Browns terminate 12-year veteran Roye

2/28/2008

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Browns terminated the contract of defensive lineman Orpheus Roye yesterday, cutting loose one of their most productive players ahead of free agency.

A 12-year veteran, Roye battled knee injuries the past two seasons. The 35-year-old was scheduled to make $3 million in 2008.

Roye had a career-high 95 tackles for the Browns in 2005. He made five starts last season, appeared in 13 games and finished with 34 tackles.

"Orpheus has been a mainstay for the Browns since 2000 with his reliable play and overall dependability," Browns general manager Phil Savage said.

Roye was drafted by Pittsburgh in 1996 and spent four seasons with the Steelers before joining the Browns as a free agent.

LIONS/FREE AGENT: Detroit signed free agent safety Dwight Smith, a 5-10, 201-pounder, to a two-year contract.