3 Current Cleveland Browns you may have forgotten about
By John Suchan
![Cleveland Browns safety Richard LeCounte III (39) celebrates with Cleveland Browns cornerback Emmanuel Rugamba (37) after picking off New York Giants quarterback Brian Lewerke in the end zone to end their NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Brownsgiants 5](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F16609534-850x560-e21d25aafac18dc3a62a9dc30d153b76b32ac1057f46ff09e7a8b759425dbaee.jpg "Cleveland Browns safety Richard LeCounte III (39) celebrates with Cleveland Browns cornerback Emmanuel Rugamba (37) after picking off New York Giants quarterback Brian Lewerke in the end zone to end their NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Brownsgiants 5")
Cleveland Browns forgotten player No. 2: Richard LeCounte, S
Richard LeCounte, a former Georgia Bulldog standout, was drafted by the Browns a year ago in the fifth round. Last preseason LeCounte seemed to be everywhere.
He recorded two interceptions then and seemed like he might have gotten more playing time when the regular season started but that didn’t happen as he primarily played on the special teams unit. By the end of the season though, he got to start one game.
That game was against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day. He played nearly 70 percent of the defensive snaps that day. He was only credited with one tackle that game.
LeCounte was a four-year starter in college. He was sidetracked a bit during his senior season when he was out traveling on a dirt bike at night and was hit by a car. He was seriously injured and broke his foot. He did recover and managed to get on the field before his college days ended.
Since then though it’s been a slower track getting into the action on the field in the NFL. He has been considered by many that have followed his path at Georgia to be a bulldog for the ball with excellent instincts. With the Browns defensive schemes and zone coverages, having LeCounte play as a safety where he can be in that backside of the defense tracking the play, he can really have a breakout year.
Another safety, Ronnie Harrison, did recently re-sign with the team on a friendly veteran deal, but the Browns are always looking to strengthen their secondary.
I expect with this past season’s experience and learning curve in the rearview mirror, that LeCounte will be more than ready to tackle the chance at becoming a more regular player on the field. He had a knack for interceptions in college as he had seven of them in his last two seasons at Georgia.
He showcased that same skill in the two preseason games he snagged passes. I expect to hear his name called more than a few times this next season when he picks off a few more passes.