https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-wr-braxton-miller

Gotta think this is for the returner job. He's serviceable as a backup WR, but that's about it. I like the signing. Don't really have anything to lose from it.

Agreed. I highly doubt he even makes the team, but why not give him a shot. He'd certainly be a fan favorite if he makes it.

I also remember seeing that Miller was a good blocking WR ... so maybe a hybrid type RB/TE/WR ... it might be more of an indictment on our RB and TE depth than anything

With WRs Hyman, Calloway, and Montgomery all injured...I think that's why Braxton is here...I hope he makes the most out of his opportunity.

Spot WR/TE work, emergency #3 QB on gameday? Saves us from keeping 3 QBs.

I always liked that approach. Just go with two guys at QB, and have a third that can run a couple basic packages-- somebody who could take over up a touchdown in the third quarter and you can still look to be in good shape for the game, if it ever came to that. Maybe even work in some zone-read type stuff like the Saints have done with Taysom Hill.

All that said, I don't think Braxton makes the roster in the first place and any emergency QB value he might have isn't worth it if he can't contribute elsewhere.

If this theory holds that could say more about Hilliard. Sheehy could also be on his way out. To be honest, I don't think Sheehy will make the final cuts.

Can he kick?

Sheehy has no chance IMO .. he’s not a viable WR backup and we’ve probably evaluated him to be equal to other candidates at PR/KR

My thought as well. Kind of like we did with Cribbs. Have a package of 25 plays to run with him at QB. Something different for a D to adjust to if Bake and whoever get dinged.

Come to think of it, I might keep him over whoever is going to be the last receiver to make the team because he can be your insurance on gameday at the QB position. When you find yourself up to your neck in alligators in the 3rd quarter, you have to have some sort of emergency plan you have at least practiced a few times.

A plan isn't running up and down the sideline asking players if they played QB in high school.

I'm still holding out hope for Hilliard. Rough 1st game, injured in the 2nd, don't know his status now. Hope to see what he's got left in the last two.

I think this will end up as a very short term experiment.

I like this guy! But wont see the field

Loved watching him as a Buckeye. Remember the spin move vs Va Tech? Its around the 1:48 mark on the highlight video below.

One of the most dynamic college players I've ever seen. Unbelievable speed, quickness, elusiveness. As a WR he gets out of breaks as well as anyone, and everyone knows what he can do in open space. Three years and two teams, in the NFL, has produced next to nothing. If we can solve this mystery, I could see a hybrid role.

With Hilliard being (so far) a bit of a disappointment, no clear-cut return man, and the bottom of the WR roster not really cemented, Miller could fill several roles over the next two weeks... And honestly, probably a better use of a roster spot (if he passes the eye test), going forward, than Sheely. I could see him being a place holder for Callaway, while he's gone, as long as he picks things up quickly. As a practice QB, he could also get the defense ready for Mariota in week one, and as others have said, be an emergency QB.

Enough short term work to bring him in and long-term upside to roll the dice... without really rolling any dice. His biggest upside lies in the hands of Baker though. Seeing a dynamic player catching balls from a QB that can be on-time, on-target, wow, that could be the real litmus test for what Miller can expect in an NFL career going forward.

Yeah up to this point Sheehy has made one play the whole preseason (that return for a TD) and seems to be overhyped due to his story...but we shall see what he does going forward.

To be fair, he wasn't even given a chance last game.

has anyone noticed if he has been slacking off at practice or anything after the return for TD? Not inquinating he is, I don't know. I just don't get why he wouldn't garner a few more looks the next game after that.

Sheehy to PS. I think we need somebody to game with and finish out camp. Not sure he isn't here after cuts.

This is the first thing I thought about when I saw his name.

That was his first game at WR. Pretty ridiculous debut...

I wonder what Braxton's issues as a WR are? Is it route running? Getting off the LOS? Hands? Anyone know for sure?

He may make it but....
Would fill a lot of backup slots.
Returns, B/U QB, WR and HB... he was a serious college talent....

He's an average-at-best NFL talent, though.
His versatility is his value.

Churning the bottom of the roster.
Not likely to make the 53.

He was top 3 in the three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine. His Combine 40 was a disappointment at 4.50, but he followed that up by running 4.33 and 4.36 at his Pro Day. That sounds a lot better than "average at best" or "bottom of the roster" to me, especially when you look at his game film.


https://www.foxsports.com/college-footba...ard-dash-031116

You're talking about a guy in shorts. That has little to do with playing the game in the NFL.

Not really, I was talking about his athleticism when coupled with his demonstrated ability on the field in college. Braxton's biggest problem is that he never played WR until he was in his last year at OSU. But his situation and skillset are not really all that different from Terrelle Pryor's, and TP showed out pretty well when he was here.

A lot of guys demonstrated a lot of skills on the field in college, and that doesn't mean jack in the pro's. As browns fans, we should no better than anyone about this with our draft picks over the years.

We seem to like reclamation projects who were high draft picks

Last year it was Greg Robinson and Perriman. Maybe this year it will be Miller. Who knows? I'm fine with looking for gold in the scrap heap.

Sorry, but you don't have to be Gil Brandt to see that Miller has a rare combination of size, speed, open field ability, and athleticism. I'm not suggesting he should get that many reps at WR, but he could certainly be our 6th WR after Beckham, Landry, Higgins, Strong, and Willies, while filling a needed role at KR and PR. He could also allow you to roster only two QBs (Mayfield and Gilbert) by being your in-game emergency QB while keeping Blough on the practice squad. He could also fill a role in wildcat situations and gadget plays. Like Purp said, his versatility is his best asset - but its by no means his only asset.

I have to disagree Sheehy has a chance IF he is healthy.

GM,

A bit of inside info there? Or just opinion. No worries if circumstances keep you from elaborating.

Inside.... The front office really likes the kid,, BUT the old days are gone. If they feel somebody else will help us win then he is gone in a heart beat.

Teams don't signt a guy with name recognition, two weeks before the 53 spot roster cutdown;

without some thought in somebody's mind that he's going to make one of those spots opening day.

It could be injuries, it could be talent, it could be they see something he can do.

I think it's actually a good signing,

Like any move, I'll ask, Does this help them beat Pittsburgh?

Love Miller and had high hopes for him in Houston...

Sadly he just never really shined.. he had flashes but couldn't get on the field much... don't expect much of him

If Sheehy can hold on to the ball I'd keep him as a pure returner...roster spot be damned.

Just looking.. he won't last long. WR room too deep.

I think Braxton's issue has been his shoulder. I look forward to seeing if he's finally fully healthy again.

Montgomery is on IR, Hyman and Callaway injured, Callaway suspension. All of a sudden it all makes sense.

Yeah I agree ... take away Montgomery and Callaway and suddenly we aren’t as deep

I could certainly see using him as 3rd QB.
Also certainly in Wildcat/Trick formations.... but I just can't see Kitchens ever doing something like that.....lol!

Dave, this is Braxton's third team since he was drafted in 2016. He's a project that they hope they can get something out of.

Maybe I'm reading you wrong, but let's not make more out of it than what it is. The indication you seem to be giving is that he has all of this great talent. If that were true, he would have shined and stuck before now.

I like the fact that he's getting a shot. Maybe they'll find a place he can fit and contribute. But as of now it's nothing more than churning the bottom of the roster in hopes they can find an upgrade.

Normally I would slam dunk agree. The only caveat is our receiver group looks to be pretty strong. Doing this at this late juncture makes me think there is something else going on.

Maybe it's simply because we placed Montgomery on IR. Maybe something else is going on with Calloway.

It just seems kind of late to be because they are all of a sudden displeased with the group or the group progress.

Maybe they want a wildcat package and see this guy as one who could run it.

I'm not saying they may not find a nitch for him. I mean anything is possible. However, I'm questioning that he is some special player with some special skill set.

This will be his third team. Heck, Philly had him on their practice squad. The most receptions he's had in a season was 19.

I always like to see our team work on making the team better. I like to see them exercising due diligence. But the poster I was responding to made it sound as if we just signed some major cog in the wheel. Thus far nothing indicates that. And as far as being "late"?

Nah, we'll see things get shuffled around after cuts as well.

I think right now today we have 4 Freddie trusts and knows what he’s going to get from them ...

OBJ/VG/Higgs and Strong ....

After that there seems to be 2 spots up for grabs and were trying to improve them ...

Thats my best guess ...

I tried not to overstate things when it came to Miller's role here. I view him as a third tier WR, a punt and kickoff returner, a wildcat/gadget play option for the offense, and an emergency / 3rd QB on the gameday roster. I certainly do not see him as a major cog, nor do I foresee him ever starting at WR. I also do not see him as a viable NFL QB. But in the role I described above, he could fill 3 roster spots that *might* otherwise be taken by Damion Ratley, Drew Stanton (assuming Gilbert is our #2 QB), and PR/KR Damon Sheehy-Guiseppe. Having Braxton instead of 3 other guys allows additional depth at two other position groups.

I could see that if it works out that way. But so far neither Houston or Philly saw it that way. And I mean, they're not exactly trash teams.

j/c:

I asked this before and no one answered. I am going to ask it again because I think it is important.

Does anyone know why Houston and Philly gave up on Braxton? He is obviously a tremendous athlete. What were the knocks on him?

Hands? Route running? Getting off the LOS? Injuries? Attitude?

Has anyone heard anything about his weaknesses?

I don't think there are any clear-cut answers. One that looms large is constant shoulder, hamstring and other injuries.

Another is the fact that until someone makes the transition from QB to WR, and truly succeeds, everybody just parrots the fact that it's too hard to do. One thing I notice with players like him, that make a transition because of great athletic ability (another example being the new breed of basketball-playing TEs), is that everybody seems to want high impact plays out of the gate... And are quick to say "bust" and write them off when it doesn't happen.

A microcosmic example of how his career has gone: In 2017 Miller was playing the best game of his NFL career, 4 for 71 yards, including a impressive 57-yard catch-and-run. Gets hit and is diagnosed with a concussion... Misses two games and returns to see T.J. Yates behind center to finish the year. Last two games = 3 catches. Playing with DeAndre Hopkins and a new QB could have that effect, I guess.

His targets look high for the amount of catches in two years @ Houston... 57 for 34... but I've never heard any complaints of "bad hands". Never heard anything about "attitude problems" either.

Route running and getting off the LOS won't look great for a player transitioning to the NFL from playing QB in college, at least not right out of the gate. Dude is a fluid athlete though, and getting in and out of breaks would definitely not be a problem.

TBH, I'm not sure either team explored the real upside with him. It's tough when a player has constant injuries anyway. Sometimes players that rank in the "crap-shoot" dept get cast aside quickly because teams get tired of the "told you so" statements from the fans and media.

Bottom line, this fits the mold of Dorsey's m.o. - and I love it. NEVER neglect exploring upside, especially when able to mitigate risk. This is a risk-free proposition. I would love to see Braxton do enough to stick. Signs say "probably not" but there is no harm in trying.

Thanks. Good stuff.

Good breakdown.

I had forgotten about Miller and was clueless about what he has done.

In Houston he just never seemed to be able to get on the field... he had injuries and just couldn't move up the depth chart... dude seems to have talent but he never made it pst fourth or fifth wide receiver... was used on punt returns some and was decent...

Thanks for the info from someone in the area ... I knew injuries played a part, but also realize it’s a TOUGH trnasition from QB to WR.

If he can be a good return guy and a 5th WR here ... that’s what we need

AND an extra QB if it becomes Armageddon awful like the year when we needed a new QB almost weekly. I like him, and I hope to see him tonight. Has Sheehy cleared to play tonight after his injuries? Did he practice this week?

And let us add that some teams will refuse to plug in season time to develop a players raw skills. Fairly finished products are readily available. All players get coached some by position, and they are developed, but there is a bunch to learn, and switching offenses as well as positions has to be tough. Production in a position, especially wideout, is a level or so above competing for a position and struggling to learn it IMO. I think he has upside, maybe like Landry?
I am as ignorant as I am naive, because I was never allowed out of the trenches when I played, but I figured Braxton should have brought an edge in this position transition because he had the QB experience about routes, schemes, reads and such. Is he just not good at this? He seems willing to be physical and mix it up as I remember. I liked that quality in his game quite a bit.

Thumbs up.

I'd have to think it would be a major upset if Braxton makes this team.

We have some crazy good receivers on this team.. And while I"m all for the local kid doing well, I'm just not sure why he's here other than to take a look see.

Possibly we would want him on our practice squad and he can play Lamar in our Scout team on Ravens week?

Does he even qualify to be on the PS

No. He has two accrued seasons; you have to have zero accrued seasons to be eligible.

Churning the bottom of the roster.
Barring injuries & suspensions, there is little chance at all that a player signed to this roster this late will be part of the 53 come Week 1.

When the rules changed last year, they allowed for 4 of the 10 practice squad players to have 2 accrued seasons of service.

NFL Practice Squad 2018: Eligibility, pay, rules and everything to know - Cincy Jungle
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/9/1/178...ms-what-to-know

Not all players are eligible for a practice squad, especially if they’ve been in the NFL for several years and/or played in a number of games. In 2016, the NFL adopted a modification to the practice squad rules that allows up to four players per practice squad to have two accrued seasons, making it easier for teams to have experienced players on their practice squad. In the previous agreement, only two players with two accrued seasons were allowed to be on a practice squad.

Other than those four players, eligibility is limited to players who have been on an active roster for fewer than six games, or were on a 46-man active gameday roster for fewer than nine games.

A player is allowed on the practice squad for up to two years, with one year counting as six weeks in a season. A third year on the practice squad is only allowed if the team keeps 53 players on their active roster at all times (which every team does).

Oh!

Well, that is news to me. Interesting.