I'm proud to have successfully completed every position preview prior to the start of training camp for the first time in Dawgs By Nature history! A lot of the motivation behind that had to do with knowing you, the users who make this site possible, would share your take on the situation. I feel a lot more up-to-date heading into training camp on players than I ever have before, and I hope some of you feel the same.
This post is intended to wrap everything up; whether you're new to the site and would like to sift through all of the previews, or if you're a regular and just want a quick refresher, there is something for everyone. I will also outline the results of the 16 training camp polls that you voted on, as well as the team's current roster.
| OFFENSIVE PREVIEWS | DEFENSIVE / ST PREVIEWS |
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Quarterbacks (6.21.09) Running Backs (6.24.09) Fullbacks (6.26.09) Wide Receivers [Part 1] (7.5.09) Wide Receivers [Part 2] (7.8.09) Tight Ends (7.10.09) Offensive Line [Part 1] (7.1.09) Offensive Line [Part 2] (7.3.09) |
Defensive Line [Part 1] (6.28.09) Defensive Line [Part 2] (6.29.09) Inside Linebackers (7.13.09) Outside Linebackers (7.16.09) Safeties (7.20.09) Cornerbacks [Part 1] (7.22.09) Cornerbacks [Part 2] (7.27.09) Special Teams (7.18.09) |
With each of the 16 training camp posts, there was a poll at the end of them, highlighting some of the top questions that would be on the minds of fans heading into training camp. Here they are, in summary:
| OFFENSIVE POLLS |
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If Eric Mangini decides to start Derek Anderson over Brady Quinn this season, which statement below would best summarize your thoughts? Thank god! I WANT Anderson to start! : 72 votes Thoughts: I'm on the fence here. Part of the reason we grew tired of Crennel was he reluctance to play Quinn. If Mangini feels Anderson is better for his system though, I think I'll give him the benefit of the doubt in his first season. Quinn will probably start when it's all said and done, though. What role do you think rookie RB James Davis will end up holding to start the season? The "Leon Washington" role (No. 2 RB) : 97 votes Thoughts: Jerome Harrison should have the Leon Washington role locked up, so I'm more interested in seeing how much an improvement Davis can offer over last year's Jason Wright. Who will be our backup fullback this season (and "who cares" is not an answer!)? Charles Ali : 190 votes Thoughts: We can't have all of mooncamping's fullbacks, but I won't go as drastic as carrying only one of them. Keep Ali. Which RG and RT combination do you expect to see starting in Week 1? Tucker at RG, St. Clair at RT : 118 votes Thoughts: The combination highlighted is the one I want too. Hopefully the rumors of Ryan Tucker's thoughts on retiring don't pan out. If they do, then none of these poll options really apply. We'd probably see Womack or Hadnot at RG, with St. Clair at RT. Which non-veteran backup offensive lineman, excluding Isaac Sowells, are you most intrigued by? Dustin Fry : 83 votes Thoughts: At 350 pounds, I want to see if Quarterman has some skill to go along with his size. Which player will be the Browns' slot receiver to open the season? Mike Furrey : 754 votes Thoughts: Furrey had one great receiving season with the Rams, but there's easily a chance that he could turn out to be this year's Kevin Kasper -- high hopes, but no roster spot. Which of the following younger receivers is your favorite? Syndric Steptoe : 59 votes Thoughts: I'm surprised that Steptoe got so many votes. I think Leggett might be the best of this bunch right now, but will probably be overshadowed. 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 Thoughts: Rucker has been getting great reviews from minicamps, and rumors are now starting that it's Heiden's job to lose over Royal. I used to think Royal had the starting role locked up, but now I'm not so sure. |
| DEFENSIVE / ST POLLS |
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(Two part question) Do you see DL Shaun Smith making the final roster? Who is the NT behind Shaun Rogers? S. Smith makes the team, A. Rubin is the backup NT : 139 votes Thoughts: A lot of people want Smith to be gone, and a lot of people want Rubin to be the backup nose tackle. While I wouldn't be sorry to see Smith's mouth gone, if Mangini feels he can "get him under control", Smith would be an asset to our depth. Which player would you rather see worked into the ILB rotation more this season? Beau Bell : 452 votes Thoughts: A close battle between Bell and Maiava. I hope the coaching staff gives Bell a fair chance at this spot, considering he was screwed by Crennel last year. Who do you think will start at OLB opposite Kamerion Wimbley? David Bowens : 228 votes Thoughts: Alex Hall all the way! Bowens is the "safe" pick as a veteran, but Hall is the one who could have the most impact this year as Veikune waits in the wings. Which safety do you think has more potential? Brodney Pool : 191 votes Thoughts: This was probably an easy choice to many -- Pool has had a few years to start and might have already peaked, while Elam is receiving his first chance. Between Eric Wright, Brandon McDonald, and Roderick Hood, which pair would you like to see starting (the cornerback not listed would then be the nickel back)? Eric Wright, Brandon McDonald : 258 votes Which cornerback will make the 53-man roster (if you think more than one will, pick the most likely one)? Coye Francies : 239 votes Thoughts: The Browns bought Francies when his stock was low with the chance of his value being high. With so many veteran corners on the Browns though, is there a spot for him on the 53-man roster? Will Phil Dawson be kicking for the Browns this season? Yes : 485 votes Thoughts: I hope so too. |
Finally, with some of the Browns' draft picks signing, it's best to keep up with the current roster, since some of the players from the training camp previews are no longer with the team. Here is the roster as it stands now:
| OFFENSIVE ROSTER | DEFENSIVE / ST ROSTER |
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Quarterbacks (4): Running Backs (4): Fullbacks (2): Wide Receivers (10): Tight Ends (5): Offensive Line (13):
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Defensive Linemen (11): Inside Linebackers (6): Outside Linebackers (8): Safeties (6): Cornerbacks (8): Special Teams (4): NO. OF PLAYERS: 81 |
80 players should be the cap for the start of training camp, so when we sign Brian Robiskie, someone else will be immediately waived. We might actually be at 79 players, depending on how long Francies and Edwards stay on the non-football injury list.