No surprises in Browns' cuts

The expected housecleaning after the firing of coach Eric Mangini began Wednesday with the termination of six contracts, but included no surprises. In fact, some might wonder what took so long.

None of the six were under 30, including the biggest name, three-time Pro Bowler Shaun Rogers, who turns 32 next month.

Three --  linebackers David Bowens and Eric Barton and defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman -- were Mangini guys whose production did not match their salaries. 

Two -- tight end Robert Royal and offensive lineman John St. Clair -- were starters because the Browns were racked by injuries.

Rogers is a classic underachiever with a weight problem. Former NFL safety Je'Rod Cherry said Wednesday night on ESPN 850 WKNR that Mangini's coddling of Rogers damaged the coach's credibility with the rest of his team. The Browns could have released Rogers after his arrest at the Cleveland airport on gun charges. Yet Mangini kept him and allowed Rogers to miss practice on Wednesdays.

The departure of four members of the front seven who had been starters for the Browns only underscored the importance of restocking the defense in the April draft.

New Browns coach Pat Shurmur is expected to attend tonight's Greater Cleveland Sports Awards at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. It will be his first public appearance he was introduced as coach on Jan. 14.