https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/browns/2021/08/01/cleveland-browns-strongmen-andrew-billings-jordan-elliott-slim-down/5444373001/

I've got to renew my Akron Beacon Journal acct... so I'll post this last one until i can get around to it.. ^^^

Andrew Billings lost 20lbs from Mandatory Camp... to Training Camp ?

 think Billings is in good company... 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/07/01/large-contingent-of-browns-training-together-at-brandon-marshalls-florida-facility/    

Browns notebook: Andrew Billings, Jordan Elliott drop weight, show their strength

 

BEREA — Andrew Billings dropped the weight the Browns requested, and Jordan Elliott actually lost a little too much in the eyes of the coaching staff.

Browns defensive line coach Chris Kiffin outlined the physical changes of defensive tackles Billings and Elliott in a pre-practice news conference Saturday.

Billings is intriguing because he has a chance to start after opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns specifically tied to his severe asthma. He has been practicing with the first-team defense all offseason.

Coach Kevin Stefanski noted he hadn't met Billings, a former Cincinnati Bengals starter, in person until this spring. The Browns signed Billings in March 2020 to a one-year contract worth $3.5 million fully guaranteed.

“First of all, he's the strongest guy I've ever seen — state high school [powerlifting] champion [in Texas],” Kiffin said. “He lifts up our sled — it's like 2,000 pounds. So just straight strength, first of all.

 

“He lost 20 pounds this offseason, got down to the range we wanted him at and he's working his tail off. He missed a lot last year. He told us he missed being out there with the guys, and he's excited to be back. We'll see what we get when we get rolling, but we're excited about him.”

Kiffin insisted he wasn't being hyperbolic about the strength of Billings, listed at 6-foot-1 and 328 pounds, and Stefanski agreed with the assessment.

“Andrew did a great job working on his body. He really did. He's in a good spot,” Stefanski said. “He's extremely powerful. You should hear the weight coaches talk about his power.

“He's rare. He has a rare ability to move people.”

 

A 2020 third-round draft pick, Elliott has Kiffin “super excited” because of how he performed last season as a rookie despite the pandemic limiting the amount of in-person coaching he could receive. Elliott appeared in all 18 games, including the playoffs.

“He focused on running [this offseason]. Obviously, he focused on lifting as well,” Kiffin said. “He’s a very strong kid, but he did lean down. He’s in the 285 range right now, but we want him to play closer to 290-3[00 pounds], something like that, where he’s not going to get bounced around. But he is a really strong kid.

 

“What he felt like last year was he couldn’t turn and run and be consistent play to play getting after ball carriers downfield, things like that. So he challenged himself in that area, and I’m proud of him for that. Now it’s just about maintaining, putting on some good weight as we work through training camp and not getting lighter.”

— Nate Ulrich

 

@gumby73 said:

Thanks! I'm not sure what happen? It was there before my bedtime...It was gone at sunrise, before i left to go to work...

I think Billings is in good company... https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/07/01/large-contingent-of-browns-training-together-at-brandon-marshalls-florida-facility/

Maybe Billings deleted it? ?

That's outstanding, because Myles and Billings are (as a duo) the most important players on this front.     Malik out there being the elder statesman and working with the younger IDL is fantastic.  I'm sure Billings wants to prove his worth at his job and secure a long(er) term contract.     And you guys know me, I love my reasonably priced interior hogs.  

The name sems wrong at first, but grows on you quickly... at least it did me.

@tiamat63 said:

@gumby73

To answer your deleted post.  Depends on what Billings and the coaches + trainers want his body composition at.

But I'd venture between 310-320lbs.

Thanks! I'm not sure what happen? It was there before my bedtime...It was gone at sunrise, before i left to go to work...

I think Billings is in good company... https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/07/01/large-contingent-of-browns-training-together-at-brandon-marshalls-florida-facility/

Maybe Billings deleted it? ?

@tiamat63 said:

That's what Billings role is.  Double T will likely see most of his early work as a 3tech.

Possibly so.  I wouldn't mind having 2 who can do that.  Billings isn't going to play every down.

To answer your deleted post.  Depends on what Billings and the coaches + trainers want his body composition at.

But I'd venture between 310-320lbs.

@tour2ma said:

Agree, with maybe some 5, if we see see any wide 9 from our DEs... but who rotates in for Billings is TBD.

Elliott looks likely, but TBD...

Of course if Billings does his job on early downs then size at the IDL is not needed.

Elliot, with his more "trim" look (per camp description) was drafted to be the future starting 3 tech.  Jackson is the elder statesman who will get first and last crack, spelled 2nd and 3rd qtr.  I would suspect that Double T gets looks at both spots given his natural strength over Elliot.  There's a good amount of depth at our 3spot and the shade, especially on passing downs and situations or in relief, will likely be T2.  But is there anyone who can come in and be what Billings was for Cincy?  Not currently on roster. 

@tiamat63 said:

That's what Billings role is.  Double T will likely see most of his early work as a 3tech.

Agree, with maybe some 5, if we see see any wide 9 from our DEs... but who rotates in for Billings is TBD.

Elliott looks likely, but TBD...

Of course if Billings does his job on early downs then size at the IDL is not needed.

@ballpeen said:

I agree.  

No doubt the kid is stout.  With the trend going to less and smaller backers, it will be important to have a guy on the line who can neutralize 2 blockers in the run game.  If he does that, I don't really care about sack totals.  Bob Golic wasn't a big sack guy, but he could lock down the middle of the line.

That's what Billings role is.  Double T will likely see most of his early work as a 3tech.

Zombo said:

I feel like this is the surprisingly good pick this year, and I'm not even an OSU guy.

Z

I agree.  

No doubt the kid is stout.  With the trend going to less and smaller backers, it will be important to have a guy on the line who can neutralize 2 blockers in the run game.  If he does that, I don't really care about sack totals.  Bob Golic wasn't a big sack guy, but he could lock down the middle of the line.

@gumby73 said:

Yep! I'm starting to Iike the fact..that Togiai only had to play 7 Buckeye games last season..2 were bowl games.And he seemed to turn a switch on for both Northwestern & Clemson..I'm watching Newsome vs Togiai's game from 2019? now.. Greedy will have his hands full beating out Newsome..Newsome>Greedy..Togiai is eating up doubles inside & still making impact tackles..When he can't? Buckeyes LBers were eating cats alive..I've got Togiai vs Clemson (2020 playoff) on deck for Wednesday..Should be some pro action in those trenches?..

found a Fastest 40 mins.. Watch #2 CB Newsome early in this..

#2 Newsome finishes with 7 tackles... #72 Togiai dominates the middle & gets 4 tackles..  

Cool.. I'll watch on my new TV..

@nickers said:

I'm excited for this kid... I feel like we stole a real sleeper here...

Yep! I'm starting to Iike the fact..that Togiai only had to play 7 Buckeye games last season..2 were bowl games.And he seemed to turn a switch on for both Northwestern & Clemson..I'm watching Newsome vs Togiai's game from 2019? now.. Greedy will have his hands full beating out Newsome..Newsome>Greedy..Togiai is eating up doubles inside & still making impact tackles..When he can't? Buckeyes LBers were eating cats alive..I've got Togiai vs Clemson (2020 playoff) on deck for Wednesday..Should be some pro action in those trenches?..

found a Fastest 40 mins.. Watch #2 CB Newsome early in this..

#2 Newsome finishes with 7 tackles... #72 Togiai dominates the middle & gets 4 tackles..  

edit-https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/28/could-tommy-togiai-have-the-biggest-impact-among-browns-rookies/

In case ya missed this?   Don't sleep on this draft pick!

Cleveland Browns

DT Tommy Togiai

The fourth-round pick out of Ohio State has made a splash during both OTAs and minicamp. The combination of power and quickness is there. Considering one of Cleveland's projected starting defensive tackles has an injury history (Malik Jackson) and the other (Andrew Billings) didn't play in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, Togiai could become an important piece up front for the Browns. -- Jake Trotter

full link..      https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31660640/surprise-players-know-nfl-minicamps-all-32-teams

A Draftnetwork interview... (in full https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/tommy-togiai-2021-nfl-draft-prospect-interview)

@tiamat63 said:

Injuries.  Techique, motor and inconsistency issues.

If he commits to being a pro, accepts coaching, conditioning and effort... he could be a great UDFA pick up.

He's got committed players surrounding him-it's a matter of taking it all in and deciding that is what he wants to be. My money is on him buying in to what this team has going.

@texasag1969 said:

Good pickup. #88 overall on drafttek #6 DT on that board. 3-5th round on Walter #7 DT on their board. #135 overall on CBS board, just one ahead of Bobby Brown III drafted by LA Rams @ #117 overall. 

I have no idea why he went undrafted.

Injuries.  Techique, motor and inconsistency issues.

If he commits to being a pro, accepts coaching, conditioning and effort... he could be a great UDFA pick up.

@dutch-oven said:

Just read that the Browns signed Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State as a free agent. 

Injuries and inconsistent play caused him to go undrafted, but he has potential. 

Good pickup. #88 overall on drafttek #6 DT on that board. 3-5th round on Walter #7 DT on their board. #135 overall on CBS board, just one ahead of Bobby Brown III drafted by LA Rams @ #117 overall. 

I have no idea why he went undrafted.

Injuries and inconsistent play caused him to go undrafted, but he has potential. 

@tiamat63 said:

It's why I was rather hell-bent on McNeil.  We need another piece beyond Billings because I can park Malik, Elliot or Tommy at 3tech and get some results.   But if Billings is out, this team is going to have very real problems keeping their fast yet undersized linebackers clean.  

Yep, I made this point too earlier today.

If I was going against the Browns, I'd get all old-school football and try to pound the shit out of the Browns 4-2-5 defense with 215 and 230lb linebackers. The Browns need to be stout up front to keep their back end clean. 

@dutch-oven said:

At where he was taken, I'm fine with this... a solid rotational guy who contributes. Sign me up.

I just wish they had got another guy to go with him on the DLine. He's the only DLineman they added the entire offseason free agency or the draft that will be signed beyond this upcoming season. 

It's why I was rather hell-bent on McNeil and another 3tech.   We need another piece beyond Billings because I can park Malik, Elliot or Tommy at 3tech and get some results.   But if Billings is out, this team is going to have very real problems keeping their fast yet undersized linebackers clean.  

We carried 7 linebackers last year. I mentioned we could carry 6, add an additional IDL and still maintain respectable depth and ST contributions.    Like I said, I'm concerned on something people don't pay much attention too - right up the middle. 

@tiamat63 said:

I love Tommy for the Buckeye he is and appreciate having him in Cleveland.  It's nice having our local boys stay home.

That having been said,  he's a bit of a tweener himself.  He'll be a good rotational piece and a gap sound hog that won't wow you with his twitch and technique.  Really don't expect that much pocket push as a 3tech and he won't start over Billings at the nose/1t barring injury.    He's a great depth piece all over the line - I'm sure he'll contribute when his number is called and give 100%.   

At where he was taken, I'm fine with this... a solid rotational guy who contributes. Sign me up.

I just wish they had got another guy to go with him on the DLine. He's the only DLineman they added the entire offseason - free agency or the draft - that will be signed beyond this upcoming season. 

But on the positive note, they really went balls to the wall regarding the future of the back seven. There is young talent all over the place.