Shaun Rogers To Be Released

[sbk92]

Cowboys DC Ryan had no problems with Shaun Rogers

Gerry Fraley / Reporter


Cleveland on Wednesday released mammoth nose tackle Shaun Rogers, who had an injury-riddled and disappointing season. New Cowboys' defensive coordinator Rob Ryan ran the Cleveland defense for the last two seasons and professed to like Rogers even during the unproductive season that raised questions about his effort and attitude.

Ryan said during a mid-December media briefing last season that he had no issues with how Rogers played.

"He doesn't need to be in front, doesn't want to be in front,'' Ryan said. "There are some guys that like to be in front, if you dont know theyll tell you about it. There are guys like that and coaches like that, but some people like to sit back. He (Rogers) does that. He likes his teammates to get all the glory."

"I just wish we had him where he could practice all the time, where he could be healthy. It would be great to see because he really is a dominating force. He's won games for us just by his effort.''

According to media reports, Washington has already approached Rogers.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Guess Cr was wrong about him.

Maybe we can use the Ryan connection to have the Skins drive up the price so that they sign him to a ridiculous contract.

 

[Cr122]

Guess Cr was wrong about him.

About age or cancer, Bob?

 

[sbk92]

Shaun Rogers to visit Redskins today

By Calvin Watkins


There are some discussions around the league about nose tackle/defensive end Shaun Rogers.

The Cleveland Browns released him earlier this week and he will visit the Washington Redskins today. Rogers has about 10 teams on his list.

Rogers, however, did play for Rob Ryan, when he as the defensive coordinator in Cleveland. Ryan as you know is the new defensive coordinator in Dallas. It's not known if a visit to Dallas is forthcoming for Rogers.

Some in the Cowboys organazation believe Rogers can still play. How much to pay him and whether or not a move of Jay Ratliff to defensive end would work are the sticking points.

The Cowboys, at least when Wade Phillips was running the defense, loved Ratliff's quickness off the ball and his ability to make plays. He's a three-time Pro Bowler and in 2009 was named to the All-Pro team. The thing that stuck out about Ratliff in 2010 was he had zero tackles for loss. This coming off a 2009 season where he had a career-high eight tackles for loss.

Double-teams were a constant theme for Ratliff in 2010 leading to fewer plays on the ball.

The Cowboys should at least explore the possibility of moving Ratliff to defensive end due to his quickness especially if Rogers is available to them. But if Ryan thinks Rogers isn't worth going after then keep Ratliff where he is and try to make him a better player.

This will be an interesting year for Ratliff.

He has two years remaining on his contract, with a little more than $8 million, and is still young enough, turns 30 in August, where a new contract is warranted.

What position and how he plays in 2011 could determine his long-term future with the Cowboys.