Cleveland Browns Preseason: 5 Relative Unknowns Who Made a Name for Themselves

During every preseason in the NFL, there are players that seem to come out of nowhere and get noticed by the coaches. These players include late-round draft picks, undrafted free agents, and perennial practice squad players. Some of the players go on to make their respective teams and sometimes make an impact. Others just seem to fizzle out and are never really heard about again.

Here are five players that came out of nowhere and made a name for themselves during the 2011 Cleveland Browns training camp and preseason.

#5: James Dockery

Cornerback James Dockery was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns in 2011. Dockery attended Oregon State University where he started all 12 games last season for the Beavers and had 56 tackles and four interceptions.

The Browns have given Dockery the opportunity to show what he can bring to the team during this preseason. Over the first four preseason games, Dockery has had nine tackles, eight of which are solo tackles. Dockery has also been the Browns main kick-off returner in the preseason, returning six kickoffs for a total of 140 yards with a long of 30 yards. That comes out to a 23.3 yard average.

Those are fairly impressive numbers when one considers the new NFL kickoff rules which moves the ball up five yards before it is kicked.

James Dockery has definitely been noticed by the Browns' coaching staff and has a decent chance of making the team, especially if there is an injury in the secondary.

#4: Auston English

Linebacker Auston English, out of the University of Oklahoma, was signed to a future/reserves contract by the Cleveland Browns on January 19th, 2011.  He was with the Browns in 2010, but was waived in June. He then had a tryout with the team in December, after which he signed his contract.

In his final season as a Sooner in 2009, English started nine games in which he compiled 23 tackles (six of those tackles were for a loss). He also had four sacks and a fumble recovery.

During this preseason with the Browns, English ranks third on the team in tackles with nine, all of which have been solo tackles. He also leads the team with two sacks—one against Green Bay and one against Philadelphia.

Linebacker is one position that the Cleveland Browns are thin at this preseason which gives English a great chance of making the final roster.

#3: Buster Skrine

Cornerback Buster Skrine was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2011 in the fifth round out of the University of Tennesse at Chattanooga. He was the 137th overall pick.

Over his college career, Skrine appeared in 42 games of which he started 30. He accumulated 155 career tackles and four interceptions. He also had a 46 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Skrine's most impressive physical attribute is his speed. Skrine was timed at 4.37 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. During that dash, he stumbled so his speed is probably similar to the 40-yard dash time he posted as a junior which was 4.22 seconds. Needless to say, he has speed.

Skrine is a little undersized for the NFL at 5'9" and 186 pounds, but he plays much bigger and has great toughness. He benched 225 pounds 20 times at the Combine and can bench up to 360 pounds. Those are impressive numbers for a player of his size.

Skrine has been returning kicks for the Browns in the preseason and has been playing nickel back. On defense, he only has 5 tackles, but he has really shined as a kick returner. He has returned three kicks for 83 yards with a long of 30 yards. That comes out to a 27.7 yards average. On a couple of those returns, he was tripped up by the last man on defense to prevent a touchdown run.

Skrine's speed makes him a very valuable asset for the Browns, both as a cornerback and a kick returner. He has a fair chance of making the final roster.

#2: Richmond McGee

Early in the Cleveland Browns training camp this year, starting punter Reggie Hodges went down with a torn Achilles' tendon. The injury required surgery and knocked Hodges out for the season. Since he was the only punter on the Browns' roster, his injury forced the team to hold a try-out for a new punter. In walks Richmond McGee who kicked well enough at the try-out to be signed by the Browns.

McGee was originally an undrafted free agent signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. He has spent training camps with the Eagles in 2008 and the Chicago Bears in 2009 and 2010. He also spent time on the Bears' practice squad in 2009 but was waived by Chicago on August 1st of this year.

During his college career at the University of Texas, McGee booted 130 punts for an average of 39.6 yards. His numbers have been considerably better with the Browns this preseason. He has punted the ball 16 times for an impressive average of 46.2 yards with a long of 59 yards. Five of those punts have landed inside the 20 yard line.

McGee will be given his first chance to be a starter in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns in 2011.  McGee needs to make the most of his chance this season because Hodge's is expected to return next season.

#1: Armond Smith

Running back Armond Smith may be the most feel good story of this year's preseason in Cleveland. Smith attended Union College, which is a part of the NAIA. He didn't attend college right after high school and was 24 years old when he was a senior. His dreams of playing in the NFL did not seem likely to come true.

Wanting depth at the running back position, the Cleveland Browns signed Smith as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Smith has tremendous speed. He is the fastest player on offense for the Browns and was even challenged to a race by Buster Skrine, the Browns fastest defensive player.

Smith's speed made some think he would have a career in track and field in the Olympics. He was the 2010 NAIA national championship in the 110-meter high hurdles. He also helped Union College win the 400-meter relay.

Smith's numbers have been impressive in the preseason despite having two fumbles. He leads the Browns in rushing with 145 yards in 20 attempts for a 7.3 yard average. His longest run was an amazing 81-yard dash for a touchdown that showed of his dazzling speed.

Although the Browns are deep at the running back position with the likes of Peyton Hillis, Brandon Jackson and Montario Hardesty, Smith has definitely opened the eyes of the coaching staff. Even if Smith does not make the Browns' final roster, he may just be the first one called upon to fill in for a potential injury.