Just starting it.

For those like me that don't know what a David Blough is, he's apparently a QB.

David Blough, QB. Camp arm or possible third stringer?

Jamie Gillan 'Scottish Hammer' Punter: tweet video said he's booming 80 yarders? And popped four NFL footballs working out for the draft? lol, I'd say he has the leg anyway.

This might help.

Blough may be a good camp dude

https://expo.cleveland.com/sports/g66l-2...ve-updates.html

Follow along with this post as we provide the latest reports from around the Internet about which UDFAs will join the Browns. The team will make these signing official in the days to come.

He may be the #2 QB:

We actually had Jamie Gillan in for an official visit.

Here's ESPN's top 25 available UDFA:

1 Gerald Willis III UM

2 Emanuel Hall Missouri WR

3 Te'Von Coney Notre Dame ILB

4 Tyree Jackson Buffalo QB

5 Terrill Hanks New Mexico State ILB

6 Mitch Hyatt Clemson OT

7 Penny Hart Georgia State WR

8 Ryan Bates Penn State OT

9 Preston Williams Colorado State WR

10 Nate Herbig Stanford OG

11 Anthony Johnson Buffalo WR

12 Terez Hall Missouri OLB

13 Beau Benzschawel Wisconsin OG

14 Saivion Smith Alabama CB

15 Jonathan Ledbetter Georgia DE

16 B.J. Autry Jacksonville State OG

17 Hamp Cheevers Boston College CB

18 Paul Adams Missouri OT

19 Evan Worthington Colorado S

20 Wyatt Ray Boston College DE

21 T.J. Edwards Wisconsin ILB

22 Derrek Thomas Baylor CB

23 Lukas Denis Boston College S

24 Dax Raymond Utah State TE

25 Andrew Wingard Wyoming S

http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/bestavailable/_/position/ovr

Coney would be nice

Would love to pick up TJ Edwards

What is the deal with Gerald Willis III?

I realize there have been some bumps in the road with him at Miami, but something is not adding up here.

hmm possible FB

220# sounds a little light for a FB.

Would love to see Hyatt or Adams at OT, LJ Scott at RB, Stanley Morgan JR at WR, Daniel Wise at DT, and Ray at DE

I was trying to keep an eye on Trace McSorely for maybe the 7th round pick or as UDFA, but somebody must have drafted him. I'd check, but I'm feeling lazy ...

He is a better passer than Jackson right now ...

Feh! He's a bum.

wyatt ray?

His grandfather was Nat "King" Cole. That alone is enough reason to bring him into camp.

Trace McSorley.

He signed with the Ravens = He's a bum.

CLEVELAND BROWNS
Arkansas Pine-Bluff P Jamie Gillan

Purdue QB David Blough

Saint Francis DB Jermaine Ponder

Pitt RB Darrin Hall

Oklahoma State DL Jarrell Owens

Boston College EDGE Wyatt Ray

Kentucky WR Dorian Bak

https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/2019-nfl-draft-undrafted-free-agency-tracker

Isaiah Mack, DT, UT-Chattanooga might be a guy worth checking out. Supposedly we had scouts at his pro day.

Link

hmm a punter

CLEVELAND BROWNS
Arkansas Pine-Bluff P Jamie Gillan

Purdue QB David Blough

Saint Francis DB Jermaine Ponder

Pitt RB Darrin Hall

Oklahoma State DL Jarrell Owens

Boston College EDGE Wyatt Ray

Kentucky WR Dorian Baker

Queens WR Chris Osei-Kusi

Still not sure why we drafted a kicker, then go for one in FA??

we must really hate Joseph lol

The kid is a punter that we picked up as a udfa

CLEVELAND BROWNS
Arkansas Pine-Bluff P Jamie Gillan

Purdue QB David Blough

Saint Francis DB Jermaine Ponder

Pitt RB Darrin Hall

Oklahoma State DL Jarrell Owens

Boston College EDGE Wyatt Ray

Kentucky WR Dorian Baker

Nebraska LB Dedrick Young

Arizona State EDGE Dougladson Subtyl

Queens WR Chris Osei-Kusi

https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/2019-nfl-draft-undrafted-free-agency-tracker

yeah, i thought just a P

Wyatt Ray is a nice signing, I expected him to go late in the draft...We can really use a rusher to spell Myles and Vernon...He'll at least stir up some competition and maybe land a spot on the practice squad or roster.

Wonder if they look at Zedrick Woods at S...specially after he ran that amazing 40 at the combine.

CLEVELAND BROWNS
Arkansas Pine-Bluff P Jamie Gillan

Purdue QB David Blough

Saint Francis DB Jermaine Ponder

Pitt RB Darrin Hall

Oklahoma State DL Jarrell Owens

Princeton TE Stephen Carlson

Boston College EDGE Wyatt Ray

Miami RB Trayone "Choc" Gray

Kentucky WR Dorian Baker

Nebraska LB Dedrick Young

Arizona State EDGE Dougladson Subtyl

Queens WR Chris Osei-Kusi

https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/2019-nfl-draft-undrafted-free-agency-tracker

Iseoluwapo Jegede, DL, Valdosta State another interesting possibility.

CLEVELAND BROWNS
Arkansas Pine-Bluff P Jamie Gillan

Purdue QB David Blough

St. Norbert K Spenser Thompson-Meyers (All-Conference)

Saint Francis DB Jermaine Ponder

Pitt RB Darrin Hall

Oklahoma State DL Jarrell Owens

Princeton TE Stephen Carlson

Boston College EDGE Wyatt Ray

Miami RB Trayone "Choc" Gray

Kentucky WR Dorian Baker

Nebraska LB Dedrick Young

Arizona State EDGE Dougladson Subtyl

Queens WR Chris Osei-Kusi

Subtyl is another name to watch

thanks, there he is

Yes, I know. We could have picked up a kicker the same way.

Gerald Willis signs with Baltimore

Turns out we did. Grateful just posted it.

Louisville WR Jaylen Smith – Lamar Jackson’s onetime star target – is signing with … the #Ravens, source said. Chemistry shouldn't be a problem.

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1122291486673051649

so many defensive players lol

S Bo Brooks, Missouri S&T - Browns mini camp

maybe Devalve's replacement ... we need one more TE

CLEVELAND BROWNS
Arkansas Pine-Bluff P Jamie Gillan

Purdue QB David Blough

St. Norbert K Spenser Thompson-Meyers (All-Conference)

Saint Francis DB Jermaine Ponder

Pitt RB Darrin Hall

Idaho State OL Brian Fineanganofo

Oklahoma State DL Jarrell Owens

Princeton TE Stephen Carlson

Boston College EDGE Wyatt Ray

Miami RB Trayone "Choc" Gray

Kentucky WR Dorian Baker

Nebraska LB Dedrick Young

Arizona State EDGE Dougladson Subtyl

Queens WR Chris Osei-Kusi

https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/2019-nfl-draft-undrafted-free-agency-tracker

there he is

lol isn't that the character from Anchor Man

Welp, something’s up with Gerald Willis to drop straight out of the draft considering a lot of people were seemingly upset we didn’t draft him at different stages.

This is about the best I could find regarding the slide, though it seems excessive considering others with troubles got drafted. If he wouldn't signed with any team but an AFCN rival, I'd root him on. Not now

"He transferred to UM after his 2014 freshman season at Florida, where he was dismissed. Among his documented episodes at UF, Willis had a physical altercaton with former reserve quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg over a pair of cleats and was penalized for a cheap-shot push in the facemask of Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston while Willis was standing on the sideline and not in the game.

Willis was suspended more than once at UM, then took a leave of absence from playing in 2017, instead practicing on the scout team while he got his life in order. He made life hell for the offensive scout teamers, who couldn’t come close to blocking him.

Then, in 2018, he did everything right, becoming a team leader on and off the field and gaining the respect, almost adoration, of his teammates and coaches. He was always respectful, kind and willing to answer any questions in his dealings with the UM media from Day One."

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article229583589.html

I can't wait to see David Blough battle in TC. Think he'll get reps with the 1s?

Stephen Carlson, TE, Princeton. Like we don't have enough Ivy League TEs.

Is Colquitt due for re-signing? He might be getting pricey for a punter.

GC. The Browns signed a WR with the last name Baker,

Oh that'd be interesting.

Maybe it's Seth DeValves' year to break out and get used more often.
I think it's a strength to have all 3 TE's back for once, if you can't find a clear upgrade or star in the go-a-round.

Subtyl's highlights are interesting. I don't know that I've ever seen a big DLineman consistently be the first one down the field on special teams.

I'll tell you what, that is impressive...He splits those double teams on special teams, and they can't clear him because of his size. His effort and motor look really good...They also seem to trust him dabbling in coverage, which should help him. Not bad at all for a UDFA

Hassell is a LB/SS hybrid.

OFFENSE

QB David Blough - Purdue - 6-1, 205 lbs. (Source)
RB Darrin Hall - Pittsburgh - 5-11, 225 lbs. (Source)
RB Trayone Gray - Miami - 6-2, 240 lbs. (Source) TRYOUT
WR Dorian Baker - Kentucky - 6-2, 206 lbs. (Source)
WR Chris Osei-Kusi - Queens - 6-2, 197 lbs. (Source) TRYOUT
WR D.J. Montgomery - Austin Peay - 6-1, 201 lbs. (Source) TRYOUT
TE Stephen Carlson - Princeton - 6-4, 240 lbs. (Source)
TE Mavin Saunders - Kansas - 6-4, 236 lbs. (Source) TRYOUT
OT Brian Fineanganofo - Idaho State - 6-6, 295 lbs. (Source)
DEFENSE

DL Dougladson Subtyl - Arizona State - 6-5, 251 lbs. (Source) TRYOUT
DT Gary Moore - Minnesota - 6-3, 304 lbs. (Source) TRYOUT
EDGE Wyatt Ray - Boston College - 6-3, 257 lbs. (Source)
EDGE Jarrell Owens - Oklahoma State - 6-3, 262 lbs. (Source)
LB Dedrick Young - Nebraska - 6-0, 233 lbs. (Source)
LB Willie Harvey - Iowa State - 5-11, 226 lbs. (Source) TRYOUT
S Jermaine Ponder - St. Francis - 6-1, 197 lbs. (Source)
S Bo Brooks - Missouri S&T - 6-2, 209 lbs. (Source) TRYOUT
SPECIAL TEAMS

K Spenser Thompson-Meyers - St. Norbert - 6-1, 195 lbs. (Source) TRYOUT
P Jamie Gillan - Arkansas Pine-Bluff - 6-2, 200 lbs. (Source)

https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2019/4/27/...portedly-signed

"With attributes that many would kill for, Gray is a weapon that has yet to be truly unleashed on the college football stage. According to teammate DeeJay Dallas, “He’s the strongest in [the running back] room, one of the fastest in our room. He might not look fast, but he is fast. He’s like 240, like a Mack truck. He’s like a Mack truck with a Ferrari engine.”

'choc' Gray Miami Hurricanes 2018 Senior Profile: RB/FB Trayone ‘Choc’ Gray

As information becomes available including the rating of some of his measurables that have probably caused Willis to go undrafted. Obviously, something did cause his fall.

My angst about interior D Line is that it became a glaring deficiency throughout the season last year. The team put a bandaid on it with the likes of Carl Davis, Billy Price, and Deveroe Lawrence. It got only marginally better. I am concerned that one competent addition, namely Richarson, won't completely solve the problem. With all of the talk from the organization about creating competition throughout the roster, this is an area that has been conspicuously ignored. That has continued into this UDFA period. Dorsey must know something that I do not. When it becomes apparent what that is, I'll stop chirping about it. But not until then.

LB Dedrick Young: rated as a priority free agent. But Young (6-1, 223) may have raised his profile Thursday after running under 4.5 seconds in the 40 with 27 bench press reps and a 37-inch vertical jump, according to Pauline. Young started 43 out of 50 games at Nebraska and finished with 273 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and 13 passes defensed.

I wonder what would happen if he blew up a ball in a game and a flat chunk of shell flopped to the ground 15 feet away? Would there be some sort of do over or would it be a 15 foot punt?

Just curious, is this guys last name pronounced the same as the word subtle with a silent 'b'?

Not making a point, just listing the results of some quick research.

DT listed on the Browns roster; Trevon Coley, Carl Davis, Daniel Ekuale, Devaroe Lawrence, Larry Ogunjobi, Brian Price, and Sheldon Richardson.

NFL . Com's list of available FA at DT; Corey Liuget, Cassius Marsh, Ndamukong Suh, Brent Urban, and Muhammad Wilkerson.

NFL . Com's list of undrafted rookie FA;
Defensive tackles

1. Gerald Willis, Miami (UPDATE: Signing with the Baltimore Ravens, per Pelissero)
2. Ricky Walker, Virginia Tech
3. Albert Huggins, Clemson
4. Kevin Givens, Penn State
5. Freedom Akinmoladun, Nebraska
6. Javier Edwards, Colorado (UPDATE: Signing with the Houston Texans, Rapoport reports)
7. Daniel Wise, Kansas
8. Youhanna Ghaifan, Wyoming
9. Jay-Tee Tiuli, Eastern Washington
10. Khairi Clark, Florida
11. Shy Tuttle, Tennessee
12. Marquise Copeland, Cincinnati
13. Johnny Dwight, Alabama
14. Ryan Bee, Marshall
15. Olive Sagapolu, Wisconsin
16. Chris Nelson, Texas (UPDATE: Agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced)
17. Bryan Mone, Michigan
18. Terrence Alexander, LSU
19. Iseoluwapo Jegede, Valdosta St.
20. Kenny Bigelow Jr., West Virginia
21. Kevin Wilkins, Rutgers
22. Darrion Daniels, Oklahoma St.
23. Jalen Dalton, North Carolina
24. Miles Brown, Wofford
25. Desmond Branch, Georgia Tech

Wise, Copeland and Willis are potential 3Ts we could bring in.

Somebody wrote that Willis signed with Baltimore. I definitely think Copeland and Wise should get a look. I probably add Ghaifan to that list.

Good question. I have no idea but would like to know myself.

This clip contains the pronunciation.

I think health played a factor last year. Coley got dinged up early and played through it at less than 100%. Hard for a 300 pounder's ankle to heal while playing on it. It also seems like they have a lot of faith in Chad Thomas.

I would have liked to see someone added, too. There could be reasons they didn't, though.

Wise went to the Cowboys.

I believe it would be a 5 yard punt. The NFL does not want its balls exploded. Its frowned upon in this establishment.

Liked the signing of Blough. Another Baker-lite, like Minchew. Bet he becomes the backup and not Gilbert.

BD, I do vaguely remember Coley having an ankle injury. It must have been during TC that's why my memory of it is hazy. That could explain why he was not as effective last year as he was in '17. But it did expose our interior DL depth problem because we had to re-shuffle the whole unit and still didn't solve the run defense.

Considering where Dorsey has placed roster building attention maybe they feel the problem was more LB play than DL play. Maybe they think they can get more run support with Burnett in the box. Time will tell.

Darrin Hall

Subtyl is a guy I've said to watch for

and, yes, it's pronounced SUH-tull I believe

It's Haitian. The end sounded like teal when I heard it.

That could be

We gotta get these guys! Sorry, got carried away LOL

Hope season starts soon. Pumped up!

This must be where spontaneous combustion comes from.

Unleash these Elves in The Land!

I know coach gattuso .. good guy!

For the first time in a very long time we don't "have" to get these guys Or roster is pretty good. Sure we still have a hole or two and can always use more depth. But in general I am quite happy with the roster. Never thought I'd live to see a day when the roster wasn't a huge concern. A lot of these guys couldn't make our team now. Dorsey has done one hell of a job. And I have to give some credit to Sashi as well. He set the Brown up with a lot of picks and cap room, which made the job one Dorsey would consider... Now, we need to lock Dorsey up for a good LONG extension!!!

Rookie Minicamp invitations (subject to change should player sign with another team):

Idaho State RB James Madison – (school announced via Twitter)

Miami (Fla) RB Trayone Gray – (player confirmed via Twitter)

Queens (Canada) WR Chris Osei-Kusi – (school confirmed via Twitter)

Austin Peay WR D.J. Montgomery – (school confirmed via Twitter)

Kansas TE Mavin Saunders – (player announced via Twitter)

Arizona State DL Dougladson Subtyl – (school announced via Twitter)

Arizona State LS Nick Reinhardt – (school announced via Twitter)

Minnesota DT Gary Moore – (school announced via Twitter)

Iowa State LB Willie Harvey – (Dylan Montz/Ames Tribune)

Missouri S&T S Bo Brooks – (Aaron Wilson/Houston Chronicle)

St. Norbert K Spenser Thompson-Meyers – (Aaron Wilson/Houston Chronicle)

Western Michigan TE Odell Miller (school announcement via release)

Akron LB Brian Bell – (Aaron Wilson/Houston Chronicle)

Florida Tech S JT Hassell – (school announced via Twitter)

Carthage S Amani Dennis – (player announced via Twitter)

Utah State S Jontrell Rocquemore – (Jason Walker/Utah Statesman)

Charleston CB Jonte Pooler – (school announced via Twitter)

https://923thefan.radio.com/articles/cleveland-browns-2019-undrafted-rookie-free-agents

Bo Brooks kind of has a Pat Tillman thing going on.

link

I love that we signed a kid named Odell Miller as a developmental OL. Heck, maybe we wind up with 2 Odells on the roster. How cool would that be?

Darrin Hall is kind of Chubb-lite. Sticks his foot in the ground and goes. Surprising speed and burst for a "big" back. You can see him pull away from Thornhill in the Virginia game. Pretty good at reading blocks at the line of scrimmage, but less good at setting them up in the open field. Not the biggest creator on his own, but give him a place to go and he'll blast through it. Can catch the ball cleanly, but not the most dynamic in the passing game. Needs to improve in pass pro, he's a little too passive. Not unwilling really, just lets the defender come to him rather than stepping up to meet him and can get overpowered when he probably shouldn't be. He has the size and strength and awareness (it appears so) to be good there.

Did benefit some from an OL that got a lot of movement at the point of attack. Unfortunately for him it was a bit of feast or famine. While they opened some nice holes, they also gave up a lot of penetration. While guys will bounce off him once he's going, he's not one to make people miss before he gets going.

Has a chance to be something. Also a (smaller) chance to look like Trent Richardson. He seems to have the right approach and attitude from what I can tell from interviews. The having lots of big holes to run through is what makes me worry about TRich, though I'm not sure if it's really very valid.

Hmmmmm, something doesn't add up.

Why?

If 495k is the minimum, a 4 yr contract for less than 1.98 million wouldn't seem to work.

So we signed Hall to 4 years LOL?

Has to be 3 years.

hmm thanks

Thanks for posting the Joshua Allen video..

Outside of the experience, I don't see the need to keep Morgan Burnett.

I'd prefer Murray start at SS, and mix in the rooks. And based on their play, split time accordingly, ie how we did with Peppers and Kindred

We will see but I don't think he will be "REPLACED" by a UDFA TE.

I would love to see Devalve as our H-back/FB

I would like to make a note. Blough is not just a camp arm. The kid I think will stick and be our 3rd QB. He's got that Phillip Rivers push throw. Very accurate and love his throws against his momentum as well as on the run all over has a good sense when to run and when to pass.

Good backup to Baker.

Brought in the scottish punter.

We got camp kickers and punters so that our starting kicking do not have tired legs.

Punting will be interesting considering we drafted a Kicker who can punt as well.

The rest if they can make the team on special teams great if not good camp kids

But one thing looks consistent...they are football players!

jmho Great job by our scouting department Dorsey really can handle personnel.

He's a guy I vaguely remember liking and mentioning early in the draft process.

hmm i'll look him up

Browns give Stow High School graduate Jonte Pooler chance to live ‘childhood dream’
https://www.ohio.com/sports/20190501/bro...childhood-dream


Jonte Pooler got the gift he wanted on his 23rd birthday.

His agent, Tyrone Barnes, called him Saturday night after the NFL Draft and told him one team had extended an invitation to try out at its rookie minicamp. The team was Pooler’s hometown Browns.

“It was my childhood dream to play for them,” Pooler, an Akron native and Stow High School graduate, said Wednesday by phone. “I’ve really wanted to talk it into existence for years.”

Pooler is scheduled to report Thursday to Browns headquarters in Berea. He’ll join 30 or so tryout players, the undrafted free agents the team plans to sign and its 2019 draft class. The minicamp practices are slated to run Friday through Sunday.

It’s a coveted opportunity for the cornerback who spent the past five years at the University of Charleston, a Division II school in West Virginia.

Pooler, 6-foot and about 185 pounds, isn’t taking it lightly, either. He’s been scouting wide receivers he’s heard will attend the minicamp.

“I’ve watched some film on them just to get a little bit of knowledge on them before I go in there ’cause I’ll have a better chance of slowing them down, stopping them,” said Pooler, who finished his career at Charleston with 113 tackles, including five for loss, 35 pass breakups, five interceptions and two forced fumbles.

“Everybody’s physical at the next level. Everybody can run and jump. I just try to work on my mental game and separate myself from anybody else and what they’re trying to do.”

The rookie minicamp won’t be Pooler’s first chance to impress the Browns.

He participated in their local pro day on April 12 and received compliments from director of college scouting Steve Malin and scout Max Paulus, both of whom told him they would be in touch.

“I felt good about the Browns, and it was crazy because that’s my favorite team, and that’s the one team that I really wanted to go to if I had a chance,” Pooler said.

It can be difficult to garner attention from NFL teams at a small school like Charleston, but Pooler received some help from a couple of his teammates.

Barberton High School graduate John Cominsky became a standout defensive end and attracted scouts to practices the past couple of seasons. He became the first Charleston player to be drafted since 1951 when the Atlanta Falcons picked him Saturday in the fourth round (No. 135 overall). Another Charleston defensive end, Kahzin Daniels, received an undrafted free-agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Getting in front of the scouts anytime I could, even if they were there for John or Kahz, it was still a good opportunity for me,” Pooler said. “I got to talk to a couple of teams then. Nothing really serious, but it definitely helped expose me as much as possible during that time.”

Coming out of high school, Pooler’s lone Division I scholarship offer was pulled by Kent State and given to another recruit. He chose Charleston over Mount Union and redshirted his first year. When he played as a redshirt freshman, he suffered a torn labrum and had shoulder surgery. The injury interfered with his sophomore season, too.

“I just didn’t think I was physically ready,” he said. “So I had to take the weight room more seriously than I had been.”

Pooler became a regular in the lineup the past two seasons. He earned second-team All-Mountain East Conference honors last year as a senior. He posted a time of 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash this spring while working out at Shepherd University’s pro day.

It has all led Pooler from off the NFL’s radar to an audition with the Browns, and he’s feeling good about his chances to hold his own against better-known prospects while attempting to earn a contract.

“I’m confident in my abilities against anybody,” he said. “I will never say I can’t do anything that somebody else can. I mean, it’s great that they went to Ohio State or a big school. I wish I could’ve went to a school like that, but now we’re in the same position, so really I’m not worried about what school or what status. We’re on the same field now. We’re in the same opportunity, and I’m here to do what I have to do to make the team.”

The Cleveland Browns have signed 15 undrafted free agents. Additionally, the club waived LB D’Juan Hines and DE Lenny Jones (injury settlement).

The group of undrafted free agents is made of eight offensive players, six defensive players and a specialist. The positions include three offensive linemen and a pair of wide receivers, defensive linemen, defensive backs and linebackers. The team also signed a running back, quarterback, tight end and punter. Rookie minicamp will run from Friday to Sunday.

Table inside Article
Name Pos Ht Wt College Hometown
Dorian Baker WR 6-3 213 Kentucky Cleveland Heights, Ohio
David Blough QB 6-0 200 Purdue Carrollton, Texas
Stephen Carlson TE 6-4 240 Princeton Jamestown, N.Y.
Brian Fineanganofo T 6-6 304 Idaho State Los Angeles, Calif.
Jamie Gillan P 6-1 207 Arkansas Pine-Bluff Leonardtown, Md.
Darrin Hall RB 6-0 217 Pittsburgh Youngstown, Ohio
J.T. Hassell S 5-11 200 Florida Tech Titusville, Fla.
DJ Montgomery WR 6-1 201 Austin Peay Durant, Miss.
Jarrell Owens DE 6-3 262 Oklahoma State Palestine, Texas
Jermaine Ponder CB 6-1 195 Saint Francis (Pa.) Rochester, N.Y.
Wyatt Ray DE 6-3 257 Boston College Boca Raton, Fla.
Anthony Stubbs LB 6-0 220 Prairie View A&M Millville, N.J.
Trevon Tate C 6-3 306 Memphis Houston, Texas
Willie Wright C 6-3 300 Tulsa Houston, Texas
Dedrick Young II LB 6-0 233 Nebraska Peoria, Ariz.

https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/bro...medium=referral

OFFENSE
QB David Blough - Purdue - 6-0, 200 lbs.
RB Darrin Hall - Pittsburgh - 6-0, 217 lbs.
WR Dorian Baker - Kentucky - 6-3, 213 lbs.
WR D.J. Montgomery - Austin Peay - 6-1, 201 lbs.
TE Stephen Carlson - Princeton - 6-4, 240 lbs.
OT Brian Fineanganofo - Idaho State - 6-6, 304 lbs.
C Trevon Tate - Memphis - 6-3, 306 lbs.
C Willie Wright - Tulsa - 6-3, 300 lbs.

DEFENSE
DE Wyatt Ray - Boston College - 6-3, 257 lbs.
DE Jarrell Owens - Oklahoma State - 6-3, 262 lbs.
LB Anthony Stubbs - Prairie View A&M - 6-0, 220 lbs.
LB Dedrick Young II - Nebraska - 6-0, 233 lbs.
CB Jermaine Ponder - Saint Francis (Pa.) - 6-1, 195 lbs.
S J.T. Hassell - Florida Tech - 5-11, 200 lbs.

SPECIAL TEAMS
P Jamie Gillan - Arkansas Pine-Bluff - 6-1, 207 lbs.

Darrin Hall is an interesting guy if we move Duke. He's also a Youngstown kid. (even though it was Fitch)

Yeah, Hall is someone I've been intrigued with too

Trevon Tate is interesting to me. His testing wasn't great, but he moves well on tape. I could see him being an asset on kick returns. He set up so many of Memphis' long runs by getting to the second level.

Dorian Baker's mom is a coworker of mine. Given that he is a WR, his chances of making the 53 are probably slim, but I'm excited for him and his chance to put down some good film, maybe make the practice squad.

Wasn't he their LT? Interesting that we list him @OC.

I think that we brought in some possible gems as UDFAs'...

DEs' Wyatt Ray  & Jarrell Owens
both have untapped potential imo.

--Owens ran a 4.68 :40 w/39" vertical, and 22 reps on the bench, at his pro-day. He looks like a strong side DE, if his potential can be tapped by coaching.

--Ray often times looked to be the better DE over Allen on tape, minus Allen's strength as a bull rusher, Ray is more finesse as a pass rusher, and probably a better fit on the weak side.

--QB David Blough's 66% accuracy last season and 25 TDs' to 10 ints' ... I like him as a developmental 3rd QB.
The other two veteran's can battle for the backup role.

--J.T. Hassell is a UDFA version of Peppers who was used outside of his position in College, but with a 4.38 :40 time, he has the speed to make the transition to SS.

Just to name a few...

https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2019/5/3/18528860/browns-trying-out-30-players-at-rookie-minicamp

The Cleveland Browns released a list today of the 30 players who are participating in rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. This is in addition to 28 other players who are there between the team’s draft picks, undrafted free agents who were signed to the 90-man roster, and some first-year players who are already on the Browns’ roster.

If the team wants to sign more than two of the players participating on a tryout basis, they will have to waive a few of their other players.

Tryout Players at Browns Rookie Minicamp
Pos Name Ht Wt College
QB Justice Hansen 6-2 220 Arkansas State
RB James Madison 5-10 215 Idaho State
RB Jacques Patrick 6-2 226 Florida State
RB/FB Trayone Gray 6-1 233 Miami (Fla.)
WR Chris Osei-Kusi 6-0 192 Queens (Canada)
WR Darrion Landry 6-0 186 Texas A&M Commerce
WR Kyrion Parker 6-2 207 Central Missouri State
TE Seth Hebert 6-3 236 Central Missouri State
TE Ravian Pierce 6-2 247 Syracuse
TE Mavin Saunders 6-4 236 Kansas
TE Evan Wick 6-3 242 East Tennessee State
OT Travis Vornkahl 6-5 286 West Texas A&M
OT Keenan Walker 6-6 300 Independence JC
OG Carlos Johnson 6-3 342 Middle Tennessee State
OG Odell Miller 6-3 301 Western Michigan
DT Stone Hart 6-2 306 Harvard
DT Gary Moore 6-2 305 Minnesota
DT Deyon Sizer 6-2 279 Colo. St. Pueblo
DE Stefen Banks 6-1 238 Savannah St.
DE Walter Brady 6-2 264 Akron
DE Doug Subtyl 6-2 260 Arizona State
LB Brian Bell 6-2 227 Akron
LB Willie Harvey 5-11 229 Iowa State
LB James Nachtigal 6-0 226 Army
LB Peyton Pelluer 6-0 228 Washington State
CB Jhavonte Dean 6-1 185 Miami (Fla.)
CB Jonte Pooler 5-10 178 Charleston (W. Va.)
CB Amani Dennis 5-10 170 Carthage
S Jontrell Rocquemore 6-1 207 Utah State
S Bo Brooks 6-0 211 Missouri S&T
S Aaron Wade 6-0 202 Utah State
S Josh Allen 5-11 204 Miami (Ohio)
K Spenser Thompson-Meyers 6-0 195 St. Norbert
LS Nick Reinhardt 6-0 244 Arizona

There's one for the all name team.

Stone Hart, I'm guessing he's not very nice.

Fitch ROCKS

He did play LT for them the past 2 seasons. Good catch. I completely missed the center designation. Was too focused on the names.

He does have more of an interior body type. Tretter is in the last year of his contract, so trying to have a viable replacement would give us a bit of leverage in negotiations. At least wouldn't let his agent hold us over a barrel.

j/c...

All these UDFA and Tryout kids.

We are hoping to get maybe ONE that will compete for a starting job on our team.

We are hoping to bolster a couple of more kids that will improve the bottom of our barrel and make the team on ST and make that unit more strong.

There could be 1 possibly 2 that come out of this turning out to be legitimate football players and make a career.

I did see a lot of Local flavor in many of these kids. I can only ASSume that a kid's dream of playing for the Browns would put in such a "RUDY" effort that could possibly elevate many others. Having 10 or so many can change the entire attitude of the rookies working out.

All the best and hope we got a dark horse candidate out of these additions!

jmho - remember when we would get excited about a UDFA signing as if they will turn our entire TEAM AROUND

I like this kid. I hope he does well, whether with the Browns or another team. Cool story.

The legend of the Scottish Hammer precedes punting prospect Jamie Gillan to Browns rookie camp

http://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland/post/...wns-rookie-camp

Jamie Gillan was a legend before he earned a free-agent contract to Browns rookie camp.

Pony-tailed, speaks with a Scottish brogue, can punt the ball 70 yards left-footed either stationary or moving rugby style, literally kicked the air out of three footballs training on his own, nicknamed “the Scottish Hammer,” earned a scholarship at Arkansas-Pine Bluff through a Facebook invitation without even knowing the state of Arkansas existed.

“Two months ago, nobody even knew my name,” Gillan said. “I have the best representation in America [ISA Sports, founded by two students at Ohio Northern University].”

Gillan grew up in the Scottish Highlands and attended boarding schools while his father worked in the Royal Air Force as a navigator on anti-submarine aircraft, and was transferred to Leonardtown, MD, on the Chesapeake Bay.

Gillan rejoined his family after three years and played high school soccer and rugby. When he attended a football game and saw the field goal kicker shank the ball into his offensive lineman, Gillan volunteered for the job. He kicked in five games and the coach nicknamed him the Scottish Hammer.

So how did he end up at Arkansas-Pine Bluff?

Gillan was set to accept a scholarship to Bowie State in Maryland, and then learned of a scholarship opening at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He downloaded a video of himself kicking to the Facebook application and was offered a scholarship.

“Free weight room, free balls to kick, free food, so I’m happy,” Gillan said. “I’d never heard of the state of Arkansas in my life. On the plane, I pulled out a map and saw Pine Bluff and said, ‘This looks like a decent place.’”

At Arkansas, Gillan punted and place-kicked. In four years, he averaged 42.2 yards per punt. He also made 20 of 29 field goals last season with a long of 47 yards.

Gillan started to gain notice when he won the punting competition at the renowned Arizona Kicking Combine in March.

He also a big boost when NFL Network featured him on its morning show prior to the draft, comparing him to Seattle phenom Michael Dickson, the native of Australia who became the first punter in 35 years to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Prior to the draft, Gillan was notified of a tryout jointly arranged by the Browns and 49ers. Preparing for the tryout, Gillan said he bought four footballs and three of them deflated after one workout. The Browns and 49ers promptly sent him six apiece.

“It was like Christmas,” he said.

When Gillan went undrafted, 20 teams called to sign him, including the Patriots, whose coach Bill Belichick famously craves punters who are left-footed.

Gillan chose to sign with the Browns for a couple reasons.

“Mr. Priefer and Mr. Dorsey,” he said.

Mike Priefer, Browns new special teams coach, had similar expertise in the U.S. Navy as Gillan’s father – “So we had some conversations,” Gillan said. And John Dorsey, Browns GM, is a native of Leonardtown, MD, where Gillan’s family relocated.

Does Gillan have a chance to stick with the Browns?

“Wait ‘til you see the ball come off his foot,” Dorsey marveled.

The odds are small, for now. But what were the odds of a Scottish rugby player making it to an NFL rookie camp?

Browns veteran punter Britton Colquitt is coming off another typically strong season. But at 34, entering his 10th NFL season, Colquitt’s contract is out of guarantees, and that makes him vulnerable to the newest competitor.

Hell, yeah: Some observations from coach Freddie Kitchens …

* On cornerback Greedy Williams, who seemed to get his hands on more balls, including one interception, on his second practice:

“I think Greedy just needs to continue to get better, just like everybody else. Football is about one-on-one matchups in a team setting. Greedy needs to win his one-on-one matchups. When we’re playing man coverage, the person doesn’t need to catch the ball on Greedy. If balls are getting caught on Greedy, just like Denzel [Ward], it needs to be zone coverage.”

* On an apparent emphasis on special teams in the draft and in undrafted signings:

“The biggest change is we’re going to be better on special teams, I promise you that.”

* On the offensive linemen at the rookie camp, led by sixth-round tackle Drew Forbes of Southeast Missouri State:

“I’ll say this, this may be the best group, in this setting … minicamp, tryout guys, free agent guys … this is the best offensive line I’ve ever been a part of and I’ve been in the league 13 years. I’ve never seen a group collectively this good. We can actually function on offense. Sometimes in this camp setting that’s hard to do.”

Former Florida Tech Linebacker J.T. Hassell Signs Contract with Cleveland Browns

Darrin Hall went undrafted in the 2019 draft class.

Darrin Hall posted a Elite #RAS with Good size, Good speed, Okay explosiveness, Great agility at the RB position.
#Browns



https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1124997969898627072

The Scottish Hammer will be a training camp favorite for sure

Percent chance he beats out Colquitt?

Zero

50%

Being left-footed, with strong leg, significantly younger, and cheaper than Colquitt (who i think is good, especially dropping punts inside the 10) gives him a decent chance of winning the competition.

Yep Zero

I think it’s very low but I don’t think it’s zero.

The contract is a huge factor. He also predated John Dorsey.

Bottomline is that if he’s better he should stay.

Colquit could tear a hamstring

Nothing is 0%.

The pluses for the rook are that he is significantly younger than Colquitt, and has a much stronger leg. He also *could* be our punter for the next decade, whereas Colquitt might only have a year or 2 left.

I don't expect him to win the punt job, but I won't totally discount it either.

The main factors will be things like hang time, accuracy and placement.

Colquitt seems to be very good in all those departments. Placing the ball inside the 10 yard line and hang time is an essential part of being a punter.

I have no idea of how well Gillan can execute these things but so far we've only heard a lot about his power. That alone isn't the bar set for punters.

LB Willie Harvey 5-11 229 Iowa State

Any chance Willie could be a SS candidate?

Yeah he's slight for a LB

He's a 5 pound burrito away from being the same size as Devin Bush. *shrug*

Willie Harvey Draftscout Profile Link

Dates: 03/26/19
Hand: 10 1/8
Arm: 30 1/2
Wingspan: 76 3/8

Height: 5112
Weight: 229
40 Yrd Dash: 4.65
20 Yrd Dash: 2.64
10 Yrd Dash: 1.59
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 18
Vertical Jump: 34
Broad Jump: 10'0''
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.49
3-Cone Drill: 7.08

You're biased because of your screen name. kidding. I agree with your post. I'd say 25% right now, which is decent considering Colquitt's career

Meet the Scottish Hammer, Browns punter Jamie Gillan
Competition for both kicker spots will heat up soon enough
By Barry Shuck May 5, 2019, 10:33pm EDT

https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2019/5/5/18530545/meet-the-scottish-hammer-browns-punter-jamie-gillan

Everyone knows that the Browns have one of the best punters in the NFL with veteran Britton Colquitt who was named second alternate to the Pro Bowl last season.

And at kicker? That is where Cleveland has struggled in recent years.

The answer was supposed to be Zane Gonzalez who was drafted in the seventh-round of the 2017 NFL draft. Gonzalez broke the career record in college football for field goals with 96 and owns the record for most points with 468. But he struggled with the Browns. In the second game against the New Orleans Saints in 2018 he missed two FGs, two PATs and then missed the potential game-winner in the final seconds. The week before against the Pittsburgh Steelers, his final FG attempt was blocked. Ultimately, the Browns could have begun the season 2-0-0, but instead found themselves 0-1-1. The day after the Saints fiasco, Gonzalez was cut.

Cleveland then signed Greg Joseph, an undrafted rookie who had been cut in Miami Dolphins camp. Joseph completed the year going 17-20 on FGs and 25 of 29 PATs. The Browns seemed to want a bit more production out of their field goal team and drafted K Austin Seibert out of Oklahoma in the fifth-round of this year’s draft. Siebert shined at this year’s Senior Bowl. One of these two will become the franchise’s kicker this year.

Hammer Time
GM John Dorsey has placed an emphasis on making the special teams unit better this upcoming season. The Dallas Morning News ranks every NFL club’s special teams units annually, and last year ranked the 2018 Browns number 30 (of 32 teams).

Now that Dorsey has provided excellent competition at the kicker position, he looked at a battle at punter as well. Not that the Browns are unhappy with Colquitt. But when a professional athlete thinks that his job is on the line, many times that single player will elevate his game and get to another level he didn’t realize was inside of himself.

Years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs had future Hall of Fame Morten Andersen as their kicker. Management brought in a young buck by the name of Lawrence Tynes as camp fodder, but Tynes ended up winning the job from the highly-acclaimed veteran.


So with the kicker competition set, Dorsey brought in University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff punter Jamie Gillan as one of the team’s Top-30 player visits on April 10 to tour the facilities and have dinner. Next, he was signed to a training camp contract to compete for the starting job.

Who exactly is Gillan? Why is he the beholder of one of the most awesome nicknames “The Scottish Hammer.”

Gillan was born in England, but grew up in Scotland because his father is a member of the Royal Armed Forces. Equipped with a copious Scottish accent, that part of the nickname falls into place, but what about that “hammer” bit? His high school coach gave it to Gillan after he reeled off an 80-yard punt in a game.

Oh, and get this: Gillan (6’-2”, 207 pounds) attended the same Maryland high school as Dorsey.

The game of football is full of rugby-style punters these days, and yes, Gillan is a former soccer and rugby player. And because of this, he enjoys contact. He is also a kickoff specialist and enjoys contact there, too.

He came to the United States at age 16 after his father became employed at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Lexington Park, Maryland. As a former rugby player in England, he witnessed his very first American football game at his new high school. Although the game itself was foreign, the kicking aspects were not. After several games, Gillan told Leonardtown High School head coach Brian Woodburn that he could kick better than the horrible job their kicker was giving his team.

At a meeting set up with Woodburn the following day, the high school coach gave out instructions such as to boot a spiral, launch a punt end-over-end, torpedo style, kickoffs and then attempt some field goals. After beginning at close range, once he started nailing the longer FGs with consistency, all of the kicking functions with the squad were suddenly his.

He was playing soccer on the high school team at the same time, and on one particular Friday night finished a game with the varsity soccer team in early afternoon and then was rushed to the football field for that sport’s evening game.

The Rugby Star off to College
Gillan was courted by several NFL teams to sign as an undrafted free agent and ultimately chose the Browns. He also had a few colleges interested in him to kick from them out of high school. How he ended up at Arkansas Pine-Bluff has its own odd story. He explained it on the Houston Texans podcast “TexansWire” in April:

“I had actually been contacted by Boise State but didn’t sign any papers. A friend of mine was working for a gym and saw that Arkansas Pine-Bluff had posted on Facebook they were looking for a punter after their punter de-committed. My friend put my film on their website and they called me that night and offered me a full scholarship three weeks before camp. The way I approach life is attack every situation as it is being presented to you. I went home and told my mum and dad that I had accepted a scholarship with a school in Ar Kansas. Then we got out a map to find out where Ar Kansas was.”

Having played soccer all his life and then his devotion to the game of rugby definitely brought some kicking experience to the game of American football. But both of those sports have different styles of kicking, and sometimes off a tee which neither of the other sports even consider.

“The transition from soccer or rugby to football was weird. I was a rugby kid all around and just wanted to play rugby. I thought it was going to be simple as kicking a ball somewhere, but it is so much more with punting, kicking and kicking off a football. All of that I had to learn in college. Once I got to my sophomore year at APB I started to do some research about punters. The only thing I was missing was my flexibility at the time. And with the NFL teams that talked to me since graduating there was only a few tweaks. They actually like the way I have been doing it.”

Gillan just assumed his future would become as a professional rugby player. He loved the sport and loved the contact. In that game, more and more players are donning some sort of protective padding to areas such as elbows and knees, and recently even wearing headgear, but mostly the entire body is uncovered.

“Anyone was has played rugby with me knows that I have quite a fire inside me as far as tackling. I may not be the biggest guy on the field but I hit like I love it. And now with having to be on a certain diet and weight lifting, I am not the smallest guy on the field either. If push comes to shove and I have to make the hit - absolutely. I have a full football helmet on my head now. I have never had anyone return a kick for a touchdown in the four years I was in college. I will put my body on the line.”

At the 2019 Coach Zauner’s College Senior Combine held in March, Gillan was named the best punter. This link displays his highlights:

Colquitt vs. the Scottish Hammer

For comparisons, Gillan averaged 43.4 yards a kick for Arkansas Pine-Bluff, which is a D-1 school. Colquitt averaged 45.4 yards per punt last year and has a 45.5 career average over 10 seasons.

Colquitt is 34 years old while Gillan is 21.

Gillan had 27 drops inside the 20-yard line last year while Colquitt dropped 32 of 83 punts inside the 20 in 2018.

In 2018, Gillan was 20 of 29 FGs with a long of 52-yards, and was a four-year kickoff specialist. Colquitt just handles the punter position.

And Colquitt himself has booted a 79-yard punt in a game but has never been bequeathed with a cool kicker nickname.

Why the Browns?
After a solid showing at his pro day last month, he was contacted by 20 NFL clubs to sign as an undrafted free agent after the draft. He narrowed it down to the Browns and the San Francisco 49ers. Both clubs had sent FedEx packages of NFL footballs to him previously. He had four balls and literally destroyed three of them as each one was coming apart at the inner seams.

Both Cleveland and San Francisco gave him actual tryouts. He chose the Browns because of two things: special teams coach Mike Priefer, and Colquitt. Gillan knew of Colquitt’s experience, technique and fundamentals and if nothing else, could train from one of the league’s best while at the same time trying to display his job interview to the rest of the NFL coaches if Cleveland does not become his new home. Gillan developed a bond with Coach Priefer.

An unexpected injury has kept Gillan off the field during the rookie minicamp, but the Browns seem patient to wait and see what the Scottish Hammer can do once he is completely healthy and performs in actual preseason games.

I like Harvey's highlights.

Seems like he tackles well, makes good reads and sticks to his assignments (doesn't let PA fool him), and not bad in coverage.

He also has a knack for creating turnovers.

That was a good article, but a little misleading here. Gonzalez didn't struggle, he was INJURED. Convenient how they left that part out...

Colquitt is not a guy Dorsey brought in so its 50/50.

Browns sign 3 undrafted free agents

https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/bro...medium=referral

The Cleveland Browns have signed CB Jhavonte Dean, RB Trayone Gray and LB Willie Harvey. All three players participated in the Browns’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. Additionally, the team waived RB Darrin Hall, CB Ashton Lampkin and LB Xavier Woodson-Luster.

Dean is 6-1, 185 pounds and a product of Miami (Fla.). The rookie played in 25 games over two seasons as a Hurricane (2017-18), posting 28 tackles, five passes defensed and three interceptions. Prior to Miami, Dean played two seasons (2015-16) at Blinn College before transferring. He’s a native of Homestead, Fla.

Gray, also a Miami Hurricane, measures at 6-1, 233 pounds and played in 29 games during his four-year career at Miami (2014-15, 2017-18). He rushed 60 times for 294 yards and five scores. He grew up in Miami, Fla.

Harvey played in 49 contests at Iowa State from 2015-18, contributing 289 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and returned one interception for a touchdown. At 5-11, 230 pounds, Harvey received honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition three consecutive seasons from 2016-18 and played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in 2019. Raised in Hastings, Fla., Harvey finished his career at Iowa State ranked eighth in sacks in program history.

Absolutely.

Obviously, whether or not he has the leg is not a question - it's what he can do with it; how much control does he have?

If he can control the distance & direction on his kicks with whatever spin/English he wants, then Colquitt is out of a job.

A guy with enough leg to consistently drop the ball inside their 10 from our own 25 is worth his weight in gold.

Some REALLY nice plays in there. Kid might be something; at the least, he has the football ability to maybe start as a special teams contributor while getting his feet wet in a backup role.

Just wanted to show off my pick for "UDFA to make the team", Darrin Hall.

Looks like he may well be this year's Genard Avery.

He was cut.

Some bitch

https://923thefan.radio.com/articles/cleveland-browns-sign-three-rookie-minicamp-tryout-players

Link has players that were cut.

I geuss that we liked the Miami guy more.

Wow. Harvey looks legit.

I know, i know, the competition, small school, etc. SPEED and INSTINCTS don't lie. Looks like a guided missile on a highlight reel... I just wonder if he looks sadly "misguided" on a blooper reel.

Wow, that absolutely sucks!

I think it's a matter of Hall being too similar to RBs already on the team vs. Gray's projection as filling a blocking back roll.

That's one of the things I like about him. He looks a lot like Chubb on the field. If we want a new blocking back, we could have chopped Charles from the roster.

It seems like Charles and Gray will battle for that spot.

You posted that you liked Hall after he was waived... just FYI

Bad Timing

Yeah, PDawg pointed that out above. I have no idea how I missed it.

I'm thinking Gray is still around to soak up some of the FB reps on second team/whatever. Maybe a practice squad candidate. Doesn't look very fluid. Really gears down to cut. I'm not sure how well he lead blocks.

Hope there's something there and not just Highsmith's affinity for the U.

There is a hitch in the kiddie up *L*
LOL

He is also listed on the roster...

Link

I could see us keeping Colquitt and putting the rookie on the PS for a year. Unless someone else wants to make him their starter they can't claim him...

I think the Scottish kid got a little injury??? Not sure but thought I read that somewhere. If he cannot compete then he obviously will lose out.

Colquitt, Age shouldn't be a big factor with kickers although Punters are about strong legs and I think the kid has an Upper leg on that.

Colquitt, has a contract of around 3 mil and is in the top 10 for punters paid. Not a back breaking cap number but does come into the real of analytics. At what point to your part ways with a good 34 year old punter???

If the kid booms them consistently and proves himself in Preseason games. I think there is a good chance we will make that call and go with the young guy with the stronger leg.

As for being the holder. I'm sure the kid can do it... Gosh knows they have a lot of time to get it right regarding practice. But quite frankly I wish they would go back to the old practice of the Back Up QB being the holder. Fake FGs could be a threat??? Ex points no longer - wonder how that works if there is a miss snap I guess they got to go for the 2 point conversion from afar??? Still QBs are generally good athletes I get the time to be spent as the holder is more efficient for practicing with the Punter.

I don't mind the kid replacing Colquitt as long as that 100% means he can kick "BETTER" Longer and higher. Improves the ST unit.

jmho

Has good long arms (small hands) Hopefully he is nasty, as long as we fill up athletic OLmen who are nasty and have some quickness along with good feet. One or more will stick. Its looks like we are doing that. Not big oafs or bums. Good football players not from your common hunting grounds for NFL talent. But if we stay with a common denominator I think the odds of finding that talent that will stick is there.

The kid fits that mold we should carry 9-10 on the final roster.

jmho regarding our UDFA pick up of Brian Fineanganofo.

I really like this group of UDFA. I think that we have some guys with potential to be developed. I like that we do not ignore the OL too, but the days of keeping a developmental player on the roster for three or more years is going to become a thing of the past here with this FO imo.

I am thinking of a guys like Harrison. (And even Chad Thomas.)

If he they do not show some good progress, then we have others waiting in the wings, because we have not ignored our liabilities and depth.

We are going to have to cut some players (some unpopular decisions) that in years past we would have never thought of ... And like BB and NE, some veterans looking to be extended.

You have to waive them and have them clear waivers before you can sign them to the practice squad. Anyone that wants him can claim him.

The Hammer makes the team. He can kick all three positions. We will keep a kicker and punter, but the Hammer could allow us to go with a single kicker. Plus, it gives is a realistic option if somebody gets hurt in game.

j/c:

I think Colquit is a very good punter. I like his ability to place the ball close to the goal line. I also like that he has been proving he can be a good punter for years. Some guys look great in workouts and practice, but are duds in games. If we replace Colquit, we better be damn sure the new guy can handle the pressure of kicking in NFL games.

Actually, both Seibert and Gillas both kicked and punted in college. If it ends up they are the guys, each can be the other's injury backup.

Yep.

Agreed +1

He will be the Backup QB.

I dont even know what this means.

Lol!

You said what I was thinking. Now they're just putting up lines with numbers designed to look like charts with disconnected words and calling it "information", lol

Is it good or bad, whatever it is? Just nonsense stats if they don't make obvious sense? How do you validate the number's worth? Is there an average? A consequence for failing to reach, or worse, surpass the mean?

And, may the gods forbid, what if you don't have any? None at all. How do you fix that?

I would guess that it was plays that should have been turnovers by all rights.

He looks pretty fast for a fullback!

Pretty good read that explains it.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-pff-qb-grading-most-effective-tool-there-is

I see more of it now. Just odd.

Browns have signed LJ Scott

https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-sign-rb-l-j-scott

Colquitt has been consistently good in his career.
What we have to look at.

Age 34 probably has 2 good legs years left in him. Not like FG kickers...depth and height are big and I don't see the Punters lasting forever like FG kickers.

Contract - he is top 10 in paid but Punters in general don't really get much so we are talking 3 million for the 7th highest paid punter. In top 10 only one is older and that would be Raven's punter. So not talking about big cap hit.

Pretty much it comes down to this: Would the Scottish kid be a consistent upgrade on Colquitt. How much farther and Higher can he kick it. Height is a very big variable.

This I guess we will find out and it will not be difficult to view and doesn't not cost anything for looking at these variables and see what the Scottish kid brings to the table. He looks very athletic and I think he can get stronger with conditioning as well.

Obviously we have a good enough kicker so this isn't a desperate situation like our FG kicking is more apt to be thought of desperate. It won't be a tough decision. Either the kid is a stud or he is not. Only a Stud would upseat Colquitt and possibly an injury.

As we get into the playoff possibilities. And one and done post season games. Field position can be a big time variable, something we really didn't have to consider too much as a need not when we didn't have a good D or O...now it can be a difference maker. jmho

While trying to win every game, this team is also looking to develop cheap players who allow their salary structure to stay in balance.

I think that the new kid could take Colquitt's job, if he looks ready to do everything a punter needs to do. We need a Punter for this year, and 3 years from now. He probably won't make the practice squad.

If he looks good, I think we keep him, and try to trade Colquitt. That would definitely fit Dorsey's M/O.

I like Scott, he had a strong chance of getting drafted later into the draft. I know he never met the expectations, however he is someone that can spell Chubb in the power plays (provided he makes the team) the kid just needs to listen and work hard.

I like Scott quite a bit. He was very productive until his injury. I think he had a lingering ankle injury. He's a very good fit as an AFC North RB. Powerful between the tackles runner with vision and patience. A natural pass catcher. His college pass pro was above average. He'll need to elevate that part of his game simply because it's the NFL now. Runningback competition is going to be incredibly tough in TC.

Scott is another guy from the YTown area..... Hubbard, actually.

He had a ridiculously monstrous senior year in High School, rushing for almost 2800 yards and 28 TDs. Yeah, he was Mr. Potential Stud. His college career has been OK, but not special by comparison to other top guys. I like Hall a lot better than Scott, as far as YTown area guys go. We'll see how Scott does.

.@21WFMJSports Source close to LJ Scott tells me LJ has decided to not play football and has left the #Browns

@DanaBalash21

Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Well, so much for Mr. Scott. Like I said, I'd rather have kept Hall.

It'd be kind of strange if we ended up replacing D(uke) Johnson with D('ernest) Johnson.

His highlights look pretty nice: Lots of catches, a few throws, some nice jump cuts, stringing moves together, and rolling with contact.

Main thing he is missing is pure speed, and, while it's nice, it can be overrated.

Not saying he'll be great, but he looks worth a look.

But if another team claims him off waivers I believe he then has to stay on their active roster? I think that's right...

Not "stay" per say. But if a team claims a players contract on waivers they do have to release someone to make room at least temporarily (unless they are under the 53 man limited).
That team can later waive the player again though that rarely happens after a claim, at least not for a few weeks (gotta give the new guy a chance and all that).

That applies once practice squad rosters are set. The picked-up PS player must remain on new team's 53 for six weeks or so.

When a player is waived - from any roster (90/53/PS) - there is no stipulation placed upon new team. That is the danger when getting down to the 53. Existing team must waive players that they might/would like to put on their PS...but they must waive them first...and that opens up the player to any taker. Of course, existing team can also make a PS offer to the waived player.

I think it's a very bad rule. You sign a guy...train them... heal them up...see that they need more time...and you risk losing him to another team that could also put your guy on THIER (new team) practice squad.

A player has to clear waivers to be put on any practice squad, so if team A waives a player and team B claims him then he goes to team B's active roster, if team B then decides they want to put the player on their practice squad team B then has to waive the player also.

I believe that ANY waived player (who is eligible) can be signed directly to any practice squad once the practice squad exists for the season...whether that is during the season...or immediately after the cut down to 53.

correct. If the player clears waivers then any team can sign them to their practice squad, but usually the team that waives him will already have an agreement lined up before they waive the player and the player not wanting to be unemployed usually signs right away with that team. Now if a team waives a player but he gets claimed by another team that new team also has to waive the player before he can go on their practice squad.

Browns invited WR Darrion Landry back for veteran’s minicamp tomorrow

We are learning that Texas A&M University-Commerce wide receiver Darrion Landry will be returning to the Cleveland Browns tomorrow, this time invited back for their veterans mini-camp.

Landry really impressed the Browns staff at the rookie minicamp earlier last month.

Landry had limited playing time last season, appearing in eight of the team’s 12 games and catching seven passes for 66 yards. In his first season after transferring from Blinn College in 2017, he was a second-team All-Lone Star Conference selection, catching 42 passes for 649 yards and nine scores, the latter being good enough for fifth in the LSC.

Landry will be trying to make a Brown’s squad that has become one of the hotter destinations in football after the team’s turnaround season last year. Cleveland rebounded to a 7-8-1 record after going 1-31 the previous two seasons combined. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is entering his second year in the league and was a finalist for the NFL Rookie of the Year award.

https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2019/06/darrion-landry/

Love the prospects that our scouts due diligence produces.

Hope the kid makes it and is our #5. 6'3" is always nice to see.

OBJ
Landry (VG)
Calloway
Higgins
Landry #2

I would not mind this at all!
Good routes, Good hands, willing to do everything asked on the field. Each and every one (don't know about the last but can ASSume he would give his all)

If he does make it lets hope we don’t over pay him like we did his namesake .... ....

This is one tough WR room to crack .... best in the league and its not even close ....

How Sweet it is ....

VG#1 and VG#2?

Every good shop has a pair of Vice Grips...

it's what I tell my wife all the time

Cleveland Browns: 3 UDFAs who could make an impact
by Sayre Bedinger


The Cleveland Browns had a huge offseason, but did they find any diamonds in the rough after the 2019 NFL Draft? We take a look at three possible gems.
The Cleveland Browns had the best offseason of any team in the NFL.

Their trade for Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon with the New York Giants along with the free agent pickup of Sheldon Richardson were good enough to put them in the top five, but the signing of Kareem Hunt and drafting of Greedy Williams vaulted them to the top spot.

Of course, those moves are so likable because of the development of quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield looks like a star in the NFL already. He doesn’t seem like he’s going to have to take any significant lumps in terms of adjusting to the NFL game, which means the additions of guys like Beckham are actual enhancements for both players, not just throwing stuff at the wall to see what might stick.

We talked about the Browns’ stellar offseason on a recent episode of the NFL Mocks Podcast, which you can check out here:
https://nflmocks.com/2019/06/07/cleveland-browns-3-udfas-make-impact/

As great as the Browns’ offseason was, it’s easy for the draft picks and rookies in general to go unnoticed. How about the undrafted crop for this team?

The Browns certainly have star power, but they are still just two seasons removed from losing all 16 games, and winning just one game in two full seasons.

This roster was depleted, and needed to be completely re-shaped and re-tooled.

Therefore, undrafted players shouldn’t be counted out, and I have selected three who could end up being really interesting.

1. Wyatt Ray, EDGE, Boston College
Wyatt Ray took the step from ‘solid’ player in 2016-17 to one of Boston College’s best defensive players in 2018.

Although he is not a spectacular athlete off the edge, Ray is a productive player who notched 44 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks this past season for the Eagles.



He’s got solid length and strength off the edge and showed that with a very solid 25 bench press reps at the 2019 Scouting Combine.

The Browns will likely use Ray as a base end in their 4-3 defense and wisely so. He’s not really the type of athlete you want to put out in space a lot so even though he was considered a bit of a hybrid type of guy coming out, he’s going to play with his hand in the dirt for this team.

He can work with strength off the edge or stunt inside and use his power to his advantage, coming with a full head of steam at interior linemen to put inside pressure on quarterbacks.


2. DJ Montgomery, WR, Austin Peay
You don’t hear a whole lot about Austin Peay football, but DJ Montgomery put himself on the map with a big 2018 season and an outstanding pro day.

The 6-foot-1, 201 pound receiver ran a blazing 4.43 in the 40-yard dash with a 37-inch vertical jump and a wild 6.68 in the three-cone drill.

Those numbers would hold up well against any player at his position in this year’s draft, but what can this guy do on the football field?

After going the JUCO route to start his college career, he ended his Austin Peay career with 42 catches for 797 yards (19 per reception) and 10 touchdowns.

He’s the first in school history to reach double-digit touchdowns.

Montgomery is going to be a playmaker if the Browns are able to coach him up and develop him right. The tools are all there.


3.Brian Fineanganofo, OT, Idaho State
No pictures of Brian Fineanganofo exist in Getty Images database, so I chose a hilarious picture of a Browns fan from last year.

Fineanganofo was a starter for four years at Idaho State playing the left tackle position, and if you could describe him in one word, it would be ‘toolsy’.

He’s a 6-foot-6, 304-pound specimen who threw up 29 bench press reps at his pro day, impressing the Browns enough, obviously, to get a look in training camp on an offensive line that needs a backup left tackle behind Greg Robinson.

Down the line, perhaps a starting left tackle.

Off the cuff observation; Fineanganofo has shoulders broad enough that they won't have to scrunch the 13 letters of his name on his jersey.

Good to hear, or read. You don't get LTs from the UDFA but I guess after the First round the skill set for LT just does not exist...so maybe a undiscovered guy who seems to have the skill set of a LT might be the guy over a 3rd-6th round pick prospect.

Hope the kid progresses and makes the final roster.
jmho

You never know. Scouting isn't foolproof.

Joe Jacoby and Jason Peters were pretty good LT's who were UDFA's, and that is just off the top of my head. There has probably been a few others, but I get your point, the odds are long.

Agreed but we do have a lot of intriguing prospects behind our starters especially on the o-line. John Dorsey is doing his job leaving no stones unturned. Hope these players work out!!

Don't forget my other point which is hard to see due to message board communication.

I was thinking (out loud) the the guys in the draft are crutinized by all and just don't have the skill set. Speed good footwork, long arms after the first 2 rounds, anyone worth spit is GONE...then you got a lot of played LT but in NFL will be a guard hopefuls.

So then you get a kid not from the normal base of where you discover prospects from. And he has the size, speed, all the skill sets you would want for a LT that is usually seen with the early picks. And he is a UDFA...possibly a better shot at becoming a LT then the mid to late round picks (prospects).

Don't know this kid from squat, but if he makes the final roster that means he just is not looking like a LT on paper but on the field. Possible replacement for Robinson in the near future???

j/c...thought this was a good story, hope the kid makes it from special teams and depth!

https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/bor...ed-the-odds-fro

Stuff like this always makes me want to root for this guy... Like the guy that Seattle picked up last year with a missing hand. Ya gotta love it when it happens.

I think that we could add Dean and Hassell to that list too.

Brian Fineanganofo's path to success in the NFL

https://footballmaven.io/browns/browns-m...DUi2NVbRr9ASfQ/

by
Pete Smith
11 hrs
Cleveland Browns undrafted rookie Brian Fineanganofo has all the tools to be successful in the NFL, but the key for him will be maximizing his leg strength. The former Idaho State Bengal needs to learn how to drive his legs, so he can dish out punishment rather than take it.

I can't wait to watch the young offensive linemen for the Cleveland Browns put on the pads and compete in training camp and the preseason. One of the players they added that I think could have a really bright future is undrafted rookie Brian Fineanganofo from Idaho State.

Fineanganofo has prototypical size to be a tackle and fantastic athletic traits, but he's raw. There's one specific area where I'm going to be watching with him, and that's how he evolves in terms of transitioning his weight and taking advantage of his strength from the waist down.

Brian Fineanganafo
Height: 6-6
Weight: 304 lbs
40-Yard Dash: 5.08s
Broad Jump: 115″
Vertical Jump: 33″
3-cone: 7.71s
Shuttle: 4.58s
Bench: 29 reps

Whether it's out of his stance or during the play, he's not driving his feet. When it comes to maximizing power, you want to see a player drive the ground away from themselves and Fineanganofo is more inclined to step at this point. It's no different than seeing someone squat or dead-lift. The person is pushing the ground away from them.

As a result, Fineanganofo is not getting any power from his legs and hips and particularly in pass protection, is just getting in the way and absorbing contact. He's taking punishment rather than dishing it out.

And if he's doing that against NFL caliber talent, they may be able to drive him into the backfield and a player like Myles Garrett may simply throw him out of the way.

Between working with offensive line coach James Campen and the rest of the offensive line room, I am hoping to see Fineanganofo transition out of his stance with power and get better at driving his feet.

Beyond that, I want to see him pass protect without being passive. One of the most difficult things to do in the game of football is to work backwards as an offensive lineman and understand how and when to be powerful, but that's an adjustment he's going to have to make.

Fineanganofo has the physical traits to be an impact offensive tackle in the NFL and I think the Browns are very excited about what he can be. He and fellow rookies Drew Forbes and Willie Wright could be a lot of fun to watch grow and develop together in camp and the preseason.

J.T. Hassell is a football player before anything else

https://footballmaven.io/browns/browns-m...mkmPuWDaH06U-w/

by
Pete Smith
1 day
Cleveland Browns undrafted rookie safety J.T. Hassell has received some attention due to the fact he was born with a disability, but people better take him seriously as a football player, because he has legitimate talent that could find a role in the NFL.

J.T. Hassell is one of the Cleveland Browns undrafted rookies I believe has a chance to make the final roster. You may have seen stories or listened to interviews where he's talked about the fact he was born without three fingers on his left hand. It's obviously a testament to what he's been able to overcome to get to the NFL.

When I saw the Browns had a player from Florida Tech in for a visit before the draft, I had no idea who he was, so I looked into him. I looked at his outstanding athletic testing and more than enough production in college that I added him to my target list.

I learned the reason he left South Dakota State, a program with a few NFL players in their recent past including tight end Dallas Goedert, running back Zach Zenner and current Browns offensive lineman Bryan Witzman, Hassell transferred to go home and be a father to his child. I went and found tape of him to watch to get an idea of how he plays.

I watched an outside linebacker with incredible speed fly around and hit people. Hard. I watched him stand out on every special teams unit, often being the first guy down on coverage. His speed was obvious and the way he would chase down and hawk guys, he looked like he should've been playing higher level college football.

I've watched him play but it wasn't until after the Browns had signed him that I learned about his hand. You don't notice it unless you're really looking for it and at the level he's playing at, they aren't focusing in on him or specifically his hand that you'd see it. All I noticed was an impressive football player I thought had a chance to make an impact in the NFL.

Now as a member of the Browns, I think he's got a shot to make the team, especially with the team's emphasis on special teams. I do think he can find his way onto the field as a strong safety and contribute in that role. He's the best athlete on the team at that position.

Hassell isn't afraid or uncomfortable talking about his hand when asked about it. Obviously, he's had a lifetime of practice. But Hassell's quick to point out that he doesn't want special treatment and based on what I've seen he doesn't need it.

Pete Smith of Browns Maven sent me this JT Hasell link. JT Hassell will definitely make the roster on special teams. After that, he'll get a shot as a strong safety if not this year next year. But special teams, man, Hassell is a beast. Speed, range, tackling in space, excellent breakdown to make tackles, physical, relentless, wow. Watch and see with your own eyes!

JT Hassell is a special football player and the Browns are fortunate to have him.

Pro Day results.. 5111, 200 pounds, 42 inch vertical, 10’1 Broad Jump, 4.38 forty yard dash, 4.26 Short Shuttle, 6.84 3 Cone, and 23 reps of 225 on the bench


No matter how you cut it...those results are special..a diamond in the rough.

No UDFA is a "definite" to make the team before training camp even starts.

He appears to be off to a good start.

OK, let me restate it in another way.

I predict that Hassell will make the team on the basis of his special teams' ability. I further prognosticate that after doing so, he will have an opportunity to earn reps at the strong safety position.

Thanks for the opportunity to say the same thing twice.

good speed, good angles and looks like he loves to hit!

Thanks for sharing this! I agree with everything you said. For his size, man he can move.

D.J. Montgomery hasn't received much attention, but he has a shot to make the Cleveland Browns

https://footballmaven.io/browns/browns-m...AEeue5jJWgw5ew/

A number of undrafted rookies have received attention so far in OTAs and minicamp for the Cleveland Brown. One that hasn't is D.J. Montgomery, who played at a smaller school, but does have a solid prospect profile and could end pushing for a roster spot.

When it comes to the Cleveland Browns wide receiver position, any talk of who's making the team starts at their fifth option behind Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway and Rashard Higgins. One name that hasn't received a ton of attention thus far is undrafted rookie D.J. Montgomery out of Austin Peay.

Dorian Baker is local. Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi has an incredible story. Ishmael Hyman has made a few great catches and caught some attention. Montgomery gets lost in the mix a little bit.

But here's what Montgomery does offer. He had incredible production for Austin Peay, a smaller program that didn't do a ton of passing. He also tested remarkably well at 6'1.5" 201lbs. His agility in particular stands out, putting up a 6.69 3-cone, which is indicative of his hip flexibility and his overall balance.

Given the fact he played at a smaller college program, it might take him a little longer to find his groove, but if he's able to do that, the 22-year old rookie could make a big push for a roster spot. His combination of size and speed is intriguing.

Montgomery bears a number of similarities to Damian Ratley, last year's 6th round pick out of Texas A&M. They have similar measurables. They both were employed as deep threats in their respective offenses, taking advantage of their deep speed.

D.J. Mongtomery
Height: 6'1 1/2"
Weight: 201 lbs
40-Yard Dash: 4.43s
Broad Jump: 127″
Vertical Jump: 37.5″
3-cone: 6.69s
Shuttle: 4.36s
Bench: 7 reps

Damian Ratley
Height: 6'1 3/4"
Weight: 196 lbs
40-Yard Dash: 4.39s
Broad Jump: 123″
Vertical Jump: 38″
3-cone: 6.92s
Shuttle: 4.23s
Bench: 12 reps

The fact Montgomery is so similar in terms of being a size, strength, speed prospect does make it more difficult to make the team, because the Browns have several and all of them have more NFL experience than Montgomery does.

The key for Montgomery and really any receiver trying to make the roster will be proving themselves on special teams as much as actually being a receiver. The fifth and sixth receivers, if they keep that many, will be gunners on punts and on kickoff coverage, so they need guys who can make an impact.

The Browns have a lot of interesting competition for those final receiver spots, but keep an eye out for D.J. Montgomery

Wyatt Ray is a polished pass rusher competing for a spot in deep group

https://footballmaven.io/browns/browns-m...Hka-tMYQQscnaQ/

Former Boston College pass rusher Wyatt Ray was the one undrafted pass rusher the Cleveland Browns signed to compete for a spot. He offers a polished pass rusher, but has limited upside.

The Cleveland Browns brought in a number of rookie free agent edge players and one they ended up keeping was Wyatt Ray out of Boston College.

He was a productive pass rusher on a talented Eagles defense this past year, but particularly his solo tackle market share wasn't where you prefer it to be. And really, if Ray is going to make it, it'd be as a situational pass rusher. Ray is coming from a program that has defensive coordinator in Paul Pasqualoni that has helped in developing a number of defensive players for the NFL. Harold Landry, Justin Simmons and John Johnson are recent examples.

It would not be a surprise if Ray enjoyed some early success in camp against other rookies simply because he's ahead of them in terms of his technique and polish. He may be able to keep a few of the younger offensive tackles guessing and make plays in the backfield as a result.

The issue for Ray is his athletic testing, which is eerily similar to former Browns defensive end Nate Orchard. Orchard had incredible production at the college level, but his athleticism simply wasn't enough to make it work in the NFL. He's just been too slow. Obviously, the Browns didn't invest a second round pick to get Ray, so if that's where he ends up, it's not the end of the world.

Nate Orchard
Height: 6-3
Weight: 250 lbs
40-Yard Dash: 4.8s
Broad Jump: 115″
Vertical Jump: 31.5″
3-cone: 7.28s
Shuttle: 4.43s
Bench: 29 reps

Wyatt Ray
Height: 6-3
Weight: 257 lbs
40-Yard Dash: 4.83s
Broad Jump: 118″
Vertical Jump: 34″
3-cone: 7.34s
Shuttle: 4.31s
Bench: 25 reps

In that sense, Ray seems like someone who could put up some numbers in preseason against lesser competition and get fans and media to believe in him to see the Browns go ahead and release him because they like the upside of other players on their roster. One example might well be Chad Thomas.

The other issue that drags down Ray is his number. 61. That's brutal for a pass rusher. Just wearing that number will make Ray look slower.

I think Ray could be an interesting player that gets attention early, could make some splash plays in preseason, but the Browns ultimately let go. He may well find his way to another team when rosters get cut down. In a different year, I think Ray could be someone that would make the Browns final 53, but they may simply have too many talented options to keep him.

Jhavonte Dean #36, CB, rookie out of Miami, FL is my prediction to make the roster via UDFA route. Does football maven have a write up about him?

Unlikely arrival Jhavonte Dean aims to make most of latest uphill battle in fight to make Browns roster

Friday, May 17, 2019 02:56 PM


Nick Shook
STAFF WRITER
https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/unl...-battle-in-figh


On a chilly, overcast day in Berea, Jhavonte Dean was again living life on the edge.

Lined up at the familiar position of cornerback, Dean dropped back in coverage and was faced with a choice: break up a pass or go for the interception. He chose the riskier approach and ended up in the end zone, bringing the football along for the ride.

The pick-six was one of two for Dean on his first day as a tryout player at Browns rookie minicamp in early May. Now, he's a member of the 90-man roster, the latest development on his improbable path from Homestead, Florida, to the NFL.

Dean grew up in the Miami area, played pee-wee football with and against current Browns Sheldrick Redwine and Antonio Callaway, attended South Dade High School and earned a three-star status as a recruit in the class of 2015. That type of background would lead one to believe he might have enjoyed relative success in Division I football and rode a late-round NFL draft selection to his first NFL OTAs.

Wrong. Dean chose the University of Cincinnati in early 2015 but never made it to the field because his test scores didn't stack up. With the assistance of Cincinnati coaches, Dean landed at Blinn College, which happened to have one scholarship remaining (and was also once a stepping stone of Cam Newton). He spent the next two years of junior college ball upping his three-star rating to a four-star mark.

That attracted attention from some heavy hitters of the NCAA, namely, Nick Saban. Dean received an offer from Alabama and committed in late July 2016, seemingly authoring a great comeback story for himself from the uncertainty of student-athlete life in Brenham, Texas, to the roaring crowds of Bryant-Denny Stadium. A sharp turn awaited him, though.

"I used to tell my teammates, 'man, if I get a Miami offer, I might go,'" Dean recalled Thursday. "Miami kind of came late but they came strong and when they came, they stayed talking to me, they stayed communicating with me and then the coaches came to the school for a little visit and they were just talking to me and everything just made sense to me to go play back home, make it easy for my family to come to the games. It was very beneficial for me."

Dean ended up decommitting from Alabama and signing to attend Miami, where he appeared in 25 games over his final two seasons of eligibility. He tied for the team lead with three interceptions during his senior season -- a campaign in which he said he opened up and formed bonds with teammates -- hired an agent and received a sobering evaluation: undrafted free agent hopeful at best.

Again, he was on an uphill path with little chance for success.


"I just felt like I just needed an opportunity," Dean said. "I kind of understood my situation, I knew I wasn't a high-profile player. I knew what I could do at the time. Up until the draft I'm just staying patient, staying humble, praying, and then when the draft was over, I got a call from the Browns and the next day I was told I got a tryout. Rookie minicamp.

"My teammates, my parents, I told them I'm not leaving Cleveland without signing. So I just put everything on the line, everything I have and it's starting to pay off now."

Dean found himself in a familiar situation. He'd gone to Blinn with the sole goal of earning a Division I scholarship, as many JUCO players hope to receive. He lived that dream at Miami, but was now headed north to the same state in which he was once supposed to reside as an undergrad with nothing more than a chance to perform for a few days with the hopes he might grab the eye of a talent evaluator.


That reality -- that he was back in Ohio, this time as a professional -- didn't land on him until Thursday. He hasn't had much time to consider it.

"I didn't know what to expect," Dean said of his rookie minicamp experience. "My first day on the field, I was kind of nervous. I'm with an NFL team. People thought I'd never make it. The odds are against me. I was nervous, had to learn a new playbook, meet new players, build a bond with my new teammates. The first day, I was nervous, but after I started making plays I was like 'I can do this.'"

Dean shined in the minicamp, making plays on the ball and showing a natural ability to cover closely. He had no indication, though, that the Browns wanted to sign him until he walked off the field after the final minicamp practice. He and Miami teammate Trayone Gray were two of just three tryout players signed to the 90-man roster. Their addition also brought the Browns' total of Hurricanes to eight.

We seem to be finding these Low Risk High reward type of guys. Is this a history of John Dorsey in finding these guys. I mean we use to get these heralded UDFA's like Ben Gay and stuff but never before some real good talent is it the status of this day and age or is it John Dorsey. I think its amazing the guys they bring in Undrafted.
jmho

I can't remember which rookie UDFA made the team last year. Can you spark my memory please.

As far as this year, I'll wait to see them in a padded practice, and maybe even a preseason game before I make up my mind. All of our draft picks may not make the team this year. Who knows about UDFA?

Undrafted rookies on the Cleveland Browns 2018 roster per Pro Football Reference;

Desmond Harrison
Greg Joseph
Derrick Willies
Devaroe Lawrence
Jeremiah McKinnon
Tavierre Thomas

I don't recall anything about McKinnon and Thomas, probably spent time on the practice squad. Harrison, Joseph, Willies and Lawrence all had regular season playing time.