DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns expecting Travis Benjamin to make an impact catching the ball as wel

Receiving attention: Browns expecting Travis Benjamin to make an impact catching the ball as well as returning it -

Filed on August 19, 2013 by Scott Petrak

BEREA — Travis Benjamin made the play of the game in the preseason opener vs. the Rams. He sprinted across the field, turned the corner and was gone — untouched — on a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown.

On Thursday against the Lions, he had an 82-yard return for a touchdown called back by a holding penalty.
Benjamin’s bursts reminded everyone — even Joshua Cribbs’ biggest fans — the impact he can have in the return game.

His work at receiver throughout the offseason and in training camp has alerted anyone who’s paid attention that he’s not a one-trick pony.

“He’s a guy who busts his (butt) and works hard and he wants to be more than a punt returner — and he is,” receivers coach Scott Turner said. “He’s a receiver and he’s a guy who’s going to contribute and play a large role in our offense.”

That’s music to Benjamin’s ears.

“I feel like with my speed and my talent, either in special teams or whenever I get on the field, I can make a difference,” he said.

Benjamin (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) is a leading candidate for most improved player from 2012. He’s among the leaders in practice catches and hasn’t dropped many. A practice doesn’t go by without Benjamin doing something worthy of a tweet or jot in the notebook.

“He has gotten a lot better,” said coach Rob Chudzinski, who went to the University of Miami two decades before Benjamin. “He’s using his speed better in his routes. As opposed to last year, where he was just a guy that ran deep, this year up to this point he has shown ability to run the shorter routes as well and get in and out of breaks really well.”

With 4.3 speed, Benjamin will always have the ability to sprint by the cornerback and safety. His two receiving touchdowns as a rookie last year — he added a 93-yard punt return for a score — came on 22- and 69-yard catches from Brandon Weeden. He averaged 16.6 yards on 18 catches in 14 games, including three starts.

The growth in Benjamin’s game this season is most evident in the intermediate routes. The 15-yard out from Weeden has become almost unstoppable, and the 12-yard in has also been effective.

“There’s plenty of targets out there but him knowing my speed and my ability to get open quicker and faster, I think that’s why he comes to me,” Benjamin said.

He is always a threat to blow by the cornerback, which opens up the playbook. His improved route running makes the shorter patterns so productive.

“The deep, moderate type of routes are good,” Turner said. “But a guy like him, he can run them all, he can get in and out of things pretty well, so he’s encouraging.

“I was excited about him when I saw him on film because of his ability to run. I felt like with some maturity there was some more there.”

Benjamin credits his offseason workouts in Boca Raton, Fla., with Anquan Boldin and other NFL receivers for helping his routes. Boldin, 32, has never been a blazer but has made a Pro Bowl career with the ability to get open.

His best advice?

“Stay focused. Be crafty with your technique,” Benjamin said. “Be crafty in your routes because only you know where you’re going on the field in the route running.”

Closer to home, he has advisers in Greg Little and veteran slot receiver Davone Bess.

“It’s just more crisp,” Little said of Benjamin’s route running this year. “Travis is so fast and sometimes when he cuts it’s rounded.

“Travis’ top speed is obviously here (putting his hand above his head), so you don’t have to go top speed. Go one or two notches under that and still you’re playing at a high level, and guys know you’re fast and obviously are going to be aware of that when you’re coming off the ball.”

Benjamin will need to come out of the gate quickly. Starter Josh Gordon is suspended for the first two games, so Benjamin will likely slide into his spot. When everyone’s available, Benjamin is the fourth receiver behind Gordon, Little and Bess.

“I’m going to go into Game 1 versus the Dolphins looking to come out with a great game, just to fill in for Josh,” Benjamin said. “And through Game 2 and Game 3 just play the best I can.”

“We will use him as a receiver, whether Josh is there or not,” Chudzinski said. “He’s definitely somebody we want to take advantage of and find a role for. He will be more important in those first couple games.”

Through limited time in two preseason games, Benjamin has two catches for 21 yards. The spectacular has shown up on his returns, even eliciting a congratulatory text from Cribbs, who was Cleveland’s kick returner from 2005-12.

“Josh is a great person to me,” Benjamin said. “He was a great mentor while he was here in Cleveland. By watching him and learning the things he did, it’s coming along into my game.

“He always gave me great advice.”

Cribbs has 40 pounds of muscle on Benjamin and uses his strength to break tackles and get into the clear. Benjamin uses his speed to run to daylight.

He’s not flashy and speaks softly, but his ego is obvious when discussing his speed. He ranks himself the fastest guy on the team and among the top five in the league, joining Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson and Titans running back Chris Johnson.

When he’s running free, nobody can catch him.

“I think if I get the edge on you, it’s me all the way,” Benjamin said.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
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IMO, the person they won't let loose until the season starts. This kid will be going deep early and often and there is no way we'll see it in the preseason.

I agree ... I think we're kind of holding back Benji and Bess at this point. I see those two as the keys to our passing attack at the WR position.

He is going to be Gordons deep threat replacement the first two games.

I don't care if he runs outta balance and doesn't take the hits. He knows how to use his speed to keep his body safe. And what speed does he have. He has to be noticed when he is on the field. He is a torcher, with good vision.

Josh Cribbs replacement too and I am sure of it. Who else has returned punts better now that Lewis is injured?

Glad we have him as a returner but he sucks as a receiver. bad routes, cant catch, will not fight for the ball hell he doesnt even come back for a ball thats slightly underthrown.

See eagles game last season.

Maybe he's gotten better, I don't know.

Shouldn't factor that much into the offense after the second week.

Not to beat a dead horse, but it will be nice to see what he can do with some real coaching.

If you hadn't notice, most our WR struggled under Pat's offense and play calling. The whole offense did. Let's be real and straight up, the offensive play calling suck. Pat refused to use the player's strength, Norv however may not be so stupid and conceded.

I would agree in any case, he needs to improve his route running. His frame is so tiny, but IMO he still isn't as scared as MoMass was when a ball is being thrown his way. Would be nice to see him a lil more "aggressive" though, for sure!

I look particularly at Gordon. He was a terrible fit in Pat's offense and is a perfect fit in Norv's offense (same with Trent out of the backfield really). I see Gordon/Benji stretching the field ... Little being our "tweener" who can play at any level .. and Bess/Nelson mostly playing underneath the coverages.

MoMass just released somewhere? I think Ben can fly, so I want to see him deep fly. Oh, and catch it.

Benjamin and Gordan are defiantly 2 HR threats .... JMHO

If Little continues where he left off, there is absolutely NO REASON AT ALL not to label him a threat. In other words, Gordon and Ben can stretch the field. Little, Bess and then Norwood/Nelson can work the other parts. However, moving Gordon into the slot or middle of the field and vice versa to that, having Little or Bess stretch the deep field are all versatile and interchangable which really should be getting Norv's nipples hard at the amount of various play calls and player situations he can come up with and use to attack/keep an offense guessing.

... and yes, MoMass was released by the Jags. Are you really shocked? Lol he should be thankful they picked him up and took a gamble on him in the first place IMO.

Benjamin looks to me to be a great Cribbs replacement as far as returning is concerned. And if he can make any great plays as a receiver, its a bonus compared to cribbs. I know this guy is working hard though and has the potential to become a great player. Im excited to see him this season.

Actually this is what I had expected when he was drafted.

Returners seem to lose a step over time and that's what I feel I was seeing in Cribbs.

When Benjiman was drafted I felt and stated he would end up being the replacement for Cribbs.

He is faster than Cribbs and is more illusive. And with that speed, I feel he can produce better as a WR.

Its also a different offense. Travis is more of a deep threat than a West Coast Slant threat. So if he has improved his game I think we will see him as a target on some deep balls even after Gordon gets back.

Ahh I misread your post. My bad!

Good stuff bro! I wouldn't want to be a safety with Gordon who has a freakish body and Benji with freakish speed. Nope, no sir. lol