Cleveland Browns Training Camp Preview: Predict the Roster Shockers

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 25, 2010 11:52 AM EDT in General News Comment 58 comments

We are in the final week of our Cleveland Browns training camp preview, as camp officially begins July 31. If you have been visiting Dawgs By Nature sparingly throughout the offseason, now is the time to start making multiple visits per day again. Here is a rough schedule of what will be posted this week:

Sun, July 25: Cornerback Position Preview, Part II
Mon, July 26: Offensive Line Position Preview, Part I
Tue, July 27: Offensive Line Position Preview, Part II
Wed, July 28: Top 5 Position Battles in Camp
Thu, July 29: Primer: Recap of Training Camp Polls & Various Notes
Fri, July 30: 53-man Roster Projection (First Draft)

Once training camp starts, we'll have recaps of every practice session based on all of the reports from around the city. If you will be attending training camp this year, please feel free to publish your experience as a FanPost, and I will promote it to the front page (as long as it's not just a boring one-paragraph, "I was there" post).

We'll also be chiming in a few other open-discussion topics over the next couple of days, such as the one today: "Roster Shockers." Here's what you do:

Do not predict the entire 53-man roster.
Pick one player who you think might be a "surprise" roster addition. The addition does not have to be a new player.
Pick one player who you think might be a "surprise" roster cut.
Your picks need not be over-the-top; just pick players that you think would at least warrant some buzz, such as, "oh, I thought they were/weren't a roster lock." We're not talking about something crazy like cutting Joe Thomas here.

I'll start it off...

Surprise Roster Cut

LB Eric Barton - Although he's one of Mangini's players from the Jets, he never played at an above average level last season and is injury prone. I can't imagine removing someone like Matt Roth, Jason Trusnik, or Chris Gocong, who are younger with opportunities to grow, in favor of Barton.

Surprise Roster Addition

WR Bobby Engram - I'm not completely sold on the fact that Engram is just being brought in as a veteran presence for camp (although I probably should get that feeling after we saw what happened to David Patten last year). Engram has been in the league for 14 years, and he didn't play very much last season with the Chiefs.

In 2007, Engram had the best season of his career, catching 94 passes for 1,147 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also has some experience as a punt returner, which is a bonus is anything happens to Cribbs. He might not have the legs anymore, but surely his hands are still capable of catching the ball. I want a veteran on the roster during the season; not just prior to it.

----------------

Now it's your turn. Make your picks!

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Comments

Roster cut: Eric Barton, LB. he was terrible last year and we have linebackers who are better and younger.

Roster addition: Chris Jennings, RB. I think he takes the 3rd running back spot and James Davis goes to the practice squad. Jennings looked great in preseason last year and earned his way onto the team and was productive.

I root for Cleveland and anyone playing the Miami Heat

by rockybrown on Jul 25, 2010 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

James Davis goes to the practice squad

He’s not eligible for the practice squad.

"We’re going to be kicking ourselves if we lose Beau Bell."

by TheDriveStillHurts on Jul 25, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

curious- why is he not eligible?

Joey_D

by Joey_D on Jul 25, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually think he would be eligible, considering his lack of games on the active roster a year ago.

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

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 25, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I was as well, but I thought maybe there was a rule I didn’t know about.

Joey_D

by Joey_D on Jul 25, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Because he was active or on injured reserve for a full season. Regardless, I think someone would see enough in him to take a flyer on him so that he couldn’t clear waivers before making the practice squad.

"We’re going to be kicking ourselves if we lose Beau Bell."

by TheDriveStillHurts on Jul 25, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Jennings has not earned anything. One or two good preseason games last year means nothing.

by Buckeye Brad on Jul 25, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I have a feeling Jennings will be the odd man out. Unless Davis just tanks it in Camp.

by BrutalMovement on Jul 25, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

did you forget about his games against pittsburg and jacksonville at the end of the season? not just preseason.

I root for Cleveland and anyone playing the Miami Heat

by rockybrown on Jul 25, 2010 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

He averaged 3.7 and 4.2 yards per carry in those games — that’s nothing to get too excited about. Anyways, you’re the one who said that he looked good in preseason last year as your reason for liking him above, so I was just responding to that. As I’ve said before, backs like Chris Jennings are a dime a dozen — we can cut him and find a guy off the street just like him if we need a replacement later in the season. He’s nothing special.

by Buckeye Brad on Jul 25, 2010 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

this.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 26, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

If we cut him and we think we made a mistake, I doubt it would be too hard to bring him back.

"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz

by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 26, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually think he showed as much as anyone could have asked of a player in those two games. I like Davis, but I can’t help but root for Jennings too.

I do agree that these guys are both so dime-a-dozen-ish that it doesn’t matter.

fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com

by Ryan Kelsey on Jul 26, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

last year, jennings earned his way, or worked his way onto the roster last year from the practice squad. either way, this post is about surprise cuts, and i am going with chris jennings to beat out james davis in camp as a surprise. james davis has a lot of fans based largely upon one long preseason run against a blitz by a bunch of guys who got cut from the detroit lions.

I root for Cleveland and anyone playing the Miami Heat

by rockybrown on Jul 25, 2010 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

james davis has a lot of fans based largely upon one long preseason run against a blitz by a bunch of guys who got cut from the detroit lions.

Well put.

"We’re going to be kicking ourselves if we lose Beau Bell."

by TheDriveStillHurts on Jul 25, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

While I agree on James Davis, I can’t say Jennings “worked his way”. If it wasn’t Jennings as the 2nd back, then who? Davis and Lewis were out and done. He was the default 2nd back (or even default 3rd if you count Cribbs).

by skipkirk on Jul 25, 2010 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

james davis has a lot of fans based largely upon one long preseason run against a blitz by a bunch of guys who got cut from the detroit lions.

nope…he has significantly more fans because
a) he is significantly more talented
b) he put up very good numbers in college
c) before losing some playing time to spiller, he was considered a midround pick and was projected by some as a late 2nd/early 3rd his junior year.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 25, 2010 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

James Davis has a lot of fans based on his far superior college production and talent level. I’m not saying that he’s going to be a great back in the NFL, because he’s still an unknown, but he’s more talented than Chris Jennings.

by Buckeye Brad on Jul 25, 2010 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions

eh, I’d say their talent is pretty close. And on this level, the difference is probably negligible.

fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com

by Ryan Kelsey on Jul 26, 2010 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

james davis has a lot of fans based largely upon one long preseason run against a blitz by a bunch of guys who got cut from the detroit lions.

lol very well put

by The Licensed Pessimist on Jul 27, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Surprise Cut: Chansi Stuckey not really a factor for the Browns receiving corp.

Surprise Addition: Carlton Mitchell, he can jump he’s tall and he is fast. He has all the makings of a great receiver. Hopefully he can put it all together and prove the doubters wrong.

by usarmyjon13f on Jul 25, 2010 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, my surprise cut (Stuckey), and surprise addition (Engram) have already been stated.

For the love of Joe Thomas.....

by North Coast Flea on Jul 25, 2010 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

I would be stunned if Stuckey did not make the team.

by Roger Dorn on Jul 28, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Surprise Addition: Gerard Lawson – serves as backup KR/PR & gunner
Surprise Cut: James Davis – backs we keep are Hardesty, Harrison, Hillis, and Vickers

by Bumblyjack on Jul 25, 2010 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

Roster Cut: Eric Barton-He’s just too old an injury prone.

Roster Addition: Brian Schaefering-He’s got a good motor an played pretty solid at the end of the year.

by BrutalMovement on Jul 25, 2010 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

Would Steptoe getting cut be a surprise?

It’s not a lie if you believe it.

by Brownie's Year on Jul 25, 2010 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

i know him still being on the roster was,lol.

by BrutalMovement on Jul 25, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, really. I thought he got cut before the season started last year.

It’s not a lie if you believe it.

by Brownie's Year on Jul 26, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Roster Cut: Brandon McDonald- He’s not hungry enough to keep his job.

Roster Addition: James Davis- I think he makes some noise in pre-season.

Joey_D

by Joey_D on Jul 25, 2010 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

B-Mac getting cut would be a big surprise. Don’t think it’s going to happen but this is a perfect example of the type of cut I think Chris was looking for.

"We’re going to be kicking ourselves if we lose Beau Bell."

by TheDriveStillHurts on Jul 25, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Cut: BMac- coaches have no trust in him, not a mangini guy and not putting in the fight to keep what WAS his.

Addition: James Davis- one non-Mangini guy who has showed a lot of fight and will continue to do so, for example the reason he got injured in the first place last year.

by Drexel Dawg on Jul 25, 2010 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Why is he a non-Mangini guy? Mangini is the guy that drafted him.

by skipkirk on Jul 25, 2010 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Uhhh, no. Savage drafted MacDonald (one of his better picks).

"We’re going to be kicking ourselves if we lose Beau Bell."

by TheDriveStillHurts on Jul 25, 2010 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he is talking about Davis.

fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com

by Ryan Kelsey on Jul 25, 2010 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah. Although now that I’ve read it again, I think Drexel made a typo when he said Davis was a non-Mangini guy.

by skipkirk on Jul 25, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

sorry meant to put that under BMac….my brain happens to be fried a lot…sorry

by Drexel Dawg on Jul 26, 2010 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Surprise Cut: Sorenson, that’s the best I got

Additoion: Haggerty, because of lack of other receivers

"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz

by TheRealSlimShady on Jul 25, 2010 5:47 PM EDT reply actions

Surprise Cut: Bmac
Surprise Add: Francies

Surprise Trade: Eric Wright for picks (just ahead of the trade deadline),

Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by golanbatrac on Jul 25, 2010 6:05 PM EDT reply actions

Is this a “character issues” trade?

by Chief WaDrew on Jul 25, 2010 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

This is a ‘last year of his contract; will want way more than his production merits; we just drafted a number one CB; why not get what we can for him’ trade.

We’ve got a couple of years with Sheldon Brown, so we have time to find a better, smarter, more motivated number two than Wright.

Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by golanbatrac on Jul 26, 2010 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I see the logic behind it but I am not sure if I yet want to have Brown or Haden be a #1 CB.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 26, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you way underestimate Wright. Wright is a legit number 1 CB. Pretty rare stuff. You don’t trade a guy like that as he enters his prime.

fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com

by Ryan Kelsey on Jul 26, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

sometimes you have to if you feel you have little shot at resigning him and want to get some value for him. This is the only scenario I would really be in favor of doing this for.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 26, 2010 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think he is able to just walk away after the season.

fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com

by Ryan Kelsey on Jul 28, 2010 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I am inclined to believe this too which is why I do not think he will be traded. I still see it as possible if the browns FO thinks otherwise and wants to get value…I think the trade however is a longshot.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

I appreciate Male Beauty

by bross09 on Jul 28, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Wright can be a legit #1, but he isn’t at this point. Mangini and others have talked about this in the past, but he needs to practice and work like his job is in jeopardy. If he does, he could be ridiculous.

Wright is as fluid and fast as they come. He needs to work on being more physical in coverage (and getting away with it) as well as when tackling.

I think this is a huge season (and a huge offseason) for him. He’s never had a guy like Brown to mentor him, and he’s never had a guy like Haden to push him. If he makes the kind of jump he is capable of, I think he will be worth the money he wants.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jul 27, 2010 3:38 AM EDT up reply actions

A little competition and some mentoring can do wonders. I agree completely.

Joey_D

by Joey_D on Jul 27, 2010 7:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I can buy this: that he hasn’t quite met his potential. But the fact that he has played pretty damn well and he hasn’t reached his potential peak is exciting and more reason not to trade him.

fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com

by Ryan Kelsey on Jul 28, 2010 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I tend to agree with you there. Having him and Brown around would also be good for Haden, IMO.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jul 28, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m not opposed to this.

by Simmsinns on Jul 26, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Surpise Cut – Clifton Geathers to practice squad.
Surprise Addition – Haggerty stays, Carlton Mitchell heads to practice squad, and Steptoe and Ingram go home.

by realmccoy on Jul 25, 2010 7:56 PM EDT reply actions

Surprise Cut: Jason Trusnik
Surprise Addition: Jonathan Haggerty

I would love to see Trusnik stick around but with the addition of Gocong and Fujita he’s the odd man out.

Haggerty—just a gut feeling that this kid will continue to impress . . .

by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Jul 26, 2010 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

Trusnick has a guaranteed salary this year due to this tender — as this is a noncap year, I guess they could still cut him and pay him, but this would be odd. So, this would most definitely be a surprise cut.

"We’re going to be kicking ourselves if we lose Beau Bell."

by TheDriveStillHurts on Jul 26, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I wasn’t aware of that so thanks for enlightening me . . . money confuses me.

by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Jul 26, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha . . . I’d hate to be your financial advisor.

by Buckeye Brad on Jul 26, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate College Financial advisors.

They’re idiots.

I can't believe Cribbs was considered the second best athlete in Cleveland.

LBJ. Lying. Backstabbing. Jackass.

by SpecialBrownie on Jul 26, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

What is the guarantee though? Would it really be so surprising if they ate it?

It would be a surprise, but not out of the realm and certainly not unprecedented.

fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com

by Ryan Kelsey on Jul 26, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Bobby Engram is a very good receiver, if he stays it´s not a surprise.
Eric Barton should stay too.
Carlton Mitchell was mentioned, that´s stupid, he´s a very talented long ball artist. He´s what Robiskie wasn´t, so wanting to cut him is nonsense.

by mooncamping on Jul 26, 2010 12:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs