Football, because of the salary cap and the roster limits, has the most screwed up way of dealing with players. Your friend was probably waived by the Browns (did he start out as an undrafted free agent?), with the Browns hoping that nobody would pick him up before the season starts. If that happens, they can sign him to their practice squad, where they can devolp him and they don't lose the rights to him this season. If he makes the practice squad (sometimes referred to as the taxi squad) he'll be on the team that the regular players use as "beating up material" through out the season. He can be brought up from the practice squad during the season, but can't be sent back down. If he makes the practice squad, there's a pretty good chance that he'll be invited back to camp next year. Usually players on the practice squads are those that the team likes and thinks they have a chance in the NFL, but they want them to develop a little bit more...
