Robert Royal A Steal For The Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns headed into the offseason with pressing needs. Their defense! So why have head coach Eric Mangini's first two offseason moves been on the tight end position?

This actually is nothing to worry about Cleveland Fans. Kellen Winslow was traded and then replaced. Simple as that. They were needed moves on Cleveland's part.

So now, Royal is in C-Town to play football and compete with Steve Heiden and crew for the starting tight end position. He has the best shot for the starting position due to Heidens offseaon knee surgery, Martin Ruckers inexperience, and Darnell Dinkins being a free agent (don't look for the Browns to resign him).

The good thing about Royal is that he has stepped up his game more and more every year since 2005. Not to mention that he has only missed 2 games in that span. His stats since 2005 read as this:

• 2005- 18 receptions for 131 yards and 1 Touchdown
• 2006- 23 receptions for 233 yards and 3 TD's
• 2007- 25 receptions for 248 yards and 3 TD's
• 2008- 33 receptions for 351 yards and 1 TD

But, what most fans don't know is that the Browns got more than their moneys worth with Royal. Of course he is good and consistent player, but he will have so much influence on Rucker.

Rucker, the Missouri tight end that the Browns drafted in the fourth round in 2008 must have potential in the eyes of Mangini. It's a given that Rucker knows how to catch the ball but there were questions on if he could block or not. I believe that Royal was brought into Cleveland's organization to help Rucker learn how to block.

Blocking was K2's achilles heal, and as it stands, it's also Rucker's. With the help of a "blocking" tight end, that will change. If all goes well, Rucker could be a dominant tight end in the future.

This move was made to solidify the Browns' tight end position for the time being until Rucker is ready to take over the job.

It's as simple as that........