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Every year about this time, I try to predict what our final roster will be like pre-camp. Let me know what you think.
QB
Delhommme - Starter
Wallace
McCoy
Notable cuts: Ratliff
This position has Holmgren (Wallace, McCoy) and Heckert's (Delhomme) influence all over it. No way we carry 4 QBs and no way does Mangini get to keep one of his guys here.
RB
Hardesty - Starter
Harrison - Starter
Davis
Notable Cuts: Jennings
This will be RB by committee. Jennings just didn't show me enough last year to make me want to keep him.
FB
Vickers - Starter
Hillis
Vickers is a LB destroying machine. Hillis will be the power back on short yardage plays.
WR
Massaquoi - Starter
Robiskie - Starter
Stuckey
Cribbs
J. Allen - Bubble
Notable Cuts: Steptoe, C. Mitchell (Practice Squad)
It came down to Mitchell and Allen for the last spot and I went with Allen's experience over Mitchell's raw talent due to our lack of experience in the position. Didn't know that Steptoe was still on the team.
TE
Watson - Starter
Moore
Royal
Notable Cuts - Smith, Estandia
Smith was brought in to push Moore and Royal. Estandia was only added due to injuries last year.
OL
Guard
Steinbach - Starter
Womack - Starter
Lauvao
Yates
Tackle
Thomas - Starter
Pashos - Starter
St. Clair
Center
Mack
Notable Cuts: none
Lauvao will be the C/G backup this year. Not comfortable with only 3 back-ups, but no one else available talent-wise that we couldn't get later in the year or off someone's practice squad.
DL
Defensive End
Coleman - Starter
R. Smith - Starter
Mosley
Schaefering
Nose Tackle
Rubin - Starter
Rogers
Notable Cuts: Geathers (Practice Squad)
Geathers is huge, but too raw to make the roster this year. Rubin is starting cause he won't "free lance" like Rogers does.
LB
Inside
Jackson - Starter
Fujita- Starter
Maiava
Trusnik
Outside
Gocong - Starter
Roth - Starter
Bowens
Bernard
Notable Cuts: Barton, Veikune (Practice Squad)
Not sure if Veikune is eligible, but just hasn't shown enough to unseat any of the others who came in and actually showed something last year. Barton is old and coming off a neck injury. I'm just taking a guess as to what position everyone is playing, but with Ryan, almost anyone one could start anywhere. This will be the last year for Bowens (age) and Jackson (only an ILB better fit in a 4-3 than a 3-4 imho)
CB
S. Brown - Starter
Wright - Starter
Haden
McDonald
Francies - Bubble
Notable Cuts: Lawson
Lawson could be a starting KR/PR on most other NFL teams, but won't sniff the field here as either a CB or returner.
S
Elam - Starter
Ward - Starter
Adams
Asante
Notable Cuts: None.
Adams played CB last year, but that was due to not having anyone else who could play CB. Elam will probably be either a back-up or gone next year. I didn't break the safety position down like I did the other positions cause I don't know the difference between Free and Strong and what you need to be able to do the play those positions.
Special Teams
Costanzo
Sorensen
Ventrone
Dawson - Kicker
Zastudil - Punter
Pontbriand - Long Snapper
Notable Cuts: none
Costanzo could be our version of Larry Izzo/Steve Tasker. Sorensen and Ventrone are valuable STers. Dawson has been nothing but solid and has been the deciding factor in a couple of games for us (Buffalo snow game '07). Pontbriand is Mr. Automatic.
I don't claim to be a NFL talent guru or anything, or am even able to see any of the practices. Most of my opinoin is based of of what I've seen last year, what I read from the internet/football mags, and what I read from this board. This is just a fan's 2 cents.
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Legend
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My question is this:
Cut Steptoe and Lawson, then who will be your back-up kick and punt returners?
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Legend
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Quote:
My question is this:
Cut Steptoe and Lawson, then who will be your back-up kick and punt returners?
Maybe Davis?
#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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Legend
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Good job. I think we'll see Shawn Rogers at DE this year where his liabilities (free-lancing) won't be such an issue. I also think we'll see some packages with 3 CB's and 1 "true" Safety in the def backfield, with Elam being odd man out. When we do go with 2 Safeties I think Adams and Ward will be the guys.
For what its worth, here's Tony Grossi's take on Opening Day starters, from today's Plain Dealer:
Hey, Tony: I know it's early, and hard to give exact lineups because of injuries and different packages but what do you believe the Week 1 lineups will look like? -- Ryan Gaskey, Plano, Texas
Hey, Ryan: Offense: LT -- Joe Thomas, LG -- Eric Steinbach, C -- Alex Mack, RG -- Shawn Lauvao, RT -- Tony Pashos, WRs -- Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs, TE -- Benjamin Watson, RBs -- Montario Hardesty, Lawrence Vickers, QB -- Jake Delhomme.
Defense: LE -- Kenyon Coleman, NT -- Ahtyba Rubin, RE -- Shawn Rogers, LBs -- Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong, David Bowens, Matt Roth, CBs -- Sheldon Brown, Joe Haden, S -- Abram Elam, Mike Adams.
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Quote:
Notable Cuts: Barton, Veikune (Practice Squad)
Not sure if Veikune is eligible,
he has an accrued season and is therefore not eligible.
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Legend
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Legend
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The Browns will not put Carlton Mitchell on their practice squad.. if they do... another team will snag him.. Jake Allen gets the cut instead, and Haggerty goes to practice squad.
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Quote:
My question is this:
Cut Steptoe and Lawson, then who will be your back-up kick and punt returners?
Harrison on punts. KOs not sure.
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Practice Squad
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With two good starters in Wright Brown, and two good backups Haden Mcdonald and Adams being able to play both safety and CB I can't imagine keeping Francis.
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Legend
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Francis will be competing with BMac for the dime spot..
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Legend
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Legend
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Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Legend
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Legend
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Quote:
Who is Francis?
Coye Francies
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Legend
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Legend
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Aha.
I thought we had signed someone named Francis when I wasn't looking.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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2nd String
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I see it like this too for the big picture for the most part. After cuts and injuries it gets dicey in a hurry in spots. I am REALLY interested in the backup squad's members.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
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The one thing Hillis did get to do toward the end of the season last year for Denver was return kickoffs. He returned punts at Arkansas.
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Dawg Talker
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I predict there will be 9 OL on the roster.
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Nothing new here, really. Let the offseason commense . . .  Any thoughts on the O-Line, Grossi???  http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/06/cleveland_browns_begin_vacatio.htmlCleveland Browns begin 'vacation,' but fall priorities are clear: Tony Grossi analysis Published: Saturday, June 19, 2010, 7:04 PM Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When the Browns report to duty July 30, these should be the prominent story lines of their 2010 training camp: • How do coach Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll divide playing time among new quarterbacks Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace and Colt McCoy, and give Brett Ratliff a fair shot to make the team? Playoff-caliber teams use the preseason to prepare their starter for the season. Mangini has been hesitant to name his starter heading into training camp. He hasn't declared an open competition, but has said he intends to give Delhomme and Wallace time with the first-team offense. Presumably, Wallace will be acclimated into a Wildcat role in some packages with Josh Cribbs. The theory is that when Wallace is on the field, defenses can't automatically assume a Wildcat play is coming because Wallace could just as soon execute the regular offense. Although Delhomme is new to the team and the offensive system in place, the club feels his experience will make up for any lost snaps. McCoy and Ratliff will compete for the No.3 role. Keeping four quarterbacks wouldn't seem to be a luxury the team can afford. • Can Montario Hardesty hold down the No.1 feature-back role? The second-round pick from Tennessee got a jump start on the job when Jerome Harrison initially stayed out of OTAs. Hardesty impressed the coaches with his knowledge of the position and his assignments in blitz pickup and receiving out of the backfield. Harrison's heroic, late-season surge evidently didn't convince the club he could do it over 16 games, else it wouldn't have traded into the second round to select Hardesty. • Do the receivers justify the team's confidence in them? Mohamed Massaquoi, Cribbs, Brian Robiskie and Chansi Stuckey had more good days than bad in OTAs. Privately, coaches are instilling a "we're just threes and fours" mentality into the group, reminiscent of the Deion Branch-David Givens New England Super Bowl championship team. In other words, there's no classic No.1 receiver on the team, so everyone has to pitch in. Sixth-round rookie Carlton Mitchell and undrafted rookie Johnathan Haggerty also will compete, but the lesson of last year is don't expect much from rookie wideouts. • Where will Shaun Rogers line up on the defensive front? Ahtyba Rubin's stout play at nose tackle in Rogers' absence kindled thoughts of moving Rogers to end when healthy. Rogers' rehab from ankle surgery kept him on the sidelines in OTAs, but he is supposed to be ready for the start of camp. Rogers' mind-set about a potential move is unknown because he has declined all interview requests since his gun-related arrest at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on April 1. • Can D'Qwell Jackson win back his starting spot at weakside inside linebacker? Jackson's season-ending injury and subsequent contract dispute made him a forgotten man at a crowded position. The additions of Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong illuminated Mangini's philosophy to field linebackers with the versatility to play inside and outside. Of 12 linebackers in camp, Jackson is one of the few without that versatility. • Will rookie Joe Haden and veteran pickup Sheldon Brown knock Eric Wright to the No.3 cornerback spot? Wright is entering the final year of his contract and has given off vibes of expecting a big payday. While his coverage skills have steadily improved, Wright remains a liability in run defense. While shorter than Wright, Haden is a more physical corner -- at least at Florida -- willing and able to stick his head in against the run. The seventh player taken in any draft is expected to be an instant contributor. And the Browns didn't give Brown $5 million after trading for him to play in sub defenses. Of course, all three will receive considerable playing time as opponents field three receivers. But corners have to play the run in Mangini's defense and Wright had the benefit last year of being the best of a weak bunch. • Will either rookie safety crack the starting lineup in his first year? Second-round pick T.J. Ward has more coverage ability than fifth-rounder Larry Asante and both are big hitters. Asante's selection almost seemed like insurance because of Ward's injury history. If Ward is able to stay healthy, he could be the enforcer so lacking in the secondary and set up a competition between Abram Elam and Mike Adams at the other spot. Asante should be expected to be a core player on special teams.
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Dawg Talker
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Quote:
McCoy and Ratliff will compete for the No.3 role. Keeping four quarterbacks wouldn't seem to be a luxury the team can afford.
Some competition..... Somehow I don't think they'd cut our QB heir apparent for Brett Ratliff. He'll make a decent #3 pickup for somebody.
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There is absolutely no way in hell that Ratliff is on the 53 unless we keep 4 QB's.
Delhomme, Wallace and McCoy will ALL be here, there is no doubt at all there... .which leave Ratliff as the odd man out. And, being that he doesn't play special teams, he doesn't have a hope in hell of sticking.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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Practice Squad
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Well, he could Gillooly the leg of Seneca Wallace, but that is about it.
Get_Rowdy
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sq... Can Wright play Safety?
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Quote:
My question is this:
Cut Steptoe and Lawson, then who will be your back-up kick and punt returners?
Harrison or Hills would return KO and I think McDonald has returned some Punts in the past.
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Quote:
LB
Inside
Jackson - Starter
Fujita- Starter
Maiava
Trusnik
Outside
Gocong - Starter
Roth - Starter
Bowens
Bernard
Notable Cuts: Barton, Veikune (Practice Squad)
Not sure if Veikune is eligible, but just hasn't shown enough to unseat any of the others who came in and actually showed something last year. Barton is old and coming off a neck injury. I'm just taking a guess as to what position everyone is playing, but with Ryan, almost anyone one could start anywhere. This will be the last year for Bowens (age) and Jackson (only an ILB better fit in a 4-3 than a 3-4 imho)
I really don't see the Browns giving up on Veikune after only one year. I came across this article about his performance so far through last year and practice this year and it points out some things I hadn't heard before.
I will highlight some of the facts that were new to me.
Quote:
A Breakout Season?
By The Sports Xchange
Posted Jun 12, 2010
Trimmer and faster than last season, second-year LB David Veikune has shapes up to make his move. Will this season justify the use of their second-round pick in 2009?
Browns coach Eric Mangini says players generally make their biggest improvement between their rookie season and their second year in the NFL.
Second-year linebacker David Veikune certainly hopes that applies to him.
Veikune played in 10 games in 2009 and did not make a tackle. He was inactive for five games and placed on injured reserve for the final game because of a knee injury.
Several factors contributed to his season of misery, not the least of which was the typical problems rookies have making the jump to the NFL. Veikune's were deeper, though.
Veikune weighed 270 pounds last year, well above his ideal playing weight. This spring Veikune not only looks like a football player -- he is moving like one. He is in the crowded but unsettled pack fighting for playing time at inside linebacker. He has dropped almost 20 pounds and worked his butt off in the offseason to become stronger.
"I'm definitely in better shape," Veikune said. "Any rookie going through the Combine, your pro day and all those things your body never rests. Then you come in here and get going right away. Now I'm in the low 250s. Last year I was way too heavy."
Veikune played defensive end at the University of Hawaii. The Browns drafted him 52nd overall last year with the second-round draft choice acquired from the Jets in the trade for the draft pick the Jets used on quarterback Mark Sanchez. The Browns got center Alex Mack and more in the trade, but they are going to need a lot more than zero tackles from Veikune to make the trade work in their favor.
The coaches spent training camp last summer and most of the season figuring out just where Veikune should play. He was too light to play defensive end in the 3-4 defense, so it came down to inside linebacker and outside linebacker. That experiment did not work, so this season he is strictly inside. Players are in shorts and T-shirts until the pads go on in training camp, but Veikune looks surer of himself on the practice field.
"I believe David's really benefitted well from some opportunities that have been created at the inside linebacker spot without having D'Qwell (Jackson) here," Mangini said. "He's gotten quite a few reps and I think he's done a nice job. I think some of the value with linebackers really has to be determined once the pads come on.
"Part of playing that inside linebacker spot is your ability to go up and thump and I think that's something David showed in college. He showed different levels last season, but this is good work for him in terms of processing everything. Now ideally when it comes time to hit, it's where the added value comes in."
Last year the opening day starters were D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton. Both were injured during the first half of the season. David Bowens started the final nine games and Jason Trusnik the final six inside.
Jackson, unhappy the Browns won't budge from their one-year contract tender, boycotted the OTAs and minicamp. Barton is not practicing because he is recovering from neck surgery. Bowens is in his 12th season, so Mangini isn't going to wear him out in June.
The more the others are on the sideline, the more practice time Veikune is getting. Veikune said he felt "lost" in 2009.
"The whole year," he said. "Even though I studied and stuff, it was still like night and day. I got some pieces of it, but this year everything is slowing down a lot more.
"I'm still studying everything. You just have to be a smart player."
I hadn't read anything about the weight issue before, but with him dropping the pounds and coming is quicker and stronger---it looks promising. I am really hoping this pick ends up working out.
Mangini and co. took a chance on this guy last year and it would be really nice to see him come alive this year. I like what I have read so far about his time on the practice field, and the increased speed, recognition, and the game starting to slow down all seem like positive steps for the guy.
I could definitely see how coming in 20lbs over playing weight may have hampered his ability to see the field last year.
LIen-Kune
I wish to wash my Irish wristwatch......
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In response to the original poster:
Veikune was on the roster for the year last year and thus cannot go on the Practice Squad.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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