Monday, September 5, 2016

Browns In,Browns Out-

I wrote yesterday that the Cleveland Browns weren't finished tinkering with a rundown roster (and they still might not be) as they claimed five players off waivers and added quarterback Kevin Hogan to the practice squad.

The cuts were mostly journeymen except for fifth round cornerback Trey Caldwell,who missed much of pre-season to injury and the Browns hope that he clears waivers to add him to the practice squad.

The additions are interesting with George Atkinson Jr leading the pack.
The son of the former Raider led the Raiders in rushing in the preseason and his release surprised some observers.
The rap on Atkinson is a fumbling problem.
Not sure how quickly that he will play at running back,but he has real shot at being the kick returner for Sunday's opener...

Two cornerbacks were signed as former Seahawk veteran Marcus Burley and rookie Briean Boddy-Calhoun join the team.
Burley was the Seahawks nickel and dime back last season,so on this team might have a chance to help.
Calhoun was an undrafted free agent from Minnesota that I remember watching with the Gophers.
Dan Shonka (one of my three draft gurus) liked his ball skills,but thought he was more of a slot corner...

The player that I really like is Tyrone Holmes of Montana.
Holmes was the 1-AA defensive player of the year last season and was the sixth round pick of the Jaguars.
Holmes interests me as a edge rusher and did have a sack with Jacksonville in the preseason.
At 6'4 247,Holmes could at least be a situational pass rusher..

Corey Lemonier was the 3rd rounder of the 49ers in 2013,but was a disappointment in his three years there.
Lemonier had just one sack in the three years and might be a special teamer in Cleveland.

Two of the veterans that the Browns released quickly found jobs as wide receiver Taylor Gabriel was claimed by Atlanta and cornerback Pierre Desir was added by San Diego.
It'll be interesting to follow those two players and compare their play to the young players that beat them out in Cleveland.
It could be our first small sample on the Sashi Brown led front office's talent evaluating.

As for Kevin Hogan,many draft followers rated Hogan above the Browns third rounder Cody Kessler.
Kansas City picked Hogan in the fifth round and he didn't see a lot of preseason action.
Hogan doesn't possess a great arm,but his tools are better than those of Kessler and he was a heady player at Stanford.
The addition of Hogan makes me think that the Browns are already beginning to have questions about not only about taking Kessler in the third round,but taking him at all.
Adding Kevin Hogan certainly shows some doubt about Cody Kessler's long term viability in Cleveland.....

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