Monday, April 26, 2010

Browns post draft free agent signings

With only 7 rounds in the modern era NFL draft the import of post draft college free agent signings is magnified.

For example, here are just a few of the players drafted after round 7 back when the NFL draft lasted much longer than 7 rounds

Dwight Clark Round 10 in 1979
Brian Sipe round 13 in 1972
Ernest Byner round 10 in 1984
LC Greenwood round 10 in 1969
Bart Starr round 17 in 1956

Since the end of the draft, the Browns have been very active in free agent signings, and that is yet another great sign that our team finally is being run by professionals. There is much gold to mine from the lists of undrafted players this year.

For a full list of the free agents signed thus far by our Browns, click on this link.

One player I find particularly intriguing, if only for his size, is Canadian college offensive tackle Joel Reinders. Of course, universities in Canada play using Canadian rules, and the game is quite different so a Canadian player starts already at a disadvantage relative to a player from an American university. Worse yet, Reinders has only been playing organized football for 2 years. Still, as an athlete this young man leaps off the page at anyone. For starters, he's 6' 8" tall and weighs 320 pounds and his combine numbers on strength and speed were quite respectable. He's got a VERY LONG way to go to learn how to play football but if he can learn and grow as a player, his potential seems unlimited.



Here is some scouting combine clips of Reinders. It's very clear watching the film that Reinders is not yet a very good football player but at the same time his upside is also easy to envision given his size and strength:

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