BEREA — Orpheus Roye’s eight-year tenure with the Browns ended Wednesday when the team terminated his contract. Kicker Phil Dawson is the only active player who’s been with the team longer.
Roye is 35 years old and missed 10 games with injuries over the last two years, but agent Philip C. Williams said the defensive end has no plans of retiring.
“It’s never been in the thought process,” Williams said in a phone interview.
Knee problems have recently slowed Roye, who had arthroscopic surgery in training camp. But Williams said Roye was given a clean bill of health after the season by renowned orthopedic surgeon James Andrews.
“Dr. Andrews said he should be fine for 2008,” Williams said.
Williams acknowledged the termination wasn’t a surprise given Roye’s age and contract. He was due to make $3 million in 2008, the final year of a three-year deal.
Roye, a 12-year veteran, signed with the Browns in 2000 and had his best season in 2005 with a career-high 95 tackles. He started five of 13 games in 2007 with 34 tackles, a half-sack and two quarterback pressures.
“Orpheus has been a mainstay for the Browns since 2000 with his reliable play and overall dependability,” general manager Phil Savage said in a statement. “A professional in every sense of the word, these are the kinds of decisions that make this a difficult time of year.”
Roye was a sixth-round pick of the Steelers in 1996 and has played in 174 games, including 128 starts. He has 592 tackles and 18½ sacks. He started 101 games with the Browns, totaling 486 tackles and 9½ sacks.
The defensive line is the No. 1 priority for the Browns as they enter free agency.

D.A. deadline today

The Browns have until today at 4 p.m. to tender quarterback Derek Anderson, a restricted free agent. Savage said last week the Browns would give Anderson the highest tender of $2.562 million if they’re unable to work out a multiyear deal.
The Browns and Anderson were reportedly closing in on a three-year deal, with free agency set to begin Friday at midnight. If a deal isn’t reached, Anderson would be free to sign an offer sheet with another team.
The Browns would have the right to match any offer. If they declined and let Anderson leave, the Browns would receive first- and third-round draft picks in compensation.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.