DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Predict your Browns 53 man Roster.

Here's something I found kinda interesting ....

The Browns could field an offense almost exclusively made up of drafted players.

QB: Weeden
RB: Richardson
FB: Marecic or Smelley
WRs: Little, Massaquoi, Benjamin (Cribbs has an outside chance of starting)
OL: Thomas, Pinkston, Mack, Lauvoa, Schwartz
TE: Watson (Free agent signing)

if Cameron can somehow win the starting TE job .... and Shurmur has been talking him up a lot early, then we would have all drafted players starting on offense.

I can't remember the last time that happened with the Browns.

We do, of course, have 5 or 6 free agent starters on defense.

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I can't remember the last time that happened with the Browns.

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I can't remember the last time a team announced they would launch a 5 yr plan to rebuild their team via the draft...and then stuck to the plan.

The Browns have two more drafts before the rebuild will be completed...I look forward to the end of the process knowing the Browns should be ready to challenge for the playoffs for years to come.

I don't care who they put on the team. If the coaches don't get their head out of their ( sand ) they won't challenge for the playoffs for years to come.

( It's years like this, when I wish they would expand the 53 man roster by a few.)

Browns | Owen Marecic could be on roster bubble

Cleveland Browns FB Owen Marecic could be on the roster bubble during training camp if the team decides to use Brad Smelley as a part-time blocker in the backfield.

2012-05-20 14:21:11 | Source: ESPNCleveland.com - Tony Grossi


Browns | Carlton Mitchell could get playing time

Cleveland Browns WR Carlton Mitchell could receive some playing time this season if he is able to stay healthy during training camp.

2012-05-20 14:21:41 | Source: ESPNCleveland.com - Tony Grossi

I would kinda agree with those.

I think that Smelley is superior as far as getting down the field on passing routes, and I think that Mitchell is into put up or get out time in his career. He either earns playing time, or is looking elsewhere for a job.

I'm not going to take a stab at the 53, but just wanted to discuss a couple of things.

Armond Smith - I saw a few people mention him in this thread. I don't know if it's been discussed elsewhere on the board, but he's out. He's with Carolina now and former Toledo back Adonis Thomas is in.

Brian Smith - I had no idea he was cut until I read it in this thread. I'm sad to hear that because I thought he was going to develop into a decent player for Cleveland.

Montario Oneyardesty - I see no reason why the Browns should keep him around. He's one of the last pieces of the Mangini era. It seems like Heckert just keeps this guy around to prove he made the right move wasting a 2nd round pick on him.

Josh Cooper - I haven't seen too many add him to their projected 53, but I really hope this kid makes the team. I think having him around will be a big positive for Weeden, and considering this stable of receivers, it shouldn't take much for him to stick.

Kaluka Maiava - I'm a fan. He's a very good special teams player and I'm expecting a healthy competition from him and JMJ to fill the spot left by Fujita's suspension. To be honest, I'd rather lose Fujita and keep JMJ and Maiava. If nothing else, he is a solid backup and good special teamer. He's a great attitude guy.

Players I would have no problem seeing shipped off:

Brian Schaefering
Ray Ventrone
Oniel Cousins
Montario Hardesty
Seneca Wallace

Players I want to see make the team:

Josh Cooper
Adonis Thomas
Thaddeus Lewis
Rod Windsor
Brad Smelley

I like Schaefering. He actually somehow managed to wind up with more tackles than some starting 4-3 DT have. (Just not the guys on our team) He just doesn't have much in the way of pass rush ability.

Smith had no chance once the Browns drafted a pair of LB. Neither, likely, will Ben Jacobs. This is a good thing, that 2 guys who made our team last year have no chance of doing so this year.

I think that Paxson might have a solid chance of starting alongside Rubin at DT. I have read a lot about hos the team really likes him a lot.

I am coming around on Cooper ..... but he can't afford too many muffs like he had in rookie camp where a TD pass bounced off his hands for an INT. He has to be almost perfect, because that has to be his key to making the team. He has to do everything exactly right. One thing he has going for him is that even though he isn't really fast, he knows how to get off the line and get open. He also has reliable hands, and runs good routes.

Ventrone is such a key special teamer, but he is a guy I keep hoping we are able to replace. He really is a liability on the field on defense ...... but he is a great special teams guy.

I think that Marecic could be in for a fight for his spot. Smelley can do everything he can do, plus he can play down the field as well. Smelley's not just a swing pass kind of guy like Marecic is. Plus I think that Smelley has better hands.

I would like to see us be able to keep a really fast 3rd RB. Obviously Richardson is #1. Jackson and Hardesty will probably battle it out for #2. I would love to see us keep a really fast guy as the 3rd back ..... a guy who can create major mismatches for defenses.

If Hardesty isn't able to be a plus level contributor, then I don't think that Heckert would have any problem dumping him. It doesn't seem like Heckert has a huge ego in that regard. I think that thing with Hardesty is that he not only has to show that he has his burst and cutting ability back, but that his struggles catching the ball last year are a thing of the past.

It will be interesting to see what happens while Fujita is on suspension. If (maybe) JMJ is able to grab his position and show that he can play well even while he is developing, then Fujita might be out of a job. I hope this is the case, because, again, if we can replace a player with a clear upgrade, then that means that the team is improving.

The thing that really encourages me this year is that I see several players who will be clear and major upgrades over last year. I believe that Richardson, Weeden, Schwartz, Smelley, and maybe even JMJ all have a chance to move in as starters right away, and upgrade their positions right away. Plus they will then continue to grow from there. I think that we'll see heavy contributions from Hughes, Benjamin, and Winn, with an improvement in depth with Miller and Acho. (and maybe Wade too, though I think that he has a harder road)

I am probably more hopeful about this team this year than I have been in quite some time. I think that they have a very difficult path ahead of them, but I think that the talent level on this team is starting to approach NFL average. Obviously the rookies need to develop, but I think that this could be the draft that solidifies the turnaround of the Cleveland Browns.

Unless Rod Windsor provides some irreplacable aspect to special teams, I can't understand him on the roster.

Can you explain why, you want to see Rod Windsor make the team?

I want players, that have ever or will EVER make a play.

As of the last 2 games of last year, I hate Carlton Mitchell, and I moreso hate Rod Windsor, for that they don't make plays, they vacuum, and they've had time prove something too.

At least Mitchell finally made a few catches at the end of last season.

Actually, Windsor looks a lot like most of the receivers on this team from a size standpoint.

He's 6'2" and 205#.

Mitchell is 6'3" and 215#.

Little is 6'2" and 220#.

Massaquoi is 6'2" and 205#.

Cribbs is 6'1" and 215#.

Don't forget Stevenson(sp) Last I read the staff really liked what they saw before he got hurt. I think he would make a good rotation guy with Sheard.

Emmanuel Stevens?

I didn't see a whole lot out of him, but it's possible the team likes him.

Auston English blew up last pre-season IIRC.

Yeah, but of the guys I mentioned, 4 of them were on the roster last year.

Of the guys you mentioned, only 1 was on the roster.

Last year we went with mostly bigger type receivers. Heckert drafted Benjamin because he's fast, quick, and shifty.

Wasn't Windsor more of a long strider type guy?

Did Heckert draft Mitchell? I don't think so. Mitchell has been a project player for a while now, iirc.

Drafted in 2010.

Well, you said that he had prototypical size, which other receivers on the roster lacked. That's why I responded the way I did.

I think Austin English will have to beat out more than one valid prospect to keep his roster spot.
If you consider, Emmanuel Stephens, that Marcus Benard hasn't completely severed ties, draft picks of Emmanuel Acho, and James Michael Johnson, and Billy Winn. Kaluka Maiava, and the three starting linebackers have not gotten worse, so if you consider all of this, English will definetly have his work cut out for him.

I agree. I think that English and Benard each have to show a lot in order to keep a job.