Browns release T.J. Carrie, Demetrius Harris, Eric Kush and Adarius Taylor

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, December 1, 2019

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Vance McDonald pushes away the tackle attempt of Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie for a first down reception in the second half, December 1, 2019, at Heinz Field. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- New Browns GM Andrew Berry began his overhaul of the roster on Monday when he terminated the contracts of four players, including cornerback T.J. Carrie, who started 14 games over the past two seasons.

The others were tight end Demetrius Harris, guard Eric Kush and linebacker Adarius Taylor, all signed as unrestricted free agents in 2019.

The cuts represented a savings of about $14 million on the salary cap.

Other veterans who might not be back in 2020 include safety Damarious Randall and linebacker Joe Schobert, who are due to unrestricted free agents in March, and defensive end Olivier Vernon, who’s under contract for $15.25 million in 2020.

Carrie, signed by the Browns as unrestricted free agent in 2018, played in all 32 games over his two years with the club, including six starts in 2019 and eight in 2018. He notched 125 tackles, 12 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two sacks.

Originally a seventh-round pick in 2014 out of Ohio University, Carrie, 29, was a fan favorite and one of the most active Browns players in the community. He made about $16 million in his two seasons with the Browns, and they saved about $6.75 million in 2020 with this move.

His relationship with new defensive coordinator Joe Woods, who coached him as a rookie in Oakland, also wasn’t enough to save him.

“He got the best out of me at a really young age,” Carrie said at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards last month. “He really shaped me up to the person I am today. He gave me a lot of nuggets throughout the season I was with him on how to learn and how to be a pro and the things that went into it.”

Carrie noted that Woods would be hard on the Browns defenders.

“He finds little ways to (get the best out of you),” he said. “A coach like that is the coach you want around. He was probably the first coach that told me ‘I see you as a guy who can play six-plus years.’ I’m going on my seventh year now. He saw something in me at a very young age. He was doing as much as he could to get it out of me.”

Harris started six of his 15 games last season, catching 15 passes for 149 yards and three TDs. Harris had one year left on his contract, and the Browns will realize about a $2.5 million cap savings.

Kush tied a career high with seven starts at right guard last season and played in all 16 games. His departure saves about $2.075 million on the cap.

Taylor played in 15 games last season and recorded eight special teams tackles. The Browns saved about $2.44 million with the move.

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