Tag Archives: cleveland browns

NFL

Smith, Rodney (WR)

leaf12 rsmithCard: Leaf Draft 2013
Acquired: 2013, Box Breaker

Rodney Smith was an intriguing prospect coming into the 2013 draft. On paper he has many of the athletic tangibles that many teams desire of their prospects at wide receiver, clocking in at 6’5″, with long arms (84″ wingspan) , and a decent 40 at 4.51.
Still the knock on Smith was his lack of production at the college level, and his inability to outmuscle competition at the line of scrimmage (225 lb), especially in press coverage. This comes as quite a mixed bag as he has also been hailed for his aggressive blocking, and his production numbers didn’t really gel until his junior and senior seasons. It is thought that he needs at least another season to develop and put on the bulk that he needs to compete at the pro level and may see a conversion to tight end in the future.

Smith seemed to have fallen into good hands, being reunited with his college quarterback Christian Ponder on the Vikings, after going undrafted in the 2013.  He’d hang onto the practice roster through October of 2014, and after being released,  quickly be signed by the Browns, only to be cut in August of 2015.

Rodney is currently a member of the  Dallas Cowboys practice squad.

NFL

Kessler, Cody

sage16 ckesslerCard: Sage 2016
Acquired: 2016, Hobby Box Breaker

Although scouts are not in love with Cody Kessler’s size or physical attributes, he had an impressive resume playing at USC for the Trojans. A 3 year starter who earned Pac 10 Honorable Mention in all 3 years, he finished his college career with 10,339 yards with 88 touchdowns to only 19 interceptions in a pro style offense. What’s even more impressive is that Cody played for 5 coaches over that tenure.  The knock on Kessler is that he is almost too comfortable taking the 2 or 3 yard dunk, rather than taking a shot downfield, and scouts did not like his downfield touch. While scouts mention that Kessler reminds them much of Aaron Murray, his tape really reminds me of Matt Schaub, right after he returned from his Lins Franc injury, (before teams full caught on to his read progression). Kessler is tabbed as a 5-6th round pick that I’d love to see the Texans make a move for and select in the 2016 draft.

Wow. This was an absolute stunning surprise. The Cleveland Browns (where all quarterbacks go to die) selected Cody with their supplemental 3rd round pick at the back end of round 3. He is expected to compete with RGIII for the starting job.

NFL

Stams, Frank

pset89 stamspset90 stams

Cards: ProSet 1989, ProSet 1990
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent:   12/9         Received:  12/18           (9 days)

A high motor outside linebacker and defensive end out of Notre Dame,  Frank Stams originally started as a fullback for the Fighting Irish. They’d convert him over to LB where he’d be named MVP of the Fiesta Bowl in 1989. In his Senior year, Frank was named first-team All-American as he led the team with 7 sacks and finished 5th on the team with 51 tackles.

The Los Angeles Rams tabbed Frank in the second round of the 1989 draft. He’d be thrust into the starting lineup as injuries decimated the Rams linebacking corps. Stams beat out Fred Strickland at ILB in 1990 and finished second in tackles with 78 in 13 games.  Stams battled injuries most of 91, and then signed with the Browns in 1992. He’d play with the franchise through 4 games into the 1995 season and a final game with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Stams lives in the Cleveland area and is an ambassador for the team.

G/Gs  82/31    TAC 178       SAC  2.0      FUM  1
INT  1      YDS 20      AVG 20.0      TD   0     LG  20