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Cleveland Browns practice squad grows by four more players

By Thomas Moore

Sep 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Ed Reynolds (30) returns an interception 90 yards for a touchdown during the third quarter against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Jets, 14-6. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Ed Reynolds (30) returns an interception 90 yards for a touchdown during the third quarter against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Jets, 14-6. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns signed four more players to the practice squad, most notably adding quarterback Kevin Hogan.

The Cleveland Browns added four more players to their practice squad, bringing the number of players to eight.

The team can still add two more players, if they wish, to the practice squad under NFL rules.

Offensive lineman Anthony Fabiano, quarterback Kevin Hogan, defensive back Ed Reynolds and defensive lineman Gabe Wright join offensive tackle Dan France, tight end Connor Hamlett, wide receiver Darius Jennings and offensive lineman Kaleb Johnson on Cleveland’s practice squad.

The Browns announced the moves on their website.

Related: Browns claim 5 on waivers, sign 4 to practice squad

The 6-foot-3 and 303-pound Fabiano originally signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent out of Harvard. (So no surprise how the Browns heard about him.) A versatile player, he made 29 starts for the Crimson along the offensive line, with 11 starts at left tackle, 10 at right guard, seven at left guard and one at right tackle.

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According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Fabiano is an “athletic player who opened some eyes at his pro day with his speed and quickness. Quick lateral movement off the snap and can gain ground quickly to challenge on cross­-face blocks. Plays with desired bend and decent hand work. Draft stock could benefit from experience playing at multiple spots along the offensive line.”

Hogan was a fifth-round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Stanford, where he threw for 9,385 yards, 75 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.while playing for a time under current Browns assistant coach Pep Hamilton. He finished his collegiate career as Stanford’s all-time rushing leader at quarterback and in total offense.

Jul 30, 2016; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Kevin Hogan (8) goes under center during Kansas City Chiefs training camp presented by Mosaic Life Care at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2016; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Kevin Hogan (8) goes under center during Kansas City Chiefs training camp presented by Mosaic Life Care at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Several reports say the Chiefs wanted Hogan for their own practice squad, so that is a potential plus in the Browns favor and it never hurts to have a quarterback on the practice squad.

“He’s got great mobility and feet in the pocket,” Kansas City head coach Andy Reid said after the draft. “He’s got a better‐than average arm and has a quick release. You won’t find anybody who works smarter, harder, all those intangible things. He’s got them all and I think he’s done a pretty good job at Stanford. I think that speaks for itself.”

The 6-foot-1 and 207-pound Reynolds as selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played in six games with the Eagles last season, finishing with 21 tackles and an interception. His highlight of the preseason came last Thursday when he picked off a pass from Christian Hackenberg of the New York Jets and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown.

Wright was a fifth-round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Auburn. He only appeared in seven games with the Lions, however, posting six tackles. According to his draft profile coming out of college, Wright has “great explosion into first step. Fires out with low pad level and plays with leverage at contact. Able to stay square and fight against double-team blocks. Has ability to get into gaps and disrupt the run game. Uses counter moves as a pass rusher, including a decent spin move. Shows signs of being able to read and react rather than just penetrate.”

Next: Browns smart to keep rookie WRs

“We are going to always keep searching. I have always said that so that is not going to change,” head coach Hue Jackson said. “I’m happy with the guys we have here, but we always want to continue to extend ourselves that way. We keep taking looks at guys and we see what is the best fit is as you move forward.

“I just think that is what is important for our football team because we are young. We are trying to put as many talented players on our team as we can.”

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