DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns still making moves

FRED GREETHAM |
Published: Sunday, September 01, 2013, 5:49pm

After the Browns announced their moves on Saturday to reach the mandated NFL roster limit of 53, they said they were not finished. And they were not kidding.

“Again, our roster is fluid right now,” Head coach Rob Chudzinski said in a release. “We still need to address our kicker position, so we’re not done. We’re a young and hungry team with some solid veteran leaders. I like the foundation we have in place as we enter the season. I’m excited to see what we can do.”

The team added two running backs – Bobby Rainey and Dennis Johnson – that are believed to bolster their depth with the season-ending injuries to Montario Hardesty (knee surgery) and Dion Lews (fractured fibula). Brandon Jackson was released to make room for Rainey and Johnson.

Rainey led the Baltimore Ravens in rushing in the preseason with 89 yards on 23 carries. He also returned kickoffs and punts. He averaged 31.9 yards on seven kickoff returns and 18.7 on seven punt returns. Johnson led the Texans in rushing in the preseason with 123 yards, including a touchdown on 33 carries.

“I like the depth we’ve been able to add at running back,” Chudzinski said. “Both Johnson and Rainey have been productive runners. They also give us some options as a kickoff returner. We’ll look at that in the next few days.”

The Browns also added tight ends Keavon Milton and MarQueis Gray and released Kellen Davis. They also added an offensive lineman in Patrick Lewis and a linebacker, Brandon McGee, while releasing linebacker L.J. Fort. Gray played quarterback and receiver in college at Minnesota.

“Gray has experience as a quarterback and wide receiver,” Chudzinski said, “so he’s a heck of an athlete. Milton gives us a guy with good blocking ability and hands.”

Lewis gives the team another offensive lineman with versatility.

“Lewis can play both guard and center, so I like the versatility there on the interior of our offensive line,” Chudzinski said.

Magee will compete for a linebacking position.

"Magee is just a tough, old-school linebacker with good instincts,” Chudzinski said. “I believe he can help us.”

In addition to releasing Davis, Jackson and Fort, the Browns released offensive lineman Caylin Hauptmann, Jarrod Shaw and fullback Brad Smelley.

All six players claimed off waivers were rookie free agents, but the team remains without a kicker.

Here is a summary of the players added:

-Center Patrick Lewis (6-1, 311) from Texas A&M, released by the Packers.

-Linebacker Brandon McGee (5-11, 225) from Arizona State, released by the Cowboys.

-Tight end MarQueis Gray (6-4, 250) from Minnesota, released by the 49ers.

-Tight end Keavon Milton (6-4 293) from Louisiana-Monroe, released by the Saints

-Running back Bobby Rainey (5-8, 212) from Western Kentucky , released by the Ravens.

-Running back Dennis Johnson (5-7, 193) from Arkansas, released by the Texans.

Several Browns who were released have hooked on with other teams, including linebacker James-Michael Johnson, who was claimed by the Chiefs, and defensive lineman Brian Sanford, who is headed to the Raiders. Offensive lineman Braxston Cave was picked up by the Patriots.

http://www.foxsportsohio.com

Quote:

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Several Browns who were released have hooked on with other teams, including linebacker James-Michael Johnson, who was claimed by the Chiefs, and defensive lineman Brian Sanford, who is headed to the Raiders. Offensive lineman Braxston Cave was picked up by the Patriots.

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wow. that's it just 3?

no wonder chud said we need a lot.

I can see us picking up a few of those guys for the PS. Not sure if Shaw is eligible, but he'd be a possibility. Same with Smelley.

Fort wasn't fitting in and Smelly has been injured. Those are the only ones with talent we replaced. Gray is intriguing and Rainey is a good back. I think we got a good one with Rainey. Dude is small and runs even smaller but he is a powerful kid and reminds me a lot of Mo Jo.

4 TEs? I see the one new TE that doesn't catch on, being the one released when Gordon comes back. They will be evaluated during the next 2 weeks and competing against each other for a roster spot.

Still, someone has to go when they get a kicker.

I should have put this in an existing thread. Sorry refs.

j/c

I'm not certain what this is telling us about our roster that we made SIX moves for folks that nobody wanted on their starting 53...

It means that Heckert left us w/a putrid roster???

LOL

The Patriots got six guys off waivers.

Greg Van Roten, Patrick Lewis compete to be Packers' backup center

Kansas City — Two players expending every ounce of energy competing for what is most likely only one job represents the beauty of exhibition football, if there can be such a thing.

For there to be a Super Bowl for Patrick Lewis and Greg Van Roten, first there must be the Green Bay Packers' exhibition finale Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

More than likely, one will earn the backup center job and the other will be released Saturday on the final cutdown.

"We'll find out after Kansas City ... we will have a backup center, I guarantee you," offensive line coach James Campen said Tuesday. "I hope they make it hard as hell because that means they play out of their minds."

Van Roten, 6 feet 3 inches and 314 pounds, was in Green Bay all last season, spending the last 13 games on the 53-man roster and playing 22 snaps as an extra blocker in "Jumbo" sets.

Lewis (6-1, 305) is a rookie free agent from Texas A&M.

As a veteran, Van Roten was given first shot at capturing the No. 2 job behind Evan Dietrich-Smith. After a flat first week, he turned it up a notch or three in practice and played well in the opener against Arizona.

Gradually, however, Lewis has taken to the pro game, and his savvy as a four-year starter in major-college football has enabled him to close the gap on Van Roten, who was an all-Ivy League left tackle at Penn.

"He does a lot of things well," offensive coordinator Tom Clements said, referring to Lewis. "He's pretty stout in there."

Neither Lewis nor Van Roten has blocked with as much power as Oklahoma State's Lane Taylor (6-3, 320), another impressive rookie free agent. Taylor might be a better pure guard than either Lewis or Van Roten but doesn't play center.

If the decision is made to keep at least eight offensive linemen, as the Packers always did until last year when they kept just seven, Taylor appears to have a good chance to make it.

Van Roten's clear-cut edge on Lewis and Taylor is his ability as an emergency tackle. He was remarkably efficient in 11 plays at right tackle against the Cardinals when Campen needed a snap-eater at the end.

Last week against Seattle, Van Roten hurt himself when three "bad" runs were attributed to his poor performance. Not only did Van Roten get overpowered, he didn't make the proper call at the line seeking help from the guard on difficult reach blocks.

"He had some things that needed to be cleaned up," coach Mike McCarthy said. "Greg has been given the majority of it (center snaps), so he needs to clean some things up."

He also hasn't helped himself with a steady stream of either slow or off-line snaps from shotgun formation.

"Sometimes he throws a change-up back there and it throws off the timing," said Clements.

Van Roten's 108 snaps include 14 series at center, three at left guard and three at right tackle.

Lewis' 150 snaps include 15 series at left guard and 10 at center.

As a collegian, Lewis started at right guard in his first two seasons and at center in his final two seasons.

"I feel more natural at center," Lewis said. "I think it's a position I was born to play."

Lewis has had to make the adjustment back to the pro-style offense that he played in from 2009-'11 under Mike Sherman. Last year, the Aggies used an "Air Raid" attack under coach Kevin Sumlin.

"I had some obstacles to overcome early on," said Lewis. "Getting back into the groove of playing in a downhill, West Coast offense. I knew it was going to be a journey, but I was willing to do whatever it took to make it to this point."

"I think I do a great job blocking on the second level. In the pass game, I feel like I can set them up in great position. I just love learning about the game, especially the different protections and a lot of the things they do here."

Lewis was described by scouts as a smart, resourceful anchor for Texas A&M.

"I can bring some attitude, and I can honestly bring some type of leadership further down the road," he said. "Maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow. But in the future I feel I can."

But Lewis also had a couple of wayward shotgun snaps in the Seattle game.

Not only is Van Roten 2 inches taller, he also tested as the better athlete. He had the better 40-yard dash time (5.13 to 5.30), vertical jump (34 inches to 29) and broad jump (9-4 to 8-0).

He even bench-pressed 225 pounds 31 times compared to Lewis' 25.

For his height, however, Van Roten's arms (325/8 inches) are not much longer than Lewis' (32). Van Roten also has tiny hands (91/8) whereas Lewis' measured 10.

Van Roten proved to be the better pass blocker in the one-on-one drill, compiling a 19-10-6 (.629) record compared to 18-16-2 (.528) for Lewis.

"You always like bigger guys, but our last two centers haven't been the biggest guys," said Clements. "If you can get the job done, that's the most important thing.

"Greg's done well, but he needs to improve. We still have one game to make an evaluation."

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/g...-221581361.html

Actually this FO will have to take some of the blame if this is another bad team. They picked up players like Kellen Davis, Shayne Graham, and David Nelson and they were cut to make room for UDFA.

It looks like the Heckert and Holmgren youth movement continues. Not what our new owner promised still being 30 million under the cap and having so many holes on the roster. They have been in charge long enough with cap room to spend some money to fill these holes.

Former Gophers QB MarQueis Gray hopes tight end is his path to NFL

Former University of Minnesota quarterback and wide receiver MarQueis Gray has been working out in anticipation of this week's NFL draft. He doesn't know when or if he will be drafted, but he has been hearing from a number of teams that believe his best shot at making an NFL roster is as a tight end.

It makes sense.

Gray is 6 feet 3, 245 pounds, ran 40 yards in 4.65 seconds at the Gophers' pro day and notes he did that with a lingering ankle injury. That's decent size and speed for a tight end. And he does have good hands. Although he didn't do much blocking with the Gophers, he spent several weeks working on that with former Minnesota and NFL tight end Ben Utecht.

I talked with Gray on Monday, April 22.

BS: What have you been hearing from NFL teams?

MG: Teams have said they'd look at me at all three positions but mainly tight end. I've been working on blocking. That's something I haven't had to do. And I'm getting into the three-point stance.

BS: What have you learned from working out with Ben Utecht?

MG: I've learned so much. I thought I wouldn't be able to get out of a three-point stance. He's taught me and I'm farther along than I thought I would be. We made a DVD and sent it to teams and we've gotten a lot of feedback. We sent it to all the teams and it's on YouTube, too.

BS: Is blocking what concerns you most?

MG: I'm just starting to block. I have to get ready for it. I know it will be a challenge. I'll bring my lunch pail. I just think the worst and hope for the best.

BS: Are you OK with being drafted as a tight end?

MG: Yeah. If I'm getting drafted, who am I to say where I should play? I've told teams at the combine and the (Texas vs. the Nation) all-star game and (Gophers) pro day it's wherever they want me.

BS: Are you baffled why teams aren't looking at you as a quarterback or wide receiver?

MG: I've had some say I could play there (at quarterback or wide receiver). When they come in, they look at my receiver highlights from my sophomore year and they love that one. That's mainly teams that want me to go to receiver. I've put more muscle on and so I can be an H-back type.

BS: Have you been bulking up to play tight end?

MG: I'm just trying to maintain because I'm hearing different things from different people, and I don't want to get too big.

BS: Be as objective as you can and give me the scouting report on MarQueis Gray?

MG: Big, physical guy who has an ability to play a few positions. As I look at it, I can save roster space because I can play a few positions. Hopefully, coaches look at it that way. Hopefully, I'll get my named called in the draft.

BS: Would you be OK if you don't get drafted but you signed with an NFL team as a free agent?

MG: My main concern is to make a roster spot. If I don't get drafted, I'm confident I can go to a team and make a roster spot.

BS: Which NFL tight end would you most closely resemble?

MG: If I had to say, it would be (New England's Aaron) Hernandez. He's been doing a great job.

BS: Wherever you land, will you be sure to remind teams you can play quarterback?

MG: I was thinking about this the other day. If they're lacking depth at quarterback, I may go out there and impress them. But I'm there to play wherever they want me. I'm not going to try to force myself.

BS: How many teams have contacted you?

MG: I've heard from 13, 14 teams. The Jacksonville Jaguars called me twice, and the New York Jets said they'd have their receiver coach and tight end coach call me this week. Teams are asking for my phone number so they can reach me on draft day. They say, "You look good on film and we like you a lot."

BS: If you don't get an offer you like, will you consider playing in the CFL, where you might get a shot at being a quarterback?

MG: Anything is possible. Hopefully, this NFL thing works out. If not, I'm open to going to another level.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_23081462/former-gophers-qb-marqueis-gray-hopes-tight-end

As they should. I was just messing w/32.

I really dont understand letting go of kellen Davis....or brandon jackson for that matter.....

imo Jackson looked slow, add that to his 1.8ypc.
I was unimpressed with Davis who didn't do much. I guess the brain trust see more potential in the two raw TEs.

Jackson was a good receiver out of the backfield but he was horrible as a running back. He had no power and no burst. He was also below average as a blocker.

Davis did nothing well. I dont know how he held a roster spot this long.

Yeah, there are explosive RBs .... and then there is Brandon Jackson. He looked so slow and clumsy running the ball, and he really didn't look all that great even in open space in the passing game. I kind of had to laugh when Chud defended him, because I knew that he had to do to the limited personnel at RB ..... but he was definitely spinning like a top.

I would have been extremely worried if Jackson had gone into the game in the regular season. I feel better about 2 guys who have never played here before, and that says a lot about how far Jackson had fallen.

I thought you said there was no reason for the Browns to displace Jackson. Now you come up with a few good reasons.

I'm allowed to change my mind.



I might have said that, but the more I think about it, the less concerned I am that we let him go. Outside of pass protection, there really isn't a ton for a RB to learn in order to play the game, and we have Obi who can handle that aspect as the 3rd down back if necessary. There are no super complicated pass routes for a RB to learn.

Anybody notice that Dennis Johnson had 6 (six) fumbles in the preseason? Playing mostly against future beer truck drivers not Danny Ellerbes and Chad Greenway.

Not to be a total negative Nancy...I believe Josh Cribbs fumbled a kick off in his first regular season game

Seeing Jackson and Davis get cut was concerning at first but its good to see the FO isnt just handing roster spots to guys just because they had contracts or because they have some notoriety. If these guys were bums in the Preseason how are they supposed to turn it around in the regular season? Heres hoping the FO is doing a good job with talent evaluation and that these strange moves are actually the ones that finally get us out of embarrassmentville.

'Browns cut Brandon Jackson, Kellen Davis, Brad Smelley, LJ Fort, claim six'

web page

By Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group/The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND -- When the preseason began, the Browns were loaded at tailback with Trent Richardson, Montario Hardesty, Dion Lewis and Brandon Jackson.

Now, Richardson is the last man standing and the Browns are going back to the drawing board for a backup, claiming two young running backs on waivers Sunday, including one from the Ravens.

Jackson, a seventh-year pro who was re-signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, was cut by the Browns Sunday along with five other players in the second wave of final roster decisions.

When Hardesty (knee) and Lewis (broken leg) were placed on injured reserve for the season, Jackson blew a prime opportunity to seize the moment, rushing for only 43 yards on his 28 carries for a 1.5-yard average. Against the Bears, he managed a meager five yards on five carries.

The Browns still have Chris Ogbonnaya if Richardson needs a blow, but Ogbonnaya will focus more on fullback now with Owen Marecic gone.

The other players let go Sunday were tight ends Kellen Davis and Brad Smelley, second-year linebacker L.J. Fort, and offensive linemen Jarrod Shaw and Caylin Hauptmann. All were waived except for Davis and Jackson, whose contracts were terminated.

The Browns then looked to the waiver wire to restock some of those positions -- adding five undrafted rookies from the 2013 class and one from the 2012 class. They now have nine undrafted rookies from 2013 and four from 2012 on their 53-man roster.

The Browns were awarded the following six players on Sunday: tight ends MarQueis Gray from the 49ers and Keavon Milton from the Saints; running backs Dennis Johnson from the Texans and Bobby Rainey from the Ravens; center Patrick Lewis from the Packers and linebacker Brandon Magee from the Cowboys.

Absent from the list is a kicker, but the club will most likely have some in early this week for tryouts. Among those available are Dan Carpenter, Billy Cundiff and Havard "Kickalicious" Rugland of Norway.

"Again, our roster is fluid right now," coach Rob Chudzinski said in a release. "We still need to address our kicker position, so we’re not done. We’re a young and hungry team with some solid veteran leaders. I like the foundation we have in place as we enter the season. I’m excited to see what we can do.”

Davis (6-7, 265) was signed as a free agent from Chicago in the offseason, but failed to show much in preseason. The Browns now have only two veteran tight ends on the roster in Jordan Cameron and Gary Barnidge. Fort was an undrafted rookie out of Northern Iowa in 2012 who played in 15 games last season and started one, but the Browns were more intrigued by Magee.

Smelley, the Browns' seventh-round pick out of Alabama last season, had the versality to play tight end and fullback, but became expendable when the Browns spotted Gray and Milton on the waiver wire. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, at least six teams put in claims on Gray.

Smelley became the fourth member of the 2012 draft class cut since Tuesday, including fourth-rounder James-Michael Johnson, fifth-rounder Ryan Miller, and seventh-rounder Trevin Wade.

A look at the newcomers:

* Rainey (5-8, 212), signed by the Ravens as an undrafted rookie last year out of Western Kentucky, spent the first five weeks on the Ravens’ practice squad before moving up to the active roster. He was inactive for three games and placed on injured reserve with a knee injury on Nov. 13. This preseason, he led the Ravens with 89 yards rushing on 23 carries with two touchdowns, while adding three receptions for 17 yards. The Ravens hoped to sneak Rainey through waivers and onto their practice squad.

* Johnson (5-7, 193) was signed by the Texans as an undrafted rookie out of Arkansas on May 10. In the preseason, he rushed 33 times for 129 yards (3.9 avg.) with one touchdown, adding five receptions for 31 yards (6.2 avg.). At Arkansas, he rushed for 2,036 yards on 345 carries (5.9 avg.) and scored 20 touchdowns (13 rushing, four receiving and three kickoff returns).

"I like the depth we've been able to add at running back," Chudzinski said. "Both Johnson and Rainey have been productive runners. They also give us some options as a kickoff returner. We'll look at that in the next few days."

* Gray (6-4, 250) was signed by the 49ers as an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota, where he started a combined 26 games at quarterback and receiver. He passed for 2,053 yards and 14 TDs, rushed for 1,731 yards and 12 TDs, and added 766 yards receiving with six TDs. Most NFL teams view him as a tight end, but he's versatile.

* Milton (6-4, 293) was originally signed by New Orleans on May 10 as an undrafted tight end out of Louisiana-Monroe. He appeared in all four of the Saints' preseason contests and recorded one reception for 10 yards. In college, he appeared in 45 games and totaled 220 receiving yards on 25 receptions with four touchdowns.

"Gray has experience as a quarterback and wide receiver," Chudzinski said, "so he’s a heck of an athlete. Milton gives us a guy with good blocking ability and hands."

* Lewis (6-1, 311) signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent May 10 out of Texas A&M. He started at guard his first two seasons and was switched to center, where he earned All-Big 12 honorable-mention accolades as a junior and bolstered an Aggie offense that finished third nationally in both total offense and scoring in 2012.

"Lewis can play both guard and center, so I like the versatility there on the interior of our offensive line," Chudzinski said.

* Magee (5-11, 225) was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted rookie out of Arizona State and recorded 16 tackles in two preseason games. But he suffered a concussion Aug. 19 and sat out the final two exhibition games. The Cowboys thought so much of him when they signed him that they gave him $70,000 guaranteed, rare for an undrafted rookie. In college, he appeared in 44 games and recorded 231 tackles. Also an outfielder, he helped the Sun Devils advance to the College World Series twice and was selected in the MLB draft three times.

"Magee is just a tough, old-school linebacker with good instincts," Chudzinski said. "I believe he can help us."

The new players will be on the field Monday when the Browns begin preparing for Sunday's opener against the Dolphins.

In other Browns news:

* Johnson, cut Saturday, was claimed by Kansas City.

* Offensive lineman Braxston Cave was picked up by New England.

* The Browns signed former Mount Union receiver Jasper Collins to their practice squad, according to his Twitter account.

Still got my fingers crossed we are able to re-claim Fort. I liked him, same with JMJ but he was signed by another team already...

I've never been a fan of Jackson. He tries hard. He can catch. Run a little. Block a little. He just doesn't excel at anything. He is really slow back there. No burst. Not shifty. Not strong. He's a boring RB.

I really like Rainey. This kid should take Lewis' role. I am not familiar w/Johnson, which is surprising since he played for Arkansas, but I can't remember him.

I liked Davis coming out of college, but he has always been an underachiever. I am not happy w/the TE position, though. It's a unit that has major concerns.

He sure didn't excite anybody in preseason. Too bad, I had hopes for him after his last year in GB.. Oh well, Next!

He had a decent year in GB, but just think of who they had at RB and they wanted no part of bringing him back. He is what he is. Hard worker. Versatile. Just very bland and not a difference maker.

I almost hate dissing him, because it's not like he doesn't try hard. Sorry.

Yeah, I am excited about Rainey. I never did get Johnson's vid to work. Maybe I will try again.

I've said all along that behind TR,all our RB's were dime a dozen players.Well,those DAD's have been replaced with other DAD's.
Flavor of the month pickups.

Heard Grossi on the radio suggest the Browns might be holding kicker tryouts tomorrow in Berea. You'd think that Dan Carpenter or Billy Cundiff would be candidates, but I remember saying pre-draft that the Browns should take a late round flyer on Caleb Sturgis or Quinn Sharp. Sturgis ended up being drafted in the 5th round (I think) by Miami, and beat out Carpenter. Sharp was a UDFA with the Bengals and was cut. Here's his draft profile from NFL.com:

Quinn Sharp, P/PK, Okla. St.

Overview

Sharp has displayed ability as both a kicker and a punter. He’s earned All-American honors as both a kicker (2011, 2012) and punter (2010) from the Football Writers Association of America during his career, and was the first specialist to be selected first-team All-Big 12 at both positions. He was named the conference’s Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2011 and 2012 for his efforts.

Sharp has averaged over 46 yards a punt for three straight years (46.3 in 2012 and 2011, 46.2 in 2010) and converted 22 of 25 field goal attempts (88 percent) is his first year working on placements, followed by going 28 for 34 (82 percent) his senior season.

Sharp has logged 384 kickoffs in his four-year career, 220 of which have gone for touchbacks. In 2012, 70 percent of Sharp's kickoffs went for touchbacks.

Analysis

Strengths Good leg strengths on kickoffs, capable of putting the ball through the end zone. Ball explodes off foot on placements, gets up quickly and appears to have 50-plus yard range if given the opportunity. Booms punts with 5.0 second-plus hangtime when trying to put the ball inside the 20. Adjusts to low and high snaps adeptly. Has a thicker build, had six solo tackles on returns in 2009.

Weaknesses Three-step approach on punts, only adequate delivery time (1.35-1.45 seconds). Inconsistent hangtime and distance on longer punts and kickoffs, gives returners a better chance at a long return. Distance on pooch punts is wild, goes from in the end zone to outside the 20. Unusual approach on some placements; stands with feet together, pounds left foot first and then takes two steps to the spot. Other times he’ll use a more typical three-step approach with a heavy first step.

NFL ComparisonLawrence Tynes

Bottom Line Rare triple kicking threat in college who will flourish as a kickoff specialist in the NFL and could grow into a solid field goal kicker or punter with experience.

Browns sign seven players to their practice squad, including sixth-round pick Jamoris Slaughter
By Nate Ulrich Published: September 2, 2013

The Browns signed the following seven players to their practice squad: defensive backs Jamoris Slaughter, Kip Edwards, Darius Eubanks, Terrence Frederick and Julian Posey and wide receivers Jasper Collins and Tori Gurley.

The Browns drafted Slaughter, a free safety from the University of Notre Dame, in the sixth round this year. On Saturday, they cut Slaughter, who’s dealing with a pulled groin muscle. Like Slaughter, Gurley spent training camp with the Browns.

Another player of note is Collins, an undrafted rookie from the University of Mount Union.

The Browns still have one open spot on their practice squad. Fullback/tight end Brad Smelley, whom the team cut Sunday, is a candidate to fill the eighth and final spot because he’s practice-squad eligible.


http://www.ohio.com

My guess is the last spot will be filled by who they cut for the kicker, not Smelley.