Cleveland Browns add eight players to roster
By Jesse Runner
September 28, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Central Michigan running back Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore (11) is tackled by the North Carolina State linebacker Rodman Noel (5) at Carter Finley Stadium. North Carolina State defeated Central Michigan 48-14. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns added eight players to the roster this week, all of whom participated in the team’s rookie mini-camp over the weekend.
In order to add the players to the roster, Cleveland had to cut ties with wide receiver Phil Bates, kicker Garret Hartley, defensive back Varmah Sonie and defensive lineman Christian Tupou.
The Browns currently sit at the maximum amount of roster spots (90) just before full off-season workouts begin for the team. In an effort to improve the team, the Browns are bringing in:
Emmanuel Bibbs – Bibbs played tight end for Iowa State in 2014, raking in 45 receptions for 382 yards and an impressive eight touchdowns. He was named to the First-Team All-Big 12 by both the AP and coaches in 2014, and he also received an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Battling injuries throughout the season, Bibbs missed the last two games on the schedule due to knee problems. Despite this, he still finished with the most touchdown catches among tight ends out of all the five “power conferences.” In addition, Bibbs was a semi-finalist for the John Mackey Award, which is given to the most outstanding tight end in all of FBS.
Paul Browning – Coming from a D-II college by the name of CSU-Pueblo, Browning was a small-school standout player. The receiver recorded 59 receptions for 1,155 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2013. He also nearly averaged 100 yards receiving a game, coming in at 96.3 yards a game. Browning’s production wavered some in 2014. After playing in all 12 games in 2013, Browning only appeared in eight games for CSU-Pueblo, recording 41 receptions for 636 yards and six touchdowns, but he aided the team in winning the D-II National Championship in 2014.
Landon Feichter – In 2014, Feichter recorded (and led) the Purdue Boilermakers with a career-high 105 tackles (71 solo) en route to being voted defensive MVP by his teammates. Feichter also finished with a team high five interceptions and three passes broken up. He received honorable mention All-Big 10 by both the coaches and media in the conference. The defensive back played in all 12 games last season, starting 10.
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Kevin Haplea – Kevin Haplea transferred from Penn State to Florida State after just two years with the Nittany Lions. As a junior at Florida State, Haplea recorded just three receptions for 15 yards and a touchdown. The Seminoles redshirted the tight end for what would have been his senior season after a knee injury during the summer. As a fifth-year senior, Haplea recorded a mere two receptions for 19 yards. The Browns are most likely interested in Haplea’s run-blocking ability rather than his pass-catching.
Darius Jennings – Jennings recorded 27 catches for 521 yards and two touchdowns during his final season at Virginia. However, even though Jennings was an affective receiver, his true value came in the return game. Jennings sits at first in Virginia’s history with 1,839 total return yards, including 677 return yards in 2014 and 1,313 all-purpose yards.
Luke Lundy – Lundy played all 12 games for Ottawa University in 2014, rushing for 1,576 yards – good for third best in the NAIA – and 17 touchdowns. Lundy averaged an impressive 131.3 yards per game last season, including a 5.5 yards per carry average. He was named KCAC player of the year, and received First-All KCAC honors twice.
Rodman Noel – Brother to 76ers center Nerlins Noel, Rodman Noel played his college football at North Carolina State. As a senior, Noel recorded 76 tackles, 12 of which went for a loss, while adding a sack and an interception. In total, Noel finished with 142 tackles through 45 career games with the Wolfpack.
Brandon Stephens – Stevens is the only player of the eight signed who didn’t play college football last season. Rather, Stevens played for Miami of Ohio from years 2006-2010. Playing in 48 games, Stevens finished with 101 total tackles, 20 passes defended and three interceptions. Most recently, Stephens played in the Arena Football League Arena for the Cleveland Gladiators.