Under the Radar. Except Here.

The Browns recent releases and signings provide clues to their plans.

No big surprises among the releases, unless you count Philip Hunt. Hunt has actually grown into a decent linebacker in addition to an exceptional special teams player. However, he's primarily an inside linebacker, and Mangini didn't seem to want to cut Rodney BeauBellefield.

...and along came this Benard guy, who sounds a whole lot like Alex Hall, except might be able to play inside.

The re-signing of Brian Schaefering is a nice surprise to yours truly, since as you will recall not reading before last season, this guy can play some football. He's strictly a DE here, but in college played nose tackle, which skewed his stats. It hid his speed, and an ability to rush the quarterback.

Last season he started on the practice squad, then Mangini claimed him to the Jets active roster. He was later released. Last season, Schaefering was a raw small-school longshot who needed more sand in his pants for 3-4 DE, but obviously showed enough for two teams to want to keep him around.

He is now listed at 295 lbs., which may or may not be accurate. Schaefering's experience as a nose tackle will help him deal with double-teams, and playing outside or as a rush-DT will allow him to sometimes use his quickness and speed.

He's still going to have a hard time making the final cut. In his way are Corey Williams, Robaire Smith, Kenyon Coleman, Louis Leonard (who can also play nose tackle), and CJ Mosely, who is physicly similar to Schaefering, and bigger. Unless it's Leonard, I can't see any of these guys giving way--but Shaefering could end up on the practice squad, one injury away from the rotation.

I'm wondering about Martin Rucker, but only a little. None of the tight ends have thus far got much attention from either quarterback. Royal has been playing the most, and has hardly caught any. Partly, I'm sure that Mangini is checking out how well they block, and then partly we're proabably seeing more of the ultimate offense.

With Furrey, and maybe Cribbs too--and shortly Robiskie--there are several get-open-quick, sure-handed, chain-moving recievers. More and more it's looking like the base offense will have three wide recievers and be more speed-oriented.

With the three running backs they have, and the need to preserve Lewis, there will probably be some two-back formations too.

IF Heiden is healthy, it would be very hard to release him, despite the fact that this is almost certainly his last season. Me? I would...I'm sorry. Business is business, and in reality the Browns are not going to do much this season. Royal has some gas left in his tank and is very similar, Rucker...I dunno...and there's AAron Walker (a big monster red-zone target).

My guy Madsen got cut. It looks like in-line blocking is indeed important.

Against Detroit, I saw man-blocking, but also slant-blocking and some zone-like stuff here and there too, which is cool.

I'm susprised to read that they really like Hadnot, and he's in the mix at backup left and starting right guard. He must have improved as a pass defender; was always a good road-grader.

Well...okbye