Quote: I agree Graff.....TR doesn't need to leave the field unless he is nicked, needs a blow of air, or we are up by 20 in the 4th.
+1. I am pumped about Trent Richardson. Guy is a true stud. He's gonna be awesome for us.
With him and Schwartz, the play-action will look good too. Defenses are really going to be focused on stopping the run. Then we'll catch teams over the top with acrobatic catches from Greg Little
Quote: I agree Graff.....TR doesn't need to leave the field unless he is nicked, needs a blow of air, or we are up by 20 in the 4th.
I would expect nothing less then a 3 down back with the # 3 overall pick.
With Brandon Jackson we have the luxury of knowing you can give TR a rest if he needs one, because he knows the offense better then any back on the roster and is very adept as a receiving option or pass blocking. With that I think we will use TR as a cow bell. Why else would you take a RB so high if you don't plan to use him in this way?
I'm gonna hold a higher opinion of the players who I've seen put up about 6 or 7 games in a Browns uniform. I don't know all of this talk about Brandon Jackson on 3rd downs, ( he looks like an average guy from another team), but he sat out all of last season and thus has alot to show. Trent Richardson, he'll be ok but he's still got to get his feet wet.
Hardesty and Ogbonnaya already know what they're in for, from last year.
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
Quote: I'm gonna hold a higher opinion of the players who I've seen put up about 6 or 7 games in a Browns uniform. I don't know all of this talk about Brandon Jackson on 3rd downs, ( he looks like an average guy from another team), but he sat out all of last season and thus has alot to show. Trent Richardson, he'll be ok but he's still got to get his feet wet.
Hardesty and Ogbonnaya already know what they're in for, from last year.
B. Jackson has a good body of work in this League/WCO, so it's not like he is an unknown commodity. His loss last year was a bigger loss then most will give credit for with Hillis missing so much time and games. The FO is pretty high on him as well (why else would they have signed him in FA).
I know Richardson is good on third down. Outside Richardson, though, we've got nothing but question marks at RB. I was excited about adding Jackson last year, then he missed the whole season with a freakin toe injury. Anybody that relies on hardesty at this point is just silly IMO. Armond smith didn't show the coaches enough last year to warrant active roster duty. I just find it strange that we seem to think we're set at this position now. Is it that no UDFA wants to come into camp with Richardson?
And by the way, giving Richardson the ball 35 times a game is a great way to make sure we have 2 1st round draft pick this year that have 6 year careers.
I don't think we have that many questions at the position. We know Jackson is a decent back. He's proven that. We also know Oggie is pretty good if forced in to service. We also know we need to forget about Hardesty.
Also, I don't think we are going to run TR 35 times a game, but i don't buy in to doing so creates 6 year careers....but even if so, what is wrong with 6 solid years?? Again, we are acting like we need to get 10 years out of a player and acting like the Browns have had many 10 year players....since our return, Dawson might be the only one.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
I've been reading up on some of the guys we signed as UDFA ..... and I have my sleeper pick ......
Johnson Bademosi.
He is a CB who will probably play S in the NFL. he has solid size, and ran a 4.35 at Stanford's pro day. Unfortunately, he seems to lack some as a man to man CB type ..... but he could excel at S. He's 6'1" and 201, with and looks like a guy who can easily carry another 10-15 pounds. He went to Stanford, and majored in History, so he has to be bright. he also has said that he loves to hit people.
I think that he might be a FS candidate ..... and God knows we need one desperately.
I look at some of the other guys, and I see bodies.
Cooper is a good story, but the guy is small and ran a 4.65 at the combine. Ugh.
Saffold looks like most of the receivers we already have. The Browns seemed interested in finding some smaller and speedier options for the offense.
Sweat is somewhat interesting .... but we drafted 2 LB, and we are a 4-3 team.I don't see us keeping 3 rookie LBs.
Cleveland is another guy who is facing numbers. You have to figure that we will automatically keep Thomas, Pinkston, Mack, Lauvoa, Schwartz, and backups Miller and Greco. Do we add a 3rd rookie, or do we keep an experienced guy for backup duty?
Reed ran a 4.63. Now I know that often a guy might not run well but has football speed ...... but a 4.63 for aCB has to be a major concern.
Shugarts is another guys with some positives, but probably not enough to stick with the Browns.
I can't find much on Green ...... other than he played .. reportedly ... at Florida. Maybe I'm just tired, but I can't find any stats on him.
Gipson is another guy I can't find much on.
Gerhart .... maybe .......? We could need a backup Center, and he is definitely that.
Reed seems like a longshot of longshots ..... a guy who has limited production in college .... isn't particularly impressive physically .... and "needs to become a better student of the game". Doesn't seem likely .....
Davis is another guy who would probably have to be a safety conversion due to his limited speed. He's smaller though, and I have seen reports that he had a shoulder injury?
Allen looks like another guy who might have been a college backup? I can't find much on him either. He's 6' but only 175#. I don't see CB as a position of major need on the Browns ..... and I don't know enough about this guy, as many of the others, to make any kind of determination about him.
Yep ..... Bademosi is my sleeper pick among this UDFA class.
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.
Not sure where you have your infos from, but Saffold ran a 4.35 according to this...
Gipson and Bademosi have a good shot to fight for that 4th S spot (if we don't move S.Brown over there)...if both don't show enough promise we will sign some other team's PS guy like we did last year filling our last roster spots
CB E.Davis is the biggest "name" for draftniks...similar player to 7th rounder Wade...those 2 and Dockery will fight for the 5th CB spot...will probably come down to ST
#gmstrong
"Players come along at different points in time" - Ray Farmer
The potential redeeming factor for Cooper is that he's used to what will most likely be our new Starting QB.. Not sure how much weight to put on that, but it's there...
#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
Quote: The potential redeeming factor for Cooper is that he's used to what will most likely be our new Starting QB.. Not sure how much weight to put on that, but it's there...
how I view it is that it's a comfort factor for Weeden. even if Cooper isn't good enough to make the team, just having that comfort factor in the OTAs, in the early part of camp, etc. is something that can be a very good thing for Weeden. he can likely talk openly with him, express frustrations, etc. that he might not want to do with other new teammates/coaches.
Maybe the stuff I saw on Staffold was more about quickness than speed then. I dunno. It was late. lol
Thanks for the link. There's some decent info there.
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.
Everyone I have talked to says Saffold was a beast at Missouri state. I have only seen the youtube stuff on the kid but honestly, he seems to have that unique wide receiver swagger that top guys have. 4.36 in the forty and 10ft 3in broad jump shows his athleticism. The kid has a shot to make the roster.
Watch that video on him, he is beating good coverage. I see some made skills in this kid that has me pretty damn excited. The kid is fighting for the ball, finding the soft spots in zones and just making big time plays. He needs some work on his routes but WOW.
The Cleveland Browns announced the signing of 15 undrafted free agents, the team announced Wednesday afternoon. The Cleveland Browns today announced the signing of 15 undrafted free agents. The group includes five defensive backs, four offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two linebackers and one defensive lineman. In addition, the team waived linebacker Brian Smith.
MIKE ALLEN – Four year letterman at James Madison University (2008-11)… Began collegiate career as a wide receiver before converting to defense prior to junior season… Totaled 63 career tackles, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery… Attended Blessed Sacrament Huguenot High School in Powhatan, Va.
JAKE ANDERSON – Four year letterman at the University of Akron (2008-11)… Did not miss a game in four years, appearing in all 48… Utilized mostly at right tackle… Attended McDowell High School in Erie Pa.
JOHNSON BADEMOSI – Appeared in 48 games at Stanford University (2008-11)… Totaled 122 career tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception… Was also a member of the track and field team at Stanford… Attended Gonzaga High School in in Silver Spring, Md.
MATT CLEVELAND – Three year starter at the University of Idaho (2009-11)… Miss the 2008 season due to injury, but went on to start the next 38 games at left tackle… Attended Kentwood High School in Covington, Wash.
JOSH COOPER – Tallied 161 career receptions, 1,696 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns at Oklahoma State University (2008-11)… As a senior, finished second on the team in receptions (71) and receiving yards (716), while adding three touchdown catches… Attended Mustang (Okla,) High School.
EMANUEL DAVIS – Appeared in 49 career games at East Carolina University (2008-11) with 38 starts… Notched 230 career tackles, nine interceptions, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and 1.5 sacks… Attended Manteo (N.C.) High School.
L.J. FORT – Appeared in 50 games game at the University of Northern Iowa (2008-11) with 34 starts… Finished 2011 as the Division I FCS national leader in total tackles (184) and tackles per game (14.15)… Named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and was selected as the FCS National Defensive Player of the Year by both College Sporting News and College Sports Madness… Finished fifth in school history with 356 career stops… Attended Waynesville (Mo.) High School.
GARTH GERHART – Started 35 of the 39 games in which he saw action in at Arizona State University (2008-11)… Opened 27 games at center, five at right guard and three at left guard… Brother, Toby, is a running back for the Minnesota Vikings… Attended Norco (Calif.) High School.
TASHAUN GIPSON – Four year starter at the University of Wyoming (2008-11)… Notched nine career interceptions… As a senior, recorded 95 tackles and three interceptions… Attended Kimball High School in Dallas, Texas.
WILLIAM GREEN – Appeared in 53 contests with four starts at the University of Florida (2008-11)… Totaled 53 tackles and 2.5 sacks… As a senior, saw action in 13 games, notching 21 tackles and half a sack… Attended Spain Park High School in Hoover, Ala.
ANTWUAN REED – Four year letterman at the University of Pittsburgh (2008-11)… As a senior, totaled 30 tackles, seven passes defensed and three fumble recoveries, including returning one for a touchdown… Named to the All-Big East second team after final season… Attended Greater Johnstown (Pa.) High School.
BERT REED – Four year letterman at Florida State University (2008-11)… Finished career ranked fourth in school history in receptions (170) and 12th in receiving yards (2,022)… Also notched 10 career touchdown receptions, while adding 34 rushing attempts for 243 yards with three scores… As a senior, totaled 29 receptions for 403 yards with five touchdowns… Attended Bay High School in Panama City, Fla.
JERMAINE SAFFOLD – Four year letterman at Missouri State University (2008-11)… Set the school single-season season (913 in 2011) and career (2,221) records for receiving yardage… As a senior, recorded 45 receptions with eight touchdowns and ranked 25th nationally in receiving yards per game (83.0)… Nine career 100-yard receiving performances were also a school record… Attended Grandview (Mo.) High School.
J.B. SHUGARTS – Four year letterman at Ohio State University (2008-11)… Three year starter at right tackle… Father, Bret, was a defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1987)… Attended Klein (Texas) High School.
ANDREW SWEAT – Appeared in 49 career games at Ohio State University (2008-11)… Totaled 201 career tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one sack… As a senior, finished second on the team with 72 tackles, while adding one interception and one forced fumble… Attended Trinity High School in Washington, Pa.
While we may not have very much talent we also have depth. It sounds weird but it is true. For example, we have Little, Massaquoi, Cribbs, Benjamin, Norwood, and Mitchell on the roster. We probably will carry five wide receivers on the active roster, meaning the undrafted guy has to beat out two guys.
Quote: It will be harder than usual for any of these to make the team. We also have 11 new draft picks competing for spots.
I think it will be about the same.
My opinion is anybody drafted after the 5th round is pretty much a long shot.
A few of them seem to have some skills to go along with the obvious holes that go along with not being drafted, but who knows?? One or two of them might shine enough to stick, or possibly be given another shot on the practice team.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
Quote: While we may not have very much talent we also have depth. It sounds weird but it is true. For example, we have Little, Massaquoi, Cribbs, Benjamin, Norwood, and Mitchell on the roster. We probably will carry five wide receivers on the active roster, meaning the undrafted guy has to beat out two guys.
I think you are correct and it is more of an indictment against our starters that they can't clearly separate themselves from the backups... basically we have a few really good players and a bunch of borderline starter/backups...
Cooper is the least talented of the group to be honest. His time with Weeden will help but he just doesn't have anything that wows.
I tell ya what, Josh Cribbs is far from a lock to make the roster. He may be our slot to start with but I believe he could be in a real fight and his contact will not help him in the least. With the lack of return opportunities, hard to justify 6 mil a year and lets be honest, he has really done nothing since he received the big contract.
Mitchell is in a tight spot. This is his last chance to impress and he will have major competition.
Mo should be our starting #2 but the concussions and general lack of enthusiasm is discouraging. He needs a strong camp.
Norwood came on late but he has done nothing to secure a job yet either. His key to making the roster is improving his route running.
Benjamin has the speed but the drops are bothersome, having 2 former coaches on the Browns staff should make him a pretty good lock.
Saffold is one to keep your eye on. Weeden likes to throw the deep ball and this kid can get deep.
Quote: It will be harder than usual for any of these to make the team. We also have 11 new draft picks competing for spots.
That's exactly as it should be right? Each year, you add pieces.. start with the foundation (lines) sprinkle playmakers when you find them.. do that over a few years and pretty soon, you got some damn fine depth and solid starters..
By now, it should be harder to make the team.. at least I would hope so..
#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
We also have very little talent, so maybe it evens out.
Most of the team is returning. Tony Pashos has left, Eric Steinbech, Mike Adams (safety). Are there many other major contributors from last year who are not returning?
The turnover seems less than the average year.
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
Cribbs I think, is going to retire a Brown. I can't see us getting rid of him, and I don't think anyone else values him as much as we do.
This is MoMass' last chance basically, he may collect a paycheck for a few years somewhere else if he fails, but his breakout better happen this year. (Note: It would help if you looked for the ball when it's in the air.)
Little is our #1 right now obviously. And I expect (even with Rookie QB growing pains) around a 1k yards from him, hopefully 7ish TDs (Basically Julio Jones' Rookie Stats)
I REALLY like Norwood in the slot, I just think he's going to get lost in the numbers game. Which sucks.
So I guess
1. Little 2. MoMass/Cribbs 3. Norwood/Benjamin 4. Mitchell
Am I the only one that pronounces hyperbole "Hyper-bowl" instead of "hy-per-bo-le"?
If they tackle, block, and do not drop the ball, that's plenty of wow for me. I like to pull for these guys, and not every player from last year still aboard should be considered a lock for the 2012 squad. I hope we get some good play outta these guys, long odds or no, because we need upgrades. Glad to see the number of wideouts as well.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
We will only "maybe" trade Cribbs (not cut), since he's in his last year of his rather cheap contract (1.4mil), if 2 or 3 of the youngsters really show up in TC but I consider Cribbs the BEST no.4 WR in the entire NFL you could wish for.....he can spot start outside and not look totally lost, he can line up in the slot, you can run gadget plays with im...he's a ST ace on both sides of ST...I actually think his roster spot value is underestimated around here
the OL and S UDFAs have the best shot at sticking since there are some open roster spots available there
#gmstrong
"Players come along at different points in time" - Ray Farmer
Quote: I hope we get some good play outta these guys, long odds or no, because we need upgrades.
Hey I agree with you.. we have to be about due to find that late round guy or even that UDFA guy that turns into a star.. not just a contributor but a FORCE.. Adalius Thomas, 6th round, Jesse Sapolu, 11th round, Clyde Simmons, 9th round, Marques Colston, Round 7, Austin Collie, 4th round..... that kind of guy. What we need is to have a solid team in place around them, which is the reason I think good teams tend to find these late round "steals" and bad teams don't.
Everybody has an equal chance to find one but, if you take a 6th round WR and let Drew Brees or Peyton Manning throw them the ball they have a chance, you do it with the level of QB play we've seen consistently over the last 10 years and they are going to look like 6th round draft picks... Hell we make 2nd round draft picks look like 6th round picks.
Quote: the OL and S UDFAs have the best shot at sticking since there are some open roster spots available there
OL we have: Thomas, Pinkston, Mack, Lauvao, Schwartz Miller, Greco, Cousins
That's 8 right there. It'd be great for an UDFA to prove better than Greco or Cousins, but that's tough. I think we generally carry 8 or 9, so maybe there's 1 slot open?
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Now I know that often a guy might not run well but has football speed ...... but a 4.63 for aCB has to be a major concern. 
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