012 at a yearly average of $6.08 million. Nice.

RG Floyd Womack, 32: Unsigned.

RT Tony Pashos, 30: Signed through 2012 at yearly average of $2.775 million. Will be the starting right tackle if fully recovered from season-ending ankle injury and surgery.

FB Lawrence Vickers, 27: Unsigned.

RB Mike Bell, 27: Unsigned.

WR Chansi Stuckey, 27: Unsigned.

TE Benjamin Watson, 30: Signed through 2012 at yearly average of $2.65 million.

TE Evan Moore, 26: Unsigned. Finished season on injured reserve with hip/groin injury.

Defense

NT Ahtyba Rubin, 24: Signed through 2011 for NFL fourth-year minimum of $555,000.

DE Robaire Smith, 33: Unsigned. Says he doesn't plan to retire after back injury.

DE Brian Schaefering, 27: Unsigned.

DE Jayme Mitchell, 26: Unsigned.

LB Matt Roth, 28: Unsigned.

LB Chris Gocong, 27: Signed through 2011 for $1.7 million.

LB Marcus Benard, 25: Unsigned.

LB Scott Fujita, 31: Signed through 2012 at yearly average of $3.025 million.

LB Jason Trusnik, 26: Unsigned.

CB Eric Wright, 25: Unsigned.

CB Sheldon Brown, 31: Signed through 2012 at yearly average of $3.4 million.

S Abram Elam, 29: Unsigned.

Specialists

PK Phil Dawson, 36: Unsigned.

P Reggie Hodges, 28: Signed through 2012 at yearly average of $645,000.

Five of the six players were acquired in 2009 by former coach Eric Mangini to fit his schemes.

Heckert joined the Browns before Mangini's second season when Mike Holmgren took over all operations as club president. Heckert said he knew the price of bringing back Mangini for 2010 would have to be paid if Mangini didn't keep his job beyond one season.

"Once we decided Eric was going to be the guy [and return], we knew that was going to be the case," Heckert said. "And we were fine with that. We were trying to do everything we could to win and help Eric. And Eric wanted these guys, and that's fine. We understood that. So there's no sour grapes.

"If Eric was going to be the coach [in 2010], we weren't going to say, 'You're the coach and we're getting rid of these five guys.' That's not a good thing, either."

Rogers was the only player terminated who was not acquired by Mangini. He played his first seven seasons in a 4-3 defensive scheme in Detroit and would fit in the Browns' shift to that base alignment.

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."

In 10 years in the NFL -- seven with Detroit and three with the Browns -- Rogers' teams had nine seasons of double-digit losses. The best record of a team Rogers played for was 7-9 -- his last season in Detroit. Overall, Rogers' career record is 45-115 (.281).

"I think if he went to a good team, things might change. I don't know," Heckert said.

Heckert said the Browns couldn't move Rogers last year -- release or trade him -- because his $6.9 million salary was guaranteed once he made the final roster of the opening week of the season. That's true of any vested veteran (four years or more experience).

Rogers was disciplined by Commissioner Roger Goodell at the beginning of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy in April, when he was arrested for carrying a gun in baggage while trying to board a plane.

Goodell did not suspend Rogers but fined him one game check -- which amounted to $405,882 in his case.

"Whose fault was that?" Heckert asked.

Rogers played 15 games in 2010 and was 18th on defense with 17 tackles. He had two sacks and one blocked field goal.