I know some people are, but no one should be surprised at all that the Browns waived offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper on Tuesday.
Cooper had been with the Browns for about 2½ months after being claimed off waivers from the New England Patriots. He started three games at right guard for Jon Greco, who is out for the year with a foot injury.
A high-profile lineman since he entered pro football, Cooper was taken in the first round, at No. 7 overall, by the Arizona Cardinals in 2013. But he has fizzled everywhere he’s been. That he couldn’t stick on Cleveland’s horrible line is a new low for him and puts into real question whether he has any future left as a player.
As for the Browns, though, this is just the start of the many, many changes they will make to their offensive line before they take the field in 2017. They have to do an overhaul on the line. Those who have watched the group play this season know that. It is obvious.
So, then, why would anyone be taken aback when those changes begin occurring, albeit before the 2016 season ends?
As we’ve said here any number of times, a good offensive line is one of the building blocks – actually, the second-biggest one behind quarterback – of a good team. The Browns have a long, long way to go before they have a good line, or anything even close to it.
As such, let those changes begin so the Browns can start moving toward where they want to be, and need to be.
