Editor's note: Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR.
Try as they might, the Browns can't help from getting in their own way.
Prior to departing Wednesday on buses to their final preseason game in Detroit, the Browns were blindsided by the news that linebacker Mychal Kendricks was facing federal charges for insider trading in 2014 and 2015, when he played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Using insider information illegally, Kendricks realized a profit of approximately $1.2 million, according to the U.S. Justice Department. The indictment said Kendricks rewarded his tipster – a bank analyst whom Kendricks had befriended -- with about $10,000 in cash and tickets to Eagles games.
Within minutes of announcement of the indictment, Kendricks released a statement through his lawyers admitting to the federal crime.
By the end of the night, the Browns announced they fired Kendricks.
And a player who had quickly become an integral cog in coordinator Gregg Williams’ myriad pass rush schemes was abruptly gone.
The Browns said they were aware of a “financial situation” involving Kendricks, but claimed, essentially, that they were duped into believing he was a victim rather than a co-conspirator.
The statement attributed to GM John Dorsey said:
“Prior to signing Mychal, we were informed that there was a financial situation that he had been involved with in 2014. We were told Mychal had fully cooperated with investigators as a victim. From what was communicated at that time and based on the numerous questions we asked and further due diligence on our part, including checking with the league office, there was no information discovered that conveyed otherwise.
“Recently, we were provided an update on the matter and the circumstances have changed. We are now dealing with a different set of facts and the additional information we’ve gathered has led us to the decision to release Mychal from our team. Due to the ongoing legal nature of this situation, we will have no further comments.”
Kendricks was released by the Eagles in May after playing an integral role in their run to the Super Bowl championship.
The Browns signed Kendricks on June 5 for $2.25 million. The only portion of the deal now in question is a $500,000 signing bonus. The Browns could seek to recoup the signing bonus based on the premise that they were misled by Kendricks and signed him under false pretenses.
In any case, the deepest position group on the Browns is now not as deep.
Kendricks was probably not going to displace middle linebacker Joe Schobert, but he certainly was going to cut into the Pro Bowl alternate’s play time in specialized defensive packages.
So the Browns will have an unexpected roster spot up for grabs in the preseason finale in Detroit.
The Browns are expected to make some cuts from their 89-man roster on Friday. They must reduce it to the mandatory 53 by 4 p.m. Saturday.
Besides a possible sixth linebacker spot, other positions that may come down to the Lions’ game are: No. 3 tight end, No. 3 offensive tackle, No. 6 wide receiver and the configuration of ends and tackles on the defensive line.
Things I want to see
1. Baker Mayfield’s first starting assignment.
If the Browns’ QB plan works out, this will be the No. 1 overall pick’s last appearance on the field until an unforeseen occurrence – injury to starter Tyrod Taylor or general ineffectiveness.
Mayfield said he wants to set the tone for the entire team from the onset of this game. So look for the drop-dead Dorsey-impersonator to be aggressive and seek to stretch the field in his time on the field, which is expected to be the entire first half.
2. AC back in the flow.
Rookie receiver Antonio Callaway played almost every snap in the first preseason game as punishment for an wee-hour police citation for marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license.
Since then, Callaway has cleaned up his act off the field but has not done much on the field. He was not targeted in Game 2 against Buffalo and did not play Game 3 against Philadelphia because of a groin injury.
Callaway returned to practice this week and will be one of two projected offensive starters to see time in the Detroit game. The other is right guard Kevin Zeitler, who has missed the three previous games with a calf injury.
3. Somebody emerge from the last receiver group.
In Episode 4 of Hard Knocks, offensive coordinator Todd Haley said to starter Jarvis Landry that the team needs “somebody to separate” at the back end of the receiver depth chart.
Assuming that sixth-round pick Damion Ratley has dibs on the fifth receiver spot, we assume Haley was looking to fill the No. 6 spot from among Derrick Willies, C.J. Board, Da’Mari Scott, Jeff Janis, and Blake Jackson.
Did you know … ?
1. Lions coach Matt Patricia is the latest protégé of Bill Belichick to leave his nest. Will Patricia do better as a head coach than past Belichick assistants Eric Mangini (33-48) , Romeo Crennel (28-55) and Bill O’Brien (31-33)?
2. Browns No. 3 quarterback Drew Stanton was drafted by the Lions in the second round in 2007. After the Lions went 0-16 in 2008, they drafted quarterback Matthew Stafford No. 1 overall, and Stanton departed the Lions after the 2011 season.
3. Former Browns center Hank Fraley (2006-09) is the Lions’ assistant offensive line coach.