Cleveland Browns sign LB Jayson DiManche, waive RB Shaun Draughn
By Thomas Moore
Nov 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Jayson DiManche (51) blocks the punt of Cleveland Browns punter Spencer Lanning (5) during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns signed linebacker Jayson DiManche to the practice squad on Tuesday and waived running back Shaun Draughn.
The team also added tight end Brian Leonhardt to the practice squad. To make room for Leonhardt, they released defensive back Ty Zimmerman from the practice squad.
The moves were announced on the team’s website. (No truth to the rumors, however, that the moves were made to get everyone talking about anything but Johnny Manziel.)
DiManche, who had been on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad for the past week, was originally signed by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013 as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Illinois. While he did not play much on defense, making one just start in 28 games with the Bengals, he was a key member on special teams.
Browns fans will remember him for a punt block in 2013 that led to a touchdown, part of a 31-point second quarter for the Bengals in a 41-20 beating of the Browns.
The Bengals lost DiManche to a broken arm in Week 12 of last season, leading Stripe Hype to write that:
"Earlier this week, the Bengals lost reserve linebacker Jayson DiManche for the remainder of the year due to a fractured forearm he sustained during the team’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Many reports glossed over the loss of DiManche likely due to his lack of participation within the Bengals’ defensive unit (only 6.6 percent of snaps according to Sporting Charts). Yet, his impact goes beyond his defensive contributions."
"DiManche has quickly become one of the Bengals’ key contributors on special teams. Last year during his rookie season, he became one of the team’s leading tacklers on special teams (12, according to the team’s website). This while playing 66 percent of the special teams snaps. He also had a blocked punt, which led to a touchdown."
"This year, DiManche’s involvement within the unit has increased. He’s second on the team playing 78.5 percent of the snaps (behind only Shawn Williams (83 percent); for reference, the league leader, James Casey, is involved in 85 percent of the Eagles’ snaps. This means DiManche’s impact is huge as he ranks 19th in the league in special teams snaps."
"Despite only accounting for three tackles, the team obviously sees him as one of the key players within the unit."
Leonhardt was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He appeared in 12 games, catching six passes for 35 yards and a touchdowns. According to Just Blog Baby, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound Leonhardt “has yet to prove he can consistently have an impact as a receiving threat.”
Draughn appeared in five games for the Browns this season, rushing five times for 10 yards and catching two passes for one yard. He also was on the kickoff return team.
With running back Robert Turbin finally healthy, and Justin Gilbert taking over as the returner on kickoffs, there was no longer a role for Draughn on the Browns.