SB Nation - Hamza Abdullah

Cleveland Browns Announce Roster Cuts; Few Surprises As Jamal Lewis Makes It

Chris Pokorny — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:31:32 -0000

More photos » by M. Spencer Green - AP

It's a "no" for veteran WR David Patten, who won't be able to play for the Browns for the second time in his career.

The following players were cut by the Cleveland Browns, trimming their roster from 75 to the league required 53 players:

(Key: Expected Cut, Highlighted/Notable Cut, Shocker Cut)

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS CUT

QB Richard Bartel
FB Charles Ali: I'm sorry to see him go. I really like having at least two players at every non-special teams position, and Ali was a pretty good backup fullback. We didn't keep Herron either, so who will serve as the backup fullback remains a question.
RB Noah Herron
RB Chris Jennings
WR David Patten: I'm sure he'll catch on elsewhere. We really would have had too many receivers on the team if we kept him.
WR Jordan Norwood
WR Paul Hubbard
WR Lance Leggett
TE Aaron Walker
OL Dustin Fry
OL Kurt Quarterman
OL Pat Murray
OL Branndon Braxton
OL Isaac Sowells: It's party time!

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS CUT

DL Brian Schaefering
DL Adam Hoppel
DL Santonio Thomas
LB Titus Brown: An early injury in camp foiled his roster chances. I thought there was an outside chance he might end up on the practice squad.
LB Beau Bell: Phil Savage's fourth-round pick goes down the drain. He might not even be practice squad eligible.
DB Brandon Anderson
DB Corey Ivy: I guess this means Coye Francies is going to receive a lot of playing time this season.
DB Tra Battle
DB Hamza Abdullah

The team also reached an injury settlement with DL Melila Purcell, so he is no longer with the team. To be more specific about some of the players, we didn't "waive", but rather "terminated the contract of" Abdullah, Patten, Herron, Ivy, and Walker. The Browns actually waived one more player than required, so we should be signing someone soon to the 53-man roster.

Now, it's interesting to take a look at which bubble players did make the team. Here is a brief list of the players we can congratulate:

POTENTIAL "SURPRISES" TO THE TEAM

TE Martin Rucker: He might have made the team by default, because Aaron Walker really wasn't an upgrade over him. On the same note, the fact that he did not drop any passes against the Bears might have been the difference too.
OL Corey Hilliard: Who? He was a sixth-round pick by the Patriots in 2007 and spent the past two years on the Colts as a backup/practice squad type player. We didn't get a chance to evaluate his talent much, but I'm happy to see Isaac Sowells finally go. For the record, Hilliard will serve as the team's backup offensive tackle.
LB Marcus Benard: The undrafted free agent out of Jackson State did it. The first preseason game against the Packers was his best game by far, although I wonder if Titus Brown would've made the team instead had he stayed healthy.
LB Leon Williams: The veteran hasn't really been seeing reps with the first-team defense, but he's still on the team. Perhaps his versatiliy of playing the inside or the outside helped his cause. Either way, I really don't see him getting much playing time this season.
LB Blake Costanzo: Not a surprise to me. I welcome his special teams abilities this season.
DB Gerard Lawson: His kick return abilities against the Chicago Bears this past Thursday might have saved his job. He doesn't have a huge role on the Browns, but maybe that'll change with us waiving both Hood and Ivy.
DB Bret Lockett: It's funny how us as fans can pick out players like Benard and Lockett and say, "if someone is going to make the team, I can see it being these players". Lockett adds some depth to the safety position.
DB Nick Sorensen: Again, not necessarily a surprise, but he is mainly a special teams contributor.

Many of the players we cut could still end up on our practice squad.

For those curious, here is a list of former Browns players that have been cut/waived recently:

FORMER BROWNS PLAYERS WAIVED

QB Jeff Garcia
RB Marcus Thomas
RB Allen Patrick
WR Steve Sanders
WR Brandon Rideau
WR Travis Wilson
WR C.J. Jones
OT James Lee: This is a guy I'm sure we'd take a look at if Crennel was still here. He was the young prospect who we tried to sneak on the practice squad last year, but the Buccaneers signed him to their 53-man roster.
C Melvin Fowler
DL Shaun Smith: Gotta love this one.
LB David Holloway
CB Travis Daniels
CB Rod Hood
S Nate Ness
S Brian Russell: This would be too good to be true if the Browns were able to bring him back. He's been gone the past few years, playing for the Seattle Seahawks.

Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 25 - Another Transaction

Chris Pokorny — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:57:50 -0000

Is there really a point to roster transactions this late into training camp? Sure, maybe we're trying to scout players that might end up on our practice squad in the future, but a week really isn't a lot to go by.

As I'm sure you can tell, the training camp reports are more so "general team notes" now as opposed to specifics on how the day went. It's like that every year as public camp sessions come to a close.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 25 (8/25/09)

The Transaction: After being involved in a couple of reverses late in the game against the Detroit Lions, the Browns waived former Jet WR Paul Raymond. Taking his place is DE Brian Schaefering. Does that name sound familiar? It should, because he was signed by the Browns in May of last year before being waived at the end of training camp. He was added to the Browns' practice squad in early December, before Eric Mangini signed him to the Jets' active roster for the team's final game of the regular season.
Play of the Day: After getting behind CB Hank Poteat, WR Braylon Edwards caught a Brady Quinn pass one-handed in the end zone for a touchdown.
Hot Start, 'Meh' Finish: After starting hot in practice, QB Derek Anderson cooled down and didn't do as well in game simulations. His best plays came early on, when he connected with WR Brian Robiskie and Edwards for scores.
Still MIA: S Brodney Pool did not return to action. All of the other players who have been out stayed out, except for WR David Patten. Patten returned to action and was practicing.
Players at Safety: In his press conference, Mangini brought up the fact that other players on the roster have experience at safety, perhaps alluding to the injuries of Brodney Pool and Hamza Abdullah. Mangini noted DB Hank Poteat and WR Mike Furrey. I loved reading about how a good portion of the media didn't seem to know Furrey started at safety for the St. Louis Rams for nearly a whole season. There's nothing wrong if individual fans don't know that, but if you're constantly writing about the Browns, it should've stood out as a unique note in his player profile when the team first signed him.
Center Update: Maybe we just panicked a little too early about rookie C Alex Mack. After a rough start to training camp, Mack has continued to settle in smoothly. However, you could also note that the "turnaround" started right around the point that a certain someone stopped practicing (Shaun Rogers).

Tuesday's Links/Camp Sources

Furrey to the rescue at safety? (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Grossi)
Quotes, notes, observations (Akron Beacon Journal, Storm)
Berea Report: Back in the spotlight (Orange and Brown Report, Greetham)

Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 24 - Pool Absent, Foster Waived

Chris Pokorny — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:50:10 -0000

It doesn't really feel like training camp anymore, but a few sessions still remain. The team hit the field Monday for one of their final three public sessions; after that, everything will be closed off and geared especially towards preparing for the regular season. Rapid Reports indicates that only about 300 fans attended practice on Monday.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 24 (8/24/09)

Pool's Injury: If you recall, S Brodney Pool left Saturday's exhibition game after getting dinged. Let's hope it wasn't a concussion, but it wasn't a good sign that he was no where to be found on the practice field Monday. The team did not offer any comment on his absence either. Veteran S Mike Adams took Pool's place on Monday. Safety Hamza Abdullah has a broken finger and sat out of practice too, so the roster odds of S Bret Lockett just shot up.
Getting Some Depth Soon: It was good news to hear that OL Rex Hadnot was out on the field again. He wasn't practicing, but him being on the stationary bike is an encouraging sign that he's on schedule to return from his MCL injury within the first few weeks of the season.
Goodbye Foster: The Browns waived offensive tackle George Foster after he had a disappointing camp. It was clearly evident why the former high draft pick could not stick around with other teams. This past Saturday, he completely failed to block a rusher that caused Brett Ratliff to get drilled and fumble the football.
Purcell Gone Too: After suffering an injury, DL Melila Purcell was waived/injured. If he clears waivers, he'll revert to the injured reserve. The team also released TE John Madsen, who rarely appeared in training camp reports.
Roster Replacements: With three people gone, three people were signed, presumably only to be waived in a few weeks too. They are OT Corey Hilliard, TE Nate Jackson, and S Tra Battle.
Massaquoi's Role: He got early reps in Saturday's preseason game, and rookie Mohamed Massaquoi was lined up opposite Braylon Edwards as the No. 2 receiver Monday. The race continues between him and Joshua Cribbs, with Mike Furrey likely seeing consistent action at No. 2 and No. 3.
QB Edge to Anderson: For Monday's session, Brady Quinn had some struggles while Derek Anderson was fine. On Quinn's first attempt in a game simulation, he was intercepted by S Mike Adams on a pass intended for TE Robert Royal. Later on, he had a pass batted away from DB Rod Hood. Anderson, on the other hand, was able to roll out and fire a touchdown pass to Mohamed Massaquoi. Later on, on perhaps the play of the day, he completed a 50-yard pass to Brian Robiskie. Robiskie laid out on the play to make the reception.
Bubble Watch: As Jerome Harrison continues to sit out with injuries, RB Noah Herron is doing well, seeing some action near the goal line in drills.

Monday's Links/Camp Sources

Pool absent, Hadnot spotted (Akron Beacon Journal, Ridenour)
QB leader in the clubhouse? None yet. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cabot)

Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 5 (Evening) - "One Second Left" Drills

Chris Pokorny — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:14:59 -0000

With neither quarterback gaining a definitive edge over the other in camp so far, Mangini's decision might come down to how Quinn and Anderson perform in the preseason games. via photos.theobr.com

View full size photo »

For this morning's Day 5 training camp recap, click here. The news coming in was more low-key for the evening session, so bare with me as I scrape the bottom of the barrel for some notes, as the team was not in pads. For the evening practice, Derek Anderson was working with the first-team offense.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 5 [EVENING] (8/5/09)

Game Specific Situations: The Plain Dealer reports that much of the evening's practice was devoted to special game situations, such as a needing a Hail Mary pass or executing a touchdown with one second left on the clock. The notes on the drills below all come from the Plain Dealer's report here.
Drill One - At the Five: Both quarterbacks started at the five-yard line on fourth-down with one second left. Derek Anderson connected with WR Mike Furrey over DB Corey Ivy, and Brady Quinn hit TE Martin Rucker for a touchdown.
Drill Two - From the 35: Same drill, longer distance. Anderson's pass was knocked away by S Brodney Pool, and Quinn's pass fell incomplete too.
Drill Three - From the 45: This is more so the Hail Mary range. Anderson was intercepted by Pool this time, while Quinn's pass was knocked away by S Hamza Abdullah.
Injury Updates: Add two new players to the "sitting out list" -- S Mike Adams and WR David Patten. No word on the status of either player. FB Charles Ali and CB Don Carey continue to sit out.
Surprise Linebacker? This was probably from the morning practice, but the OBR mentioned that second-year LB Titus Brown has been having a fine camp, and even saw some work with the first-team defense.
Quinn Underthrows Edwards: Steve Doerschuk's piece on the evening session talks mainly about a play in which Quinn underthrew WR Braylon Edwards on a deep ball. Edwards had beaten DB Coye Francies, but he had to wait for the ball to come to him. Francies was flagged for interference on the play, but it led to some more questions about Quinn's ability to throw the deep ball well enough.
Speaking of Edwards: Our beloved No. 1 receiver was just that -- a No. 1 receiver in his own league. It doesn't sound like he had a single drop in either practice, but then again he lit it up in training camp last year too.
Anderson Holding On Too Long? A user from Dawg Talkers who went to the practice commented that he believed Anderson was holding onto the ball way too long on too many plays, saying that if it were a live game, Anderson would consistently be getting sacked. Another fan saw the same thing over at The Browns Board.
Veteran Advice: As WR Brian Robiskie came off the field for a play, veteran WR Mike Furrey offered him some advice on his footwork.
Punt Block Drill: A fan over at The Browns Board commented on something surprising in punting drills; Dave Zastudil was punting the ball, and the punt block team was going all out to block the punt, which they did. It was a surprise in the sense that this is a situation where you can kill your punter if you hit him the wrong way on the foot/leg.
Brownies: CB Eric Wright had an interception on Quinn, and also had a great blitz that would have killed Anderson in a live game...RB Jerome Harrison broke free for a nice run...WR Jordan Norwood put a good fake on CB Brandon McDonald in one-on-one drills to grab a pass...TE Martin Rucker had a play where he caught it over the middle and broke free...WR Paul Hubbard had a few drops, but doesn't look completely lost.

Well, I guess I did find some more reports than I thought I would, but I still scraped the bottom of the barrel. The Browns will take the field for one afternoon session Thursday.

Wednesday's Evening Link Collection / Camp Sources

Quinn's arm tired? (Canton Repository, Steve Doerschuk)
'The Forgotten One' Speaks (Orange and Brown Report, King)
Rapid Reports (CBS Sportsline)
Training camp log, Day 5 (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cabot)

Browns Training Camp Report: Day 3 (Morning) - Leggett, Davis Continue to Shine

Chris Pokorny — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:53:26 -0000

WR Lance Leggett continues to make plays, catching a deep ball thrown by QB Brady Quinn for an eventual touchdown.

View full size photo »

It's Day 3 of Cleveland Browns training camp, and the morning practice is already in the books. There weren't a lot of updates on the injury front, with a name or two even being added to the "minor" injury list.

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

Welcome Back, Mr. Heiden: Tight end Steve Heiden is no longer wearing the red "limited contact" jersey, meaning he is now going through practice the same as everyone else. How pumped up was Heiden to get back into contact? So much, that he was able to take down LB Kamerion Wimbley in one-on-one tackling drills. I'm feeling the Heiden buzz already, and it really seems like a wide open competition for the starting tight end position.
Play of the Day: Once again, Lance Leggett is taking advantage of his reps. Earlier in the practice session, Brady Quinn threw the ball about 50-55 yards in the air and after juggling it a bit, Leggett was able to haul it in with DB Corey Ivy being unable to break up the play. Leggett then proceeded to run it the rest of the way for about an 80-yard touchdown. WTAM adds that another thing that made the play impressive was seeing rookie RB James Davis pick up a blitz from S Hamza Abdullah.

RB James Davis is consistently running past defenders with quick cuts.

Not Practicing: Among the players still not practicing: WR Braylon Edwards, DL Shaun Rogers, DB Don Carey, and FB Charles Ali. CB Eric Wright left the morning practice late with an apparent tweaked hamstring.
Backup Nose Tackle: With Rogers sidelined, it's a good opportunity for the coaches to see which player is best suited for the backup nose tackle position. According to the OBR, Robaire Smith, Louis Leonard, C.J. Mosley, and Ahtyba Rubin have each had some work there, with Rubin standing out the most.
Average Day at Quarterback: Neither of the quarterbacks particularly outshined the other, as both of them failed to produce a score in this morning's two-minute drills. Among their biggest mistakes of the practice -- Anderson gave a pick six to Hamza Abdullah, while Quinn threw behind WR Jordan Norwood on a would-be touchdown.
Bubble Watch: So far, WR Paul Hubbard is experiencing some of the same issues he faced in camp last year -- not being able to catch the ball consistently. The OBR reports that Hubbard was up and down Monday, cutting off a route to lead to an incompletion, then coming back to make a spectacular catch, only to come back and have another negative play. On the defensive side of things, CB Corey Ivy stood out with two nice pass breakups.

OLB Alex Hall gets the better of TE Martin Rucker in a rushing drill.

Asset on Special Teams: Head coach Eric Mangini noted that RB James Davis has been one of the first players down the field in special teams drills. That'll be something to look out for during the preseason; perhaps he can make it so Joshua Cribbs doesn't have to work so hard.
Rucker's Blocking: Tight end Martin Rucker didn't handle his OLB as well as Heiden did to Wimbley. Rucker was generally overpowered by Alex Hall during drills.
NoMo Drops: According to a fan's report, WR Mohamed Massaquoi struggled in the morning with several drops. Staying on par, WR Brian Robiskie was once again catching the ball well.
Harrison Holds Up: Daniel Wolf of Dawg Scooper noted that RB Jerome Harrison held his own on a blitz from LB Eric Barton. Still, with James Davis impressing day-by-day (he again had big runs, including a 50+ yarder), you have to wonder if he will slip into the Leon Washington role instead of Harrison.
Foster Struggling: While it doesn't sound like he's anywhere near "Nat Dorsey or Isaac Sowells bad", OT George Foster's abilities seem to be behind those of Ryan Tucker, John St. Clair, and Floyd Womack. Foster was being given a tough time by OLB David Bowens.
No News is...Good News?: If anyone attends camp, please let us know about Brodney Pool and/or Abram Elam. The news on them the first three days has been scarce.

The evening practice report will be up either late tonight or some time tomorrow morning.

Sunday's Evening Link Collection / Camp Sources

Lane's Training Camp Quick Hits (Orange and Brown Report, Adkins)
Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report (Dawg Scooper, Wolf)
QBs stymied in two-minute drills (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Grossi)
Monday AM Aug. 3 - Heiden Cleared (Akron Becaon Journal, Ridenour)

Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2009: Safety Preview (Will Abram Elam Shine?)

Chris Pokorny — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:17:45 -0000

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP

Browse more photos »

We're in the final week of our position previews for training camp, as we now get set to "Cover the Field". This week, we'll start with the safety position, and then close things out with the cornerbacks. Next week, we'll recap any other loose ends before training camp finally begins on August 1st.

With the departure of Sean Jones this season, the secondary has a new look to it in safety Abram Elam. Will he catch on as a starter in our 3-4 defense?

1. BRODNEY POOL - STARTING SAFETY

Brodney Pool (#21)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
College: Oklahoma
Experience: 5 years
Note: Concussion issues

If you asked me two years ago which safety would last with the Browns longer between Brodney Pool and Sean Jones, I would've picked Jones. Now, it's up to Pool to take charge of the "veteran" role. The last successful veteran leader we had at safety was Brian Russell, but I don't know if Pool can quite live up to that role. Pool has some nice ball skills, but I think he's peaked as a player as an above average safety at best.

One of Pool's best strengths could ultimately be his undoing. Pool can deliver punishing hits on opposing receivers, but with Pool's history of concussions, one wrong hit could be the end of his career, hurting our depth at safety tremendously. On the plus side, Pool has only missed one game over the past three seasons.

Pool has the athleticism and physical tools of an ideal safety, but will he be savvy enough to play in Rob Ryan's system? I'm not so sure I trust him in man coverage yet, and would rather see what Abram Elam has to offer in that role instead. Mangini has given Pool his vote of confidence:

"The key will be to have balanced safeties, so either one can play back, either one can play up and Brodney has shown the ability to do both those things."

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

2. ABRAM ELAM - STARTING SAFETY

Abram Elam (#26)
Height: 6-0
Weight: 207
College: Kent State
Experience: 4 years
Note: Mangini's project

Abram Elam is one of the player's I'm most excited about on this year's defense. He was an up-and-coming player with Mangini under the Jets, and for Mangini not to show any apparent interest in re-signing Sean Jones or bringing in a veteran safety, he must have sincerely believed Elam was ready to be a starter in the NFL.

Elam was known for being solid against the run and providing a good pass rush when asked to. Fans in New York questioned his ability to stay with receivers down the field, but Elam stated otherwise in an exclusive interview with Dawgs By Nature:

"I don't think it's a problem. If I couldn't cover, I wouldn't be in the NFL. But I continue to work on my game, I know there's a lot of stuff I need to improve on and I work to get better every day in practice."

For the full piece we ran on Elam, click here.

Elam also runs a blog on AbeElam.com, where he has been posting notes throughout the offseason. Recently, he discussed his thoughts on where he would be playing, as well as what is necessary for each position:

"I don’t know if I’m going to play free safety or strong safety this season. Probably both. The goal is for us to be interchangeable in the secondary, for all of the safeties on the field to be able to play up in the box as well as deep in the back.

I’m focusing my training on becoming more versatile. As a strong safety you have to play more in the box, cover the tight end and stop the run. The free safety is the last line of defense, the ballhawk in the back.

Personally I don’t care where I play, I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team. Whether I’m starting or coming off the bench, I’m training to be the starter.

Playing strong safety means you have to have a physical, aggressive mentality to get up and stick your nose in. You can’t shy away from contact. The toughest thing is to dodge the offensive linemen. They see a smaller guy and try to push them around. The key is to beat them with agility and speed.

The free safety anchors the deep part of the field. Some of the QBs are hard to get reads on and you have to study them more extensively and watch their mechanics. Quarterbacks make either full-field or half-field reads. The experienced ones can read the whole field, while some of the younger ones are not as confident or patient and can only read half the field."

Job Security: A
Player Quality: C+ (potential for more)
Final Roster Odds: 100%

3. MIKE ADAMS - VETERAN BACKUP SAFETY

Mike Adams (#20)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 195
College: Delaware
Experience: 6 years
Note: Good fill-in player

I was pleased that the Browns kept Mike Adams on as the backup safety. Last year, he should have seen more time as the nickel back too, but with more depth at the cornerback position this year, Adams should be able to stick to just the safety position.

Adams is acceptable for a spot start or two, but not for an extended stretch. In the future, it might be wise for the Browns to invest a draft pick in a safety, especially if Pool isn't brought back next year.

Player Quality: C
Final Roster Odds: 100%

4. NICK SORENSEN - VETERAN BACKUP SAFETY

Nick Sorensen (#21)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210
College: Virginia Tech
Experience: 9 years
Note: Special teamer

While he hasn't been with the Browns that long, I wonder how many fans would be surprised to hear that Nick Sorensen is entering his ninth season in the NFL. Sorensen was mostly a special teams contributor two years ago for the Browns, but saw his role expand a little more last year due to injuries in the secondary. There were several instances in which I was pleasantly surprised by his ability to shoot through the line on a blitz, although he was only credited for half a sack on the season.

Without much competition at backup safety this year, coupled with the fact that he is a good special teams player, Sorensen's job should be safe again.

Player Quality: D+
Final Roster Odds: 75%

5. HAMZA ABDULLAH - BACKUP SAFETY

Hamza Abdullah (#42)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 216
College: Washington St.
Experience: 5 years
Note: Former Bronco

Hamza Abdullah is another intriguing player. He was a seventh-round draft choice of the Denver Broncos back in 2005. Two years ago, Abdullah started the final eight games of the season for the Broncos, and was expected to compete for a starting role for them last season.

After suffering a groin injury, he lost his shot at the starting job. He originally made the team's 53-man roster, but played sparingly the first couple of weeks before being released. The Browns signed him fairly early into the season, but, in typical Crennel fashion, Abdullah never saw the field for the Browns.

Here's what our Denver Broncos affiliate, Mile High Report, once had to say about Abdullah:

"When healthy, Abdullah is a hard hitter, when he doesn’t flat out miss the ball carrier. He takes bad angles to the ball and doesn’t get deep enough in pass coverage."

Player Quality: TBD
Final Roster Odds: 40%

6. BRET LOCKETT - BACKUP SAFETY

Bret Lockett (#39)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 210
College: UCLA
Experience: Rookie
Note: UDFA

Safety Bret Lockett comes from UCLA, where he had an impressive Pro Day.

Lockett ran a pair of impressive 40s, clocking in at 4.49 and 4.45 seconds, which would have been the second-best time among safeties at the combine.

He broad-jumped 10-feet, 2inches and bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times despite not training for it because he was recovering from December surgery to repair a broken forearm.

"I've never run below a 4.5,so when I heard 4.49 … that shot me up after that," Lockett said.

"I imagine a lot of people liked me. I didn't train for the bench, and I did 19, and then running below a 4.5, I heard a lot of people saying, `Wow."'

Scouting reports indicate that Lockett was an average safety in college who received an opportunity to start in his final season, finishing third on the team with 61 tackles.

Final Roster Odds: <5%
Practice Squad Odds: 30%

Safety Position Quality (Overall): C

I have high hopes that Elam will have a solid season this year, but without the starting experience, it's difficult to rank the safety position very high. Our depth is decent, but we don't have anyone who could fill in as a starter unless Abdullah has a really impressive camp.

Poll

Which safety do you think has more potential?

Brodney Pool

192 votes

Abram Elam

313 votes

505 votes | Poll has closed

Browns Sign Safety Hamza Abdullah

Chris Pokorny — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:41:19 -0000

According to the Denver Post, former Broncos safety Hamza Abdullah is the newest member of the Cleveland Browns. Abdullah started the final eight games of the season for the Broncos last year, and was expected to compete for a starting role this season.

However, after suffering a groin injury, he lost his starting job. He originally made the team's 53-man roster, but played sparingly the first couple of weeks before being released two weeks ago. The signing adds more depth to the secondary while starter Sean Jones remains sidelined. I'd encourage all of you to head on over to Mile High Report to check out some of their fans' reactions two weeks ago when Abdullah was cut.

The signing also has to be an indication that Donte Stallworth is officially healthy. The team waived receiver Steve Sanders in signing Abdullah. In the end, we have the same number of healthy receivers, and one extra safety.

The team also released preseason favorite Travis Key from the practice squad. I'm sure it can be assumed Key was waived to eventually place Sanders on the practice squad again.

Broncos Annouce Several Roster Moves; Tom Nalen Placed On I/R

John Bena — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:33:55 -0000

The Denver Broncos on Tuesday placed center Tom Nalen on injured reserve with a left knee injury, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

A 15-year veteran, Nalen ranks second in Broncos history in career starts (188) while his 194 career games played in a Denver uniform represent the third-highest total in club annals. He entered the league with the Broncos as a seventh-round selection (218th overall) in the 1994 NFL Draft from Boston College.

Nalen, whose five Pro Bowl selections (1997-2000, '03) are the most by a Broncos offensive lineman in franchise history, was a key member of Denver's back-to-back Super Bowl teams in 1997 and '98. He helped Denver post the most rushing yards (29,131) and individual 100-yard rushing games (93) in the NFL from 1995-2007 in addition to tying for the league lead in individual 1,000-yard rushing seasons (11) during that time.

An honorable mention All-American as a senior at Boston College, Nalen attended Foxboro High School in Foxboro, Mass., and was born on May 13, 1971

The Broncos also announced they signed free-agent safety Vernon Fox and waived safety Hamza Abdullah, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

The club also on Tuesday released wide receiver Travis Wilson from its practice squad.

Fox (5-foot-10, 203 pounds) is in his seventh NFL season and joins the Broncos after spending the previous two years with Washington, which released him on Aug. 25. He also has played for Detroit (2004-05) and San Diego (2002-03) after entering the NFL with the Chargers in 2002 as a college free agent from Fresno State University.

In 86 career games (11 starts), Fox has totaled 90 tackles (69 solo), two interceptions (21 yds.) and eight pass breakups. He also owns 73 tackles on special teams along with one blocked punt for his career.

Last season with Washington, Fox appeared in 14 games (0 starts) and tied for third on the club with 16 special-teams stops while adding two defensive tackles. He started a career-high six games and appeared in all 16 contests for the Redskins in 2006, recording personal bests in defensive tackles (42) and special-teams tackles (26).

Fox saw time in 14 games in each of his two years with the Lions from 2004-05. During his first two professional seasons with the Chargers from 2002-03, he appeared in a total of 28 games (5 starts) and had 45 tackles along with one interception.

A two-time first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection at Fresno State, Fox attended Cimarron Memorial High School in Las Vegas and was born on Oct. 9, 1979