Browns trade Suggs to the Jets for CB Strait

mpmcgraw · August 14, 2006, 03:54:59 PM

QuoteUpdated: Aug. 14, 2006, 3:24 PM ET
Jets deal CB Strait to Browns for RB Suggs Associated Press

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The New York Jets got the running back help they needed Monday, acquiring Lee Suggs from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for defensive back Derrick Strait.

With Curtis Martin on the physically-unable-to-perform list because of a lingering knee injury, the Jets were desperate to get another back on the roster. Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston were taking most of the plays at running back, but neither is the type of player who can shoulder the entire rushing load.

Martin's future is less certain. He underwent surgery on his right knee in December, and has yet to recover fully. He has yet to practice, and reports have said he has a "bone on bone" condition in his knee. But Martin continues to rehab, and said last week he wants to play this season.

Suggs hasn't been able to stay on the field for the Browns, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. At various times in his pro career, Suggs has been sidelined by injuries to a shoulder, neck, toe, ankle and thumb.

The speedy 6-foot, 213-pounder appeared in only seven games as a rookie because of a shoulder injury he sustained at Virginia Tech. In his final game that season, he ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns.

Suggs won a starting job in training camp in 2004, but hurt his neck in the final preseason game and was inactive for the first three games of the regular season. He returned to play in seven games before missing three straight with a toe injury.

He finished '04 with 744 yards and two touchdowns.

Suggs hurt his ankle during the preseason last year and missed Cleveland's first two games. He dressed in Weeks 3 and 4 but injured his thumb and was inactive for six weeks.

Suggs has rushed for 1,048 yards and four TDs as a pro.

Strait was a third-round pick in 2004 but has been a backup in his two NFL seasons. During camp, he moved over to safety in the absence of Erik Coleman, out after an appendectomy. Strait had 31 tackles last season, but has yet to notch his first career interception.

"It's a great opportunity for Derrick," said his agent, Michael Lartigue. "They know what kind of player Derrick is. Lee Suggs is a great running back. It's a fresh start, change of scenery for both Derrick and Lee."

Strait will bring some immediate and needed depth at cornerback for the Browns.

Daylon McCutcheon recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and may not be back in time for the Sept. 10 season opener against New Orleans. Gary Baxter strained his left pectoral muscle on the first play from scrimmage Thursday in the preseason opener in Philadelphia and is expected to be out three to four weeks.

PoopyfaceMcGee · August 14, 2006, 03:55:37 PM

Good.

4and26 · August 14, 2006, 05:05:39 PM

Strike him off the Eagles wish list...........

phattymatty · August 14, 2006, 06:03:41 PM

i really thought we would get strait.

General_Failure · August 14, 2006, 06:17:03 PM

Well no, we got Garcia. ... look, someone had to do it, alright?

PhillyPhreak54 · August 14, 2006, 06:24:31 PM

Way to take one for the team, sir. Team player. Reno Mahe approves.

reese125 · August 14, 2006, 08:24:55 PM

why does it always seem like its so easy for other teams to get players but us? especially a position we need..

rjs246 · August 14, 2006, 08:29:39 PM

'a position we need' and 'a position that the front office puts value on' are two completely different things. That's why.

reese125 · August 14, 2006, 08:34:20 PM

go ahead and question a corner, and question a linebacker as players to value in the Eagles system, but never underestimate a f-in RB.

You cant afford not to run the ball. How that is not highly valued by the front office is truly baffling

General_Failure · August 14, 2006, 08:36:29 PM

They like Westbrook and Moats. If you'd like to complain about it more, take it back to the right forum.*

*assuming you can and the server has not become unavailable.

Rome · August 14, 2006, 08:37:47 PM

If the Eagles didn't value the running game they wouldn't have signed Westbrook to the kind of contract they did.

I'll jump on their nuts for not signing the right kind of running backs, but for God's sake, inferring that they're too cheap to sign them is retarded, reese.

rjs246 · August 14, 2006, 08:41:24 PM

Quote from: reese125 on August 14, 2006, 08:34:20 PM
go ahead and question a corner, and question a linebacker as players to value in the Eagles system, but never underestimate a f-in RB.

Cornerback, Safety and DE are the positions that this front office DOES value on defense. Not sure what you're talking about with the corner comment.

Quote from: Jerome99RIP on August 14, 2006, 08:37:47 PM
If the Eagles didn't value the running game they wouldn't have signed Westbrook to the kind of contract they did.

I would argue that the Westbrook contract was the dumbest pile of shtein contract this team could have given out and actually represented a step AWAY from valuing the running game. Why sign a RB who is only good at being a receiver and occasional homerun threat to a contract like that if you actually have any intention of running the ball?

reese125 · August 14, 2006, 08:42:59 PM

whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa......hold the bus gus

someones misreading here. My only position is stating Suggs for a backup and he is very suitable behind Westy.

Man, you got to be careful round here, bear traps everywhere

reese125 · August 14, 2006, 08:46:26 PM

Quote from: General_Failure on August 14, 2006, 08:36:29 PM
They like Westbrook and Moats. If you'd like to complain about it more, take it back to the right forum.*

*assuming you can and the server has not become unavailable.

GF, I just saw that astericks...good stuff

PhillyPhreak54 · August 14, 2006, 08:46:45 PM

But Suggs is more injury prone than Westbrook.