DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2017 NFL Season 2017 NFL Draft 2017 rookie minicamp

2017 rookie minicamp



Forty-five players will be on the field this afternoon as the Browns begin their rookie minicamp.

The camp runs from today until Sunday. All 10 of Cleveland’s draft picks will be in action alongside 11 undrafted free agents, 17 tryout players and seven first-year players from the roster.

Here’s how the group breaks down.

2017 draft picks - 10
95 DL Myles Garrett (6-4, 272) - Texas A&M
27 DB Jabrill Peppers (5-11, 213) - Michigan
85 TE David Njoku (6-4, 246) - Miami
7 QB DeShone Kizer (6-4, 233) - Notre Dame
65 DL Larry Ogunjobi (6-2, 305) - UNC-Charlotte
35 DB Howard Wilson (6-0, 184) - Houston
78 OL Rod Johnson (6-6, 300) - Florida State
99 DL Caleb Brantley (6-2, 307) - Florida
5 K Zane Gonzalez (6-0, 202) - Arizona State
37 RB Matthew Dayes (5-8, 205) - North Carolina State

Undrafted free agents - 11
50 LB B.J. Bello (6-2, 229) - Illinois State
67 OL Josh Boutte (6-4, 351) - LSU
48 LB Ladell Fleming (6-0, 230) - Northern Illinois
41 DB J.D. Harmon (6-0, 196) - Kentucky
42 DB Alvin Hill (6-0, 201) - Maryland
68 DL Jamal Marcus (6-1, 240) - Akron
89 TE Taylor McNamara (6-5, 251) - USC
43 DB Kai Nacua (6-0, 205) - BYU
49 LB Kenneth Olugbode (6-0, 222) - Colorado
69 DL Karter Schult (6-3, 258) - Northern Iowa
38 DB Channing Stribling (6-1, 188) - Michigan

Tryout players - 17
2 P Nicholas Conte (6-1, 216) - Virginia
2 WR Tim Crawley (5-7, 175) - San Jose State
5 WR Lance Evans (6-2, 202) - Texas A&M-Commerce
9 QB Phillip Nelson (6-1, 203) - East Carolina
10 WR Jordan Westerkamp (5-11, 196) - Nebraska
33 DB Najee Murray (5-8, 182) - Kent State
36 RB Marcus Cox (5-10, 211) - Appalachian State
37 DB Donte Carey (5-11, 199) - Grand Valley State
40 DB Micah Eugene (5-10, 200) - Southeastern Louisiana
43 RB Mark Herndon (5-8, 207) - Florida
47 DB Damariay Drew (5-10, 205) - Cal
48 TE Eric Steffes (6-3, 268) - Wisconsin
68 OL Brian Gaia (6-2, 292) - Penn State
69 OL Sean Hickey (6-5, 306) - Syracuse
82 WR Ronnie Moore (5-9, 169) - Bowling Green
83 WR Mitchell Shegos (6-0, 203) - Notre Dame College
88 WR Nate Cole (6-0, 199) - Cincinnati

First-year rostered players - 7
11 WR Jordan Leslie (6-1, 205) - BYU
28 DB Darius Hillary (5-10, 183) - Wisconsin
31 DB Trey Caldwell (5-9, 185) - Louisiana-Monroe
49 TE J.P. Holtz (6-3, 240) - Pittsburgh
52 LB James Burgess (6-0, 230) - Louisville
79 OL Zach Sterup (6-9, 318) - Nebraska
93 DL Trevon Coley (6-1, 310) - Florida Atlantic
http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/arti...0e-449f1f1060f0

The Browns rookies reported to Berea on Thursday for their first minicamp, which kicks off Friday afternoon and runs through the weekend.

Here are five storylines to watch over the next few days.

1. New beginnings

The Browns became the first team in four years to land three first-round picks. Those selections — defensive end Myles Garrett (No. 1), safety Jabrill Peppers (No. 25) and tight end David Njoku (No. 29) — form the centerpiece of a rookie class that includes 10 draft picks and 11 undrafted free agents.

Garrett, Peppers and Njoku, widely considered three of the most athletic players in this year’s draft class, should instantly compete for starting jobs over the coming weeks and months.

This weekend, of course, will afford them the chance to make a good impression on head coach Hue Jackson, executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown, vice president of player personnel Andrew Berry and others.

“We drafted these guys because we think they are talented and able to fit into our scheme,” Jackson said. “We feel very comfortable about the guys that we brought in here that they are going to have the chance to compete for our team right away.”

2. Myles Garrett’s debut

As the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, there will be expectations of sorts that follow the uber-talented Garrett throughout his career with the Browns. The former Texas A&M standout has seemed to embrace that dynamic, though.

“As you’ve heard, I have some pretty lofty goals for myself,” Garrett said last month, referencing previous comments about wanting to break the NFL’s rookie sack record.

“I don’t really listen to anyone else’s expectations. I keep myself grounded with my family and my friends. They also help me keep my head straight and keep focused. I’m not worried about a mistake or a negative comment anybody else wants to make. I have the best I could ever dream of right now. If I could just maintain my focus and keep working hard on the field, it will stay that way.”

Garrett, who should offer the Browns’ pass rush a major boost, amassed 31 sacks in three seasons at Texas A&M. He played through a severe high-ankle sprain for most of 2016.

3. No pressure

There inevitably will be plenty of eyes and cameras trained on quarterback DeShone Kizer, who will compete for the chance to help the Browns answer their longstanding question at the position. Based on his introductory news conference, the outside hoopla won’t faze the former Notre Dame standout and second-round pick.

“As far as a stage at the college level gets, I don’t know if there’s one bigger,” Kizer said then. “Representing something a lot bigger than yourself is one concept, but when you are doing it at an international level with a fan base that truly expands all over the word, it was an honor and privilege.”

Kizer joins a room that includes Cody Kessler, Brock Osweiler and Kevin Hogan. Of course, he’ll be the lone member of the group (not including any tryout players the Browns bring in for this weekend) to take snaps at rookie minicamp
Kizer, who said he wants to contribute as much and as early as possible, said his time in South Bend helped prepare him for what’s ahead.

“The responsibility of being a quarterback at Notre Dame, I think, covers all of that,” he said. “I was able to see a little bit of everything. The experience of having some success in 2015 and then not having so much success in 2016 is the one that allowed me to see it all from every perspective.
“Now going back and reflecting both of those seasons, I will be able to hopefully pull from all of that for the next couple of years now and make sure that I can do whatever it takes to get back to winning the way I know how.”

4. How many roles will Peppers play...for now?

Peppers, who played safety, linebacker, kick/punt returner and some running back at Michigan, will first and foremost line up as a strong safety for Cleveland’s defense.

But trust the Browns will use the “ultimate Swiss Army Knife” in as many ways possible. Peppers, who last season earned the Paul Hornung Award — given to college football's most versatile player — became one of the draft’s most intriguing players because of his wide-ranging skill set.

At the Combine, he worked out with both the linebackers and defensive backs and, at his Pro Day, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock described him as a mismatch player poised to thrive in a league that’s increasingly becoming more about mismatches.
“Whatever Coach Jackson’s plan is for me,” Peppers said, “I’m going to attack it 110 percent. It’s definitely going to start with being a returner and being in the defensive backfield. He mentioned some offense to me, as well. We are going to see how that goes.”

5. Competition aplenty

This time last year, the Browns added 14 undrafted free agents prior to the start of minicamp. By the end of training camp, two were a part of the 53-man roster. Three members from that group — linebacker Dominique Alexander, tight end J.P. Holtz and defensive lineman Nile Lawrence-Stample — are on the Browns’ current 90-man roster.

So what’s that mean? It’ll be a tight competition among the 11 UDFAs whom Cleveland agreed to terms with last week to ultimately make the 53-man roster.

But more likely than not, a few names will earn their spot. For example, Alexander played a significant role on special teams and undrafted cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun — whom the Browns picked up off waivers in September from Jacksonville — saw major action in 2016.
http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/arti...77-962c753ec3c9

Joe Thomas tweeted last night that Njoku thought he was a coach during the rookie dinner. Sounds like they got a lot to learn. I can't wait to hear how they do this week.

Be interesting to see how long Westerkamp and Najee Murray stick around.

Interested in seeing JD Harmon's role, if we work him at corner or FS. Super athlete and excellent instincts just doesn't have the hips nor feel for corner.

I usually find articles written by reporters who work for the team to be very slanted and bias. I didn't find that to be the case here. Good read.

agreed. i liked both in college

i wish they'd put out more video of the camp...a stupid 50 second clip is all they got from a day of camp..they are always so stingy with access to the team

Yeah, I want to see some guys actually work through drills. See how they look. I don't care to see them stretching, smiling, seeing one slow motion of someone eluding a bag, etc.

The New and Improved " NFL " !

Browns have Terry Talkin' rookies, more rookies


By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

on May 13, 2017 at 6:56 AM, updated May 13, 2017 at 8:08 AM

BEREA, Ohio -- This was one of my favorite days of the football year. It's when all the rookies report for the first time to camp, and they talk to the media.

It's a time when nothing has gone wrong on the field, when all of them believe they will have long NFL careers. It's when their stories are fresh, their hearts are pounding with excitement to be a member of the Cleveland Browns.

I talked to several of them Friday, so listen in:

ABOUT MATTHEW DAYES

He never saw it coming.

The running back from North Carolina State thought he'd be taken in the middle rounds. He rushed for 1,166 yards and 10 TDs. He caught 32 passes. He was second-team All-ACC running back. Pittsburgh's James Conner and Florida State's Dalvin Cook were first-team selections.

"After the fourth round, I stopped watching (the draft)," he said. "I was so upset, feeling so bad."

He watched a little of the seventh round, then gave up.

"I was sitting in the car with my girlfriend," he said, remembering when he received the call from the Browns.

"I was so excited and thankful, but I'm also disappointed to go in the seventh round," added Dayes.

The 5-foot-9 Dayes was the second-last player drafted ... No. 252.

The Browns like his receiving ability.

"I can catch the ball," he said. "I run really good routes. I don't think any (running backs) in this draft class catches the ball as well as I do. I can run the ball well. I can pass protect. I'm a four-down back."

I guess that means he's willing to play special teams, too.

ABOUT MYLES GARRETT

While Dayes waited three days for he Browns to call his name, it was a little more than three minutes into the draft when Garrett was selected.

Coming out of high school, Garrett was one of the nation's top college recruits. He has already dealt with high expectations.

"I have high expectations for myself," he said. "My expectations are probably even higher (than others have)."

Garrett says the Browns are going to put him in position "to be a playmaker. They're going to let me go and wreak havoc."

Garrett has a very mature demeanor, especially impressive for someone who is 21 and has been given so much attention. The Browns spent a year checking him out. There have been no off-field issues with him.

I asked him about charges that he "takes plays off."

"My answer will be my play," he said. "All I can do is show what I can do on the field."

ABOUT HOWARD WILSON

The fourth-rounder from Houston was a joy to be around.

He talked about weighing only 150 pounds "soaking wet" as a high school senior at DeSoto High in Texas.

"I had only three offers," he said. "SMU, Lousiana Tech and Houston."

ESPN rated him with ZERO stars as a recruit. By comparison, Garrett and Jabrill Peppers were 5-star recruits (highest rating).

DeShone Kizer was a 4-star and Dayes was a 3-star recruit.

Wilson is now a 6-foot-1, 185-pound cornerback. He has a chance to play in passing situations. He had five interceptions last season. Scouts said he should have gone back to Houston for one more season.

"I know that," he said. "And they said I was too little. They said I was not a good tackler. I use everything to motivate me. Bring it on, fuel the fire."

Wilson credited former Ohio State assistant Tom Hermann "with making me a better player and better person."

Hermann became Houston's head coach in 2015. That season Wilson suffered an ACL knee injury. He came back strong in 2016.

"With Coach Hermann, it's do it right or get out," said Wilson. "It's black and white. If you don't do things right, go home. He doesn't care who you are. That was good for me."

ABOUT ZANE GONZALEZ

A seventh-round pick from Arizona State, Gonzalez won the Lou Groza Award as the top kicker in college football.

He said he didn't know much about Groza until meeting his son Judd Groza at the award ceremony.

"He filled me in," said Gonzalez.

Then Gonzalez arrived in Berea, where the complex is located on Lou Groza Boulevard.

"And his name is on the side of the building," said Gonzalez. "It's cool to see the name of a kicker on the building."

Gonzalez connected on 23-of-25 field goals. He was 7-of-9 from at least 50 yards.

I told Gonzalez how Browns fans love kickers and talked about Phil Dawson.

He said he just got Dawson's number and plans to send him a text. He wants to set up a time to talk to the Browns kicker from 1999-2012.

After kicking for San Francisco from 2013-16, Dawson signed with Arizona. He's going strong at 42 years old.

ABOUT DESHONE KIZER

The second-rounder from Notre Dame admitted he has a lot to learn ... said so several times.

At least, he mentioned the need to learn "how to command the huddle." It sounds elementary. But in many high school and college programs, the quarterback isn't in the huddle.

That was the case for Kizer.

He stood in the shotgun formation. The plays were called via signals from the bench.

"You have to be able to say the plays in the huddle before you can actually do anything," he said. "This is going to be the biggest transition for me ... just to be able to go in there and command the huddle is the first thing on my agenda."

One of the things that helped Carson Wentz last season was playing in a pro-style offense at North Dakota State. Cody Kessler also was in a pro-style setup during some of his seasons at USC.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2017/05/cleveland_browns_have_terry_ta_117.html

about

JABRILL PEPPERS


I hope to test clean eventually but will need to wait until I can fully flush my system , maybe by July

In the Peppers thread, Grossi is reporting that Peppers will be at practice today. He signed his paperwork.

So much for that. At least I hope so.

yep, he did sign... I hope he proves me wrong.

We need to have all players on board, but I have my lingering doubts

The Cleveland Browns have signed DBs Donte Carey and Najee Murray. Both players participated in this weekend’s rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. In addition, the club waived OL Josh Boutte.

The Browns roster is currently at the maximum of 90 players.
Carey is a 5-11, 199-pound rookie out of Grand Valley State. He started 23 of his 53 games at GVSU and totaled 134 tackles, 20 passes defensed and seven interceptions. He is a native of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Murray is 5-8, 182-pound rookie out of Kent State. He played in 27 at KSU and registered 100 tackles, 21 passes defensed, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Murray attended Steubenville High School in Steubenville, Ohio.
http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/arti...87-919e14d6b62e

Congrats to the two guys for making the most out of a three day workout with the odds against them.

To make the team that guy Josh Boutte from LSU was let go. Can't say i'm too upset. He was the one who did the cheapshot on that Wisconsin player at the end of LSU vs Wisconsin last season

I liked Murray in college and was someone I thought we could draft later in the rounds ... glad he's got a chance

And Carey is a brother to Don Carey, who we drafted about a decade ago IIRC

My thoughts too. Best of look to them, we could use their help at the position they play.

Wow, Murray is tiny. However, Minnifield was also short .... so maybe he'll be OK.

lol forgot Murray was DB my bad.

It may just be my own mind being weird, but I've always found the best RBs to be the small, shifty types who are versatile. It just seems like they can put pressure on the defense more than the bigger, slower ones

Murray looks good. Glad he signed.

If I remember right, Minni was 5'9", but he had a 41" vert leap

Carey got cut.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/transactions

Looks like we signed Garrett

that was quick

Needed room for McCourty

Today was a good day then. No hold outs! Let's all go to work together!

Go, Browns!

Murray is short, but he is fast and strong for his size. Never saw his college ball, but in high school the kid was a baller. He also had very good coaching.

Maybe a little like Buster Skrine? That'd be good for us