Jets deal CB Strait to Browns for RB Suggs

[Crowpointer]

Aug. 14, 2006, 3:24 PM ET
Jets deal CB Strait to Browns for RB SuggsAssociated 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.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

 

[maverick4]

A win-win for Mangini and Crennel.

 

[Sundayjack]

Derrick Strait dropped down to the third round on draft day, and I guess we've seen why. I was kind of interested in seeing the kid play safety for a while, but this was a pretty fair deal.

 

[BelichickFan]

A win-win for Mangini and Crennel.

I think it's really a nothing deal but with upside for the Jets. Strait hasn't been able to make a mark and was being looked at Safety - Suggs looked OK when he played but that was almost never. If he could stay healthy the Jets could win big here but more than likely this is Bethel for Sullivan part II, a second chance for a couple of guys who have done next to nothing after several years of trying.

 

[spacecrime]

I think it's really a nothing deal but with upside for the Jets. Strait hasn't been able to make a mark and was being looked at Safety - Suggs looked OK when he played but that was almost never. If he could stay healthy the Jets could win big here but more than likely this is Bethel for Sullivan part II, a second chance for a couple of guys who have done next to nothing after several years of trying.

This was my first thought, also (Bethel for Sullivan). Might work out for either team, but if it doesn't, what did they really lose?

 

[captain stone]

I think it's really a nothing deal but with upside for the Jets. Strait hasn't been able to make a mark and was being looked at Safety - Suggs looked OK when he played but that was almost never. If he could stay healthy the Jets could win big here but more than likely this is Bethel for Sullivan part II, a second chance for a couple of guys who have done next to nothing after several years of trying.

I smell what you're cooking, but I don't think it's Bethel for Sully II, because neither Suggs nor Strait carry the emotional/maturity/laziness/intelligence baggage that our two guys do.

 

[BelichickFan]

I smell what you're cooking, but I don't think it's Bethel for Sully II, because neither Suggs nor Strait carry the emotional/maturity/laziness/intelligence baggage that our two guys do.

Call it what you will, they've both done nothing in the NFL like Bethel and Sullivan. Pick your reason.

 

[spacecrime]

Call it what you will, they've both done nothing in the NFL like Bethel and Sullivan. Pick your reason.

My reasons that they are totally different are two:

1. the lack of "B"s in the Pats-Saints trade. One trade is CB for RB, both sides give and get a "B" while the other is DT for WR, no "B"s.

2. One trade involved marchers. Patriots, ie. Revolutionary War solidiers, marched, and Saints are always marching in. Jets cannot march and Browns...well, think Brownies, or little elves. They don't march. They kind of just scamper around.

Anyway, I think this proves not only that the trades were totally different, but that I am up way past my bedtime.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Good pickup for the Jets, at least they didn't get suckered into trading for William Green, lol. Suggs has played very well, when he's been able to stay on the field, unfortunate for him, that hasn't been often. He's a good back, when healthy. Period. For some reason, I see them winding up with Brady Quinn or Adrian Peterson next year, just a premonition.

 

[pats1]

Suggs fails physical. Deal voided.