Browns: 4 players on the chopping block after the Giants game

C Nick Harris

Nick Harris didn’t play against the Giants due to an injury. Perhaps due to that, the Browns played much better without him, against a much better defense. That’s not a strong sign that Harris is going to be around long-term. Blake Hance filled in for Harris and absolutely dominated the point of attack all game long. His ability to open up holes for the running game allowed the Browns to really dominate the line of scrimmage and keep running backs clean until they got deep into the defenses.

Harris, who’s gotten quite a bit of time over the last season and a half, has not shown to be able to move anyone at center or guard. His lone saving grace was that he played center and with J.C. Tretter getting up there in age, Harris was seen as the de facto replacement for him. Now, however, Hance has shown that he can not only play tackle and guard in the NFL at a high level but also center now.

Hance has all but locked in his position on the team, and it would be baffling to see his name get cut from the roster. Harris, on the other hand, has proven he’s not ready, or able, to be a lineman on this level. Sure, you can argue “oh, give him time, he’ll get better” but that’s not an argument. Not really. The team can only carry 53 players each week. If there is someone who can do Harris’ job better than him, then Harris’ shouldn’t have that job anymore.

You can like a player all you want, but this isn’t baseball where you can send a kid with potential down to Triple-A and see how he does. If you can’t compete as a rookie, you aren’t going to make the team. Harris is now a second-year player and has proven to be the weak point on the offensive line whenever he plays.