Browns set to release OG Joe Andruzzi

[The President]

www.nfl.com/teams/story/CLE/10163152

CLEVELAND (May 2, 2007) -- The Cleveland Browns opened a hole for Joe Andruzzi.

The club informed the offensive guard and his agent they plan to release the 10-year-veteran later this week.

Andruzzi's impending departure is the lastest move on Cleveland's rebuilt offensive line. In March, the Browns signed free agent guard Eric Steinbach to a seven-year $49.5 million contract and on Saturday they drafted Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas with the No. 3 overall pick.

The Browns also added veteran Seth McKinney during free agency.

Andruzzi started 27 games the past two seasons for the Browns, who signed him as a free agent in 2005. He has two more years left on his contract. He was scheduled to make $1.5 million next season and $2.5 million in 2008.

In releasing Andruzzi, the Browns are not likely to have either of their starting guards from last season. Cosey Coleman, who started at right guard, is a free agent and Cleveland doesn't appear interested in re-signing him.

A member of three Super Bowl winners with New England, the 31-year-old Andruzzi was signed by the Browns to stabilize their line and bring leadership to their young team. He had played under Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel with the Patriots.

Andruzzi, who battled a knee injury last season, spent three years with Green Bay before joining the Patriots in 2000. He has made 103 career starts.

With Thomas coming on at left tackle, the Browns have to decide what to do with Kevin Shaffer. He joined Cleveland before last season as a free agent, signing a six-year, $36 million deal.

Shaffer's agent has asked the Browns for permission to seek a trade.

If he doesn't get moved, there's a chance Shaffer could slide over into one of the guard spots previously held by Andruzzi or Coleman.

[The President]

I think this may be Dockery's replacement!

[CEO]

He has been with Romeo since New England. Don't you think there is a reason he was snipped?

[The President]

Good point but we need the O-line help and I like the guy...I think if no one else decent is cut on June 1st he will be a redskin.

[The President]

Former Patriot Andruzzi expecting complete recovery

Ten-year veteran offensive guard Joe Andruzzi, released by the Cleveland Browns in early May, has been diagnosed with a treatable form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, agent Joe Linta confirmed to ESPN.com on Thursday night.
"He's upbeat, he's optimistic, and he's looking forward to his recovery and to the future," Linta said.

Andruzzi, 31, was diagnosed late last week after complaining of general irritability, swelling and a high fever. The popular lineman, Linta said, will immediately begin a 12-step round of chemotherapy treatments at the Dana Farber Institute in Boson. The facility is one to which Andruzzi and his family are longtime benefactors and for which he has raised a substantial amount of money during his career.

Said Linta in a statement later in the evening: "While this condition is very serious, both Joe and his doctors feel he will be quickly on his way to a full recovery ... He is being treated by some of the best specialists in the country, and Joe is confident he could not be in better hands. He would like to thank all his fans and friends for their outpouring of support."

According to the National Cancer Institute, about 54,000 Americans are annually diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The disease may develop in any organ associated with the lymphatic system.

Signed by Cleveland as an unrestricted free agent in 2005, and acquired not only for his football skills but also to add leadership to the locker room, Andruzzi started 27 games for the Browns over the past two seasons. His release, which was surprising, was part of the offseason remaking of the team's blocking unit.

Before joining the Browns, he had played five seasons in New England, and was familiar with Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel from the time they spent together with the Patriots.

In New England, Andruzzi was a part of three Super Bowl-champion teams.

A former Southern Connecticut State standout, Andruzzi entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Green Bay in 1997. In stints with the Packers (1997-99), Patriots (2000-2004) and Browns (2005-2006), Andruzzi has played in 122 contests, including 102 games as a starter.

Andruzzi has logged at least 11 starts in each of the past seven seasons. He had two years left on his contract, at base salaries of $1.5 million (2007) and $2.5 million (2008), when the Browns released him. Among the several teams that displayed an interest in Anduzzi after his release was the New York Jets.

Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

[The President]

Looks like you were right CEO. That was a good reason he was cut. And now knowing this I am sure that he won't be a Redskin. Plus from what I here we got the guys to replace Dockery as is.

Today is June 1st.

Who are we gonna cut? and who are we gonna sign?