Former Browns cornerback retires abruptly

Skrine’s career earnings are impressive for a 5’9″ cornerback drafted in the fifth round:

With a lot of turnover among the front office and coaching staff since the team returned, there are surprisingly few former Cleveland Browns around the league. Many draft picks flamed out while with the team or after being given a chance someplace else and faded into the next phase of their life.

Earlier this offseason, former Browns cornerback Joe Haden made a post on Instagram that had people wondering if he could return. After being released by Sashi Brown, Haden immediately went to play for the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 33-year-old remains on the free agent market with no signs of interest from Cleveland.

Another former Browns cornerback, Buster Skrine, made news on Tuesday by telling the Tennessee Titans that he had decided to retire:

Skrine spent his first four years in the league in Cleveland after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He left the team to join the New York Jets, signing a four-year, $25 million contract in 2015.

Skrine spent three years with the Chicago Bears before joining the Tennesee Titans last season.

Combined, the diminutive cornerback earned over $40 million in his 11 seasons in the league while pulling in 10 interceptions and deflecting 88 passes.

No information was provided as to what led to this decision just before the start of training camp.

Vikings make significant jump in recent Super Bowl odds

The Vikings are climbing in the Super Bowl odds

The Minnesota Vikings have jumped up six spots in the Super Bowl odds since the start of the new league year. Granted, they are still in the bottom-half of the league when it comes to teams with the best odds of competing for a Lombardi Trophy, but there has been notable improvement since the previous odds were released back in February.

According to Tipico Sportsbook, the Vikings are now ranked 18th among NFL teams at +4000 with a 2.44 implied win percentage in the 2022 season.

These odds come after the team signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a one-year extension and restructured key contracts, including safety Harrison Smith and wideout Adam Thielen.

The main objective for first-year general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell appears to be keeping things mostly intact and attempting to compete for a Super Bowl.

Minnesota hasn’t made the playoffs in the last two seasons, but there is hope the new regime can bring about the desired changes.

There are still concerns for the Vikings’ interior offensive line and defense, particularly at cornerback. But free agency still isn’t over, and the team will continue shaping the roster through the 2022 NFL Draft.

 

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