Cleveland Browns 53-Man Roster Projection (Version 2)
We have had two and a half weeks of action since my previous training camp roster projection. Since then, training camp has started and I think we all have a better grasp at which players are serious contenders to make the final roster. I didn't post a practice squad last time, but I'll indicate a few hopefuls this time around. There will probably be two more roster projections in the next couple of weeks before the final 53-man roster is unveiled.
|
Players already gone: OG Billy Yates (retired), DL Broderick Bunkley (trade cancelled), P Reggie Hodges (injured reserve), LB Alex Wujciak (cut), LB Derrick Addai.
The above list contains 53 players that I kept, and 35 players that I cut. My practice squad only contains six players, meaning two players would come from other team's cuts. Listed below is what has changed since the last time. Any position not listed did not have any changes.
General Roster Projection Notes
- Running Back: No changes. RB Armond Smith makes the practice squad due to his speed and the reps he's received as a kick returner.
- Wide Receiver: I added WR Jordan Norwood to the final roster, since it seems clear the team is utilizing him with the first-team offense, at least while Massaquoi is still out. For the practice squad, I think L.J. Castile makes it because he has shown some good hands at camp. I also put Johnathan Haggerty on their for the second year in a row, although he hasn't had as much time to shine in camp this year.
- Offensive Line: I was originally going to add OT Branndon Braxton to the list and just remove OL Steve Vallos. Braxton has been the primary backup offensive tackle in camp and has received some good reviews. I was forced to retain Vallos after OG Billy Yates retired though since Vallos has some experience playing center.
- Defensive Line: This is where all of the big changes happened. First, I made sure DE Marcus Benard was listed as a defensive end this time. After that, I added DL Derreck Robinson and DT Travis Ivey were added to the list. Robinson wasn't on the roster yet when I made the previous list, and with Ivey, he adds more depth at tackle after the Broderick Bunkley trade went bad. The three defensive linemen I removed were Bunkley, DT Scott Paxson, and DE Brian Sanford. Between Sanford and Ivey, it was a coin flip.
- Linebacker: Since he is getting reps with the first-team defense, I added undrafted free agent LB Brian Smith to the final roster, though I'm not convinced we won't sign a veteran and put Smith on the practice squad when it's all said and done. In exchange, LB Steve Octavien was cut. I also put LB Benjamin Jacobs on the practice squad to have someone to develop.
- Safety: No changes. Newly-signed S Brian Smith was put on the practice squad due to his previous affiliation with Dick Jauron and Pat Shurmur.
- Cornerback: There were two additions and two subtractions here. Added to the list were Dimitri Patterson, who looks to be the nickel back, and James Dockery, who has made a lot of plays in camp and is now being considered a hybrid cornerback/safety. I reluctantly removed Coye Francies, but I think he can still be put on the practice squad. DeAngelo Smith was my previous hybrid player, but he was replaced by Dockery.
- Special Teams: With P Reggie Hodges going on the injured reserve, in comes P Richmond McGee.
Feel free to share your own updated roster projections here, or some changes you would make to mine.
86 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
saw that too.
not very Mangini-ish.
"You are the worst villains in football, your evil plan never ceases."-Mooncamping
by discoinferno083 on Aug 17, 2011 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking at least 7 or 8 Backers, not 6
by lightninmcqueen on Aug 17, 2011 11:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Why have 7 or 8 “Backers” in a mock roster when they all suck, besides the starting 3, and we know they’ll add more through free agency once teams make their cuts?
by CavsBrownsFan on Aug 17, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
@ CavBrownsFan
What makes you think we are going to add a FA LB when we have had plenty of time to do so already and haven’t?
I'm entitled to my opinion. Especially if I'm wrong.
by Aussie Brown on Aug 18, 2011 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions
There are still cuts to be made when teams have to trim down their rosters. Someone may cut a guy who doesn’t fit their 3-4 D, but who might be an upgrade over who we have for our 4-3.
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
Well, we do run a 4-3 now.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
by rufio on Aug 18, 2011 3:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Just for fun I would like to do a project 53-man roster
QB- Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace
OL- Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Alex Mack, Shawn Lauvao, Tony Pashos, Jason Pinkston, Brandon Braxton, John Greco
WR- Josh Cribbs, Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi, Jordan Norwood, Brian Robiskie, Demetrius Williams*
RB- Peyton Hillis, Brandon Jackson, Montario Hardesty
FB- Owen Marecic
TE- Evan Moore, Ben Watson, Alex Smith*, Jordan Cameron
DL- Ahtyba Rubin, Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, Jayme Mitchell, Brian Schaefering, Scott Paxson*, Auston English*, Marcus Benard
LB- D’Qwell Jackson, Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong, Kaluka Maiava, Titus Brown
CB- Joe Haden, Sheldon Brown, Dimitri Patterson, Buster Skrine, James Dockery
S- T. J. Ward, Usama Young, Mike Adams, Ray Ventrone*, Eric Hagg*
S/T- Phil Dawson, Richmond McGee, Ryan Pontbriand
I am going to leave 3 spots on the roster open because they could be free-agent pick-ups before the regular season. One spot could be taken by one of the following players: DeAngelo Smith, Brian Smith, Ramzee Robinson, Steve Vallos, Brett Johnson, Pat Murray, and Armond Smith.
I am hoping they are able to find some other developmental QB for a 3rd QB other than Jarrett Brown
- probable
Can somebody please explain to me why we need Brian Pontbriand? Does he do something that I’m not aware of? I just don’t understand why we can’t have Seneca Wallace do Pontbriand’s job. I may be missing something though.
Pontbriand is the long snapper and one of the best in the game (and it’s Ryan, not Brian).
by Erie's Scribe on Aug 17, 2011 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Umm… yeah… I’m guessing you don’t know what a Long Snapper does. He’s the Center for the punt and field goal formations. Seneca Wallace most definitely can not fulfill his role. On top of that, Pontbriand is one of the best in the league at what he does and has been to the Pro Bowl as the “need” player twice.
cautiously realistic
by North Coast Flea on Aug 17, 2011 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
He is a pro bowl long snapper
by lightninmcqueen on Aug 18, 2011 12:07 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This deserves a bold FAIL.
My dog is a badass. His name is Kosar.
by Brownie's Year on Aug 18, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
We need an anti-rec option for this.
"There is a small, but important difference between peeing in the pool and peeing into the pool." - Demitri Martin
I know, but flagging it 3 times won’t change the color of the post. There should be a highlight for posts like these, say light blue.
"There is a small, but important difference between peeing in the pool and peeing into the pool." - Demitri Martin
I imagine red would be a good one.
cautiously realistic
by North Coast Flea on Aug 18, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Flagged posts turn red for mods. Or pinkish-red.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Well that ruins my whole stoplight theory. Maybe if they implemented an anti rec they could change the flags to actually put a little flag next to the comment.
cautiously realistic
by North Coast Flea on Aug 18, 2011 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m color blind. Can hardly tell the difference between green and red. True story. Light blue it must be!
"There is a small, but important difference between peeing in the pool and peeing into the pool." - Demitri Martin
4-3 Defense, less backers than in the 3-4. Makes sense, but I could see 7 since the backers are dinged up
by Erie's Scribe on Aug 17, 2011 11:34 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Any idea on who the top prospects are?
by lightninmcqueen on Aug 18, 2011 12:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Lots of LBs. Manti Te’o out of Notre Dame is a MLB probably, very smart player and prototypical size.
Dont’a Hightower is big and physical and follows in the footsteps of Bama’s Rolando McClain. Smart but I am unsure about exactly how fast he is.
Courtney Upshaw is another Bama backer, a little smaller, a little faster, still very good.
Travis Lewis is the senior in Oklahoma’s super duo, and watch out for Sean Spence out of Miami.
Vontaze Burfict out of ASU is right up there with Te’o, maybe a little more physically gifted, but not as smart.
Luke Kuechly out of BC is another guy to watch.
At Safety, I’d say Ray Ray Armstrong out of Miami is the top guy right now. He’s very big. Both of the Alabama safeties deserve looks as well.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Kuechly is a tackling machine, should be a solid pro. Honestly, I’d rather draft linebackers from rounds 2 on, they usually aren’t great 1st round picks.
It depends on Burfict’s head and his progress on the mental side this year, but he definitely has the physical ability to be one of those who is worth it. I think Kuechly will be there in the 2nd round.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Burfict is a pyscho. Rumored to have been in a locker room fight this season.
I want nothing to do with that guy.
by Bernie19Kosar on Aug 20, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
If I had to guess right now what we draft next year I would say starting LB and CB, and DT/ DE depth as well as a WR and OL.
Don´t cut these guys:
Tyler Clutts, L.J. Castille, Juan Nunez, Evan Frosch, Phil Trautwein, Dominic Alford, Calton Ford, Jabari Fletcher, Scott Paxson, Steve Octavien, Archie Donald, Eric Gordon and DeAngelo Smith.
You may cut these guys instead:
Seneca Wallace, Jarrett Brown, Brandon Jackson, Jordan Norwood, Ben Watson, Alex Smith, Eric Steinbach, Branndon Braxton, Steve Vallos, Jayme Mitchell, Marcus Bernard, Brian Schaefering, Derreck Robinson, Travis Ivey, Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong, Titus Brown, Usama Young, Mike Adams, Ray Ventrone, Eric Hagg, Dimitri Patterson and James Dockery.
It means that regarding starting slots, we have only this to work with:
Colt McCoy, Peyton Hillis, Montario Hardesty, Owen Marecic, Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, Greg Little, Joshua Cribbs, Carlton Mitchell, Evan Moore, Jordan Cameron, Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, Shawn Lauvao, Tony Pashos, John Greco, Jason Pinkston, Ahtyba Rubin, Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, Scott Fujita, D’Qwell Jackson, Kaluka Maiava, Brian Smith, T.J. Ward, Joe Haden, Sheldon Brown, Buster Skrine.
This is the reality cheque by mooncamping, who is known for at least trying to get to the Super Bowl every year.
you personally try to get to the super bowl every year?
Smile big, hug bigger. Talk big, act bigger. Stop judging do something, shut the fck up do something.
In Mooncamping’s world its always the Superbowl, played by two teams entirely made up of Fullbacks.
by Off-the-Chain on Aug 18, 2011 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I really hope you are joking…
by athensdawg on Aug 18, 2011 10:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
"They kept throwing it at me. I don’t know why. They just kept trying, and I just kept knocking it down." -- Joe Haden
by Kimble_79 on Aug 18, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Alone in August these players have been cut:
DT Sean Murnane, LB Tim Dobbins, C Beau Warren, DT Colby Whitlock, RB Chris Henry, LB Maurice Simpkins, DE Korey Bosworth, DB Jack Williams, LB Zack Follett, (TE John Nalbone), RB Chauncey Washington, DB Chevis Jackson, WR Jeremy LaFrance, DE Ricky Sapp, FB Pat DiMarco, TB Emmanuel Moody, DT Marlon Favorite, G Anquez Jackson, DT Billy Blackard, DE Joe Joseph, LB Robert Henson, DE Zane Parr, OG Mark Wetterer, DB Eugene Clifford, DB Marcell Gipson, WR Kole Heckendorf, OG Cody Habben, FB Kevin Gidrey, (DT Carlton Powell), WR Mark Dell, RB Chase Reynolds, OT Tony Ugoh, DE Ra´Shon Harris, DE Thaddeus Gibson, OT Joe Toledo, DT Tank Johnson, TE Garrett Mills;…another team´s trash is another team´s treasure. You get the feeling the front offices don´t realize there is a competitive setting.
Which of these would you take, and who would they replace from your list above?
by athensdawg on Aug 18, 2011 10:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think we will sign 4-5 players from good teams that we had on our draft board either this year or last – and will intercept them before the good teams can add to their practice squads. This will give us players in the 22-24 range which will fit what we are trying to do.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
Pretty sure players can be signed from other teams’ practice squads.
by DawgsNHawgs on Aug 18, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Which of these would you take
That’s not the right question for moon. More like: which one of these players wouldn’t you take?
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Aug 18, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Sean Murnane, Colby Whitlock and Billy Blackard stand out as servicable bodies on D-line, to discern if they are talented. Joe Joseph and Zane Parr, I would wager, are can´t miss outside containment DEs. Chris Henry is the real deal as a rumbler, a rare work horse, my most emphatic endorsement. Emmanuel Moody is a speedster. Kole Heckendorf was extremely productive at North Dakota. Chase Reynolds, also interesting, spirited little ball carrier. Remember when I endorsed John Malecki for guard, he is now a Steeler…Cody Habben is the same type of classic guard, he even stood out to me in action, when I watched the Huskies last year. Too bad about Carlton Powell getting picked up, he was a beast and sack master at VT. Ra´Shon Harris…monster! Tony Ugoh? Anyone? He could give Ryan Clady a run for his money as a scrappy right tackle. Joe Toledo, freak, could also contend for right tackle. TE Garrett Mills, awesome, why the heck would they waive him? Since we are looking for DBs, why not add Chevis Jackson, Eugene Clifford, Marcell Gipson and Jack Williams to the fray, mooncamping discerns them as athletes at the position, ones with grit. Maurice Simpkins, Zack Follett and Robert Henson are Ernie Sims class, tough little buggers for LB with good motors, if you want to spruce things up behind the d-line, I endorse. Ricky Sapp and Thaddeus Gibson are situational players, with unusual bodies. Korey Bosworth…anyone named Bosworth deserves a try out.
DE Joe Joseph
That is an unfortunate name.
cautiously realistic
by North Coast Flea on Aug 18, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
In reading about Steve Octavien’s vulgar displays of aggression in practice I am wondering aloud if we should not keep him around in lieu of Hagg . . .
by Les Fleurs Du Mal on Aug 18, 2011 8:30 AM EDT reply actions
I think it’s a pretty good projection…
on another note, I think Shurmur is running a pretty smooth camp.
by mr.saturday.night on Aug 18, 2011 12:50 PM EDT reply actions
RB Peyton Hillis
Montario Hardesty
Brandon Jackson
My projection for RB:
Peyton Hillis
Montario Hardesty (IR)
Brandon Jackson
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
I honestly had a lot of high hopes for Hardesty after the last years draft, I even had some hope for him as a backup to Hillis earlier this off-season. But at this point, I’m convinced this guy is a tender knee RB, perpetually injured.
I hope I’m wrong, but all signs seem to be pointing towards that. I really think we should play him tomorrow night, we need to see if he can take it at this level, find out what we have.
"I want my unwarranted optimism back." -Dilbert
100% agree, and even if he does stay healthy this season… How many more seasons can he last?
by lightninmcqueen on Aug 18, 2011 1:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Plenty of players make full recoveries from what was described by the team as not one of the very serious knee surgeries.
" …what was described by the team as not one of the very serious knee surgeries."
A bit of a fib here. All Knee surgeries are very serious due to the complex nature of the joint.
I'm entitled to my opinion. Especially if I'm wrong.
by Aussie Brown on Aug 18, 2011 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
RE: One problem
I don’t think the Browns better cut UDFA RB Smith because I doubt he’d clear waivers due to his speed. He can play on ST and learn the quick hit 3rd down RB stuff from B Jackson.
I doubt he’d clear waivers due to his speed.
Not saying he’d definitely clear waivers, but I don’t think speed will be enough to force someone else to stash him on their 53-man roster. I can’t imagine his speed being in the “too good to pass up” category. Being a ST contributor would certainly help his case.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Aug 18, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I wasn’t paying a whole lot of attention once Armon Smith got into the game… is he really that fast? Is he Mike Wallace or Chris Johnson fast?
He is, he had 4.1 yards per carry as well, 10 for 41 i believe, correct me if i’m wrong.
by lightninmcqueen on Aug 18, 2011 2:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Per twitter, james dockery was told to learn, KR, PR, nickel, dime, FS, gunner, and kickoff, they have him every where!
by lightninmcqueen on Aug 18, 2011 2:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Jabari Fletcher as a cut? I’m a bit surprised. I thought I had read at least a couple of positive things about him (not saying I did, just that I thought I did) whereas I’m trying to recall anything on Ivey and Robinson beyond “also present.”
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I think Fletcher has missed most of camp with a leg injury and then a knee sprain. Maybe he played a bit in between those injuries. Maybe an injured reserve candidate to stash him?
Robinson and Ivey haven’t been special, they just have the experience factor going for them. Robinson more so than Ivey.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
by Chris Pokorny on Aug 18, 2011 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with pretty much all of it but of course we can all debate on who is going to be the last players to make the team. See I see Auston English making the team and Scott Paxson making the team. Right now Scott Paxson is listed as Phil Taylor’s back-up. Plus I think I heard Scott Paxson has had an impressive camp. Today I heard Ramzee Robinson and DeAngelo Smith has made our depth at CB better. I am thinking they might make the team if nothing else for special team purposes. I don’t know about Carlton Mitchell, I know they like him but the guy can’t stay healthy. I see him going to the practice squad. I think Demetrius Williams makes it. He has had impressive camp also.

by 





















