Cleveland Browns sign backfield duo
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns made two roster moves on Thursday, adding Robert Hughes and Rajion Neal to the backfield.
With just a little more than a week until their first preseason friendly, the Cleveland Browns made a pair of signings on Thursday, agreeing to deals with fullback Robert Hughes and running back Rajion Neal.
In a corresponding transaction, the Browns waived fullback Patrick Skov, an undrafted free agent.
The moves were announced on the team’s website.
Hughes was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, where he rushed for 1,392 yards and 15 touchdowns. He spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, before moving on to the Indianapolis Colts for the 2014 season. He returned to the Cardinals last season as a member of the practice squad.
In 23 career games, the 5-foot-10 and 257-pound Hughes has only rushed eight times for 16 yards, while catching 10 passes for 149 yards.
"We know the good talent that the Irish can produce and Hughes is no exception. Hughes may act as fullback (but not called one because Arians doesn’t technically use fullbacks in his system) but he is more than a blocker. When he does get the ball he can bowl people over with his frame. If the rumors of his expanded role are true, then I don’t think Hughes will be easy to let go of come cut time at the end of the preseason."
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Sounds as if a few defensive players are in for some thumps in practice as long as Hughes is on the roster.
Neal, who is 5-foot-11 and 211 pounds, was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee. In four seasons with the Volunteers, he rushed for 2,163 yards and 19 touchdowns, including a senior campaign where he ran for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He has spent time on the practice squads of the Packers, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to Lombardi Avenue, Neal:
"Has good acceleration and hits the hole very well, can catch passes out of the back field very well and can be a very good blocker out of the backfield. Brings in NFL experience as he was with the Packers practice squad a year ago and seems to have a very good head on his shoulders."
"Although has good acceleration does not have tremendous straight line speed. Although he is a bigger back he does not bring tremendous tackle breaking ability. Had the luxury of running behind a great offensive line at Tennessee. Does not feature the ability to break long runs for touchdowns."
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With head coach Hue Jackson professing his love for incumbent running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, along with the off-season acquisition of Terrell Watson, practice reps may be hard to come by for Neal.