Cleveland Browns release six players

From left, Shaun Rogers, David Bowens and Kenyon Coleman were among six Browns who were released from the roster Wednesday by the team.

The Browns' housecleaning under new coach Pat Shurmur began Wednesday when the team cut six players, including three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers and three of Eric Mangini's former Jets.

In addition to Rogers, the contracts of linebackers Eric Barton and David Bowens, defensive end Kenyon Coleman, right tackle John St. Clair and tight end Robert Royal were terminated. All six were over 30 and Barton, Bowens, and Coleman all played for Mangini in New York.

Rogers' departure comes as no big surprise, considering he started only one game in 2010 and never fully embraced the Mangini way. Rogers, who played under new Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron in Detroit, was set to make $5.5 million in 2011 and receive another $500,000 in bonuses.

"Appreciate all the kind words and support," Rogers said on Twitter Wednesday night, "but I guess the odyssey that I call my career pushes on to its next adventure...Thx cleveland for accepting the big fella for better or worse."

Rogers, 31, underwent ankle surgery after the 2009 season and was never fully healthy in 2010. He began training camp on the physically unable to perform list and practiced sparingly all season. He was plagued by hip and ankle injuries and played in fewer than 40 percent of the snaps.

Former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan always spoke highly of Rogers, praising him for playing injured. But his 17 tackles were a career low, as were his two sacks. He did block a field goal in Miami, the 14th of his career.

Rogers, an 11th-year pro, was acquired by former GM Phil Savage in a trade with the Lions in 2008 for cornerback Leigh Bodden and the Browns' third-round pick that year. Savage immediately signed Rogers to a six-year, $42 million deal, with $20 million guaranteed. Rogers made $23 million in his three seasons here.

Rogers had a stellar year in 2008, making 81 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks to earn his third trip to the Pro Bowl. But his rejuvenation was derailed when Mangini took over for Romeo Crennel after the season.

Rogers felt that Mangini snubbed him on two occasions, in the weight room and at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards ceremony, and told his agent that he wanted out of Cleveland. The Browns refused to let him go, paying him his $6 million roster bonus instead. But Rogers, who was constantly double-teamed, never fully bought into the Mangini program and seemed to be biding his time. In 2009, he made 36 tackles, two sacks and defended one pass. He also blocked a field goal and two extra points.

Perhaps his biggest contribution the past two seasons was helping to develop his successor, Ahtyba Rubin. Some, including Rogers, felt Rubin deserved to make the Pro Bowl this season.

Rogers spent two seasons under Jauron in Detroit, where Jauron was coordinator in 2004-05 and interim head coach the final five games of 2005. Under Jauron, Rogers earned his first two Pro Bowl selections.

Coleman, 31, was acquired by the Mangini in the 2009 draft-day trade that enabled the Jets to select quarterback Mark Sanchez. The Browns also acquired safety Abe Elam and quarterback Brett Ratliff in the deal.

Coleman, a 10th year pro, started 27 games at left end over two seasons, producing 68 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2010. Jauron is switching from a 3-4 front to a 4-3.

Bowens and Barton, both 33 and 13-year pros, were signed by Mangini as unrestricted free agents in 2009 to help implement his scheme and his methods. Bowens' biggest contribution came at the end of the 2009 season, when he moved inside because of injuries. Over the last eight games, he made 38 tackles, five sacks a forced fumble and an interception. But he was on the bubble during the final cuts of 2010 camp and was inactive for the opener, breaking a string of 100 straight games played.

Barton, who underwent neck surgery in the off-season, started 12 games in 2010, making 66 tackles with one forced fumble and one pass defensed.

Royal, 31, was signed in March of 2009. He started four games in 2010, catching five passes for 56 yards and a TD. One of the team's funniest players, he kept things light in the locker room and on the field.

St. Clair, 33, was also signed in March 2009 as a free agent. He was plagued by a high ankle sprain, but started 10 games at right tackle in place of Tony Pashos, who went on injured reserve with an ankle injury of his own.

The cuts signal a move to a younger roster. The Browns finished the season with 15 players 30 or older and were the third-oldest team in the NFL.