Cleveland Browns To Rely Heavily on Joe Haden in 2010 in Lieu of Cuts

The Cleveland Browns, like all other 31 NFL teams, have begun to narrow down their roster by making all the necessary cuts prior to the NFL's Sept. 4 deadline at 6 P.M.

When facing cuts prior to the fourth and final preseason game against the Chicago Bears, the Browns cut backup cornerback Gerard Lawson.

Lawson, who had a DUI and hit-and-run charge against him in mid-August, has been Josh Cribbs's backup returner on special teams the past two seasons.

Rookie cornerback and first-round pick Joe Haden was returning balls on special teams both during training camp practices and in the first three preseason games.

The Browns must have liked what they saw from the rookie because Haden will go into the 2010 regular season as the main backup to Cribbs in the return game to give him some much needed breathers throughout games.

Next, the Browns cut ties with another backup and former starting cornerback, Brandon McDonald, who many fans believed would thrived as a dime coverage back this season.

The Browns did not share those thoughts and McDonald tweeted that he was indeed packing his bags and leaving the Browns for good.

This is interesting because it comes a day after the Browns cut another cornerback in second-year player Coye Francies.

That is three cornerbacks cut in one week.

Either the Browns feel that comfortable with starters Eric Wright and Sheldon Brown, along with Haden, or they have their eye on the waiver wire to pick up another backup or two.

The Browns do have versatile veteran defensive back Mike Adams, who can play either corner or safety and he might be the new dime back.

But what if Wright, Brown, or Haden go down with an injury?

There is hardly any depth at cornerback right now.

No matter how you look at it, the Browns will be relying heavily on Haden and his abilities to make up for these recent secondary cuts. Hopefully, Haden will come through and impress both Browns fans and his coaches in his rookie campaign.

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(Also posted on Dawg Scooper: THE Cleveland Browns Blog)