Two weeks into voluntary off-season practices, the Browns have lost two players they were counting on heavily.
Last week it was right guard Ryan Tucker who went down with a hip fracture. He had surgery and will be out at least until August.
This week the news is grimmer.
Daven Holly, who was at worst the team's third cornerback and more likely a starter, probably was lost for the season after blowing out his left knee during practice Tuesday.
Already shorthanded at the position, the Browns now must scramble to bring in one or two cor nerbacks with experience.
General Manager Phil Savage all but ruled out unsigned, 14-year veteran Ty Law and Philadelphia's Lito Sheppard, who has been offered in trade and wants a new contract.
Savage previously inquired about them and concluded each was too expensive to fit into the team's internal budget based on what the team already has paid out in cash bonuses to players signed and re-signed in free agency.
"We've got the cap space," Savage said. "The issue for the 'big-name player' would be the actual cash out the door, budgetwise. We're pretty much pressed up against our budget internally, so that's going to eliminate certain players, unless they have a change of heart. You don't really expect that at this point. It's only May 20. Maybe that changes by the time we get to training camp."
On Law, who played under Romeo Crennel at New England, Savage said, "Based on what he places his value at, as far as coming in and playing, it's not close to what we'd be able to pay. So I don't think it's something we'll pursue very hard."
On Sheppard, who became expendable after the Eagles signed Asante Samuel in free agency, Savage said, "Moneywise, I don't think it's something we'd be able to fit in our budget, unless there's a complete 180 from where [his contract price] was before the draft.
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Original Story:
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/plaindea....
Last week it was right guard Ryan Tucker who went down with a hip fracture. He had surgery and will be out at least until August.
This week the news is grimmer.
Daven Holly, who was at worst the team's third cornerback and more likely a starter, probably was lost for the season after blowing out his left knee during practice Tuesday.
Already shorthanded at the position, the Browns now must scramble to bring in one or two cor nerbacks with experience.
General Manager Phil Savage all but ruled out unsigned, 14-year veteran Ty Law and Philadelphia's Lito Sheppard, who has been offered in trade and wants a new contract.
Savage previously inquired about them and concluded each was too expensive to fit into the team's internal budget based on what the team already has paid out in cash bonuses to players signed and re-signed in free agency.
"We've got the cap space," Savage said. "The issue for the 'big-name player' would be the actual cash out the door, budgetwise. We're pretty much pressed up against our budget internally, so that's going to eliminate certain players, unless they have a change of heart. You don't really expect that at this point. It's only May 20. Maybe that changes by the time we get to training camp."
On Law, who played under Romeo Crennel at New England, Savage said, "Based on what he places his value at, as far as coming in and playing, it's not close to what we'd be able to pay. So I don't think it's something we'll pursue very hard."
On Sheppard, who became expendable after the Eagles signed Asante Samuel in free agency, Savage said, "Moneywise, I don't think it's something we'd be able to fit in our budget, unless there's a complete 180 from where [his contract price] was before the draft.
Click the link for more
Original Story:
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/plaindea....
