Browns: 5 players on the bubble heading into the 2nd preseason game
By Chad Porto
DE Curtis Weaver
Let’s clear up something about Curtis Weaver; the Dolphins weren’t trying to be “sneaky” by releasing him. There was no long con, no end game, no attempt to pull one over and they got caught. He was unimpressive with the Dolphins, then he got hurt, and then he got cut. The Dolphins could’ve retained him simply by placing him on IR, they didn’t need to release him and do some run-around to do so. They simply did not feel that he was worth keeping.
It’s also ok that the Browns wanted to see what he could do with a different coaching staff. Sometimes that works. Sometimes it’s the reason a bust turns into a Hall of Famer. Guys like Chris Carter and Cameron Wake come to mind. Other times the player just isn’t that good.
Weaver could be one of those guys. He’s not going to be a starter for this team, and he’s likely not going to be a backup. The only reason he may make the team has to do with Takk McKinley likely being on the chopping block, not for anything Weaver has done.
He got a big opportunity against the Jaguars, and while the rest of the Browns defense bullied the Jags, Weaver did very little. He was considered to be too slow to blow past tackles and not strong enough to bull rush them, and those criticisms appear to be an issue still, despite having spent the offseason working on his skills.
He may make the roster, but he’s going to have to show off against the Giants and Falcons. If we were judging by what we’ve seen so far, he’d be cut.