Opportunity Sessions: Cleveland Browns Are Building Talent From Within

The 2009 Cleveland Browns regular season is the first season in recent memories that has so many no-name, undrafted, late round, and/or practice squad players stepping up and making plays in games.

It appears that Eric Mangini's "opportunity sessions" that occur after practice for younger players who need help learning plays and the system are panning out.

These same after-practice sessions are the reason that promising rookie running back Jame Davis got injured and has missed the rest of the season, but NFL officials did come to the Browns Training Facility in Berea, OH and after reviewing the tapes ruled that the late sessions were in a controlled environment and there was no wrong doing.

Mangini has said that while in New England with Bill Belichick and the Patriots, they also held these late practice sessions and Mangini also brought them with him to New York and the Jets.

Mangini is a true believer of depth and development at every position on the team and in order to create opportunities for younger players to get into games, these sessions are a key element in achieving more playing time and reps.

At this point in the 2009 season, these "opportunity sessions" are finally becoming apparent and they actually seem to be working because more unknown players are stepping into game situations and not only producing, but performing like long time NFL veterans.

In the last few weeks, since many starters have gone down with injuries and are on the Injured Reserve, players including: Evan Moore, Chris Jennings, Marcus Bernard, Jason Trusnik, Matt Roth, Ahtya Rubin, and Brian Schaefering have all stepped up their games.

This may indeed be a roster of many no-name players, but those players have three games remaining to continue to make a name for themselves and have a job in 2010 on the Browns' roster.

Athya Rubin, NT

Since starting defensive lineman Shaun Rogers went down for the season, Rubin has stepped in and helped a Browns defense that was giving up an average of 155 yards per game to only giving up 91 yards rushing to the Chargers and 75 yards rushing to the Steelers.

Rubin seems to be able to plug up the interior of the defense better than Rogers was able to and going forward in 2010, Rubin might actually play in the middle of the line while Rogers could swing out to a defensive end since he is faster and more athletic to rush the opposing quarterback more.

Rubin has quickly become a favorite of Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan since Rogers' injury.

Evan Moore, TE

Moore literally came out of no where from practice squad obscurity and has become quarterback Brady Quinn's favorite check down target. Moore looks like a seasoned tight end with good blocking ability and soft hands that seem to catch anything the even comes close to him.

Brian Schaefering, DE

Schaefering had two sacks against the Steelers on Thursday night and it looks like he will be rotated into the defensive lineman on pass rushing downs since he has shown a nose for the quarterback.

Marcus Bernard, LB

An undrafted free agent pickup who made the Browns roster on the practice squad, Bernard finally made the gameday roster with the injures fellow linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Eric Barton.

Bernard also showed a nose for the quarterback netting two sacks against the Steelers and he looks to be another undrafted free agent gem that the Browns found.

Chris Jennings, RB

To add to the list of undrafted free agents performing during games, Jennings has shown a great burst of speed and power while running the ball.

He may not have the best per carry average, 3.7 yards per carry, but after watching Jamal Lewis tip-toe with the ball of the last two years, seeing Jennings' ability is very refreshing.

Also, he has scored the only rushing touchdown by a running back since mid-November 2008.

Jason Trusnik, LB

Just a backup when he was with the Jets, Trusnik came over in the trade for wide receiver Braylon Edwards and got into the starting lineup after injuries to other players.

Trusnik has shown a great intelligence for Mangini and Ryan's defensive system and has helped linebacker David Bowens take command of unit.

Trusnik, and receiver Chansi Stuckey who also came over in the trade, have proven that the Browns came out on the top of that trade.

Matt Roth, LB

There are not enough words to describe the amazing impact Roth has had on the defense. After the Browns picked him up off of waivers, Roth was playing in the game against the Bengals days later and was able to get seven tackles and a sack.

Roth is a former second round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and after falling out of favor in Miami, he has been more than welcome in Cleveland.

Roth has played in three games for the Browns and against the Chargers he had five tackles and a half of a sack, and against the Steelers he had five more tackles.

Roth has found himself a home in Cleveland.

These players are signs that Mangini's "process" might just be working, and he does indeed have the ability to find and develop young, talented players who can step into game situations and perform at a high level.

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)