Tag: Antoine Brooks

Browns bring in 6 for tryouts including Bubba Bolden, Antoine Brooks

The Browns continue on their weekly trend of holding tryouts near the end of the week. This time they brought in six players for workouts.

As the Cleveland Browns continue to prepare for a tough matchup with the Buffalo Bills in Detroit, they have brought in six players for tryouts. This has been common practice for the Browns this season, as they have seemingly held workouts consistently.

The Browns have even signed two players to their practice squad from these tryouts in safety Mike Brown and wide receiver Cyril Grayson (even though Grayson has already been released from the practice squad). This makes it worth getting to know the players the Browns have brought into Berea.

Here are the six players the Browns worked out today.

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Steelers waive S Antoine Brooks Jr., release four others

For the second phase of NFL roster cuts, the Pittsburgh Steelers reduced their roster from 85 to 80 players.

For the second phase of NFL roster cuts, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced the release of linebacker Calvin Bundage, offensive lineman Aviante Collins, running back Pete Guerriero and wide receiver Tyler Simmons.

The Steelers also waived/injured second-year safety Antoine Brooks, Jr.

The last round of cuts comes on August 31 when teams must reduce their rosters from 85 to the final 53.

Stay tuned to Steelers Wire for more roster moves news. 

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Steelers practice squad 2020: Pittsburgh protects 4 PS players for Week 13

A new concept for the 2020 season is the “protected” practice squad. Here are the four players the Steelers chose to protect.

For Week 13 practice squad protections, Pittsburgh tabbed offensive tackles Jarron Jones and Anthony Coyle, wide receiver Deon Cain and running back Wendell Smallwood. These four are not eligible to sign with another team until after Monday’s game.

There is currently one spot open on the practice squad roster. The Steelers signed rookie safety Antoine Brooks to the 53-man roster on Thursday. This will be Brooks’ fifth time being elevated to the active/inactive roster.

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Practice squad “protection” is a new concept for the 2020 season. It’s a concession for the potential personnel shortages that could occur if the virus strikes the locker room.

With the exception of the rescheduled Steelers-Ravens Week 12 game, teams can designate protected players each Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m., except for clubs that played on the previous Monday night; their designations go into effect prior to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

On Monday at 5 p.m. EST, the Steelers host the Washington Football Team.

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Rookie DB Antoine Brooks heads back to practice squad

Brooks was activated for the Steelers-Cowboys game on Sunday.

Steelers safety Antoine Brooks, who was activated for the Steelers-Cowboys game, was reverted to the practice squad on Monday per the transaction wire.

Brooks played in five special teams snaps.

Of the three other players activated from the practice squad this week — wide receiver Deon Cain, linebacker Jayrone Elliott and running back Wendell Smallwood — Brooks is the only one reverted to the inactive list.

Pittsburgh is scheduled to announce Week 10 protections Tuesday.

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Steelers’ Matt Canada on RB Anthony McFarland: ‘He is an explosive back, a dynamic back’

Pittsburgh Steelers new quarterbacks coach is thrilled to be around players he formerly coached at Maryland.

New Steelers quarterback coach Matt Canada is feeling right at home at Heinz Field being surrounded by his former players. Canada, who came to the Steelers from the University of Maryland, was offensive coordinator for the Terrapins, where now-Steelers running back Anthony McFarland, Jr. made a name for himself.

Canada, whose resume includes offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at the University of Pittsburgh, was named Maryland’s interim head coach in 2018. The Terps’ head coach was terminated that October following the June heatstroke death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair.

McFarland, who played two seasons for the Terps before declaring for the NFL as a redshirt sophomore, logged 1,648 rushing yards and 199 receiving. He also posted 13 all-purpose touchdowns.

McFarland sang the praises of Canada after he was hired in Pittsburgh. “He was a players coach [at Maryland],” McFarland told Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s, Brian Batko. “He cared about us a lot, and that made us want to play for him even more because of how he took over that job.”

“We were really excited when that worked out for us because I certainly have strong feelings for him [Anthony McFarland] as well,” said Canada in a press conference on Tuesday. “He is an explosive back, a dynamic back. He can take a five- or eight-yard gain and make it a very big play in a hurry, which he has done and shown in his play in college and the time I was with him.”

“I am excited to have him around. He is excited. He is learning, he is working, he is doing everything that I hoped he would be doing… I think he will find his niche and have a role for us.”

 

Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Another Steelers rookie, safety Antoine Brooks, Jr., also played for the Terps during Canada’s Maryland tenure.

Brooks, who was voted Terps MVP in 2019, finished the season as Maryland’s leading tackler with 87 stops (69 solo). He also posted 8.5 tackles for loss and five passes defended.

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Steelers rookie Antoine Brooks Jr. signs rookie contract

The Steelers have signed half of their rookie draft class.

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There’s nothing like waiting until the last possible minute but the Pittsburgh Steelers are finally getting their 2020 NFL draft class signed. We’ve already seen two players sign their contracts, another agree to terms and now there’s safety Antoine Brooks Jr. who has also signed his rookie deal.

Brooks was the Steelers sixth-round draft pick but don’t let his draft spot fool you. Brooks should immediately be in the mix for reps as the team’s third safety. Pittsburgh went into the draft knowing they needed a player who can cover a lot of territory in the defensive secondary and is a strong tackler. Brooks fits the bill on both counts.

The Steelers still have several players who need to get signed from their 2020 NFL draft class. Edge rusher Alex Highsmith, guard Kevin Dotson and defensive tackle Carlos Davis remain unsigned.

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Steelers announce jersey numbers for 2020 draft class

The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie class has selected their jersey numbers.

It’s time to buy your jerseys!! The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced jersey numbers for their 2020 draft class.

Wide receiver Chase Claypool, the Steelers first selection in the draft, chose No. 11, last worn by WR Donte Moncrief.

Linebacker Alex Highsmith, the Steelers second selection in the draft, chose No. 56, last worn by LB Anthony Chickillo.

Running back Anthony McFarland, Jr., the Steelers third selection in the draft, chose No. 26, last worn by RB Le’Veon Bell.

Guard Kevin Dotson, the Steelers fourth selection in the draft, chose No. 69, last worn by defensive tackle Joshua Frazier. Shortly after the draft, Dotson took to Twitter to ask fans to choose his number. And, of course, the masses voted No. 69 — by quite a large margin.

Safety Antoine Brooks, selected fifth by the Steelers, chose No. 25, last worn by cornerback Artie Burns.

Defensive tackle Carlos Davis, the Steelers’ final selection, chose No. 73, last worn by recently-retired guard Ramon Foster.

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GM Kevin Colbert indicates S Antoine Brooks could play sooner than later

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is pleased with the selection of safety Antoine Brooks and the options his versatility offers.

The Steelers were looking for depth at safety, and they got one in the sixth round. A three-year starter for the Maryland Terps, Antoine Brooks, Jr. — a hybrid safety/linebacker — finished his senior year with a career-high 87 tackles, 8.5 TFL, one INT, five pass deflections, and one fumble recovery.

Brooks spent his first year as a reserve linebacker then, as a sophomore, moved to nickel corner. His sophomore season earned him Big Ten honorable mention. For Brooks’ performance at the safety position in his junior and senior seasons, he was third-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-Big Ten.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, a guest on Wednesday’s episode of Movin’ the Chains on Sirius XM, was asked if he has a sense of how the Steelers will utilize his versatility.

“We try to project where they’re going to play in a base defense. With Antoine, we feel comfortable that, in our base defense, he would be a safety,” Colbert explained. “But we talk about it all the time, base defenses really aren’t your bases any longer because you might only be in them a quarter of the time and the other times, you’re in subpackage.”

“So, a guy like Antoine Brooks fits into that subpackage mold because just like he did at Maryland playing in that slot, playing over the tight end, blitzing from the box, covering a back,” continued Colbert. “He’ll fit into those packages because he can do several different things related to the physicality necessary in the box with enough athleticism to cover — more so in the short zones and maybe in the deep type of coverage — but he certainly has that. And he certainly should be a contributor for Danny Smith on special teams because, again, of his athleticism and his physicality.”

Senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin echoed those sentiments in his post-draft press conference.

[Antoine] plays a little bit of everywhere. You will see him play down in the box, out on the slot, you will see him back some,” said Austin. “I think the biggest thing I liked about him is he was around the ball. He is going to be there, wherever that ball is, he is going to show up. He is very, very physical. I like that about him.”

“I also think when you watch, he has a really good feel for the game in terms of instincts and making quick decisions and not being afraid to make a decision. I think that is what you are looking for when you want a guy back there. He is going to diagnose and key and trust what he sees and then goes. I like that about him.”

A multi-position player like Brooks is valuable to the Steelers, and it will certainly increase his chances of making the final 55-man roster (per the CBA, the increase from 53 takes effect this season). Should Brooks progress enough to earn some defensive snaps this season, he has the potential to be a nightmare for opposing offenses.

No matter where the Steelers put him, Brooks is ready.

“Honestly, they can put me anywhere. I don’t care. I just want to play football to the best of my ability,” Brooks said. “I played nickel, I played in the slot, I played in the box. The box sees an awful lot for a player. I played in the box because I’m aggressive. That’s just my nature. I’m an aggressive tackler. I’m an aggressive player. I like to be in the play. Other than that, I did a lot of blitzing. I did a lot of moving around when I was at Maryland.

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Meet Antoine Brooks, Maryland’s unbreakable safety prospect

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Maryland safety prospect Antoine Brooks

Despite an injury in high school that threatened his football future, Maryland safety Antoine Brooks overcame the odds and became one of the Big Ten’s best back-end defenders.

One of the most promising safety prospects in the 2020 NFL draft, Brooks recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his impressive career at Maryland, his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, and why a team should take a chance on him in this year’s draft.

JM: You were voted second-team All-Big Ten multiple times by the coaches in your conference. What does that mean to you, and what does it say about your leadership skills?

AB: It felt great. It’s a great feeling to be voted on by your coaches. It’s good to know that they’re watching you work and that they appreciate it. It was a great moment for me. I take pride in being a leader. I take a hands-on approach when it comes to leadership. I don’t yell at anybody. I’m not a loud-mouth kinda leader. I take a more personal approach. I rather pull you aside and discuss things. That’s how I lead. I’m excited for what’s next.

JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?

AB: It was one of the best experiences of my life. You always dream about going to the combine. It was a moment in my life that I had anticipated for a very long time. It’s more mental than anything. Everybody sees the on-field physical aspect but it’s more of a mental thing to me. You just gotta grind through it. At the end of the day, I just gotta thank God.

JM: What do you think is the overall impression that you left out there?

AB: I’m a natural in any football environment. I wanted that to shine through. You can’t fake it or force it. I enjoyed the environment and the competition. I don’t see it like other people do. I enjoyed every moment. I wasn’t stressed out about it. I was laughing, smiling and having a good time. I don’t have an ego. I made a lot of friends out there. I was happy to meet so many good people. I’m a social guy. We’re all striving for the same goals right now and there’s room for all of us to succeed.

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

JM: Did you have many formal or informal interviews out there?

AB: I had a lot of informals. I had a few formals as well. I was definitely making my rounds. I’m blessed for the fact that people wanted to talk to me. I had some great conversations. I’m thankful for those interactions.

JM: I imagine the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted your private visit and workout schedule, but were you able to get any meetings in before everything got shut down?

AB: Unfortunately not. Everything I had scheduled was to take place in a few days time. I didn’t make it to any of my private meetings or workouts. We’ll probably have to FaceTime or something.

JM: Even if they canceled, who were some of the teams that you were scheduled to meet with?

AB: I was supposed to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals.

JM: What was the strangest question that you were asked at the combine?

AB: I was asked how many unread messages do I have in my phone (laughs). I thought that was pretty funny. I don’t have many of them. Maybe 20 of them (laughs).

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

JM: Playing at Maryland allowed you to compete against some strong competition. Who are some of the best players you’ve gone up against?

AB: K.J. Hamler is a very good player. J.K. Dobbins is another one that comes to mind. He’s gonna be a great running back at the next level. Ohio State had a lot of great players. I’ve played against so many great players. Iowa has had some great tight ends over the years. Honestly, the Big Ten is stacked with talent.

JM: Is there a scheme that you prefer to play in at the next level?

AB: Honestly, it really doesn’t matter to me. I’m a quick learner. I’ve been tested a lot. I feel like I’ve seen it all. I’m a calm guy. I’m ready for whatever’s next. It really doesn’t matter to me.

JM: When a team uses one of their draft picks on Antoine Brooks, what kind of guy are they getting?

AB: They’re getting a laid-back guy that stays out of the way. I’m a leader and I’m ready to play some more football. I’m gonna make an immediate impact. I can’t wait to contribute. No matter what the outcome is, I’m always there ready to go.

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Cardinals had visit scheduled with Maryland DB Antoine Brooks

The Maryland safety is expected to be a Day 2 or Day 3 pick.

Things have changed with draft visits because the NFL has shut down team facilities and banned prospect visits, as there continue to be concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. However, the Arizona Cardinals continue to prep for the NFL draft.

One prospect who was scheduled to visit with the Cardinals was Maryland defensive back Antoine Brooks, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

The Cardinals are now limited to phone calls and video calls.

Brooks is a physical safety with some positional versatility. He projects more as a physical box safety. He converted from linebacker to defensive back while in college. In three seasons as a starter, he had 232 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions.

He is 5-11 and 220 pounds. He ran the 40 at the combine in 4.64 seconds, bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times and had a 34.5-inch vertical leap.

He is expected to be a mid- to late-round pick.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 261

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Ep. 260

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