Michael Bowie: Man of Mystery
The Cleveland Browns claimed Michael Bowie from the Seattle Seahawks during Training Camp last year. They did so even though Bowie was injured and would likely miss the rest of the season. Claiming him angered the Seahawks as they believe there is an unwritten rule about claiming players who are designated injured:
"“Typically when you waive someone injured, they kind of get through [waivers] and you’re going to get them back, fix them and move on. Cleveland chose to take him, and whether you agree with it or not, I guess that’s business,” Cable said. “It’s kind of an unwritten rule — you just leave each other’s injured players alone and they didn’t.”"
The Browns were not the only one who put a claim in for Bowie as the New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots all did as well. The Browns won the claim based on waiver order. Bowie was placed on injured reserve by the Browns at the end of their Training Camp.
Now, as the off-season is set to begin, Bowie could play a huge role in decisions that the Browns make. If the Browns feel strongly about Bowie’s abilities they could forgo spending money in free agency or picks in the draft to try to upgrade the line. Yet he didn’t play at all last season and his time with the Seahawks was relativly limited.
All of that makes Michael Bowie are next Man of Mystery.
We have profiled players that fans may not know as much about to give them some background information. Isaiah Crowell, here, Pierre Desir, here, and Jacobbi McDaniel, here, were our first three Men of Mystery. We add Bowie to that list today.
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Name: Michael Bowie
Position: Offensive Tackle/Guard
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6’4″ 332 pounds
Experience: 1 year
Draft: 7th Round Pick of the Seahawks
Stats: Started 8 games, played in 9 for the Seahawks
Before the NFL: Bowie was drafted out of little Northeastern State, a little division two school in Oklahoma. He was there because he was kicked out of Oklahoma State for violating team rules. He was a big time recruit for Ok. State but his struggles with maturity and discipline were his downfall even before he got there. Grades wouldn’t allow him to get into school right away so he went to a Junior College for two years before getting back to Ok. State. In his only season he didn’t allow a sack in 12 games. Then he was kicked off the team. He played well at Northeastern State but his history had his draft stock fall.
NFL: Bowie played in very important games for the Seahawks last year, 9 games with 8 starts, and he held his own very well. He played physical and showed high level talent at both the guard and tackle positions. He was in line to compete for the starting right tackle spot before getting injured during Training Camp. ESPN Seattle talked a little bit about what they saw in him just before TC started:
Sounds like the type of guy the Browns want on their roster for sure. The Seahawks moved him all over the offensive line, and in and out of the lineup, last season which gave him experience but not time to get comfortable at one spot.
For the Browns: The Browns left side of the offensive line is set. Joe Thomas and Joel Bitonio have locked it down after an impressive career by Thomas and an impressive rookie season by Bitonio. Alex Mack will return to the center position, the best in the league at that spot. The right side of the offensive line is another story. Fans are down on Mitchel Schwartz even though he made PFF’s All Third Year Team as the team’s starting right tackle. Many have been since his rookie season. John Greco is a veteran but is Just Another Guy (JAG) and could easily be replaced. Bowie could compete for either of those spots and could easily be an upgrade. If he takes over at tackle, Schwartz could move inside. If he is at guard Schwartz could continue to man the tackle spot. Thankfully the Browns were able to work with him some, even though injured, and have a good idea how he fits.
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Draft/Free Agency: The interesting thing with Bowie is whether he will impact the NFL Draft and Free Agency or they will impact him. If the Browns feel good about what they have in Bowie it would drop the need to spend money on Mike Iupati, Bryan Bulaga or Orlando Franklin. It would also allow them to bypass spending a high pick on Andrus Peat, Ereck Flowers or Eric Fisher in the NFL Draft. On the other hand GM Ray Farmer could continue to build the depth and quality of their line in free agency or the draft and see where the cards fall when it is all said and done. Bowie is used to fighting, even if it has been his own poor choices in the past.
Michael Bowie is a Man of Mystery to some. He could be the starting right tackle next year or he could just be a backup that intrigues. Thankfully the Browns should have a good idea about him from the film and from their year together. If he can solidify the right side of the offensive line, with the return of Mack, the Browns could have the best in the league once again.
What do you think of our new Man of Mystery: Michael Bowie?