NFL
Notebook: Cleveland releases Johnson

By The Associated Press

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

CLEVELAND — Kevin Johnson had hoped to end his career with the Cleveland Browns. Instead, he will have to start it over somewhere else.

In a surprise move, Johnson, the team's leading receiver since 1999, was released yesterday by Browns coach Butch Davis, who benched him last week.

"It's a complete shock to me," Johnson said. "I had a great 4-1/2 years in Cleveland, but I never thought it would end this way. I'm still trying to figure this out."

Browns fans, too, are left wondering why Davis would release the sure-handed Johnson — the team's most consistent receiver — at this point in the season and after signing him to a four-year, $13.35 million contract extension, with a $3.5 million signing bonus, before last season.

Johnson said Davis called him into his office to inform him that he was no longer in the team's plans.

"I'm really disappointed in the way it ended, simply because of all that I've done for him (Davis)," Johnson said. "I never questioned him and I never talked bad about him to anyone or about anything. It doesn't make sense."

Despite leading the Browns (3-6) with 41 receptions for 381 yards this season, Johnson had his starting job taken away by Davis, who was displeased with the 27-year-old's production.

Two weeks ago in a loss to San Diego, Johnson dropped a crucial pass on fourth down in the fourth quarter, cut short a route that led to an interception and underthrew a pass on a reverse that could have produced a touchdown.

Davis also was critical of Johnson's blocking.

"This is not a knee-jerk reaction," Davis said in a statement. "We have been trying for almost three seasons to help Kevin perform to the level of expectations we have had for him. I am disappointed our staff has not been able to get him to accept the expectations we have of how the wide receiver position should be played."

Johnson had 192 receptions for 2,181 yards and 15 touchdowns in 41 games under Davis.

Johnson said he was stunned to hear Davis' reasons behind releasing him.

"I guess I wasn't good enough," he said. "This is crazy."

Hours after being let go, Johnson sat in his living room and fielded several calls from head coaches in the league. Within 24 hours, Johnson can be claimed off waivers by another team. If he goes unclaimed, Johnson will become a free agent.

In his statement, Davis indicated Johnson wasn't going to be able to work his way back into Cleveland's starting lineup.

"This will enable him to get a fresh start, and it will allow our young receivers to continue to develop and improve," Davis said.

League suspends Anderson

DENVER — Denver Broncos fullback Mike Anderson was suspended for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Anderson will lose about $317,000 of his $1.35 million salary and won't be eligible to return until after Denver's Dec. 8 game against Kansas City.

Anderson told The Denver Post he tested positive for marijuana, but said it was because he inhaled secondhand smoke. He said he presented such evidence from a toxicologist in an appeal to the league.

"I'm very saddened by the decision made by the NFL," Anderson told the newspaper. "I know this has a tremendous negative impact on my team, my coaches, my family and fans."

Anderson is an ex-Marine with a clean-cut image. Under league policy, a suspension doesn't come until after at least one positive test and the player has entered a confidential drug-testing program.

Anderson's lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, said his client will consider legal action against the league.

Notes

• The NFL Players Association contends Cleveland violated the collective-bargaining agreement by suspending running back William Green because of his arrest on charges of drunken driving and marijuana possession.

NFLPA president Gene Upshaw said he expects a grievance to be filed against the Browns. "They don't have the right to do what they did," Upshaw said.

• Baltimore rookie quarterback Kyle Boller underwent surgery on his left leg, but remains hopeful he can return this season.

Boller, injured in Sunday night's 33-22 loss to St. Louis, had surgery to repair a torn muscle in his quadriceps.

The Ravens signed quarterback Ray Lucas as a backup to Chris Redman and Anthony Wright. Lucas started six games for Miami last season.

• Tight end Rickey Dudley signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who released him before the season.

• The New York Giants lost starting cornerback William Peterson for the season when he was placed on injured reserve. They signed cornerback Ike Charlton, a former Seahawk.

• Arizona signed kicker Neil Rackers, one day after cutting Tim Duncan.

• Denver signed cornerback Ryan McNeil.

• Kick returner Michael Bates of the New York Jets, an ex-Seahawk, will miss the rest of the season with a broken right hand.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company