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Cleveland Browns Scribbles: Unheralded receivers catching attention, Hoyer impresses -- Terry Pluto

BEREA, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Browns minicamp notebook:

1. Before dealing with the quarterbacks, this was a good day for some seemingly no-name receivers to make their names known. Here are two that caught my eye: Anthony Armstrong and Chandler Jones.

2. Armstrong is 31 and played in Kyle Shanahan's offense in Washington. In 2010, he caught 44 passes. The big deal was averaging 19.8 yards per catch. He is a legitimate deep threat, as has been obvious all during the various OTAs and minicamps. Coach Mike Pettine called Armstrong, "the ultimate pro."

3. After 2010, Armstrong had some injuries. He was cut by various teams, including Miami and Jacksonville. Maybe he is just a spring football story that will wilt away under the heat of veterans training camp in July and August. But the guy has looked good. His patterns are crisp. He made an excellent diving catch of a Brian Hoyer pass, along with grabbing a 45-yard heave from Johnny Manziel.

4. At some point, Josh Gordon will be suspended. The question is for how many games. The Browns need a deep threat receiver, and Armstrong is a candidate. So is Travis Benjamin, but Benjamin is still recovering from knee surgery. Pettine said Benjamin also may be on the PUP list (Physically Unable to Play) at least for part of 2014. Not sure if it's just training camp, or part of the season, too.

5. With Benjamin out, Buster Skrine and Andrew Hawkins have been returning kicks. Jordan Poyer is returning punts. First-rounder Justin Gilbert wants to return kicks. He ran seven back for touchdowns at Oklahoma State. I've not seem him used much in that role in the spring. Remember, most practices have not been open to the media, so everything written here is based on limited data.

6. Andrew Hawkins has been the star receiver in Berea. These practices are ideal for the 5-foot-7 track man because no one is tackled. His speed is sizzling. What also has impressed is Hawkins' reliable hands. He gets a few fingers on the ball, and he hangs on.

7. That brings us to Chandler Jones, an undrafted free agent from San Jose State. He is 5-foot-9, 185 pounds. He plays somewhat like Hawkins, very quick and he is small. At his San Jose pro day, Jones ran a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash. He was expected to be taken in the sixth or seventh round, but scouts worried that he was too small.

8. Jones has made several nice catches. He was durable in college. He is San Jose's all-time leading receiver and has the school record for touchdowns. Last season, he caught 79 passes, 15 for touchdowns. He made the team as a walk-on, and then never had fewer than 50 catches in each of his four seasons.

9. Veterans Nate Burleson (arm injury) and Miles Austin have not been taking part in practice. Josh Gordon sat out all of the 11-on-11 drills. That meant veteran Earl Bennett (having a solid camp) along with the rookies and free agents looking to make the team are receiving lots of chances. Of guys expected to be on the roster, Hawkins and Bennett have impressed.

10. I've been receiving emails from fans wondering how Connor Shaw is doing. The rookie from South Carolina is the fourth string quarterback. He doesn't play much, at least in the practices that I have watched. Most of the snaps go to Brian Hoyer, Johnny Manziel and Tyler Thigpen.

11. Pettine has said in his post-practice interviews and on WKNR's Browns show that Hoyer is "clearly" ahead of Manziel at this point. He also said that is to be expected. There is a significant gap. Hoyer is more composed, his throws are quicker and more on target.

12. Manziel has had some very good moments when he stands in the pocket and throws deep. He has above average arm strength. He can be very accurate when he sets his feet before throwing. He runs into trouble when trying to be too creative. Everything is so early, and so much can change once they actually begin to tackle in the summer.

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2014/06/cleveland_browns_scribbles_unh.html

Browns Notes: Undrafted rookie RB Isaiah Crowell confident in his abilities, knows he must prove he can stay out of trouble
Filed on June 10, 2014 by Scott Petrak
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BEREA — The Browns upgraded the running back position in the offseason with the additions of free agent Ben Tate and third-round pick Terrance West.

Undrafted rookie Isaiah Crowell believes he should be part of the discussion.

“I feel like it’s going to be a challenge, but I feel like I’m just as good, just as talented,” Crowell said Tuesday after the first practice of mandatory minicamp. “With hard work I feel like it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

“I feel like I can be great with hard work and dedication staying with the playbook.”

Crowell (5-foot-11, 225 pounds) returned to practice after missing time with a hamstring injury. Not only does he need to make up for lost time, he needs to prove to the Browns he can stay out of trouble.

He was SEC Freshman of the Year in 2011 at Georgia after rushing for 850 yards (4.6 average) and five touchdowns in seven starts, but was suspended for a game for failing a drug test. He was dismissed the following offseason after he was arrested on three weapons charges that were later dropped.

He transferred to Alabama State and rushed for 1,964 yards with a 6.0 average in two years.

Some analysts considered him one of the most talented backs in the draft, yet he went undrafted, largely because of a checkered past.

“It was kind of a wakeup call,” Crowell said. “I felt like I should have been drafted. I can’t let it worry me. I can’t dwell on it. I just have to move on and work hard and just prove myself on the field.”

Crowell acknowledged the character concerns hurt his stock and said he has to prove himself to the Browns.

“I just feel I need to come in, work hard, stay humble and just work to learn the offense and keep my nose clean,” he said. “That’s what I feel I need to prove to myself.”

He relayed the simple answer he gave when asked by teams about his arrest.

“It was just a mistake. Fast living, being around the wrong people,” he said.

Crowell was much happier when asked to describe his running style.

“Big and powerful, not one-dimensional,” he said. “I can run between the tackles. I can run outside. I have a little bit of speed. I can take it to the house.”

NO ‘HARD KNOCKS’
First-year coach Mike Pettine was defensive coordinator with the Jets in 2010 when they were featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” a series that takes a behind-the-scenes look at one team’s training camp. The experience was enough for him to turn down an invitation to star on the show this summer.

He said the proposal came before quarterback Johnny Manziel was drafted.

“I just really wanted to get through that first season’s training camp,” Pettine said. “This was a decision that was made long before the draft. It was just something that I felt in my gut, I just didn’t want to be a part of the first year. I saw the positives of it, but I think there’s some negatives to it, as well.

“Just not having a good feel for our roster, as far as the chemistry and the personalities and all of that, that’s kind of going into some uncharted territory to agree to do that right out of the gate.”

The NFL appreciates that dynamic and gives teams with rookie coaches the option to decline.

“I just always felt if there’s anything that causes us to think for one second about something other than preparing our football team for the opener, then that’s probably not a good thing,” Pettine said.

Receiver Andrew Hawkins was with the Bengals when they were featured last year. He agreed with Pettine’s no.

“That was a great decision,” he said. “It does get a little distracting. There’s just so much other stuff going on.

“A lot of the young kids would kind of play into the cameras, and they’re setting up stories and they’re too naïve to even see it and it’s taking away focus for them.”

CONTRACT TALKS
Outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard is entering the last year of his rookie contract. He said there were early talks about an extension between the team and his agent but “we’re just focused in on the year.”

“Hopefully it works out,” he said. “I’m just going to take it one step at a time. I can only worry about this year. I love it here, I love the fans here, I love the support I’ve been getting, the teammates. The locker room is growing on me. I feel more comfortable now than I did when I first got here.”

Sheard has 21 sacks in his first three years and is the first player in Browns history to lead the team three straight seasons. He’s ready for some wins to follow.

“I can’t wait. I want to be here when this city erupts,” he said. “I just know it’s coming. Hopefully this year is the year.”

DEEP ENOUGH?
Pettine said the Browns have enough depth at outside linebacker despite the release last week of veteran Quentin Groves.

Sheard, Barkevious Mingo and Paul Kruger are expected to get the majority of playing time, with unproven Justin Staples and Eric Martin the other outside linebackers listed on the depth chart. Pettine said rookie inside linebacker Chris Kirksey, a third-round pick, will work some outside and the coaches will “cross-train” some others.

“We always want to be in the position of putting the best 11 out there,” Pettine said.

He wouldn’t get into specifics about why Groves was cut.

“It was a move that we felt was in the best interest of the Browns,” Pettine said. “With veteran players that have a chance to latch on somewhere else, we would prefer to do it sooner than later so they do have the opportunity to move on.”

INJURY REPORT
Rookie guard Joel Bitonio, the No. 35 pick, will miss minicamp with an ankle injury suffered last week. Pettine said he’ll be ready for the start of training camp in late-July.

** Pettine said receiver Travis Benjamin is the only injured player that could miss the start of training camp as he returns from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Benjamin is progressing well, but could open camp on the physically unable to perform list to give him more time.

** Left tackle Joe Thomas, rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert and receiver Nate Burleson returned to practice after missing time. Burleson, who had the cast on his arm removed, was limited to individual drills.

** Guard Jason Pinkston left practice with an injury to his left hand.

** Right tackle Chris Faulk and defensive lineman Billy Winn were among those who didn’t practice.

EXTRA POINTS
Cornerback Joe Haden will host a celebrity softball game July 17 at Classic Park in Eastlake, the home of the Lake County Captains. The rosters haven’t been released, but he’s invited several teammates and players across the NFL.

** Quarterback Brian Hoyer threw a beautiful deep completion of about 60 yards to undrafted rookie receiver Chandler Jones.

** Receiver Josh Gordon, who reportedly faces a suspension for failing a marijuana test, continues to practice, although his reps were reduced.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @scottpetrak on Twitter.

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2014/...n-stay-trouble/

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5. With Benjamin out, Buster Skrine and Andrew Hawkins have been returning kicks. Jordan Poyer is returning punts. First-rounder Justin Gilbert wants to return kicks. He ran seven back for touchdowns at Oklahoma State. I've not seem him used much in that role in the spring. Remember, most practices have not been open to the media, so everything written here is based on limited data.

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I have no issue with keeping Gilbert off special teams. We're really counting on him this year to hold down that outside corner spot opposite Joe Haden, and the last thing we need is for him to be banged up because of returning kickoffs. I get that it can be a major spark, but I like having the luxury of having a player who can do it very well without being essential to any other part of the team. I still remember when we lost Kellen Winslow for the season (rookie year) in his first or second game against the Cowboys. That just sucked.

No need to have Gilbert running with a football on a special teams play.

I agree. Though I don't think it'll matter with a healthy Benji back.

j/c

Glenn Moore ‏@GlennMooreCLE · 46s
Gilkey and Phil Taylor throwing haymakers following a play. #browns

both guys have a temper but its freaking mini camp,. no contact, only result from such stupidity is losing either minicamp or training camp days and possibly injuring your teammate. Its just stupid on the part of both guys.

If it starts happening a lot I'll start to worry... for now I'll just admire the intensity.

5 Moore Observations: Intensity picks up, Josh Gordon idle, Bernie Kosar helping the Bears

BEREA, Ohio -- Intensity. There was plenty of it during the second day of Browns minicamp Wednesday in Berea.
While Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer were the focus of Tuesday's practice, what was happening on the sidelines Wednesday afternoon grabbed the attention of onlookers.
Here are 5 Moore Observations from Wednesday's minicamp practice:

1. Hug it out
As training camp creeps closer, the intensity on the field has been picking up. Players are tired of going against each other and what someone new to face. That was evident during Wednesday's practice.
Garrett Gilkey, who has been playing right guard, and Phil Taylor exchanged haymakers following a play during 11-on-11 drills. Gilkey was able to throw the first few punches, but Taylor made sure he got a couple of his own in.
The two trench dwellers were broken up by teammates, but not before Taylor got the last punch in after shoving Miles Austin out of the way.
"That one tested the limits," head coach Mike Pettine said after practice.
Cornerback Justin Gilbert and veteran wide receiver Nate Burleson went back and forth vocally during team drills. Burleson has been limited recovering from an injury, but promises to be on the field soon full-time.

2. Josh Gordon sits out practice
With a possible suspension on the way for Josh Gordon, the All-Pro receiver was inactive during Wednesday's practice. He did ride the stationary bike.
Pettine said Gordon suffered a "minor ding" and will sit out Thursday, the last day of minicamp. NFL Network reported the injury was to Gordon's hamstring and it occurred during Tuesday's practice.
The Browns and Gordon are awaiting word on how long he'll be suspended for testing positive for marijuana, as reported by ESPN.
3. Bernie Kosar helping the Bears
Bernie Kosar was helping an old friend Wednesday.
The Browns fan favorite was in Chicago helping the Bears' quarterbacks. Chicago's head coach Marc Trestman coached Kosar at the University of Miami in 1983 and with the Browns in 1988.

The most famous quarterbacks Trestman worked with as an NFL coordinator were Kosar, Steve Young, Scott Mitchell, Jake Plummer and Rich Gannon.

4. Jordan Cameron banged up
As the Browns wait for the word on Gordon, expectations for Jordan Cameron will be high if the team is without their All-Pro receiver.
The Pro Bowl tight end was banged up on a play during 11-on-11 drills Wednesday, after colliding with linebacker Barkevious Mingo.
Cameron was limping, favoring his left knee on the sidelines, but when it was his turn to get in the huddle, he no problems getting down field and did not miss any action during practice.

5. Running back situation
Running back Ben Tate has been participating in individual drills during the first two days of minicamp, but when it comes to 11-on-11 drills, Terrance West has been getting reps with the first team.
Last season, Tate battled through four cracked ribs much of the season to rush for 771 yards and four TDs in 14 games, including seven starts.
West has shown power through the first level and quickness when eluding defenders. The Townson product is expected to play a major role for the Browns offensively.
Chris Ogbonnaya has also taken reps with the first team at running back.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/06/5_moore_observations_intensity.html

Browns coach Mike Pettine's training camp issue: Finding the right time to name the starting quarterback

The next time we see them: Brian Hoyer is "securely ahead" in the Browns quarterback competition but the deficit for Johnny Manziel is “not insurmountable,” coach Mike Pettine said after his team’s mandatory minicamp concluded on Thursday.

But the scoreboard will be tallied when training camp convenes in late July, and Pettine affirmed that Manziel will receive reps with the first team and also preseason game experience against No. 1 defenses.

Pettine said he will use the summer break to think about how to manage the competition in training camp and how to divide reps and playing time. Pettine, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and quarterback coach Dowell Loggains will meet before camp and then script the No. 1 storyline of their first Browns training camp.

“We will compete and will decide it,” Pettine said. “The issue for us as a staff will be finding the right time to name the starter. If you wait too late, then nobody is ready for the opener. If you do it too soon, then it wasn’t a true competition. That will be part of our discussion as well as far as the date we want to go ahead and name him.”

Nervous time: Veteran players officially were dismissed from the offseason program at the conclusion of Thursday’s practice. Rookies will be detained for two weeks – one week of class, community work and the team’s youth camp, and then the NFL Rookie Symposium the following week at The Bertram Inn in Aurora and more youth clinics at the Browns’ facility.

Then it’s nervous time for Pettine and his staff as Manziel & Co. officially go on their summer break.

“I think it’s nervous any time your entire team is dismissed,” Pettine said. “As a coach, I think you hear your phone ring and you kind of look at it with one eye. We talked to them about it. Want to make sure they handle themselves well. The advice was learn the system, stay in shape, stay out of trouble.”

Manziel’s summer homework: Manziel better pack his team-issued iPad to take along his summer adventures. Pettine said for him to make up ground in the QB competition, he is going to need to study tape.

“I think he shouldn’t concern himself so much where Brian is, but where he is,” the coach said. “He’s going to have plenty of tape to study – his own work, the team work, opponent’s tape, a whole volume of Redskins tape. The more he familiarizes himself with that, the better off he’ll be.”

Red alert: Receiver Josh Gordon spent the last two practices of minicamp on the bike brigade and did not participate in any drills. Will that be the last team sees of Gordon until next year or will the NFL refute an ESPN report on May 9 and announce a suspension of Gordon for less than one year?

Whatever happens, Pettine believes the club will be informed before the start of training camp.

“I think that’s reasonable to say,” Pettine said. “We haven’t been given a date, but I think in fairness to us, the league would let us know (before camp). There’s no information as to what their plans are. I think we’re all comfortable in thinking we should know before training camp starts.”

Big Ben: Running back Ben Tate stayed out of team drills most of the three-day minicamp, nursing something minor. The opportunity with the first team made third-round rookie Terrance West look like a formidable challenge for Tate’s assumed starting job.

Tate is unfazed.

“He’s a rookie, so he’s having his difficult moments and flashes of good moments,” Tate said. “This team is going to need both of us.

“I expect big things out of myself. I’m excited. This is my opportunity. No way in the world I’m going to drop the ball on this opportunity.

“I know when I’m on my game, no disrespect to any running back here but there’s nobody that can really touch me who’s close to what I do. I battled in and out every day with what some people consider the best running back in the league, Arian Foster.

“I’ve seen the best, I battled it. So this around here, to me, is really not anything.”

Brownie bits: One result of the Garrett Gilkey v. Phil Taylor fisticuffs on Wednesday: “There was some hair pulled. That’s just the byproduct of my hairstyle. Going into camp, that’s one thing I’m considering changing,” Gilkey said … It’s easy to overanalyze this phase of the offseason without pads on and no hitting, but the one undrafted receiver who came on strong at the end was Chandler Jones of San Jose State. He made one of those extended-hands catches like Gordon on a crossing route that enabled him to stride past a defender on Thursday … That little DB Pettine brought over from his Jets days, Isaiah Trufant, has one advantage. At 5-7, he’s difficult for quarterbacks to spot in the secondary. Trufant kind of sneaked into a passing window at the last moment on a Brian Hoyer pass and almost picked it off … The final practice was about a half-hour shorter than the previous two. After individual drills, they dropped right into team drills. On the first snap under center, Manziel fumbled.

http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=33981

Browns claim tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi off waivers
By Nate Ulrich Published: June 12, 2014

The Browns claimed tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi off waivers from the Miami Dolphins today, the team announced.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Ogbuehi signed with the Washington Redskins last year as an undrafted free agent. He was waived last summer when the Redskins trimmed their roster to 53 players and later spent the final four weeks of his rookie season on the Dolphins’ practice squad.

Ogbuehi tallied 47 receptions for 581 yards in 28 games at Georgia State.

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland-brow...aivers-1.495421

j/c:

Thanks guys for posting the articles and information.

--I was almost positive that it was Taylor who pulled Gilkey's hair. He's a dirty player who isn't well conditioned and resorts to BS like that. Now that TJ is gone, Phil is our most overrated player.

--Man, a lot of stupid questions by the reporters concerning the qb situation. That has to frustrate Pettine. Be strong, man.............don't hold it against JM just because the reporters are butt holes.

--Tate talks better than he is. Shut-up and perform. I wish we wouldn't have signed him. I would like to see West, Lewis, Baker, and Crowell as our RBs.

--Hopefully, Manziel studies a lot during the break. Not sure he will. This will define him.

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--Tate talks better than he is. Shut-up and perform. I wish we wouldn't have signed him. I would like to see West, Lewis, Baker, and Crowell as our RBs.

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At the time it was just Lewis and Baker and we had to upgrade the position.. not knowing how the draft would shake out and with Crowell having serious off-field issues... signing Tate was an insurance policy..

It's all opinion.

Yea, mine too.

Its a good stable of backs and i think its the most interesting battle in camp. I mean Baker finished strong last year, Tate has been effective but has battled injuries, Lewis looked like a future star 3rd down scat back, Crowell has the talent to be a star, and West looks like the genetic combination of ironhead hayard and Natron Means lol.

they may all suck but this is the most intriguing group of Backs that I can remember.

OO and btw i hope they were just messing around but seeing Manziel running the QB option yesterday was enough to make me cringe.

Yeah, I can't remember the last time I was excited about our RB stable.

Tate was a great signing - low-risk move, and to top it off, we covered our bases if he's bitten again by the injury bug.

I think West may have been my favorite pick of this draft. He'll be our Alfred Morris, IMO.

From there we have Baker, Lewis and Crowell fighting for a spot. I'd put my money on Crowell...depends on what we're looking for, but a good rule of thumb with regime changes is out with the old, in with the new.

I'm really hoping our run game can prop up the spotty QB position, carrying the load while they develop.

i still dont understand letting go of groves...he is a above average pass rusher with attitude. he has been a starter before in the nfl....just dont get it...and i think that move may come back to bite the browns on the butt

I don't know that I'd call someone who put up 8.5 sacks in 6 seasons an above average pass rusher.

JC...watched a quick interview with Barkevious Mingo...and caught it with my fiancee and she asked me is that guy cross eyed...and sure enough his eyes were def. Off...does anyone know anything of this? Or if perhaps throws off his sight? Stangley I never noticed it before

https://www.google.com/search?q=Barkevio...440&bih=815


Plenty of photos of him from various angles. He doesn't appear "cross-eyed" to me, but you can judge for yourself.

did they look like this?

Paul Kruger on Browns QBs: 'In my mind, Brian Hoyer is the guy' - CBSSports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-foot...yer-is-the-guy-

Expect to get a lot this between now and, well, whenever Johnny Manziel is officially named the Browns starter. We saw it with Tim Tebow and Kyle Orton back in 2011, and we suspect everyone will be asked their thoughts on whether veteran Brian Hoyer deserves to start, or if Johnny Football gives the Browns the best chance to win now.

Which brings us to linebacker Paul Kruger, who had the question put to him in a recent interview with WISW-AM.

"In my mind, Hoyer's the guy," Kruger said (via NFL.com). "Hoyer came in, won us four games, unfortunately got hurt. The guy was on fire when he was healthy and he's proven himself at a different level and has worked extremely hard."

For the record, Hoyer started three games before an ACL injury ended his 2013 season but the point remains; he did something that Brandon Weeden could not: give the Browns -- and their fans -- hope that winning was, in fact, possible.

"You let the preseason go, see how they look and then make a decision," Kruger continued. "In my mind, Hoyer has been a good leader for us and somebody who has been able to win us a few games. It's tough to say but I think the preseason will be a big deal for both of them."

It's a fair point. And first-year coach Mike Pettine said last week that Hoyer is "securely ahead" when it comes to earning the job. Of course, Pettine added that Hoyer's lead wasn't "insurmountable." Put another way (in our mind, at least): Manziel isn't the starter now but a lot can change between now and Week 1.

(Worth pointing out: The Browns begin the season with games against the Steelers, Saints and Ravens before a Week 4 bye. If the team limps to an 0-3 start with Hoyer then you know how this will play out.)

Pettine said any quarterback competition won't take place until training camp next month.

"We haven't really been in the mode of thinking, 'He's this far ahead today. How much was the gap closed?''' the coach said last week. "They're still learning the basics of the offense. The rookies haven't been here very long. They're playing catchup from a playbook standpoint. So at this point, we really weren't keeping score. We'll be much more apt to do that once we get to training camp.''

Kruger, meanwhile, echoes what most of his coaches and teammates must already be feeling.

"I'm a little tired of hearing about him," he said. "It hasn't been a distraction, it really hasn't. It brings some excitement."

Right or wrong, this won't let up until Manziel gets on the field.

The players are going to get sick of continually being asked about the QB battle. However, they need to tow the company line and just say that they are concentrating on being the best player they can and they will leave all other decisions up to the coaching staff.

Kruger is a LB not a math wiz. How many fingers am I holding up..... umm 12