DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Now we know...what we'll see

Now we know:

The Browns must be pretty happy with the existing DLs...even with the looming suspension of Rogers.

The Browns must be pretty happy with the existing LBs...even with Roth and DQ "unsigned".

The Browns knew they had a problem at DB. We have about 50 DBs on our roster right now.

The Browns were not desperate regarding the QB position and were not going to "pull down their pants" to get a QB. (Thank goodness!)

The Browns acknowledged that they needed a better compliment to Harrision.

The Browns must be pretty happy with the existing TEs.

The Browns must believe that Mo Mass, Robo, Stuckey, et al WILL improve and hold down the fort for another year. Let's hope they are correct.

The Browns knew they needed a young interior lineman and they were not about to reach for any T.

What we'll see:

Ratliff is a goner...all this talk about McCoy not playing is probably true...but we won't keep (4) QBs. If Jake goes down...we will scour the streets for a backup QB to keep McCoy at "#3".

J Davis is a goner...or will get to the PS. We won't keep more than (4) RBs. Harrison, Hardesty, Hillis & Vickers. Hillis and Vickers aren't going anywhere. (This could be a swing position in the numbers game if Davis can contribute enough on ST to bump one of the 50 DBs or LBs off the roster.)

Veikune is a goner if we do not trade DQ.

We will see some interesting competition at: OL, DL, LB, WR

We will see some GREAT competion at DB. (Thank goodness, again!)

The earliest 53 man roster known to mankind:

Delhomme
Wallace
McCoy

Harrison
Hardesty
Hillis
Vickers

Mass
Robo
Stuckey
Mitchell - We don't have another guy like him at the position.
Cribbs

Thomas
Steiny
Mack
Womack
Pashos
Lauvao
Yates - Bubble
St Claire
Ghiaciuc
We will be doing some upgrading here...I hope.

Watson
Moore
Royal
We need a better player than Royal here.

Dawson
Pontbriand
Zastudil

Rogers
Rubin
Coleman
R Smith
Mosley
Schaefering - I think they really like him.

Fujita
GoCong
Roth
Bowens
Trusnik
Benard
Maiava
Costanzo
DQ - If we can't trade him
Veikune/T Brown...or James Davis @ RB...Lawrence Welk aka lots of bubbles on these guys

Wright
S Brown
McDonald
Haden
Francies
Ward
Asante
Elam
Adams
Ventrone - Bubble

The roster is getting better as this is getting harder to do. If we pick up a good vet somewhere in camp...a decent player will get cut. (Unless that vet player is an OL and bumps St Claire...or Yates...or Ghauiciuc...or a TE upgrade over Royal.)

I think this team is getting better.

After the draft here's some units I feel "comfortable" with going to the future:

Secondary, Runningback, Quarterback (only because we have 2 vets and a rook who hopefully can "our guy") O-line, (only because Pashos HAS to be an upgrade over St. Clair and we got a young guard)

Positions I'm concerened about:

Linebacker (specifically OLB), WR, D-line, TE

The good news is that we have some potential at WR and TE depending on how Evan Moore does.

You are forgetting they signed Watson.

Yeah, I don't feel TE is a area of concern. We have enough mix in there to be able to play the position several different ways.

Because they didn't draft a position doesn't mean they "must be pretty happy" with it. Holmgren said in the post draft presser you can't fix everything in one season, and that they addressed the areas they could. He also said they'd be very active in free agency. You should watch it.

heres UDFA we've signed

Auston English, DE, Oklahoma
Casey Bender, OT, SDSU
Jon Dempsey, LB, Louisville
Troy Wagner, TE, Indiana
Joel Reinders, OL, Waterloo

Canadian lineman Joel Reinders signs free-agent deal with Cleveland Browns
Dan Ralph, THE CANADIAN PRESS
6 hours, 24 minutes ago
Buzz up! 0
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The whirlwind that's been Joel Reinders' fledgling football career took a stunning twist Saturday.

The hulking six-foot-eight, 320-pound Waterloo Warriors offensive lineman signed a free-agent deal with the Cleveland Browns shortly after being bypassed in the NFL draft. Pretty heady stuff for a former basketball player who only took up football at the university level two years ago.

"The first year I started playing I thought maybe I might make a CFL roster and play a couple of years," the Oakville, Ont., native said. "But never in a million years would I have ever imagined that I'd be going to the NFL.

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"It really hasn't hit me yet."

No Canadians were selected in the seven-round draft, which was conducted over three days and concluded Saturday afternoon.

"I watched the draft on TV and going in I was hoping to be picked but my agent (Gil Scott) told me I'd probably have a better chance getting signed than drafted," Reinders said. "But after playing just two years, getting signed (by NFL club) is awesome.

"With (Cleveland's minicamp) starting next week I'm going to have to get into that football mindset quickly but I'm going there with the intention of making that roster."

Reinders wasn't the only Canadian to garner NFL interest as a free agent, though.

Kristian Matte, a six-foot-two, 291-pound offensive lineman with the Concordia Stingers, signed as a free agent with the Houston Texans. The native of St. Hubert, Que., is a versatile performer who played tackle in university but can also line up at guard or centre.

Bishop's Gaiters receiver Shawn Gore, a Toronto native, accepted an invitation from the Green Bay Packers to attend their minicamp next week and while Wilfrid Laurier defensive end Chima Ihekwoaba, of Burlington, Ont., will attend the Detroit Lions' minicamp and Regina Rams receiver Jordan Sisco is off to the Indianapolis Colts' minicamp.

Also, Cory Greenwood of Kingston, Ont., a linebacker at Concordia, was negotiating with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday evening.

Reinders certainly has the size NFL teams like and was also highly regarded by CFL officials, who consider him a blue-chip prospect in next weekend's Canadian college draft. Reinders is ranked No. 11 by the CFL scouting Bureau and the expectation was given his relative inexperience he'd need time to hone his skills.

But it makes economic sense for Reinders to try and do so in Cleveland. The NFL's minimum salary this year is US$325,000 whereas even as a first-round CFL draft pick Reinders could expect a five-figure signing bonus and salary around $45,000, depending on where he was selected.

Reinders will join a Cleveland organization that has struggled for years but now seems to be on the upswing with the arrival this off-season of new president Mike Holmgren. Holmgren, one of the NFL's most respected head coaches, helped transform both Green Bay and Seattle into Super Bowl contenders during his time with those clubs.

And Holmgren has shown a willingness to be patient with young players. On Saturday, he said the club has no intention of playing Colt McCoy(notes), the winningest quarterback in NCAA history that Cleveland drafted in the third round, at all as a rookie this year.

It's an approach that could bode very well for Reinders, too. However, he can't help but think ahead to maybe one day protecting McCoy in Cleveland.

"Blocking for a guy like Colt McCoy would be a dream come true," said Reinders.

If Reinders is released by Cleveland, he will still have a future in professional football as he's certain to be drafted by a CFL club that will be willing to wait for him to return to Canada.

The same applies to Matte, who in '09 was a Quebec University Football League all-star and a Canadian Interuniversity Sport second team all-Canadian.

"Kristian is one of the best athletes I've ever seen on our offensive line in my 18 years at Concordia University," Stingers head coach Gerry McGrath said in a statement.

Matte isn't the first Concordia player to attract NFL attention. In 1995, cornerback Mark Montreuil was a seventh-round selection of the San Diego Chargers and spent three years with the club.

Other former Stingers to sign NFL deals or attend tryout camps include receiver Denis Montana (1996, Houston Oilers); receiver Sylvain Girard ('99, Cleveland), punter Burke Dales ('02, Pittsburgh Steelers) and linebacker Mickey Donovan ('04, Detroit Lions).

The six-foot-four, 260-pound Ihekwoaba heads to Detroit after missing much of last season after suffering a shoulder injury in the third game of the year. The injury certainly didn't bother him at the CFL evaluation camp in March as he bench-pressed 225 pounds 23 times, posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.78-seconds and a 41-inch vertical jump that was second-best among camp attendees.

Greenwood, ranked third by the CFL's scouting bureau and a bona fide first-round CFL prospect, also had a solid showing at the league's evaluation camp. He posting 24 reps in the bench press, a 40-yard dash time of 4.50 seconds and a 40-inch vertical jump.

Gore showed good quickness for a big receiver at the evaluation camp, running the 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds. He also had a 39.5-inch vertical jump. Gore recorded 37 catches for 610 yards and five touchdowns last season with Bishop's.

Sisco, a six-foot-one, 212-pound slotback, took part in the annual East-West Shrine Game this past January in Orlando. He played on the West squad that was coached by former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer. Sisco, a Regina native, is a two-time Canada West all-star (2007, '09) who had 52 catches for 700 yards and two TDs last season.

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The hulking six-foot-eight, 320-pound

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Geesh... he's huge!

defender ---> <---- Reinder

j/c

After thinking about the OL on our roster:

Hank must have really gotten under someone's skin. I have no inside info whatsoever...I thought Hank was a very good player for us...but

For us to cut him with Kooistra on the roster and Ghucicuihciuh coming in?

It wasn't the money...Hank - three years from today - will be better than those guys tomorrow...so it wasn't age...something does not seem right.

I wish he were still here.

As much as I bash Robert "Crown" Royal,he is prolly better than he showed us last year. If he is # 3 on the depth chart,we have some decent depth.We can wait until next year to address this.

I believe that it was Heckert's plan all along to replace Wimbley with Gocong and he thinks Gocong will be an improvement. Players like Maiava and Viekune may not make the team. I don't believe we are allowed trade DQ or any of the other RFAs at this point,and I don't think it's a good idea at this point either. Wait unti next year to address this area.

The roster appears thinner at DL without Williams. But as you stated, the coaches seem to like Schaefering. The problem here is the age of some of the players. The older players still have a few years left. No need to have reached for a DL now. This area will need addressed next year.

The glaring weaness that was once our DBs now appears to be a thing of the past. I think Adams can be a decent cover FS on obvious passing downs.
B. Mac is now our dime back > than Poteat

We also appear better at RB than at any time in recent memory. Davis can be moved to the PS, but he will prolly be snatched by someone as the season progresses. I think Jennings is PS eligible too, but FAs could make him expendable.

Womack will likely start at RG. Lauvao needs time to adjust to the NFL. I'm not sold on Eric G.as a back-up to Mack. We need to improve our back-up OL.Maybe that wil lhappen in camp,maybe next year. We willneed to draft a RT next year and maybe find a guard/center.

The WRs could be one area that is boom or bust. Between Robo, Stuckey, MoMass and Mitchell I'll bet that at least two pan out as starters. That's all we really need as one of the others will be in the slot.
We will need to be patient on this squad.We might be OK for years to come.

The QBs look better now than in Feb. I don't believe we will scour the countryside for another QB if Jake goes down. McCoy will need to take his lumps if both go down.Maybe the line will give him enough protection

I want to wait until TC before I declare that the roster is better or worse now than in January.

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Players like Maiava and Viekune may not make the team

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Based on what, exactly?

In the larger scheme of things, we lost 1 LB, and drafted nobody. We added 2 in free agency. Why would we cut 2 of last year's draft picks? That makes little or no sense to me.

Frankly, it wouldn;t surprise me to see Veikume come on this year. He was making the jump from DE to LB .... and then they had him learn both ILB and OLB. That's tough on a kid riight off the bat. Maiava was a valuable special teams guy as well as a solid backup. Who are we cutting him in favor of?

Fans love to "cut" 2nd year player who "haven't panned out". Coaches, however, rarely do.

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I don't believe we are allowed trade DQ or any of the other RFAs at this point,

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I believe that teams/players have a few options at this point .....

The player can sign the tender, or they can work out a long term deal.

The player can work out his own trade (with the team's permission) .....sign the tender, and be traded to a team with a new contract.

The player can refuse to report, and eventually be put on a reserve list.

The team can revoke the tender, and the player becomes a free agent.

It appears to me that most of the RFA who haven't signed yet won't ..... until 1 or more of the "optional" off-season team activities are over with.

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Frankly, it wouldn;t surprise me to see Veikume come on this year. He was making the jump from DE to LB

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For some, thinking that Veikune or Robo can't improve drives me nuts.. (I know, short drive)

But seriously,, If it was perfectly clear that Viekune wasn't cutting it and showed no signs that he could improve, does anyone actually think Mangini would have kept them on the team? I have no illusions about Mangini,, he's a produce or go guy. but he has shown some patience where necessary. I think Viekune and Robo are two examples. Maybe even Francisis (sp)...

Guys of last years draft that could be cut:

Maiva
Veikune
Davis

Makes no sense to me to draft guys, then a year later of minimal play let them go. Maiva will probably stick, but Maiva and Davis.. not so sure.

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did you notice I qualified the statement ?????

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I believe that it was Heckert's plan all along to replace Wimbley with Gocong and he thinks Gocong will be an improvement. Players like Maiava and Viekune may not make the team. I don't believe we are allowed trade DQ or any of the other RFAs at this point,and I don't think it's a good idea at this point either. Wait unti next year to address this area.

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Not really. I see an opinion followed by a statement. Do you see Gocong as a repacement for the 2 guys in question?

Gocong is still a bit of a project at this point. He has been in a 4-3. Now he changes over to a 3-4 ... where he should be more effective. (and Hopefully will be) There are no guarantees though. At least he's not going directly from DE to LB.


I do think that it will be interesting to see how some of our 2nd year guys develop. (or don't) I thought that Mack and Massaquoi showed real promise last year. Robiske and Veinkume are major question marks. Maiava made solid contributions. Davis was injured.

There is the possibility, at least, of winding up with 3 starters and 1 really good backup/special team guy out of that draft. That wouldn't be too bad in my book. We'll just have to wait and see what happens with those players this year.

you guys are acting like cutting these players is a bad thing.
It means we got someone better

it could also mean that we shouldn't have drafted them in the first place.

j/k



Before we start cutting players, lets give them a chance in training camp, we dont know what they've been doing all Winter, Heck Davis could come into camp 10 pounds heavery of solid steel, faster & ready to prove what we saw last year, lets give these guys a chance before we start tossing dirt on thier careers

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Maiva will probably stick, but Maiva and Davis.. not so sure.

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But what about Maiva?

veikune.. lol..

just a thought...

for the past few years we've had 3 RBs and 2 FBs...I dont think we would hesitate to have 4 RBs and 1 FB...especially with Peyton Hillis able to do both.

I think that we could be very very apt to keep 5 RBs on the roster...Harrison, Hardesty, Davis, Hillis, and Vickers...

That wouldnt be an issue at all

that is probably how the final roster of backs will look , not counting the QBs.

I think they will all be on the roster, and I really like the versatility there.

Vickers is there to clear the way on running downs, and Hillis is a special teamer, power back and receiving fullback. I would love to see a three back lineup with Vickers, Hillis and Hardesty. I see a lot of potential with our backs.

sounds good to me..

4 killer RB's... They might not like it.. but I do.

I know this is probably been said further up in this thread but, the thing I noticed about these backs we have now.. They can catch coming out of the backfield.

Harrison can, so can Hillis (at least he displayed that in Denver), Vickers can although he's not been given a great deal of opportunities.. I don't know for sure about Hardesty.. but I did see a clip of him doing it once. (that doesn't mean much)

I can't see Jennings making it, but if he does, he can catch also.

When Cribbs lines up back there, it's an entirely new dimension but he can catch also.

I have no way of knowing how this is going to play out, but on paper, that's pretty interesting... more weapons

Hardesty has a LOT of tape catching out of the backfield, and they even split him out wide a few times in college.

Runningbacks catching passes is a big part of the WCO..... think Marshall Faulk.

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Hardesty has a LOT of tape catching out of the backfield, and they even split him out wide a few times in college.

Runningbacks catching passes is a big part of the WCO..... think Marshall Faulk.

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I didn't see but one, but to be honest, I was on a mission looking for something else and just stumbled upon it..

This actually has the potential to be exciting.

please I'm so tired of being at the bottom of the NFL.