BROWNS SIGN 15 UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENTS

Browns will host draft choices, rookie free agents and tryout players for this weekend’s rookie mini-camp

The Cleveland Browns signed 15 undrafted rookie free agents (subject to player passing a physical), the team announced today. The Browns will hold a rookie mini-camp for their five 2008 draft selections, 15 undrafted rookie free agents (see list below) along with tryout participants beginning Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4. The rookie mini-camp is not open to the public. A complete roster will be available prior to the first practice.

For Immediate Release
April 30, 2008

BROWNS CLAIM S STEVE CARGILE VIA WAIVERS FROM DENVER

Cleveland native and Chanel High School grad has appeared in 15 career NFL games

The Cleveland Browns have claimed S Steve Cargile via waivers from the Denver Broncos, the club announced today.

Cargile, 6-2 and 210 lbs., spent the last two seasons with the Denver Broncos and appeared in 15 games as a backup safety and a key member to the special teams unit. Last season, Cargile appeared in 12 games for Denver and ranked fifth on the club with seven special teams tackles. Cargile also played in three games for Denver in 2006 and totaled four special teams tackles.

A native of Cleveland, Cargile graduated from Chanel High School and attended Columbia, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Cargile entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2004, and spent the season on the Cowboys practice squad.

STEVE CARGILE
Safety
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
College: Columbia
Birthdate: June 2, 1982
How Acquired: W(Den.) – ‘08
Year with Browns: 1st
Year in NFL: 2nd

Games Played/Started: 2004 (0/0); 2005 (0/0); 2006 (3/0); 2007 (12/0).
Career Totals: 15 games, 0 starts.

Career Transactions: Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by Dallas on April 30, 2004…Waived by Dallas on Sept. 5, 2004…Signed by Dallas to the practice squad on Sept. 7, 2004…Waived by Dallas on May 3, 2005…Signed by Tampa Bay on Jan. 4, 2006…Waived by Tampa Bay on Sept. 2, 2006…Signed by Denver to the practice squad on Nov. 13, 2006…Signed by Denver to the active roster on Dec. 7, 2006…Waived by Denver on Sept. 1, 2007…Signed by Denver to the practice squad on Sept. 2, 2007…Signed by Denver to the active roster on Sept. 29, 2007…Waived by Denver on April 28, 2008…Claimed by Cleveland via waivers on April 29, 2008.

Seasonal Reviews:

2007: In his second season with Denver, began the year being waived at the end of training camp and signed by the Broncos’ practice squad…Spent the first three weeks of the season on the practice squad before being signed to the active roster on Sept. 29…Appeared in 12 games for Denver and ranked fifth on the club with 7 special teams tackles...Made his season debut at Indianapolis on Sept. 30, with 2 special teams tackles…Added a special teams tackle vs. Pittsburgh on Oct. 21, and vs. Green Bay on Oct. 29…Contributed 1 tackle and 1 forced fumble on special teams vs. Tennessee on Nov. 19…Added 1 special teams stop vs. Kansas City on Dec. 9.

2006: Began the year as a future/reserve free agent signing by Tampa Bay on Jan. 4…Waived by Tampa Bay at the end of training camp on Sept 2…Signed by Denver to the practice squad on Nov. 13, and spent three weeks on the practice squad…Was signed by the Broncos active roster on Dec. 7, after S Nick Ferguson was placed on Injured Reserve….Went on to play in three games for Denver with 4 special teams tackles…Made his NFL debut at Arizona on Dec. 17.

2005: Waived by Dallas at the end of training camp.

2004: Joined the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted rookie free agent and was waived by Dallas at the end of training camp on Sept. 5…Signed by Dallas to the practice squad on Sept. 7, and spent the majority of the season on the Cowboys practice squad…Listed as inactive for the final regular season contest at N.Y. Giants on Jan. 2.

College: Played three seasons as a wide receiver at Columbia University before switching to free safety for his final season…As a senior, started all 10 games and led the Lions with 99 tackles and added 3 PBU, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble to earn second-team all-conference recognition…As a junior, started seven games and placed fourth on the team with 24 catches for 320 yards and 4 TDs…In his sophomore season, played in seven games and caught 14 receptions for 184 yards and 3 TDs.

Personal: Earned eight letters in football, basketball, baseball and track at St. Peter Chanel High School in Bedford, Ohio…Named a team captain as a senior and was chosen as an all-state receiver and all-conference safety while leading the team to a 13-1 record…Also garnered all-county basketball accolades, leading the team to the Division III state championship title…Full name Steven Glenn Cargile…Graduated from Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in economics…Participated in a business workshop at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in the spring of 2008…Born June 2, 1982 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cleveland Browns undrafted rookie free agents:

Dias, Jermaine-LB (6-0, 236, Virginia)

A native of Hackensack, N.J., Dias played in 43 career games and totaled 134 career tackles, 68 solo and 12 tackles for loss. As a senior in 2007, Dias played in 12 games, including 11 starts, and added a career-high 54 tackles. Dias received his degree in sociology in May of 2007 and played as a graduate student during the 2007 campaign.

Gaines, Jerrid-DB (5-10, 183, Miami (Ohio)

A four-year letter winner for the Red Hawks, Gaines played in 51 career games and was part of four MAC East Division titles. A native of Springfield, Ohio, Gaines totaled 43 tackles, two and one-half tackles for loss, one interception and six passes defensed last season. His father, Wentford, played three seasons for the Chicago Bears.

Harrison, Justin-DB (5-9, 210, Illinois)

The native of Bloomington, Ind., Harrison capped his senior season at Illinois with an interception against USC in the Rose Bowl. Harrison totaled 285 tackles, four interceptions and 16 passes defensed in 44 career games during his collegiate career. Harrison’s father, Michael, played football and baseball at Millikin University and his uncle, Eric Wright, played corner for the San Francisco 49ers for ten seasons.

Hormann, Craig-QB (6-3, 223, Columbia)

Hormann finished his collegiate career as the Ivy League’s eighth most productive all-time passer with 6,201 passing yards, and ranked second on Columbia’s career passing list. A two-year starter at Columbia, Hormann passed for 27 career touchdowns and added 2,505 yards passing and 12 touchdowns as a senior in 2007. A native of Atlanta, Ga., Hormann interned with the Indianapolis Colts in the summer of 2005.

Kapanui, Kolomona-TE (6-3, 271, West Texas A&M)

A native of Palolo, Hawaii, Kapanui attended Southern California before transferring to West Texas A&M for his final two seasons. As a senior in 2007, Kapanui collected 39 receptions for 481 yards and seven touchdowns and garnered first-team Daktronics All-American honors and second-team D2Football.com All-American honors.

Lawson, Gerard-DB (5-10, 195, Oregon State)

Lawson contributed in the secondary and on special teams during his career at Oregon State. Lawson totaled 68 career tackles and added two interceptions in 2007. A native of Las Vegas, Nev., Lawson added a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, blocked a punt and averaged 22.1 yards per kickoff return in 2007.

Lee, James-OL (6-4, 300, South Carolina State)

A three-year starter, Lee started 31 of 33 contests during his collegiate career at South Carolina State. Lee began his career at Georgia, however transferred to South Carolina State. A native of Belle Glade, Fla., Lee started at left guard for two seasons before moving to right tackle as a senior. Lee helped South Carolina State lead the MEAC in rushing offense and recorded 181 knockdown blocks and 19 touchdown resulting blocks as a senior.

Leggett, Lance-WR (6-3, 189, Miami (Fla.)

A native of Bartow, Fla., Leggett finished his collegiate career with 85 receptions for 1,375 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a senior in 2007, Leggett was the Hurricane’s third leading receiver with 15 receptions for 238 yards and one touchdown. During his career, Leggett was one of Miami’s primary deep threats as he averaged 16.2 yards per reception. Leggett also participated in track at Miami.

Ortiz, Chase-DL (6-2, 249, Texas Christian)

A native of League City, Texas, Ortiz ranked among the national leaders with his team-best 16.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and three forced fumbles for Texas Christian last season. A three-time first-team all-conference selection, Ortiz totaled 41.5 tackles for loss during his collegiate career.

Powell, Robert-OL (6-3, 293, Purdue)

As a senior in 2007, Powell started all 13 games at center and was part of a Purdue offensive line that helped the Boilermakers lead the Big Ten in total offense with 435.9 yards per game and ranked 12th nationally in passing offense with 307.2 yards per game. A native of Roanoke Va., Powell received consideration for the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate center.

Reda, Jason-K (6-1, 200, Illinois)

A four-year starter at Illinois, Reda set the school scoring record with 267 career points. A 2007 Lou Groza Award Semifinalist, Reda connected on 114 of 116 career extra points, which ranks third in school history. Reda had a career field goal percentage of 73.9 percent, which ranked fourth in school history.

Schaefering, Brian-DL (6-4, 286, Lindenwood)

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Schaefering led his team last season with six and one-half sacks and totaled 37 tackles, nine and one-half tackles for loss and one blocked kick. Schaefering led the Lions to a 10-2 record. Schaefering played one season for Lindenwood after transferring from Illinois.

Terrell, Darnell-DB (6-1, 203, Missouri)

During his collegiate career at Missouri, Terrell started 24 of 39 contests and totaled 124 tackles, 84 solo and three and one-half tackles for loss. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Terrell also collected 23 pass deflections and three interceptions during his career.

Thomas, Travis-RB (5-11, 217, Notre Dame)

A native of Washington, Pa., Thomas was two-time team captain at Notre Dame and played running back for three seasons after converting from linebacker. Thomas finished his career with 128 carries for 409 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Fighting Irish.

Young, Eric-OL (6-3, 310, Tennessee)

A native of Union, S.C., Young finished his senior year with 58 knockdowns and 11 touchdown resulting blocks despite missing the final six games due to an injury. During his career at Tennessee, Young started 23 of 33 contests and started all 13 games at right tackle in 2006.