Browns’ moves get plenty of attention
On his way out the door, Paul Kruger lowered his helmet and drilled the Browns. Andy Lee simply got booted. Cleveland began the final week of the preseason in tumultuous fashion as Kruger, a linebacker and one of the team’s leaders, was released, Lee (who spent 11 seasons with the 49ers) was traded to Carolina after failing to attempt a tackle in Tampa Bay, and the team waived defensive back K’Waun Williams, recently suspended in a dispute over an injury.
Following his release, Kruger, 30, blasted the organization on Twitter for a “wrong decision.” After three seasons with the Browns, Kruger thanked owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam and the team’s “relentless” fans before expressing his disappointment. He said his release was mishandled and called it “unfortunate and absolutely the wrong decision.”
Following practice, head coach Hue Jackson declined to elaborate on the move.
“The decision is an organizational decision,” he said. “It’s what we thought was best to do, so we move forward.”
Lee was traded three days after Jackson scolded him on the sideline for not trying to tackle a punt returner on a 73-yard TD return. The Browns received punter Kasey Redfern and a 2018 fourth-round pick. A three-time Pro Bowler with the 49ers, Lee will help the Panthers offset the loss of Mike Scifres, who injured a leg. Siemian is Denver’s starter: From afterthought to starter, Trevor Siemian is Peyton Manning’s successor.
Denver head coach Gary Kubiak told the team that Siemian will be the starting quarterback when the Broncos face Carolina in the opener Sept. 8.
Siemian will be the only quarterback with no passing attempts to take over a Super Bowl champion in Week 1.
Deal for Bosa, Chargers: Third overall pick Joey Bosa ended his monthlong holdout and signed a four-year contract with San Diego.
The team announced the signing five days after the two sides went public in their spat over payment of Bosa’s $17 million signing bonus and whether the contract would have offset language. The signing came a day after San Diego’s defense played poorly in a 23-10 exhibition loss at Minnesota.
Briefly: Tampa Bay moved its exhibition against Washington, set for 7:30 p.m. EDT Thursday, to 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday because of expected severe weather . ... Washington signed defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins . ... Seattle released defensive back Brandon Browner . ... Arizona waived/injured quarterback Jake Coker, who led Alabama to the national title last season . ... The Patriots waived defensive lineman Terrence Knighton.