Robaire Smith Attends Camp Despite Being a Free Agent

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 11, 2011 9:47 PM EDT in General News

One of the things I had wondered was whether any free agent players would be attending any of the team camps being held during the lockout. For example, I wondered if a guy like Lawrence Vickers would show up to the first three offensive minicamps, but he did not.

According to a report by Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer, veteran defensive end Robaire Smith is in attendance at the full squad minicamps taking place in Austin, Texas.

"[Browns linebacker] Scott [Fujita] reached out to me a couple of weeks ago and asked me to come down and be a part of it, which I thought was great," said Smith. "I told him most definitely I'd be there for him, especially coming from a guy like Scott. It meant a lot to me personally. There was no way I was going to turn this down, an opportunity to come here and work out with these guys."

As we knew earlier this offseason, general manager Tom Heckert said the team would be interested in bringing Smith back after seeing the results of his medical tests. Smith said he would still love to return to the Browns as he enters his 12th NFL season. He said the extra time off has given him more than enough time to feel great again, and that he can offer some versatility with his experience in the 4-3 defense:

He said he would welcome a chance to play again in the 4-3, which he played for five seasons in Tennessee. "I think I'm more of a defensive tackle, but I can also play end," he said. "The 4-3 is a little more hit the gaps. I like it."

I'll echo my wishes from earlier this preseason: unless the guy pleads for some ridiculous contract, I think Smith is a must-sign type of player given our lack of depth at defensive end.

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“I told him most definitely I’d be there for him, especially coming from a guy like Scott. It meant a lot to me personally.”

it makes me wonder if Fujita or maybe McCoy ever got a hold of Vickers?

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 11, 2011 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Vickers could be gone regardless of what he wants to do. Robaire can probably make the choice to come back in a backup role for less money.

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

by rufio on Jul 12, 2011 5:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I love that we have a guy so respected around the league in Fujita.

by ahowie on Jul 12, 2011 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

I can’t wait for football season: college and pro.

by emily522 on Jul 12, 2011 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

I am getting psyched too.

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

by rufio on Jul 12, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Here’s a little piece I just found from several weeks ago. Bordering on fantasy perhaps, but entertaining nonetheless…
(And I thought I was optimistic… :-/ )

Cleveland Browns: 10 Bold Predictions for the 2011 NFL Season

We're going to hold onto him by the nose and we're going to kick him in the ass. We're going to kick the hell out of him all the time and we're gonna go through him like crap through a goose. -- Patton (channeling his inner Joe Thomas)

by burntorangeandbrown on Jul 12, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

1. I don’t think Little will be our leading receiver unless they meant WR only. I think Ben Watson will still lead our team with receptions and yards this year.
2. I don’t think Hillis will lead the AFC in rushing TDs. there are just too many variables. he’ll certainly be productive, but with our offense switching game plans and the likelihood that Hardesty may not play as often as we would like, I just don’t see it happening.
3. Joe Haden is certainly capable of leading the league in interceptions, but I don’t think it will happen. There are too many other play makers in the league.
4. I definitely expect Colt to reach 3.000 yards this season. Those are my expectations at a minimum with the way our offense is changing.
5. I’ve actually expected a 3-1 start since I first saw the schedule.
6. I think we have the ability to go 7-4 by mid season.
7. Going 4-2 in our division is a stretch. We’d be lucky to go 3-3. I certainly expect us to beat Cinci in both games though.
8. I certainly think we’ll be competitive against the Steelers this season, but I’m not so bold as to say that we’ll be Pittsburgh in Heinz Field on TNF.
9. Sneaking into a Wild Card game will only happen if we can sweep the Bengals and get a game a piece against the Steelers and Ravens, and I just don’t see that happening this season.
10. I’ve just decided Sebastian Bellitto is on my ban list.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 12, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

1.) I think Little’s a long shot. A year away is a lot to ask of. It’s hard to get going for any receiver out of the gate.
2.) There’s no reason to think he’ll lead he way. We’re going to run less, and there’s no reason for a major increase in red zone attempts
3.) He has the potential ability as a player, but he doesn’t have a good pass rush in front of him. Not a great situation to do so.
4.) I think he can. Just needs not to get hurt. Something we’ve never had a QB do since ‘99.
5.) 3-1 is reasonable enough. If we can just put those Colts away. Manning rarely does that good against us.
6.) That would be cool. A lot of optimism that I as a Cleveland fan never let myself have.
7.) I don’t think we can. I’m thinking 1-5. A win over Nastynati somewhere along the way.
8.) I don’t think we can win.
9.) Playoffs are just too much to ask for with this many changes
10.) I think we’ll go 6-10

So good to have my computer back. Much easier than using my iPod.

I guess there's only one thing left to do.....win the whole ******* thing. - Major League

by 24rubikscube on Jul 12, 2011 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

2) I don’t think running the WCO will negatively affect Hillis’ production. If anything it may open things up for him to have a big season. Rams RB Steven Jackson has flourished under Shurmur’s system the past two seasons.

by burntorangeandbrown on Jul 13, 2011 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Good point. I don’t really like my “don’t think we can” answers that I put. I mean we can. I’m just not putting much expectations on them.

I guess there's only one thing left to do.....win the whole ******* thing. - Major League

by 24rubikscube on Jul 13, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

i figure Hillis will still be beastly this season, but to say he’ll lead the AFC in rushing TDs just doesn’t seem likely. although, i wouldn’t be surprised if it happened.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 14, 2011 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Peyton is better catching the ball, too.

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

by rufio on Jul 13, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Saun Alexander won an MVP in a west coast offense under Holmgren.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jul 13, 2011 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

didn’t he break the rushing TD record that season?

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 14, 2011 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I really hope we don’t run Hillis that much.

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

by rufio on Jul 14, 2011 4:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Me too, just saying that we can still run the ball a lot.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jul 14, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

On slide 7: look at Joe T’s vertical. Freak.

I can see Little being the leading receiver, and maybe 3-1 at the bye. I don’t think people will continue to throw at Haden, and I think people will stack the hell out of the box to take away Peyton on the goal line.

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

by rufio on Jul 13, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d be slightly surprised if Hardesty isn’t the one getting the bulk of the goal line carries this year. I think Hardesty is better than Hillis at getting horizontal.

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

by golanbatrac on Jul 13, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Shurmur used Kenneth Darby as a 3rd down back last year at times, I can’t help but wonder if that’s how he’ll try to use Hardesty. Hardesty and Hillis are both bigger backs who can catch though, whereas it was clear how Darby could play a role vs. Jackson.

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

by rufio on Jul 14, 2011 4:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I think people will stack the hell out of the box to take away Peyton on the goal line.

just more benefit to us with our WCO.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 14, 2011 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

5.) 3-1 is reasonable enough. If we can just put those Colts away. Manning rarely does that good against us.

you think we have to beat the Colts to go 3-1? i figured they would be our one loss, with us beating Cinci, Tennessee, and Miami.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 13, 2011 8:17 AM EDT reply actions

oops…

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 13, 2011 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions

We’ve played good against them. Then again it’s a different regime. I’m not saying I’d bet money on us. lol.

That’d be so awesome if we started 3-1.

I guess there's only one thing left to do.....win the whole ******* thing. - Major League

by 24rubikscube on Jul 13, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

well what could actually benefit us is that i keep hearing Manning may not be healthy for the beginning of the season. i really don’t expect him to miss games, but if he does we play Indy on week 2 so it’s early enough to be a possibility. the Colts offense is nothing without Peyton.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 14, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions