Take this news for what it’s worth, though there is something to be said about having the confidence of your head coach. With Montario Hardesty out for the season, Harrison is the Browns’ clear-cut top back, though Peyton Hillis and James Davis could figure into the mix in some fashion as well.

Waived

DB Larry Asante

DB Chris Chancellor

OL Paul Fanaika

DL Clifton Geathers

DL Travis Ivey

RB Chris Jennings

DB Brandon McDonald

DL Swanson Miller

OL Pat Murray

QB Brett Ratliff

DL Brian Sanford

DB DeAngelo Smith

Contract Terminated

WR Bobby Engram

OL Scott Kooistra

DL C.J. Mosley

On cut day in the NFL, it’s easy for the eyes of fans and sports writers to glaze over as we look at name after name after name of players who have been released.

It’s easy to forget that as we pass along those names, we’re glossing over the worst day of some of these men’s lives: As NFL teams go about the business of reducing their rosters from 75 to 53 players, a whole lot of young men who have dedicated their lives to playing football are being told that they’re just not good enough, and their NFL dreams are probably over.

A pair of Browns defensive backs. Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald, have taken to their Twitter accounts to reflect on that fact today.

“Just watched a lot of players bag up their stuff and walk out the building,” Wright tweeted (edited for clarity). “Definitely an emotional day. We all put in work. Hurts to see them go.”

Wright added that when the Browns cut McDonald and Gerard Lawson,”I lost my two best friends. . . . Truly it hurts me.”

On the day he found out he hadn’t made the Browns’ roster, McDonald kept a positive attitude.

“The new journey begins,” McDonald tweeted. “Thanks to all. Peace and many many many blessings to all.”

McDonald, who has had his share of issues off the field due to his inability to keep his mouth shut on Twitter, tweeted the following after he was told of his release.

Thanks to everyone fa da best wishes tweets.. I enjoyed my time here but all mus one day come to and end.. ITS TRU

Here’s the PD’s take on the release of McDonald:

McDonald started 27 of 48 games the past three seasons. He lost his job on a few occasions, due to breakdowns in coverage and the running game, but kept regaining it. He co-led the Browns in 2008 with five interceptions. McDonald got into hot water this summer when he made offensive remarks in a Tweet regarding the Bengals’ acquisition of receiver Terrell Owens.

The Browns have cut offensive guard Paul Fanaika according to his agent, Marc Lillibridge.

He was claimed off waivers from the Washington Redskins this summer after six other teams put in competing claims.

Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round last year, Fanaika spent the first 11 weeks of the season on the Eagles’ practice squad before being signed to the Washington Redskins’ active roster on November 23.

While with the Redskins he was inactive for five contests and active for the season finale. A four-year letterman at Arizona State University, Fanaika started 35 of 48 games during his collegiate career, garnering All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors twice.

The Browns reduced their roster by seven today by placing rookie running back Montario Hardesty on injured reserve and waiving six players.

 Cut were: receiver Jake Allen, offensive lineman Casey Bender, defensive back Coye Francies, tight end Joel Gamble, offensive tackle Joel Reinders and receiver Syndric Steptoe.

These moves leave the Browns with 15 more to make to get down to Saturday’s 53-player limit.

Mind you trades can screw up what I am about to write below, but I am not that good to know what other teams are going to do with with their rosters enough to start saying if the Browns will end up with players from other teams.

So here goes nothing.

Quarterback (3)

Jake Delhomme

Seneca Wallace

Colt McCoy

Analysis:

Jake Delhomme had an amazing preseason for the club this year. Wallace is going to add another weapon to this team that is going to give Defensive Coordinators headaches all week long.  McCoy has struggled and there are rumors of the kid  getting cut but I can’t see Heckert and Holmgren giving up on him so early in his career after they have stated he isn’t going to play a down this year.

Running Back (5)

Jerome Harrison

Peyton Hillis

Lawerence Vickers

James Davis

Chris Jennings

Analysis:

Harrison is going to be the starter since Hardesty has been sidelined with a torn ACL. Vickers and Hillis add another dimension to the Browns running game that they haven’t had in my lifetime. Two backs that are going to out muscle you and you can’t do anything about it.  This is where it gets dicey, Davis or Jennings? Davis had the outstanding preseason last year before he got injured in the season opener. Jennings has proved he is a good special teams player and can be an average back if needed during the season.  With Montario going down the Browns could keep both of these guys and thats exactly what i think is goin to happen.

Receivers (6)

Mohamed Massaquoi

Brian Robiskie

Josh Cribbs

Carlton Mitchell

Bobby Engram

Chansi Stuckey

Analysis:

The team is very young at this position and is going to have to grow up real fast if we want a shot at the AFC North. Massaquoi and Robiskie are going to be the starters against the Bucs on the 12th. Cribbs is growing into a nice looking receiver but is going to have to prove it during the regular season. Carlton Mitchell and Engram are going to round out this group adding height, athletic ability, and veteran leadership.

Offensive Line: (9)

Joe Thomas

Alex Mack

Floyd Womack

Eric Steinbach

Shawn Lauvao

Tony Pashos

John St. Clair

Scott Kooistra

Billy Yates

Analysis:

The Offensive line is the strength to this football team in 2010. This group is the best in the AFC North and its been awhile sine we have been able to say that about our team. Winning football games in the NFL starts with the offensive line and I’m excited about our chances with this O-line.

Tight Ends (4)

Evan Moore

Ben Watson

Robert Royal

Alex Smith

Analysis:

 Watson was signed by the Patriots and looks to be a great pick up for the team. Evan Moore continues to grow into the position and should see a lot of time this season. Royal is going to be a special team-er and play some on the goal-line.

Defensive Line (6)

Shaun Rogers

Ahtyba Rubin

Robaire Smith

C.J. Mosley

Brian Schaefering

Kenyon Coleman

Analysis:

With the possibility of Rogers going on the PUP list the team could add another player to the Defensive line. They just signed Travis Ivey a rookie out of Maryland that was released by the Dolphins this past week who could make the team. The team needs to be able to stop the run better then what they have this past preseason.

Linebackers (9)

Matt Roth

Marcus Bernard

Justin Trusnick

Blake Costanzo

Eric Barton

Scott Fujita

D’Qwell Jackson

David Bowens

Kaluka Maiava

Analysis:

The Linebacker position has been a weakness for this team for quite awhile. This off season the team added Super Bowl Champion Scott Fujita and signed a diamond in the rough player in Matt Roth last season. The position should be better this season then in years past but still needs some help. I predict David Veikune to be cut on Saturday.

Defensive Backs: (8)

Joe Haden

Mike Adams

Sheldon Brown

Eric Wright

Abe Elam

T.J. Ward

Larry Asante

Deangelo Smith

Analysis:

This position was the most improved this off season through the NFL Draft and a trade. The team selected Joe Haden with the seventh pick in the draft and added T.J Ward in the Second Round. Eric Wright looks to be ready to be the leader of this secondary.

Special Teams: (3)

Phil Dawson

Reggie Hodges

Ryan Pontbriand

Analysis:

The team has the best special teams in the NFL.  Phil Dawson is the lone player left on the roster since the team has been back in 99.  Hodges made the team with Zastudil going  down for the year. Pontbriand made another Pro Bowl and has been a great asset for the team.

Waived

WR Jake Allen

OL Casey Bender

DB Coye Francies

TE Joel Gamble

OL Joel Reinders

WR Syndric Steptoe

A bone bruise to his right knee kept Hardesty sidelined for most of training camp and the first three pre-season games. Losing Hardesty for the season would be a big blow to the Browns’ running game, which was looking to pair the 6-0, 225-pounder with Jerome Harrison (5-9, 205) to hopefully a running back tandem capable of moving the chains and controlling the clock.

With Hardesty out, 2009 sixth-round pick James Davis, who spent much of his rookie season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, is expected to gain more carries, as will Peyton Hillis.