SB Nation - John Madsen

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 12 - Two Days from Gameday

Chris Pokorny — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:36:37 -0000

The Browns offense is ready to take on the Green Bay Packers this Saturday.

View full size photo »

If you look around at other media sources, they are referring to practices one day later than I am, which probably takes into account an off day. I guess you can look at it that way, but to me, I am meaning "Day" to be synonymous with "Practice". I might end up jumping to something like "Day 15" the next time the Browns practice just to stay in line with the media; I'll have to see.

The Browns had their final practice before facing the Green Bay Packers this Saturday. Eric Mangini held a rare session without pads, as the team prepped for the Favre-less Packers.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 12 (8/13/09)

No Sweat for Braylon: After sitting out one practice, WR Braylon Edwards returned to the field and was ready to go. He will play in this Saturday's contest against the Packers. Also returning to action were WR Lance Leggett and RB James Davis.

Which QB will start against the Packers? Probably not the guy in the middle, but maybe the guy on the left or the right.

Anderson Strikes: In the two-minute drill, Anderson hit WR Mike Furrey for a 50-yard touchdown despite the fact that DB Corey Ivy had solid coverage. Prior to the pass, Anderson had reportedly missed a wide open TE Robert Royal after he had beaten S Brodney Pool.
Quinn, Not So Much: In Brady Quinn's shot at the two-minute offense, his drive only lasted four plays. After a short incompletion to TE Martin Rucker, he threw two incompletions that weren't great throws to WR Brian Robiskie. He couldn't covert the fourth down when his deep pass to WR Jordan Norwood fell incomplete.
Edge to Anderson? If you look at Dawg Scooper, Brady Quinn had the best day statistically, tossing two touchdowns while Derek Anderson and Brett Ratliff each tossed three picks. However, you have to consider that those stats were combined from a variety of different drills. Eric Mangini would not announce which quarterback would start in Green Bay, but if today's walkthrough was any indication, it'll be Anderson since he was working with the No. 1 offense.
Can't Wait to Hear Bernie: The best thing about the Browns preseason isn't the game itself. It's the opportunity to hear former Cleveland QB Bernie Kosar in the play-by-play booth. He doesn't have Ken Dorsey to spew his love for this year, so I wonder which quarterback he'll decide to favor. Kosar attended the team's practice Thursday, the first time he's done so this camp.

Ryan Pontbriand looks lonely.

Phil Dawson Lifts Spirits: Mangini put it all on K Phil Dawson to end practice. If Dawson was able to connect on a 50-yard field goal, the team would have the night off from meetings. Dawson connected, springing cheers from his teammates.
Defensive Props in Secondary: Among the defensive players who stood out Thursday were S Brodney Pool and CB Coye Francies, according to Dawg Scooper. Pool had two interceptions and was contributing all over the field, while Francies picked off an end zone pass intended for Braylon Edwards.
Down Day for Cribbs: After strong practices left and right, WR Joshua Cribbs finally lagged behind. A few passes went off of his hands, with at least two of them being intercepted by the defense.
97 Yard Touchdown: Two days ago, Brett Ratliff made headlines by getting some reps with the first team. Yesterday, he made headlines for having his "spike" pass bounce off a player's shoe and into the air for an interception. Thursday, he had another play that stood out: after WR Brian Robiskie beat his man, Ratliff launched the ball about 60 yards in air from his own 3-yard line. Robiskie caught it and ran the distance for about a 97-yard touchdown.
Walking Wounded: Missing practice were DT Shaun Rogers, LB David Bowens, RB Jerome Harrison, TE John Madsen, and WR David Patten. With Bowens out, Alex Hall and Titus Brown received more reps. He is still a longshot, but Brown has received a lot of praise in camp, including again today from the powers that be over at the OBR. Rogers was reportedly just getting some rest.
Trickery? I'm not sure on the details of the play, but Rapid Reports says that DB Mike Adams intercepted a halfback option pass. My guess would be that...maybe Noah Herron threw it? Just don't tell me that it's Lawrence Vickers, please.
Side Note: For those who missed it, QB Michael Vick has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The team is off Friday before their preseason game Saturday. Be sure to tune into Dawgs By Nature on Friday though, as we'll have a nice little interview up with the guys over at Football Outsiders.

Thursday's Links/Camp Sources

Training camp report: 8/13 (Dawg Scooper, Wolf)
Thursday camp notes (Orange and Brown Report, Greetham)
Dawson the hero (Akron Beacon Journal, Ridenour)
Berea Report: No call at QB (Orange and Brown Report, Greetham)

Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2009: Tight End Preview

Chris Pokorny — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:05:50 -0000

Sometimes you take a few steps back at a position in the offseason, as I don't think anyone can say they are overly pleased with the fact that Kellen Winslow is no longer on the team. On the same note, Browns fans didn't have a huge uproar over Winslow being traded, showing that some of the antics of the highly-talented had become tiresome. In the end, it yielded us an extra second-round draft choice, allowing the Browns to choose receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. The Browns are shifting from a tight end known for their receiving abilities and back to the days of just knowing how to block.

As part of our continuing training camp coverage, the theme this week was "See ball, catch ball...and block". Over the next two days, we'll talk about the tight end position, largely representing the blocking portion of the theme.

1. ROBERT ROYAL - STARTING TIGHT END (BLOCKING SITUATIONS)

Robert Royal (#84)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 257
College: LSU
Experience: 8 years
Note: Not flashy like K2

With Martin Rucker lacking the experience, Steve Heiden coming off of a serious injury, and Mangini's desire to have good blocking for the running game, Robert Royal is heading into training camp as the team's starting tight end.

After spending the past three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, did Royal do enough to qualify as a starting tight end? Brian Galliford, from our Bills affiliate over at Buffalo Rumblings, doesn't think so:

"...trust me when I say that Robert Royal is NOT good. He drops as many passes as he catches, and when he does catch it, he’s a HUGE risk for fumbles. As a blocker, he’s above average. But the dude just straight up isn’t a starting TE in this league."

Yes, it's a big dropoff from the days of having Kellen Winslow as your starting tight end. It would be silly to say that Royal is a better tight end than Winslow. Nonetheless, in Royal, you get a player who is less controversial, a better blocker, and someone who fits well enough into Mangini's gameplan.

In the parenthesis, I note that Royal will be in on blocking situations; probably first and second downs. While Royal is a better pass catcher than Darnell Dinkins was, he's not a sure-handed receiver. We should see a rotation of the tight ends this season, depending on the situation. One thing that stands out in Royal's statistics is that he has fumbled the ball four times over the past two seasons.

Player Quality: C-
Final Roster Odds: 100%

2. MARTIN RUCKER - BACKUP TIGHT END (RECEIVING SITUATIONS)

Martin Rucker (#80)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 260
College: Missouri
Experience: 2 years
Note: 4th round pick in 08

What a waste of Rucker's potential talent last season by head coach Romeo Crennel. After drafting Martin Rucker in the fourth round, we only saw him in action for a few plays later in the season; for the year, he only recorded two catches. It was ridiculous that we were down to Darnell Dinkins and Rucker as our only two tight ends, and yet despite knowing that Dinkins didn't have a future with the team and we were far eliminated from the playoffs, Dinkins got all of the playing time. After he was deemed as first/second-round talent by general manager Phil Savage, it's another example of Crennel having been one of the worst coaches in the league at utilizing younger players.

Rucker isn't known for his blocking, but that remains a part of his game that could be developed over time. His athleticism is more comparable to what Winslow brought to the team, having the ability to run routes vertically down the field. ClevelandBrowns.com just had an article about it being a new year with new chances for Rucker.

"I feel like I'm a better player," he said. "I got stronger in the weight room and I worked hard on perfecting my craft. I'm a better player in every area.

Dustin Keller, an athletic tight end for the New York Jets who was a rookie last season, recorded 48 catches for 535 yards and 3 touchdowns. I think Rucker is capable of having similar production for the Browns this season, especially if Heiden isn't able to return close to 100%.

Player Quality: TBD
Final Roster Odds: 99%

3. STEVE HEIDEN - VETERAN BACKUP TIGHT END

Steve Heiden (#82)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 270
College: South Dakota St.
Experience: 11 years
Note: Coming off torn ACL

There's a big question mark next to Heiden's name heading into training camp this season. He had ACL surgery in the offseason, and returning from that on time and with your body cooperating is a crapshoot at best. Based on the time he had the surgery, he might be able to participate a little in training camp and be cleared to play for the regular season in a best-case scenario.

We already know what type of player Heiden is; he will be entering his eighth season with the Browns. Even if he returns healthy this year, I think he'll officially take over the "Darnell Dinkins" role from the past several years as the third tight end. Heiden would still see plenty of action though, as I imagine a decent amount of our plays with include multiple tight end sets when we're running the ball.

Player Quality: B
Final Roster Odds (if Healthy): 100%
Odds of Being Healthy Enough: 50%

4. AARON WALKER - BACKUP TIGHT END

Aaron Walker (#87)
Height: 6-6
Weight: 277
College: Florida
Experience: 7 years
Note: Blocking TE

For entering his seventh NFL season, Aaron Walker isn't exactly a household name at the tight end position. He began his career as a fifth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. Over two seasons, he had 18 receptions for them. He played with the St. Louis Rams the next three years in limited duty, seeing similar-to-less playing time than Dinkins saw with the Browns.

After being with the Ravens in camp last season, he did not make their final roster. This year, he's giving the Browns a shot. At 6'6 and 277 pounds, Walker is the biggest tight end on our roster. You'll see that the Browns do not have any undrafted free agent tight ends in camp this year; the purpose for that is probably due to the fact that either Walker or the player below (John Madsen) might make the final roster depending on Heiden's status. If that's the case, you need some veteran depth in camp, and Walker fits that description. There's also a chance we could keep four tight ends to start the season if Heiden won't be ready until Week 4 or something to that effect.

Final Roster Odds: 40%

5. JOHN MADSEN - BACKUP TIGHT END

John Madsen (#85)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 240
College: Utah
Experience: 4 years
Note: Receiving TE

John Madsen has played for the Oakland Raiders the past three seasons, and was originally undrafted. He has 19 catches for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns in his career. The Browns added him to their roster in December last season due to all of the injuries to our tight ends.

Madsen is an interesting player, because he's fast enough to be a receiver but also just big enough to play tight end. In fact, it was the Raiders who converted him to tight end after he was a receiver in college. If we're looking for a third tight end to take Heiden's place temporarily, I'd imagine we would go for someone with bulk -- that isn't Madsen. Madsen seems more so like the competition to Martin Rucker; in that case, Madsen's roster odds are a little bit less than Walker's.

Final Roster Odds: 10%

TE Position Quality (Overall): D+

After being graded an "A" last season, the tight end position plummets this year. A lot of that has to do with the uncertainty -- Rucker hasn't had the chance to prove himself yet, Heiden might not be ready to go, and Royal isn't even close to being a top-tier tight end.

Poll

If Mangini decided to say, "you know what, I'm having one definitive tight end who will basically be the only tight end who plays", which player would you like that to be, considering the rest of Mangini's gameplan?

Robert Royal

93 votes

Martin Rucker

409 votes

Steve Heiden

295 votes

797 votes | Poll has closed

Hubbard Promoted to Main Roster

Chris Pokorny — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:18:09 -0000

The Cleveland Browns announced several moves today. Here they are, in summary...

TE Steve Heiden tore his ACL and was placed on the injured reserve. He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Thursday.
LB Beau Bell will undergo surgery on his right knee for tendinitis and swelling. He has also been placed on the injured reserve.
TE John Madsen was signed to the 53-man roster. Madsen has played for the Oakland Raiders the past three seasons, and was originally undrafted. He has 19 catches for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns in his career.
WR Paul Hubbard was promoted from the practice squad.
LB David Holloway was signed to the practice squad. Holloway has previously been a practice squad player for the Arizona Cardinals.

With Romeo Crennel still coaching this team, you can't get excited about any of these moves. Reports seem to indicate that Darnell Dinkins, not Martin Rucker, will be the team's No. 1 tight end the rest of the season. However, it is interesting to note that the team has still yet to place Kellen Winslow on the injured reserve, leaving the possibility open that he could play in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.