Cliff Notes: Browns Transactions (Signings and Cuts, Bullock Update)

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 16, 2009 10:11 AM EDT in General News

The Browns have waived three players recently -- which names won't you be seeing in training camp? And, why have the roster odds of former Cleveland State basketball player J`Nathan Bullock increased for the New York Jets?

Since rookie RB James Davis and rookie LB Kaluka Maiava signed a few days ago, a few more transactions took place. Here is the cliff notes version of them:

Sixth-round CB Don Carey was signed to a four-year deal. Our other sixth-round CB, Coye Francies, also signed a four-year deal. Scout.com reports that his deal is believed to be worth $1.855 million, which includes a signing bonus of about $100,500.
Four draft picks remain unsigned, and those would be our first four selections: C Alex Mack, WR Brian Robiskie, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, and LB David Veikune.
The team has not officially announced the signing of Maiava, so the Browns only had to waive three players so far to make room for Davis, Carey, and Francies. The players who were waived are listed below:
WAIVED: RB Marcus Thomas. You can cross him off as a contender from our training camp preview.
WAIVED: LB Jonathan Foster. I didn't know anything about him in the inside linebacker preview post, and it looks like it'll stay that way.
WAIVED: DB Nate Ness, meaning I have one less DB to preview next week. The number of Browns' undrafted free agents are declining quickly.

Finally, I wanted to bring up former Cleveland State basketball player J`Nathan Bullock again for an update. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jets after the April draft, and his roster odds have recently increased. Dustin Keller is no doubt the Jets' starting tight end, but the team just waived backup veteran tight end Bubba Franks. That leaves just Bullock and another rookie as the only tight ends on their roster.

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So we are down to 5 UDFAs right?

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 16, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

Prepare for a Bubba Franks signing.

by elsandito on Jul 16, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

And... Bullock at risk again

http://www.nyjetscap.com/transactions.html

From what I can tell Richard Owens is very much a blocking TE… so J’Nathan still has a shot as a receiving TE prospect.

by tempruss on Jul 16, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the update. I guess I should’ve checked for more updates after I read about Franks’ release a few days ago.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 16, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Somewhat related:

Former Browns UFA invite Graham Harrell has signed on with the CFL..

I think some fly-by-night posters here were slotting him as high as the primary backup QB when he was brought into camp. If I recall correctly, I laughed heartily.

You are reading my signature.

by rolub on Jul 16, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Yep, I remember that as well.

by gahnki on Jul 16, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

and there are already 3 other QBs on the Roughrider’s roster

by elsandito on Jul 16, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I really need to vent a little frustration here.
Carey and Francis? Are we making a farm team, a lower division team?
James Davis, a joy to watch, most fundamentaly sound runner in the draft, does everything right. But NFL caliber? Come on, college is one level, the NFL is the next. What he does, how he plays it is admirable, and for football enthusiasts trying to prove some points about how it should be played, he´s enticing because with some good blocking he will get a few extra yards by making the right choices coming off the block. But come on, runningback is huge. On any team at any level, the guy who gets to play runningback is extra special.
These are levels. College has a general talent level, and the NFL has a much higher one. Robiskie and Davis are slow. Period. Good fundamentals will get you through college, but in the NFL you´re in for doom and gloom if you can´t take it to that next level.
Another reason I refuse Davis is, that when I have a runningback tandem with a fullback, I expect the halfback to block through the holes, if the fullback gets the ball. He can´t do that.
This draft had some good little guys at runningback, they are usually called scatbacks. Devin Moore, Wyoming, now with the Seahawks, was one example. Small and tough, but above all else speedy and shifty, as an added benefit for utilizing them at the next level. James Davis, a joy to watch at the college level, but in the NFL you would be overcompensating to make him look good.

by mooncamping on Jul 17, 2009 7:11 AM EDT reply actions

31 other NFL teams have to draft in rounds five though seven as well, where the talent is less than desired. Chances are, we won’t be fielding this “farm team” unless they show some improvement on a practice squad a few years down the road. It’s not anything different than what every other team in the league does, and ignoring the option of seeing what extra players have to offer removes a potential competitive advantage in the long run.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 17, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hint: (Ignore)

by Roger Dorn on Jul 17, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Davis and Robo both ran in the 4.4s in the combine

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 17, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

robo ran a 4.51 and Davis ran a 4.6 at the combine.
Mass ran a 4.6 also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Combine

by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 17, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

http://www.upstatetoday.com/news/2009/mar/25/davis-shines-clemson-pro-day/

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 17, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

thats his pro day, not the combine

That article, written by probably a clemson staffer for a SC newspaper, is biased anyway. They even stated his run was an improvement from a 4.49 at the combine but the NFL themselves have him at 4.6 just like the wikipedia article above.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers

And everyone seems to improve their times on an indoor track, like at his pro day

by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 17, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

They did change the combine venue this year, to what I would assume would be a brand new Field Turf field. That surface would probably be slower than anything at any school’s indoor facility.

Some schools do have notoriously fast tracks, but more people seemed to be able to lower their times at their pro days this year than usual. I think next year’s combine/pro days will say a lot.

Robiskie was able to run a 4.49 on OSU’s practice field (not a track) which is the same surface as the combine but a little older.

In any event, it isn’t like those are career ending times. They certainly aren’t ideal, but they don’t mean these guys can’t play.

by rufio on Jul 18, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry I misread it i guess

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 19, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Then why do you want Dustin Fry to be our starting guard?

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 17, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Does Dustin Fry suck, like truly? If he does, I´ll change my mind. But he is my prerequisite 6foot2 for a guard.

by mooncamping on Jul 17, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh yeah. I never said he sucked though now did I?

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 19, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Another reason I refuse Davis is, that when I have a runningback tandem with a fullback, I expect the halfback to block through the holes, if the fullback gets the ball. He can´t do that.

You expect the runningback to somehow get in front of the fullback and block for him? Do you even realize how ridiculous that sounds?

by gahnki on Jul 17, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Robiskie, also fundamentally sound, they lauded his body positioning on catches. They say he´s fast because he ran track.
He´s a big body fast, like 800 meters fast, momentum fast. Does he retain that speed coming off the cut? No he doesn´t. Is he fast coming off the line of scrimmage immediately. No, he has to pick up momentum.
Body positioning? He´ll get plastered under normal conditions.
This is the NFL, there were some pretty awesome players in the past, that these new guys can get measured against.
Steve Largent, a guy reputed to have achieved what he achieved based on smarts and good fundamentals. Well, that´s true. But Largent was a fast, quick, aggressive critter. Deceptive, elusive, with a gumption to embarrass the defensive back. He could run full speed, throw just a glance over one shoulder, keep running full speed, catch the ball on the other side, and keep running full speed up the field. He would freak defensive backs out by taking their hardest hit, jumping up slapping them on the butt and saying “good play!”. He had an exceptional skill set. Gifted and talented to excell at exactly that position.
I don´t know what the organisation is up to, but man this is the NFL, not the boy scout league. And there is a difference between academic achievement based on study skills and study discipline, and someone who is naturally smart. You know, and I don´t think any of these guys that were chosen on the merit of being academically sound, was competing on the brain bowl team.

by mooncamping on Jul 17, 2009 7:32 AM EDT reply actions

Honestly, how much of Robiskie have you actually seen?

Do you really think OSU plays against the “boy scout league”? I mean, the Big 10 isn’t good top to bottom, but it isn’t the MAC or the WAC. Robiskie was able to get open on DBs from Florida, LSU, USC, Penn State, Michigan (both before and after they become a complete mess), Texas, and other various future NFL CBs including Vonte Davis, one of the more athletic CBs in this class.

Massaquoi got open in the SEC. If they don’t have fast, aggressive defenses who know how to hit, run, and dominate, then I don’t know who does in college football.

If you or anyone else cares that much about the 40, watch this video, and skip to 1:08-1:40. #1 in the navy blue is Justin King, who ran a 4.31 Robiskie got what he wanted in that game.

by rufio on Jul 19, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

What I´m saying is Robiskie has been enabled to succeed, and they think it will carry on through into the NFL. A slow receiver, requires restraint on a defensive backs mobility, it can be utilized strategically. If a defensive back is required to game plan or commit to a slow receiver he is bound to be out of position in other places, they´re giving away miliseconds I hope that´s not what we´re after, because it´s exceptionally bad style. I suppose the intent is to force a zone on our opponents and then beat them man to man. Like I said, bad style.

by mooncamping on Jul 19, 2009 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions

has been enabled to succeed

Explain exactly what this means. He played with a not-very-dominant (especially in pass protection) offensive line? He played with QBs who weren’t all that great at throwing the ball in his junior and senior seasons?

A slow receiver, requires restraint on a defensive backs mobility, it can be utilized strategically. If a defensive back is required to game plan or commit to a slow receiver he is bound to be out of position in other places, they´re giving away miliseconds I hope that´s not what we´re after, because it´s exceptionally bad style. I suppose the intent is to force a zone on our opponents and then beat them man to man. Like I said, bad style.

None of that makes any sense.

by rufio on Jul 19, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I´m risking getting unpopular here.
But I´m not giving away a season, not even one game so certain fans can put an assemblage of facts and opinions aside to finally see a player for what they are. These guys are given every opportunity to succeed, but when it´s game time, I would not give them the chance to fail.
If I have to bench millions of dollars, so the right guys can play, then I´ll have the richest sideline in history, and one way or another they will be earning that money.
We don´t get players, so they can prove that they can´t play at this level. I repeat, we don´t get players so they can prove they can´t play at this level.
We should cut through all the hype and discussion, and play the best players, not the best assemblage of undisputed arguments.

by mooncamping on Jul 17, 2009 7:51 AM EDT reply actions

Risking getting unpopular? You? no way

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 17, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Brevity is your friend.

by Roger Dorn on Jul 17, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Risking?

We should cut through all the hype and discussion, and play the best players, not the best assemblage of undisputed arguments.

I am pretty sure that even Mangini doesn’t know who the best players are yet.

by rufio on Jul 19, 2009 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Football is about toughness, tenacity and movement.
Here’s what I think, when you’ve got 22 guys flailing around their muscled arms and legs on a 100 by 53 yard cage, you’re going to see some unique physical feats. We need players who can thrive in this environment… run block tackle coach throw react shift squat run. I’ve played football and it’s basically the same game at every level, smash ‘em in the mouth, get smashed in the mouth, come back teethless and ask for more.
But what are we doing here? The NFL game is different because it’s a much different level. The game is different at different levels, except when it’s the same basic game at every level.
You know what kind of player I like? A guy who grew up poor. I want to field 11 guys who had to beg, borrow and steal for a loaf of bread when they grew up, stealing them from a sidewalk stand then outracing and dodging the cops on the getaway. That’s how you develop football skills. And you take that kind of kid, when they finally do get 3 squares a day they’re gonna grow up strong and hard, like an oak. Not these primadonnas with steroid muscles. Every successful fullback to play in the NFL grew up wanting "it." He didn’t know what it was, but he knew he was gonna get it.
That’s the goal, make our scoreboard turn over more than the other guys’. Have the crowd rockin. Make your opponent pay for thinking he could step on the same field as you. You know how to get there.

www.lowbrowsophisticate.com

by kwoog on Jul 17, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs

I honestly thought this was another one of his posts until I read your name. Well done.

by gahnki on Jul 17, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Ha, thanks. It’s fun, try it yourself!

www.lowbrowsophisticate.com

by kwoog on Jul 17, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

You know I saw a story on Bob Sanders once. He is from a family of like twelve kids. They lived in Detroit or some large industry town. Only his father worked and he worked round the clock and basically killed himself for his family and Sanders took that to heart and never forgot it. If there is one man who I think has the most generous attitude to anything it’s Sanders. I wish we had 22 players with a Sanders attitude.

by SpecialBrownie on Jul 17, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Point taken, but this is sort of a joke.

www.lowbrowsophisticate.com

by kwoog on Jul 17, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Great writing! Kudos to you Kwoog.

by drjeo on Jul 17, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I want 22 pacifists who took ballet lessons and are taking medication for hypertension.

by elsandito on Jul 17, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

This is the kind of genius that can rival “Tired of the Browns Losing:”

by Roger Dorn on Jul 18, 2009 3:17 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I hope you´re laughing. You need the good vibe to deal with what´s in store.

by mooncamping on Jul 18, 2009 7:18 AM EDT up reply actions

moon, Sounds like your finally showing your true colors.
What exactly do you think is in store?

True Browns fans are nothing less than excited for tis upcoming season.
Who do you really root for?

Fooootball has been beary beary good to me.

by doggrad87 on Jul 18, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I root for good football and great players. But I´ve chosen to be a Browns fan. What it´s coming down to, though, is whether I´ll be griping or grooming next year. Whether I´ll be cursing when everyone else is cheering. I mean what if they simply enable the worse players to succeed?

by mooncamping on Jul 19, 2009 7:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I mean what if they simply enable the worse players to succeed?

Then we win games, which is the whole goal of this thing.

by rufio on Jul 19, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean what if they simply enable the worse players to succeed?

then they are awesome, awesome coaches. i’m not sure how that’s a bad thing…

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 20, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s not a true Browns fan — he was a Broncos fan last year then switched to the Browns. He’ll probably change to another team again soon.

by Buckeye Brad on Jul 19, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Moon, be honest. Your really Dustin Fry aren’t you?

by Bernie19Kosar on Jul 18, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

www.lowbrowsophisticate.com

by kwoog on Jul 19, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, it´s funny.

by mooncamping on Jul 19, 2009 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions

READ THIS KOTNKUS (SP)

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 18, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

i cant see the picture

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 19, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

My favorite part was the part about the fullbacks

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 19, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been looking back through MC’s posts and you really nailed how idiosyncratic his style is. Space it out, moon’!

by joeee on Jul 19, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I really hope that the Browns do not have any issues in signing Mack, Robiskie and Massaqoui. Those guys are better off not missing a single day of training camp.

Especially Mack and Robiskie who could potentially become starters on opening day vs. the Vikings.

dawgscooper.blogspot.com

by theW0LF on Jul 18, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions