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Quote:
Cleveland Browns welcome 10 undrafted free agents to rookie minicamp
By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer
April 30, 2010, 11:51AM
It's back to the practice field in Berea for head coach Eric Mangini for the start of rookie minicamp. (Scott Shaw / The Plain Dealer File)
Updated at 12:13 p.m.
BEREA -- The Browns' undrafted free agent class of 10 includes three wide receivers, two offensive linemen, two defensive backs, one linebacker, one defensive lineman and one tight end.
The club announced the following undrafted players were signed and present at the beginning of today's rookie minicamp:
• Casey Bender, offensive lineman, South Dakota State. The 6-5, 295-pounder started at right tackle and right guard the past two seasons.
• Benjamin Burney, defensive back, Colorado. Started 27 games in four years and had three interceptions. Missed his junior season with a shoulder injury.
• Chris Chancellor, defensive back, Clemson. Totaled nine interceptions and 41 passes defensed in 44 starts over four years. Graduated with a degree in sports management and played the 2009 season as a graduate student. He's 5-9 and 180 pounds.
• Auston English, linebacker, Oklahoma. Had 9.5 sacks as a sophomore and finished four-year career with 28 starts and 18 sacks. One of the few Sooners not drafted. He's 6-3 and 250, probably an inside linebacker at the NFL level.
• Johnathan Haggerty, wide receiver, Southwest Oklahoma State. In four years, totaled 173 receptions for 2,726 yards and 23 touchdowns. He's 6-0 1/2, 193 pounds and has a 4.46 40 clocking.
• Swanson Miller, defensive lineman, Oklahoma State. Played in 26 games after playing two years at Butler County (Kan.) Community College. He's 6-4 and 310 pounds.
• Dion Morton, wide receiver, Colorado State. Totaled 96 receptions for 1,536 yards and 15 touchdowns. Was a return specialist with a 25.0-yard kickoff average. He's 5-8 and 160 pounds.
• Joel Reinders, offensive lineman, Waterloo. Played right tackle at Canadian college after playing basketball for two years. Never played football prior to 2008. He's 6-7 and 320 pounds.
• Aaron Valentin, wide receiver, Purdue. Had 65 catches for 845 yards and two touchdowns in 24 games. Also returned punts (12.1-yard average) and kickoffs (21.9). He's 6-1 and 205 pounds.
• Troy Wagner, tight end, Indiana. Primarily a run blocker, he totaled eight catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. He's 6-6 and 265 pounds
The Browns also invited 35 players on a tryout basis, including local products Andre Evans, defensive back from Glenville and Eastern Kentucky; receiver Robby Paris, St. Ignatius and Notre Dame; defensive back Royce Adams, Glenville and Purdue; and defensive back Bradley Jones, Canton McKinley and Cincinnati.
Also, quarterback Graham Harrell of Texas Tech was invited back. He had a minicamp tryout with the Browns last year.
The Browns have 53 players in camp -- eight draft picks, 10 undrafted free agents and 35 tryouts..
© 2010 cleveland.com. All rights reserved.
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/04/cleveland_browns_welcome_10_un.html
#GMSTRONG
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Damanshot
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When you look at who was out there, I think this is actually a pretty disappointing list.
Chancellor and English seem promising...the rest....meh
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Ya, the list is pretty empty of names I've seen before. However, did we all get excited when we first heard that the Browns signed some QB from Kent State after the draft a few years back? 
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Reinders sounds like he has a lot of potential. Only playing football two years.
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Quote:
Also, quarterback Graham Harrell of Texas Tech was invited back. He had a minicamp tryout with the Browns last year.
According to his wikipedia he has been coaching at Oklahoma State (you need to pay to view the article used as the source).
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Troy Wagner, tight end, Indiana. Primarily a run blocker, he totaled eight catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. He's 6-6 and 265 pounds
This guy sounds like he will be moving to tackle or guard.
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Maybe I'm confusing this guy with someone else,, but isn't Austin English a person with some skills... Just wondering..
#GMSTRONG
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Daniel Patrick Moynahan
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Damanshot
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Yeah, he was 1st team all Big-12 in 2007 but was plagued by injuries most of his time in college.
He might be a pretty good special teamer with some potential as a pass rusher.
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Quote:
Quote:
Also, quarterback Graham Harrell of Texas Tech was invited back. He had a minicamp tryout with the Browns last year.
According to his wikipedia he has been coaching at Oklahoma State (you need to pay to view the article used as the source).
Quote:
Troy Wagner, tight end, Indiana. Primarily a run blocker, he totaled eight catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. He's 6-6 and 265 pounds
This guy sounds like he will be moving to tackle or guard.
Graham Harrell is the same dude as last year. He was Crabtree's QB in college and was part of the Texas Tech fastbreak offense.
He's also not an NFL QB.
you had a good run Hank.
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Yeah, I know who he is. Just thought it was interesting that he is back.
He's pretty much a warm body that can throw passes.
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Quote:
Maybe I'm confusing this guy with someone else,, but isn't Austin English a person with some skills... Just wondering..
English intrigues me by his size and his ability. He would have been drafted if he had not been plagued with injuries throughout his career. The question is, do the injuries effect his ability?
you had a good run Hank.
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Yeah, I know who he is. Just thought it was interesting that he is back.
He's pretty much a warm body that can throw passes.
Pretty much. Make sure that McCoy doesn't have to throw 80 passes during mini camp.
you had a good run Hank.
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Just FYI
Juice Williams, the Illinois QB, is in camp. Not sure what role they see for him.
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Auston English is a pretty decent player. With some work he could be solid at the next level. Same can be said about dude from Waterloo in Canada. He has great size but is very raw having never played prior to '08. Haggerty could be interesting. Put up OK numbers. Can we pull another diamond in the rough pickup? (see Cribbs, Josh) 
Our honor defend, we will fight to the end, for OHIO! GO BUCKS!
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Just FYI
Juice Williams, the Illinois QB, is in camp. Not sure what role they see for him.
He could fill a myriad of roles here, including being another flash package guy with Cribbs.
Williams is an athletic freak who should never had been tried at QB in College. The minute he stepped on campus, I would have made him a WR.
you had a good run Hank.
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Williams is an athletic freak who should never had been tried at QB in College. The minute he stepped on campus, I would have made him a WR.
Don't know a thing about the guy, but do you think that's what they have in mind?
I mean at this point, we have Delhomme, Wallace, McCoy, Ratliff, this other kid that was here last year and now Williams... 6 QB's,,, no way there is enough reps..
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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Quote:
Quote:
Williams is an athletic freak who should never had been tried at QB in College. The minute he stepped on campus, I would have made him a WR.
Don't know a thing about the guy, but do you think that's what they have in mind?
I mean at this point, we have Delhomme, Wallace, McCoy, Ratliff, this other kid that was here last year and now Williams... 6 QB's,,, no way there is enough reps..
He is probably one of two things: A camp arm or a project WR.
you had a good run Hank.
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FYI, here's some video of the rookie minicamp from the main page: link
I am unfamiliar with this feeling of optimism
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My 1st thought is that they are looking for someone to take the punt return duties away from Cribbs so he can have a bigger role in the base offense which is something I believe I remember hearing as something MH wanted.
Am I perfect? No
Am I trying to be a better person?
Also no
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He is probably one of two things: A camp arm or a project WR.
Graham Harrell is our "camp" Delhomme
Juice Williams is our "camp" Seneca
Colt McCoy is our "camp" Colt McCoy (hey, he's a rookie, he doesn't get a stand-in until he's earned it)
#gmstrong
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Joe Haden and Montero Hardesty are gonna turn out to be good picks..
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I'll be shocked if Joe Haden does not start. Montarrio Hardesty is a great pick in my opinion, but he needs to stay healthy. He is hard to bring down!
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just listened to the Gini presser about rookie camp..  @ his comment about Geathers.. about his size and how he needs to play nice with the smaller kids on the playground...
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Quote:
My 1st thought is that they are looking for someone to take the punt return duties away from Cribbs so he can have a bigger role in the base offense which is something I believe I remember hearing as something MH wanted.
no offense but, why would they take the best kick returner in the History of the NFL out of that position?
listen to the presser mangini gave today and that will probably be debunked
http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/media-cen...4d-01cbdd7a5612
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I got a call from my friend yesterday morning, he was on the flight back from Texas (he goes to Texas on business) and told me he was on the flight w/ Colt McCoy and a bunch of the undrafteds. I had a hard time believing him when he told me Graham Harrell was coming back...guess he was right.
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Thanks.. Watched it last night a couple of hours after it was posted..
I also watched the 18 min presser with Mangini..
Geesh, he's a completely different guy this year..Very informative, Cracking jokes, being funny, very relaxed, showed a really funny side with some quick wit type comments.. It was actually enjoyable to watch....Can't say I ever felt that way last year.
Maybe having a couple of guys like Holmgren and Heckert will allow him to loosen up and just be a coach... Can't wait to find out.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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from the UDFA-thread in the draft section: Wow, totally forgot about Burney...I was sure he'd be drafted...he probably didn't check out medically...he's a CB/FS zone-guy with good ST game....I think he has a good shot at getting Francies' roster spot, who's more suited for the outside-CB position....but we have added Brown and Haden now, so I think we'll be looking to round out the CBs with more speedy nickel-dime guys who are good ST...that's Burney's and Chancellor's chance http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/565767Burney (5-foot-10 5/8, 202 pounds) ran 4.38 and 4.45 in the 40, had a 39-inch vertical leap, 10-foot, 1-inch broad jump, 4.15 short shuttle, 6.71 three-cone drill and 16 reps in the bench press. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com The son of Washington Redskins defensive line coach Jacob Burney (re-joining former long-time Broncos boss Mike Shanahan), this Colorado defensive back was a bit under the radar after missing the 2008 season due to injury. Now scouts are very interested in acquiring his services. Burney stayed in-state to play for the Buffaloes, earning playing time in 11 games as a true freshman, making six tackles and intercepting a pass against New Mexico State. He took part in all 12 games in 2006, getting two starts at free safety and racking up 23 stops, one for loss. Moving to corner for his junior year, he started every game, made 55 tackles and broke up eight passes. He missed the entire 2008 season due to surgeries on both shoulders and wrists, but came back with a vengeance in '09: 73 tackles, three for loss, sack, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), four pass breakups, two forced fumbles. With safety size and corner speed, scouts really started buzzing about Burney after his exceptional pro day (4.39-second 40-yard dash, 39-inch vertical) showed off his athleticism. If doctors sign off on his shoulders, wrists and knee (high school injury), then this son of a coach could find himself one of the draft's surprise picks as a versatile defensive back (zone corner/free safety) and special teams contributor. Analysis Read & React: Instinctual player, good route recognition in coverage to jump the play or dislodge the ball with a big hit. Also reacts quickly; immediately accelerates to balls thrown in front of him. Does not give up on plays run away from him. Man Coverage: Has versatility to line up in the slot, can flip his hips to turn and run when playing off. Uses long arms to press effectively, though he will guess wrong on first move, leaving himself vulnerable to crossing his feet. Comes off his man quickly when playing off to take out underneath routes. Sometimes gets washed out or loses his trail when peeking into the backfield. Zone Coverage: Good awareness in zone, keeps one eye on his receivers' routes and the other in the backfield. Smooth pedal moving back into the centerfielder position. Plants and drives to the ball well, gets there as or just after the ball arrives. Closing/Recovery: Generally stays low when moving in space, able to change directions easily. Good burst to the receiver when the ball is in the air. Chases plays to the opposite side of the field. Usually takes solid angles to the ball, but will force the play inside when overrunning the play. Takes away the home run gain with speed to the sideline. Has the speed and agility to catch up with receiver if beaten when pressing. Run Support: Keeps containment, moves well laterally while engaged and sheds block to grab the ballcarrier. Also reacts to the ball well when playing deep; takes a good angle and can adjust to elusive backs. Avoids receiver blocks while keeping an eye in the backfield when coming downhill at free safety. Tackling: Secure wrap-up tackler in space; has length and upper-body strength to bring down most ballcarriers on his own. Bends knees and breaks down to corral elusive ballcarriers. Gets his helmet on the ball when coming downhill, and brings his hips. Keeps his feet moving into and after contact. Goes through ballcarrier, will plant him into the ground - then tell him about it. Has potential to be a special teams ace. Intangibles: Plays hard and comes with bad intentions. Good bloodlines; father is an NFL defensive line coach.
#gmstrong
"Players come along at different points in time" - Ray Farmer
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I agree. Any chance he might be made over into a guard? Not sure if he can play inside. Good feet? Older I get, more important this seems to become. LOL
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
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Quote:
Thanks.. Watched it last night a couple of hours after it was posted..
I also watched the 18 min presser with Mangini..
Geesh, he's a completely different guy this year..Very informative, Cracking jokes, being funny, very relaxed, showed a really funny side with some quick wit type comments.. It was actually enjoyable to watch....Can't say I ever felt that way last year.
Maybe having a couple of guys like Holmgren and Heckert will allow him to loosen up and just be a coach... Can't wait to find out.
Yeah I think Eric assumed he wanted something before he got here.. ALL the power and then after being here and seeing what he had in players - attitudes - not much talent. Now add doing everything, I think the guy was at his breaking point.
He was great on the Les Levine show as well a month or so ago. I always thought he got a bad rap and was being black balled by the NFL. You hear all the talking head on sunday morning bad mouthing the guy, all the stories written by the national media about him - but I never saw that! He was cleaning house, he did all the heavy lifting and now. Sure he might not see or be here when it all turns around, He cleaned house, got draft picks for headcases so that is a plus.....
But over all he seems like a decent guy. I think he is living in the moment, relaxed and you know what - he can be 100% a better coach being this way!
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Yeah, he did kinda do the heavy lifting last year and did take a ton of abuse for it.. The whole GM thing with Kokanis didn't help matters and losing left a huge gap in the credibility department..
All in all, he didn't crumble, didn't break down, didn't lose it.. seemed poised even if he appeared frustrated at times (who wouldn't), wasn't afraid to make changes at the end of the year and damned if we didn't start winning.. Not pretty, but a W is a W..
I'm hoping the addition of Holmgren and heckert will allow him to do what he was actually hired to do,, be the HC...
I have a feeling this year is going to be very telling...
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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