SB Nation - Syndric Steptoe

Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 20 (Leonard Mix-Up)

Chris Pokorny — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:30:25 -0000

4 months ago: Cleveland Browns safety Mike Adams (20) blocks a punt by Dave Zastudil (15) during practice at the team's NFL football training camp in Berea, Ohio, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

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With the Cleveland Browns set to do battle with the Detroit Lions this weekend, defensive lineman Louis Leonard got into a scuffle with defensive line coach Bryan Cox. The last person who did that was Shaun Smith. He now plays for the Detroit Lions.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 20 (8/20/09)

The Incident: ~~It happened at the Swan.~~ Whatever happened, Louis Leonard apparently cursed at Cox. As a punishment, Cox told Leonard to run a lap and to not stop running until he told him to. Leonard ran four laps in a row, something you can imagine being exhausting to a big man like that. Leonard seemed to have a cordial attitude about it afterward though, so I don't think we'll see him waived before regular cuts.
Update on the Lions: Lions top receiver Calvin Johnson will sit out against the Browns. On top of that, our first-string defense won't know which quarterback they'll be facing until close to game time. It could be Daunte Culpepper, Drew Stanton, or Matthew Stafford.
Bring Out the Cart: The third player of training camp has received the cart. Following in the footsteps of OL Rex Hadnot and WR Syndric Steptoe, DL Melila Purcell was carted off the field with an apparent ankle or Achilles injury. You might see another situation in which the team injured/waives him.
Transactions: Gone are OL Branndon Braxton and WR Edward Williams. Replacing them are OG Patrick Murray and LB Robert McCune. Information on the new players here.
Injury Updates: OL Ryan Tucker returned to practice today. DL Shaun Rogers still isn't practicing, and neither are LB Titus Brown, RB Jerome Harrison, and LB David Bowens. With Bowens and Brown going down, LB Alex Hall will probably start against the Lions Saturday.
Mangini's a Comedian: This comes from Rapid Reports: "Browns coach Eric Mangini said he has peaked at the notebooks compiled by players from meetings. When asked if there were any doodles on them, he joked that he saw one with a drawing of his face with an "X" through it."
No Huddle: A good portion of practice focused on running the no-huddle offense.
Brownies: RB James Davis caught a touchdown pass from QB Brady Quinn...QB Derek Anderson overthrew RB Noah Herron on a flat pass in goal line drills...WR Braylon Edwards is having a great camp minus his drop against Green Bay.
Around the League: If you didn't catch it, Chad Ocho-Cinco kicked an extra point for the Cincinnati Bengals after their kicker went down with an injury. Ben Roethlisberger limped away from practice, but it isn't believed to be too serious.

Thursday's Links/Camp Sources

Louis Leonard learns lesson with laps (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cabot)
Pucell hurt, Leonard hot (Akron Beacon Journal, Ridenour)
Thursday camp notes: Royal flush (Orange and Brown Report, Greetham)

Report: Syndric Steptoe's Season is Over

Chris Pokorny — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:42:09 -0000

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk cites a league source claiming that WR Syndric Steptoe will be out for the entire season with a shoulder injury. Earlier in the day, it was reported that Steptoe was carted off the field after he injured his shoulder during practice today. However, it wasn't believed to be too serious of an injury. Again, this has not been officially confirmed yet.

Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 8 - Rain, Rain, Go Away

Chris Pokorny — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:16:51 -0000

The Browns had a light practice in the rain Saturday before their scrimmage Sunday at the stadium. Here, WR Braylon Edwards goes past CB Brandon McDonald.

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The story of the Day 8 practice was the rain that came, the first time a practice has seen such conditions of this magnitude this season. Eric Mangini decided to keep the team outside to work through the conditions, although few fans showed up. The practice was reportedly "light" today, acting as more of a little preparation for tomorrow's scrimmage at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 8 (8/8/09)

Steptoe Injured: During practice, WR Syndric Steptoe was carted off the field with an injury to his arm or shoulder. He might have aggravated an injury suffered earlier in the week. The reports on Steptoe's injury don't seem too serious at the moment, but I wouldn't be surprised if the coaching staff uses this as an opportunity to place Steptoe on the injured reserve. Doing so would allow the team to keep Steptoe for at least another year if they so choose to.
Good News on Hadnot: Instead of a torn ACL as originally thought, OG Rex Hadnot only suffered a torn MCL. Although this rules out any chance of him being a starter in Week 1, there's a legitimate chance that he could be back by then as a backup.
Not Hitting or Contact: Probably due to the rain and due to there being a scrimmage tomorrow, no hitting or contact was permitted today. Seriously, if you live a long way away from Berea and you picked today as your day to attend practice, then you picked the wrong day.
Two-Minute Success: For the first time in camp, the offense scored during the two-minute drill. Derek Anderson led the Browns offense down the field, eventually firing a touchdown pass to TE Robert Royal.
Edwards Going Strong: WR Braylon Edwards was good as gold again, ending practice by running past DB Brandon McDonald and catching a touchdown pass from Anderson. WR Mohamed Massaquoi caught a touchdown today too, and if the season started today, it might be Edwards and Massaquoi as the top two on the depth chart. In the picture below, you can see Edwards celebrating after a touchdown:
Depth Chart Hints? On the OBR Twitter feed, they were wondering if the depth chart in practice today would serve as a "hint" as who to who is leading the position battles. Here is a recap by position on offense of players with the first team:
- QB: Derek Anderson
- RB: Jamal Lewis and James Davis rotated with each other
- FB: Lawrence Vickers
- WR: Braylon Edwards, Mohamed Massaquoi, and Mike Furrey
- TE: Robert Royal mostly, but Aaron Walker in some pass situations
- OL: Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Alex Mack, Floyd Womack, and John St. Clair. It was noted that Hank Fraley rotated with Mack in the first team, but Ryan Tucker only played with the second team.

The Browns will be at Cleveland Browns Stadium tomorrow for the Brown & White Scrimmage. It is a free, non-ticketed event for all fans. There will be four quarters of play, with each quarter lasting ten minutes. It will be as close to a "real game feel" as you can get without it actually counting in the standings.

Saturday's Link Collection / Camp Sources

Steptoe Gets Dinged (Orange and Brown Report, King)
Bryan Cox and Shaun Smith go at it (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cabot)

Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 4 - QB Position Still Open

Chris Pokorny — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:19:46 -0000

Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini is still waiting for one of the quarterbacks to emerge over the other.

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Practice was closed to the public today, but the media still had the pleasure of watching and reporting on your Cleveland Browns. Here's what happened today, according to the media reports coming in...

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 4 (8/4/09)

A Tale of Two Sources: Form your own conclusion on how WR Brian Robiskie did in practice today. If you read Tony Grossi's report, Robiskie dropped three balls within a five-play span. If you ask Lane Adkins, Robiskie only had one drop and nearly caught two others that were off target.
Bubble Watch: For the second consecutive practice, WR Paul Hubbard made the most of his reps. Hubbard caught everything in sight, standing out amongst the crowd of receivers. The OBR notes that he has made the noticeable improvement of extending his hands for the ball rather than waiting for the ball to come to his body.
Mass is Matter: It was also a great practice for WR Mohamed Massaquoi, and perhaps his best one yet. He also caught everything that was coming his way, proving to be a threat due to his speed. Massaquoi had a nice catch on a crossing route which he was then able to run past the defensive backs for a long gain.

LB D'Qwell Jackson has been a favorite of Eric Mangini, as he blankets RB Jerome Harrison here.

Quinn Not Excelling: Tony Grossi had some nice statistics from today's practice as to why it's difficult to judge which quarterback truly has the upper hand in practice. Thus far, it seems to be Derek Anderson, but here's what happened today: in 3rd- and 4th-down situations, the offensive units under Anderson and Brady Quinn were each 4-of-9 with an interception. In the two-minute drill, Anderson moved the ball into field goal range with the first-team offense. Quinn, on the other hand, could not manage a first down with the second-team offense in the two-minute drill.
Props to the Defensive Players: I mentioned above that each quarterback threw an interception. From what I can gather, Quinn was picked by S Abram Elam on an errant pass to TE Aaron Walker, while Anderson was picked by LB D'Qwell Jackson. It wasn't an easy play for Jackson, who made a great read, tipped the ball, and then dove to the ground for the interception. Jackson was praised by head coach Eric Mangini when talking to the media for being a leader on defense.
Bad Snaps: It sounds like Alex Mack has had some trouble getting through multiple practices without a bad snap. I'm sure he'll have plenty of time to correct that before the regular season though.
Rogers Motoring Again: Big Baby Shaun Rogers was back at work today, proving to be a powerhouse on the defensive line once again. He did have to run a lap though, something that Ohio.com deemed as him looking like he "virtually tip-toed around the outskirts of the field drawing both applause and laughs from individuals in attendance".

WR Mohamed Massaquoi shouldn't have any problems locking up a roster spot.

Backup Corners: The OBR today pointed out that backup cornerbacks Roderick Hood and Corey Ivy have been providing stable coverage. I presume that means they are better than the Terry Cousin's of the NFL. I haven't heard any updates on CB Hank Poteat yet, and the news on rookie CB Coye Francies has been limited.
Robaire Still Holding Up: Adkins also reports that Robaire Smith continues to look strong in practice, including having a few "epic" battles with LT Joe Thomas.
Cribbs Not Returning Kicks: On kickoffs, Joshua Cribbs took a break from returning the ball in practice and just worked on being on the coverage team. Instead, WR Syndric Steptoe and WR Jordan Norwood handled kickoffs.
Mangini Practices "Icing": Coach Mangini needs to practice too. When Phil Dawson lined up for a 47-yard field goal, he drilled it. However, the kick was negated since Mangini called a timeout just before the snap. Dawson missed the second attempt wide left.

The Browns will practice for the public again tomorrow, with a morning session and an afternoon session. I might be a little late on the morning report tomorrow, meaning the evening recap might not come until some time Thursday.

Also, from the Official Team Site:

SIRIUS NFL radio, a 24-hour NFL talk channel, will be visiting camp with Tim Ryan, a former NFL defensive lineman, and former front office executive Pat Kirwan, hosting "Movin' The Chains" on SIRIUS channel 124 from 3-7 p.m.

Tuesday's Evening Link Collection / Camp Sources

Bell more comfortable in year two (Official Team Site, Florjancic)
Lane's Training Camp Quick Hits (Orange and Brown Report, Adkins)
Training Camp: Day 4 (Akron Beacon Journal, Thomas)
Cleveland Browns training camp log: Day 4 (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Grossi)

Browns Training Camp Report: Day 3 (Evening) - Hubbard's Rebound

Chris Pokorny — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:34:46 -0000

After a rough start to camp, WR Paul Hubbard got things going during the evening session of Day 3. Photo via photos.theobr.com

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If you missed the morning report on Day 3 of Cleveland Browns training camp, then click here. In the evening session of Day 3, things turned around for one player in particular -- wide receiver Paul Hubbard. After looking like camp fodder over the first several practices, something set him on fire for the PM practice.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 3 [EVENING] (8/3/09)

The Paul Hubbard Show: In total, Hubbard recorded five catches and two touchdowns. One of those touchdowns was a deep ball from QB Richard Bartel, a play in which Hubbard dodged the double coverage of S Nick Sorensen and CB Gerard Lawson. You might be thinking, "hey, does one good practice really garner that much attention for a player?" Well, in almost all of the media outlet reports for the evening, Hubbard was praised like you wouldn't believe.

Maria Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal went so far as to say that Hubbard might be looking to contend for the No. 2 receiver role. I wouldn't go that far, but if Hubbard can string together a few more practices like this, it raises the question of whether Mangini would choose a more consistent player like Lance Leggett, or a potential big-playmaker in Hubbard for a surprise roster spot. I'd still prefer the likes of Leggett.
Steptoe Your Way Down: To contrast Hubbard's great practice was WR Syndric Steptoe, who reportedly dropped four passes in the evening session, with three of them occurring within close proximity of each other. According to the OBR Twitter feed, one of those drops was a perfect 35-yard corner pass from QB Brady Quinn.
Extra Note on Hubbard: One thing to consider about Hubbard's excellent practice -- for the evening session, the team was not in pads. Just something to ponder about.
Safety Updates At Last! This morning I begged for some updates on our starting safeties, and coincidentally, the positive reports came in for S Abram Elam. Elam had two interceptions; one on a failed trick play, and the other when he jumped in front of a Quinn pass intended for TE Aaron Walker.
Rough Evening for Quinn: Besides getting picked off by Elam, Quinn was also intercepted by LB Eric Barton. The early portion of the practice saw the quarterbacks working on fade routes to the corner of the end zone.
Wait...What? This one stood out from Steve Doerschuk's report regarding OG Eric Steinbach. I'll quote it entirely to best serve its purpose:

Something Joe Thomas said today caught me off guard. Big Joe said it would be strange playing without Eric Steinbach after they spent two seasons side by side, but he added, "Whoever ends up at left guard I’m sure will do very well." I had begun to think Steinbach was locking down the position. Maybe he is, but …
Injury Updates: I'm pleased to report that CB Eric Wright returned to practice after leaving this morning's session. LB David Bowens was on the stationary bike for the night though. All other injured players reportedly retained their same status.
Take a Seat: Doerschuk also reports that LB Leon Williams lit up RB James Davis big time during a live blocking drill.
Not as Unpleasant as We Thought: The news regarding DL Shaun Smith seemed a little more upbeat today. He has lost some weight and is down to a reported 315 pounds and was having fun with his teammates earlier. On the OBR's Twitter feed, it was stated that he was giving C Hank Fraley a difficult time in blocking drills.

Tomorrow's practice is closed to the public. However, the media should be able to attend, so there should still be manageable report to put together here. Be sure to check out Abram Elam's blog post (check the links below) for his thoughts on which players are standing out in training camp thus far.

Sunday's Evening Link Collection / Camp Sources

A New Paul Hubbard Appears (Canton Repository, Doerschuk)
Monday PM Aug. 3: Hubbard's Day (Akron Beacon Journal, Ridenour)
Abram Elam's Training Camp Blog (AbeElam.com, Elam)

Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2009: Special Teams Preview

Chris Pokorny — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:16:13 -0000

We're finished with the Hard Hits of this week's coverage with the linebackers, so now it's time to close things out with the Klutch Kicks of the special teams unit. Because there isn't really a true "depth chart" when it comes to special teams, today's preview will be broken down into seperate sections, as opposed to ranking Phil Dawson, Dave Zastudil, and Ryan Pontbriand one, two, and three.

Kicker

1. PHIL DAWSON - STARTING KICKER

Phil Dawson (#4)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 200
College: Texas
Experience: 11 years
Note: Career-high 30 FG

If it were all about performance heading into training camp this season, then Phil Dawson's job would be safe. That's not all it's about though, as Dawson has been asking for a new contract throughout the offseason, and could possibly hold out in part of training camp if he doesn't get one.

Dawson is the final member of the Browns' return team in 1999, and I'd rather not see him go yet; it'd be nice to see him retire as a Brown many years down the road, as kickers have a long lifespan in the league. He's coming off of a pretty strong season, connecting on 30-of-36 field goals, setting career highs in both attempts and makes. He also had a career-long 56 yarder, and was 3-of-6 on kicks of 50 or more yards (meaning he was 27-of-30 on kicks 49 yards or less).

Many Browns fans think they would miss Dawson, but that a replacement would be easy enough to find. Tell that to half the teams in the league who have been through ten kickers in just a few years. I'd rather maintain what has been working on special teams.

Job Security: A
Player Quality: B+
Final Roster Odds (w/o contract considered): 100%

2. PARKER DOUGLASS - ROOKIE BACKUP KICKER

Parker Douglass (#8)
Height: 5-8
Weight: 170
College: South Dakota St.
Experience: Rookie
Note: Saw action in minicamp

I bet half of our community here is bigger than the 5-8, 170-pound Douglas, but that doesn't really matter for a kicker, does it? Douglas should be doing nothing more than providing an extra leg in camp. Any praise that comes from Mangini should not be interpreted that Dawson could lose the job in jeopardy.

In mini-camp, he did showed ability to hit a few 50+ yard kicks. If Dawson is a stickler and holds out, I see the Browns going after a free agent veteran kicker. If for whatever reason they can't sign one, then Douglas might just get a shot.

Here's a video on Douglass on YouTube.

Final Roster Odds: 5%
Practice Squad Odds: 1%

Punter

DAVE ZASTUDIL - STARTING PUNTER

Dave Zastudil (#8)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220
College: Ohio
Experience: 8 years
Note: Born in Bay Village

Sometimes I get a little bit frustrated during games at Zastudil's punts, but overall he does not present a weakness. His punt average is in the top third of the league, and he's right in the middle of the pack at hitting kicks inside the 20 yard line. If our offense could move the ball more effectively, those numbers might go up with him not having to face the pressure of being backed up in the opponent's end zone.

Currently, Zastudil is not facing any competition in camp.

Job Security: A+
Player Quality: B
Final Roster Odds: 100%

Long Snapper

RYAN PONTBRIAND - STARTING LONG SNAPPER

Ryan Pontbriand (#64)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 255
College: Rice
Experience: 7 years
Note: 2x Pro Bowler

Think to yourself -- how many years has Ryan Pontbriand been with the Cleveland Browns? It's six, meaning he'll be entering his seventh season this year. Pontbriand has been the AFC's selection to the Pro Bowl at the long snapper position the past two years, rewarding him for being the best in the conference at what he does.

He also contributes a little bit on special teams kick coverage as a tackler, if necessary.

Job Security: A+
Player Quality: A+
Final Roster Odds: 101%

Note: For these next few sections, rather than mini-profiles, it will be general notes on the position.

Kick Returner / Punt Returner

One player has the honor of fulfilling both of these roles, and that is Joshua Cribbs. After an injury at the start of last season, Cribbs didn't seem like himself for the first several weeks. As the season went on, he seemed to regain the confidence and "X-factor" that made him a threat on any given kick. Still, in 2008, he averaged about 5 yards less on kickoffs returns and 5 yards less on punt returns than he did in 2007. I attribute some of that to losing a few key special team blockers to free agency and to injuries.

Among the other candidates who could return kicks/punts are Syndric Steptoe and rookie Brian Robiskie, as well as defensive back Gerard Lawson.

Gunner

Again, we point to Joshua Cribbs, who might just be a better gunner than he is a kick returner. The only negative is that Cribbs' aggressiveness and motivation to go all out, both as a gunner and on returns, could lead to a nasty collision that takes him out for a few games. As for our second gunner, I think the Browns will probably be looking at a variety of candidates in training camp.

Other Coverage

The Browns brought over LB Blake Costanzo from the Buffalo Bills, who led their team in special teams tackles last season. Costanzo might pick up the slack for the Browns losing LB Kris Griffin in the offseason. I'd imagine that young linebackers Beau Bell and Kalkua Maiava will also be in the mix on special teams. Backup safety Nick Sorensen is also a reliable special teams veteran, having once captained the Jacksonville Jaguars special teams unit.

This season, a rule change lowered the number of people who could be on the wedge to just two players. With veteran special teamer Lennie Friedman no longer with the Browns, which offensive lineman will be asked to fulfill that role?

Special Teams Position Quality (Overall): A-

With an above average kicker, an average punter, and an elite long snapper and kick returner/gunner, the special teams unit deserves a healthy "A-".

The reason the grade wasn't any higher? I saw a dropoff in the Browns' ability to block for Cribbs last season, so we'll have to see how new special teams coordinator Brad Seely handles things.

Poll

Will Phil Dawson be kicking for the Browns this season?

Yes

488 votes

No

42 votes

530 votes | Poll has closed

Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2009: Wide Receiver Preview (Part 2)

Chris Pokorny — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:35:19 -0000

It's time for Part 2 of the wide receiver preview for the Cleveland Browns, where most of the remaining players will be fighting for a spot on the practice squad. If you missed Part 1 where the potential starters and/or slot receivers were previewed, check it out.

7. SYNDRIC STEPTOE - BACKUP WIDE RECEIVER

Syndric Steptoe (#12)
Height: 5-9
Weight: 200
College: Arizona
Experience: 2 years
Stats: 19 catches in 2008

Your eyes are not deceiving you: Syndric Steptoe, who ended up being the team's No. 2 receiver most of the season, had just 19 catches in 2008. For him to fall to the seventh spot like a footnote this season speaks volumes about just how little of an impact he had last year. The only reason the players beneath him aren't ranked higher is because they don't have NFL experience yet.

After a decent training camp last season, I thought he did warrant a roster spot; he seemed to have improved upon his rookie year and looked like a respectable fifth option, with the option of doubling as a backup returner to Joshua Cribbs. Injuries to Donte Stallworth and Kevin Kasper, coupled with the lack of a return from Joe Jurevicius forced Steptoe into a starting position opposite Edwards. As a starter, Steptoe lacked any ability to create separation, make above average catches, or block. And yet, game after game, even though it didn't seem like we had two receivers on the field, there he was.

It might be harsh to punish Steptoe for being put in a position that he never should've been in, but I'm too turned off to give him another serious look. With more talent in front of him this year, I don't expect Steptoe to be on the roster this season.

Player Potential: D-
Final Roster Odds: 20%

8. PAUL HUBBARD - BACKUP WIDE RECEIVER

Paul Hubbard (#89)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 225
College: Wisconsin
Experience: 2 years
Stats: 6th rounder in 2008

What do we have to go by Paul Hubbard? Not very much. Thanks again to the wonderful roster management of Romeo Crennel, Hubbard spent almost all of last season on the practice squad. That's right -- down to starting players like Syndric Steptoe and Steve Sanders, it was apparently too difficult to give Hubbard a shot, even as a third or fourth receiver. Former Browns GM Phil Savage liked Hubbard's potential last year around training camp:

"Paul has some future in terms of his ability from a size, speed standpoint," Savage said. "Is he there yet? No, but he's got the kind of talent we want to hang onto right now."

That seems to be the consensus on Hubbard -- physically, he had the tools, but was still raw in the other half of the game such as catching and route running. That means that we should know pretty quickly in camp this year what type of contributions Hubbard will be able to make -- if he is making plays left and right, he could shoot up the depth chart quicker than anybody else can. If his only asset remains the fact that he's physically gifted though, then we'll have to see if Eric Mangini believes he can develop him further on the practice squad again.

Earlier in the offseason, rufio offer an intriguing thought on Hubbard:

"Hubbard’s physical tools would make me look at him as a gunner on punts."

Player Potential: TBD
Final Roster Odds: 20%
Practice Squad Odds: 60%

9. JORDAN NORWOOD - UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT WIDE RECEIVER

Jordan Norwood (#2)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 171
College: Penn State
Experience: Rookie
Note: Sleeper

Besides Hubbard, Jordan Norwood will probably be the other "long shot" receiver that everyone pays attention to. He was part of a solid group of receivers at Penn State, and while he wasn't necessarily a "steal" as an undrafted free agent, he was a great "value" acquisition.

Over at our college site, The Rivalry Esq, Norwood was one of the top Big 10 receivers that they previewed from this year's draft class:

Jordan Norwood: The senior had a solid year, catching 41 balls for 637 yards and six touchdowns. This capped a remarkable career in which he never had less than 32 receptions in a season. Norwood showed no fear catching balls in mid-air while being punished by safeties. One problem: He weights 170 pounds. Another problem: He became less effective as the season wore due to hamstring injury. Final problem: Dropped a lot of balls this year, something you shouldn't do when paired with a solid QB like Daryll Clark. Isn't even on some draft charts. NFL Comparison: Eddie Royal (but slower - Royal ran a 4.39 last year at the Combine).

While the assessment above questions Norwood's hands, this next assessment in a workout prior to the draft does not:

Watching the last event, the sports authority hands challenge, the player had to catch 8 balls thrown at nearly 90 miles per hour by jugs, go through some ropes, catch a curl and a fade. Norwood won the event followed by Hakeem Nicks. He was also the only one to catch 8/8 from the jugs, and also did it without flinching again the second time around! Even Nicks, a mocked first rounder, didn't come close to catching all 8. Bottom line: Norwood has amazing hands, is agile, and could be a perfect #3 receiver or a slot guy.

Norwood was also noted by the OBR as having one of the best receptions in camp (subscription required).

Final Roster Odds: <5%
Practice Squad Odds: 75%

10. LANCE LEGGETT - PRACTICE SQUAD WIDE RECEIVER

Lance Leggett (#9)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200
College: Miami
Experience: 2 years
Note: Pokorny favorite

Last year, Lance Leggett did a pretty good job in training camp and during the preseason. He didn't have mental lapses, didn't run the wrong routes, or anything else that would warrant a negative review.

The problem that will probably develop with Leggett is the inability to get over the playing time hump, much like what happened to Steve Sanders in the past (before he played briefly last season). Does Leggett possess skills or flash potential superior to Braylon Edwards, Brian Robiskie, Mohamed Massaquoi, Mike Furrey, and David Patten? While Hubbard may be raw, can Leggett overcome the fact that the coaches are intrigued by his big-play potential? Can Leggett, who was Romeo's UDFA, outshine Norwood, who is Mangini's UDFA and has already been making a lot of noise?

I think Leggett is more polished than the five receivers listed in today's Part II and I like what he has to offer, but I don't expect him to be given as much "respect" as the other players trying out. If it was my practice squad, you'd probably see Leggett and Norwood on it.

Final Roster Odds: >2%
Practice Squad Odds: 50%

11. DEVALE ELLIS - BACKUP WIDE RECEIVER

Devale Ellis (#83)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
College: Hofstra
Experience: 3 years
Note: Former Lion

Devale Ellis joined the Detroit Lions in 2007 as an undrafted free agent. He played sparingly, alternating that season on and off the team's practice squad. He finished the year with 4 catches for 41 yards, with his highlight moment being a 48 yard punt return. Ellis tried out for the Lions in 2008, but failed to make the team.

Ellis is a former college teammate of Saints receiver Marques Colston. As a junior when Colston was sidelined for an entire season, Ellis was Hofstra's leading receiver with 74 catches for 1,067 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Based on Ellis' experience, he might have a better chance making the roster if he can contribute on special teams. Even then, his odds are almost slim to none; I probably would've preferred to bring in another undrafted free agent instead.

Final Roster Odds: <0.5%
Practice Squad Odds: Not good

WR Position Quality (from Part 2): D+

This Friday, we will preview the tight end position. With Kellen Winslow over on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Steve Heiden's health in question, the position could certainly shape up to be a lot different than it has been the past few years.

A final word on the wide receiver position, with respect to Donte Stallworth. If his suspension is not for the entire season, if Mangini feels he is in football shape, and if two of the following three players struggle (Brian Robiskie, Mike Furrey, Mohamed Massaquoi) for a good portion of the season, I could see Stallworth returning at some point as our No. 3 or No. 4 receiver. As a receiver, the best way to utilize him is on short routes over the middle and then have him take off with other receivers blocking downfield.

Poll

Which of the following younger receivers is your favorite?

Syndric Steptoe

59 votes

Paul Hubbard

147 votes

Jordan Norwood

253 votes

Lance Leggett

56 votes

515 votes | Poll has closed

Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2009: Wide Receiver Preview (Part 1)

Chris Pokorny — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:14:16 -0000

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP

Hopefully Edwards hangs on to the ball better in 2009 than he did in 2008.

Browse more photos »

Last year, the Browns brought 10 wide receivers to training camp. Not including Braylon Edwards, let's take a look at some of the names on that list, including where I ranked them and their contributions:

2. Donte Stallworth: Injury-plagued, could barely match Tim Carter's production.
3. Travis Wilson: Didn't even make the team.
4. Kevin Kasper: Went on injured reserve before the season started.
9. Syndric Steptoe: Ended up being our No. 2 receiver, and played like the ninth best receiver from training camp.

I don't think I'm reaching when I say that our wide receiver position was pathetic last season. This year, we haven't added any other big-name receivers, but we have stayed in line with Mangini's philosophies at other positions: adding several sound veterans and having some youth from the early rounds of the draft. Will that pay dividends? Let's hope so, as this week is titled "see ball, catch ball...and block". The blocking part relates more so to the tight ends (which will be covered later in the week), but is also an important attribute for the wideouts to have.

1. BRAYLON EDWARDS - NO. 1 STARTING WIDE RECEIVER

Braylon Edwards (#17)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215
College: Michigan
Experience: 5 years
Stats: 873 yards, 3 TD

It was not a very pleasant season for Braylon Edwards last year, and it became tiresome in the offseason to hear he would be traded to the New York Giants, without anything actually happening. There was a one group of fans who thought Edwards' days in Cleveland were over. There was another group of fans who thought it would be ridiculous to toss Edwards away after one bad season. I was in that second group, so I'm satisfied. With Kellen Winslow traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, we still needed a receiver on our roster who could create double teams and mismatches down the field.

Worst Attribute: Dropping Passes - While he has never been a sure-handed player, last years struggles were completely unprecedented for Edwards. In 2007, he has nearly 1,300 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns. If the ball was thrown deep and he was in the vicinity, more times than not he would come down with it. Last year, except for two games, Edwards was practically invisible in terms of production. He wasn't quiet like Stallworth though; he had a huge impact on every game. Like in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, when he was wide open on a deep route but simply dropped the ball. In Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens, he dropped another deep pass that could've been a walk-in touchdown.

It wasn't just the big plays Edwards disappointed on though; he was dropping the ball on short-to-mid-range passes on a consistent basis as well. This was beyond Quincy Morgan and Dennis Northcutt dropping, and I'm sure it is what turned off many Browns fans (well, that, and also his arrogant demeanor at times despite his struggles). There's a difference between not making the catches that should be made and not making the catches that are difficult to make. If Edwards started struggling on jump balls where he is double covered, you can pawn it off to bad luck. You can't do the same when it's back yard pitch and catch drops.

Best Attribute: Field Recognition - This one goes back more so to the 2007 season, but it should be something that you just don't lose. Unfortunately, it does go hand in hand with having an accurate quarterback and being able to catch the ball. Against most cornerbacks, Edwards can get solid positioning in the end zone and snag fade passes out of the air right by the sidelines, making it impossible for opposing players to defend. I'm confident that Edwards is one of the best in the league at doing this, even if the plays aren't in the end zone. If he improve upon his ability to catch the ball again, Edwards' field recognition will make Brady Quinn's job a lot easier.

Various Concerns / Comments - This could be Edwards' last year with the team. He was a demon in training camp last year, looking every bit like the Pro Bowler he was the season before. After Stallworth stepped on his foot though, Edwards wasn't the same the rest of the year. Will Edwards' mentality get back on track? This year, we'll find out who the real Braylon Edwards is as a wide receiver.

Job Security: A+
Player ~~Quality~~ Potential: A+
Final Roster Odds: 100%

2. BRIAN ROBISKIE - NO. 2 STARTING WIDE RECEIVER

Brian Robiskie (#80)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 209
College: Ohio State
Experience: Rookie
Note: 2nd round pick

Robiskie is the early favorite to start opposite Edwards. I'm happy that one our rookies will probably be starting, because for the past several years, our lower-level rookie receivers were held back by not being given the opportunity to play with the No. 1 team.

While he might lack ideal speed, Robiskie was labeled as a polished receiver coming out of college who was ready to make an immediate contribution. He drew praise from the coaches and local writers for his efforts in minicamp and the offseason training activities. With many Browns fans also being Buckeye fans, it won't be difficult for many of you to project just what type of contributions Robiskie will make to the team.

After he was drafted, I featured a piece on Brian Robiskie, where many fans also gave their thoughts on the selection. I encourage everyone to check that out, especially if you didn't see it the first time. After some initial dissapointment with the pick, 85% of you voted your approval in the Browns taking Robiskie at No. 36 overall.

Job Security: B
Player Potential: TBD
Final Roster Odds: 100%

3. MIKE FURRY - SLOT WIDE RECEIVER

Mike Furrey (#87)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195
College: Northern Iowa
Experience: 7 years
Note: 1,098 yards in 2006

The slot receiver position should be a highly contested position, with veterans Mike Furrey and David Patten trying to make more noise than rookie Mohamad Massaquoi does.

Furrey has had an interesting career, thanks to the oddities of coach Mike Martz. Furrey began as a receiver with the St. Louis Rams, before being converted to safety in 2005 and starting 11 games at the position. The very next season, when he and Martz both went to the Detroit Lions, Furrey became a starting receiver and had over 1,098 yards receiving. Although he started, much of his production came in positions which would be ideal for a slot receiver. Furrey had a concussion last year and was placed on the injured reserve, much to Furrey's dismay, as he felt he was perfectly fine to return to action.

Furrey is a possession receiver -- during that 2006 season, his longest reception went for 31 yards. For more on Furrey along with some of our readers' initial reactions to the signing, check out this post from May 2009.

Job Security: C
Player Potential: B-
Final Roster Odds: 90%

4. MOHAMED MASSAQUOI - COMPETING FOR SLOT WIDE RECEIVER

Mohamed Massaquoi (#11)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
College: Georgia
Experience: Rookie
Note: Other 2nd rounder

Before long, I think the nickname "MoMass" is going to become popular for Massaquoi, to avoid the confusion of spelling his name correctly (although it's not really that difficult after getting used to it).

When I did a write-up following the draft on Massaquoi, a few fans from our Georgia affiliate responded with something that really stood out for me:

"As far as his strengths, MoMass is a tenacious blocker, a superb route-runner, and has above-average downfield speed."

If you search the Internet for scouting reports of "Massaquoi" and "blocking", the two seem to go hand in hand. Edwards was a suitable blocker for the Browns last year, but not many other receivers were. Syndric Steptoe? Not in a million years.

In college, he was inconsistent catching the ball, which makes it difficult for me to believe he will win a competition against a veteran like Furrey. I'm considering him more of a project than Robiskie is, although it would not be a shock if he performed well enough in training camp to win the job over Furrey. It might be more realistic to see Furrey and Massaquoi share reps at the slot position this season, depending on the situation we're facing in the game.

Player Potential: TBD
Final Roster Odds: 100%

5. DAVID PATTEN - BACKUP VETERAN WIDE RECEIVER

David Patten (#81)
Height: 5-10
Weight: 190
College: W. Carolina
Experience: 13 years
Note: Former Brown

It's been nearly a decade (9 years to be exact) since David Patten has been a member of the Cleveland Browns.

That's right -- "In the year 2000...in the year 2000..." Patten played in 14 games with the Browns, recording 38 catches for 546 yards and a touchdown. If Patten was the Browns' slot receiver this year, I don't think he would be able to match that production from nine years ago; I think Furrey and Massaquoi have more potential.

Patten is a respectable veteran and a three time Super Bowl champion. In the team workouts prior to training camp, patten has been acting as a vocal leader/encourager, giving props to the younger players. That's encouraging, and while Patten is past his prime, it's not like he would be in a Willie McGinest situation where he is being asked to start. Patten will probably see some training camp reps at the No. 2 receiver position because he is a veteran, but if he makes the roster, I can't see him being more than a No. 5 receiver. That will be difficult though, because if you count Joshua Cribbs as a receiver, we really don't need anybody else after Edwards, Robiskie, Furrey, and Massaquoi.

Player Potential: C-
Final Roster Odds: 50%

Final Roster Odds: 100%

*6. JOSHUA CRIBBS - CAN WE CALL HIM A WIDE RECEIVER?

Joshua Cribbs (#16)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215
College: Kent State
Experience: 5 years
Stats: 16 career catches

Any time I don't include Joshua Cribbs on a list as a wide receiver candidate, a few people always complain with comments such as "ummm...aren't you forgetting about Cribbs?" From now on, I should probably counter with "how many times have we heard that" versus "how many opportunities/catches has he actually had"?

2005: 1 catch, 7 yards
2006: 10 catches, 91 yards
2007: 3 catches, 37 yards
2008: 2 catches, 18 yards

I'd really like to believe that Cribbs can play a nice specialty role as a receiver, but at least during the Crennel era, we didn't see it. As for whether that'll change during the Mangini era, we simply don't know yet. With Cribbs, I'm not expecting him to compete for a job at receiver. Rather, his versatility should be used at random during a game, including some plays at receiver. Cribbs doesn't fit in on a depth chart; he gets a nice little asterisk next to his name instead.

Player Potential: NA
Final Roster Odds: 100%, if not traded

WR Position Quality (Starters / Competing Players): B

Wide receiver Donte Stallworth is not included on this list, and he will not be included in Part 2 either, as he is facing an indefinite suspension. Our depth is better now than it was at the start of last season, with the added bonus that we have two rookies the team has invested quite a bit into. While Edwards and Robiskie seem to be a sure bet at No. 1 and No. 2, the slot position is wide open. There's even an outside chance that a Syndric Steptoe or Paul Hubbard could win that role, because you never know how things will turn out from year to year.

We have several days to discuss the wide receiver position, and there are five players left to cover. I haven't decided whether Part 2 will be up on Tuesday or Wednesday; I will try to have an update on that on Monday. In Part 2, we will take a look at Devale Ellis, Paul Hubbard, Lance Leggett, Jordan Norwood, and Syndric Steptoe. Four of those receivers will be fighting for spots on the practice squad. Steptoe, who is not eligible for the practice squad, will have a very difficult time making the roster this year.

Poll

Which player will be the Browns' slot receiver to open the season?

Mike Furrey

754 votes

Mohamed Massaquoi

373 votes

David Patten

90 votes

Other

41 votes

1258 votes | Poll has closed

DE C.J. Mosley Signed as Depth, Jones Lost to Eagles

Chris Pokorny — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:54:23 -0000

Eric Mangini's strategy in his first year with the Browns is not too far different from his first year with the Jets so far: build depth in free agency, and draft the real talent in April.

The Browns signed former New York Jets DT C.J. Mosley Friday to a two-year contract worth about $5 million. In 35 games games with the Jets, 3 of them being starts, Mosley recorded 5 sacks.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - C.J. Mosley	10	1.5	9.5	0	0	0	13	4	17

"C.J. adds another piece to the defensive puzzle," Browns General Manager George Kokinis said in a statement. "He is a competitive defensive lineman that runs to the football and will fit in well with the players in that group."

Not a huge signing, but I don't think we can complain until we see how the final plan ends up unfolding. Former Jets LB David Bowens is reportedly still negotiating a contract with the Browns as well.

Without the draft in mind, our defensive line is shaping up to look like this:

DE: Robaire Smith
DT: Shaun Rogers, Shaun Smith
DE: Corey Williams, C.J. Mosley

S. Smith can hopefully focus more on being Rogers' speller this year. Mosley looks to be more effective than a player like Louis Leonard.

In safety-related news, the Browns officially lost safety Sean Jones to the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones, who will replace Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia, signed a one-year deal. I still can't believe the Browns didn't make a reported offer to Jones, although there's no official confirmation that they completely ignored him. The Browns did make another move by re-signing safety Mike Adams:

"Mike Adams possesses the characteristics we believe in and brings versatility to the back end of the defense," Kokinis said in a prepared release.

I was very comfortable with Adams as a backup, so I can only applaud bringing him back. With a big hole at the safety position still, I think it's time to start evaluating all of the safeties that will be around in round two of the NFL draft.

Finally, the Browns re-signed WR Syndric Steptoe, who was an exclusive-rights free agent, according to the OBR. The Browns chose not to retain DE Chase Pittman, so his lackluster tenure with the Browns appears to be over.

Should Houshmandzadeh be High on Browns' Radar?

Chris Pokorny — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:43:22 -0000

The Cincinnati Bengals slapped the franchise tag on kicker Shayne Graham yesterday. This is not unheard of, as the New England Patriots did it twice with Adam Vinatieri in the past. However, considering the state of the Bengals, the concept of franchising a kicker has to make you chuckle.

The more important part is that T.J. Houshmandzadeh will not be franchised, meaning he'll hit the free agent market on February 27. A former seventh-round draft pick, Houshmandzadeh will likely require a large contract. Many teams will reach out for his services -- should the Browns be one of them? Our defense needs to be rebuilt at several positions, but that also shouldn't distort the fact that our offense was one of the worst in the NFL last season, despite our expectations being high week in and week out.

I want a receiver of Houshmandzadeh's caliber, but it's probably better for Eric Mangini to take a "chance" route. We've seen guys like Houshmandzadeh and Marques Colston succeed after being seventh-round draft picks. The Browns have had their failed attempts in earlier rounds with players like Quincy Morgan, Andre King, Travis Wilson, and presumably Syndric Steptoe. The jury is still out on Paul Hubbard, but you can't like his odds under a new regime either. With our lack of scouting early on this year due to a late-hired front office though, finding one of those gems might truly be pulling a name out of a hat.

Poll

Where would you like the Browns to pursue another WR?

Big-name free agent, like Houshmandzadeh

150 votes

Lower-level free agent

104 votes

Early in the Draft

24 votes

Late in the Draft

86 votes

We're fine with what we've got

71 votes

435 votes | Poll has closed