Tag: Tony Fields

PFF’s 10 highest-graded Browns defenders against the Commanders

Who stood out the most according to PFF on defense for the Browns?

The second preseason game is in the books as the Cleveland Browns fell to the Washington Commanders 17-15 on Friday night in Cleveland. The starters that did play showed why fans are excited for the upcoming season. Overall the defense showed up both from a starter standpoint and some of the young depth pieces that saw playing time.

The biggest standout from the defensive side was undrafted free-agent safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. He received the highest grade on the defensive side from PFF. All in all the top 11 graded players on the defensive side received a grade of 70 overall or higher, here are the top 10 graded defenders for the Browns.

PFF’s 10 highest-graded defenders in Pro Football Hall of Fame Game

There was plenty to like from the defense on Thursday

The return of football didn’t bring any starters with it but there was still plenty to like for the Cleveland Browns during Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game victory over the New York Jets. The Browns had several players flashing during the game including linebacker Tony Fields II who was flying all over the field. Edge Alex Wright looked faster off the line of scrimmage and made several nice plays against the run.

But according to PFF, some of the best play came from the defensive backs including rookie fifth-round pick Cameron Mitchell. Let’s take a look at the 10 highest-graded Browns defenders according to PFF from the victory over the Jets.

Twitter reacts to Browns win over the Jets in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game

The return of football is finally here and the fans in Cleveland were alive

The New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns faced off in the Pro Hall of Fame game on Thursday as the long wait for the return of football is finally over. None of the starters played for either team but it was still nice to see the depth players and rookies take the field to battle for roster spots and playing time.

In the end, the Browns beat the Jets by a final score of 21-16 but there was plenty to be excited about. Dorian Thompson-Robinson caught the attention of plenty with his live arm, enthusiasm, and ability to make plays with his legs. Let’s take a look at how fans reacted to this game on social media.

Browns score third defensive/special teams touchdown against Texans

Tony Fields with a pick-six of Kyle Allen for the Cleveland Browns

It doesn’t matter who was playing quarterback for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday against the Houston Texans.

The Browns’ defense and special teams provided 21 points via a punt return and a pair of pick-sixes.

The second one came in the fourth quarter when Tony Fields picked Kyle Allen and returned it 16 yards.

The Browns led 24-8 in a game their offense had yet to find the end zone.

Is it any wonder Lovie Smith and the Texans were about to fall to 1-10-1?

Browns rookie Tony Fields finally sees the field

Just before the Browns final preseason game they finally get a look at one of their rookies on their Berea fields Friday.

The Cleveland Browns have dealt with a lot of injuries during training camp this year. One of the longest lingering issues for the team has been with rookie linebacker Tony Fields II.

Fields was drafted by the Browns in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. He was seen as an interesting pick given the team’s move up in the second round to draft Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

After playing three years at Arizona, Fields finished his college career at West Virginia. There he showed off versatility with 88 tackles, one sack, one interception and three passes defended.

Like Owusu-Koramoah, Fields is an undersized linebacker who relies on his speed, quickness and awareness to be successful. As a fifth-round pick, he was expected to be an important part of Cleveland’s special teams as a rookie.

Finally, the Friday before the final preseason game, the Browns get to see Fields on their fields:

 

As today was jersey swap day for many on the defense, it was confirmed that it was him on the field.

With the trip to Atlanta for Sunday Night Football and then two weeks to prepare for Week 1, it will be interesting if Fields is able to get ready to help the team quickly.

Can Mack Wilson benefit from Tony Field’s injury?

Can Wilson grab a roster spot by spending more time in an area that he hasn’t in the past?

The Cleveland Browns had a lot of positive news going into the first day of training camp but one piece of bad news with the Tony Fields II foot injury. Could Mack Wilson be the benefactor of that injury?

The NFL is a cutthroat business in a lot of ways. When one player gets injured, another must step up. It is especially this way during practices where, often, if an injury happens a team just moves the practice 10 yards up the field and keeps it going while trainers deal with the injured.

While we don’t have any official word on the Fields injury, there is concern that it could be serious. This is Fields’ second foot injury with both feet now being impacted in some way. For a player who wins with speed, problems with his feet could have a lingering impact.

For Wilson, who is fighting for his roster spot, Fields’ injury gives him one less competitor early in camp. Even if Fields is able to return in a week or two, Wilson will have ample time to prove he can take a role in 2021.

For the former fifth-round pick, the 2020 season did not go well. Wilson had the third-worst PFF defensive grade on a bad Browns defense, just a little better than Sheldrick Redwine and Jacob Phillips.

Where Wilson could fight for a roster spot in Fields’ absence is someplace he hasn’t played much in the NFL: Special teams. As a rookie, the Alabama product had 127 snaps on special teams with a majority of them coming on opponents’ field goal attempts. Last year, he only had three special teams snaps.

Yet, special teams is an important role for backup linebackers. Cleveland is looking to replace the 249 snaps taken there by Tae Davis who left in free agency. The Browns also have to replace their best special teamer, Tavierre Thomas, and his 378 snaps.

Two other linebackers had far more experience on special teams last year and could have an advantage of Wilson there. Sione Taktaki had 241 snaps spread almost evenly among the different units while Elijah Lee had 189 mostly on punt and kickoff teams.

With Malcolm Smith, Anthony Walker, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Jacob Phillips fighting for starting spots on the defense, special teams may be the key for Wilson to make the 53-man roster. Fields, with his speed, was expected to play an important role there. His injury could give the oft-maligned Crimson Tide ‘backer a chance to steal a role there despite his limited experience.

Browns rookie LB Tony Fields sidelined with a foot injury

Fields will miss an undisclosed amount of time to start training camp

Tony Fields will have to wait to make his Cleveland Browns debut. The fifth-round rookie from West Virginia is sidelined from the start of training camp with a foot injury.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski indicated in his press session that it’s a different injury than the previous foot injury Fields suffered earlier this spring. It’s the other foot.

Stefanski gave no timeline on any potential return for Fields beyond stating he will “miss time”.  The speedy rookie was expected to compete for a reserve LB job as well as on special teams, but the injury slows down any momentum Fields might have carried from his recent draft status.

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Running back D’Ernest Johnson was also absent from Wednesday’s training camp session. Stefanski said Johnson was excused for personal reasons, which are believed to be related to the birth of his daughter.

Rookie LB Tony Fields out for rookie minicamp with a foot injury

The injury was discovered in Fields’ physical this week

The start of the NFL career for Browns’ fifth-round draft pick Tony Fields will have to wait a while. Fields will miss this weekend’s rookie minicamp and could miss more time afterward with a foot injury.

Coach Kevin Stefanski revealed Fields, a linebacker from West Virginia, will be sidelined some time with the foot injury. Stefanski noted, “it’s not a concern long term,” per cleveland.com. Stefanski also indicated the injury will not require any surgical procedures.

The injury was discovered in Fields’ physical with the team. He signed his rookie contract on Thursday. Fields is expected to compete right away on special teams and as a reserve in the base defense.

 

Browns sign 3 members of the 2021 draft class

Browns sign 3 members of the 2021 draft class: LB Tony Fields, S Richard LeCounte and RB Demetric Felton

The first three players from the Cleveland Browns draft class of 2021 have signed with the team. All are Day 3 picks from the final session of the draft in Cleveland.

Linebacker Tony Fields, safety Richard LeCounte III and running back/return specialist Demetric Felton all inked their rookie contracts at team headquarters in Berea on Thursday. They were the team’s final three choices in 2021, with Fields and LeCounte coming in the fifth round and Felton arriving with the Browns’ seventh-round pick.

The Browns hold their rookie minicamp starting on Friday, and the trio is all expected to be in attendance. The rest of the rookies could also sign prior to the start of the rookie minicamp.

Browns select West Virginia LB Tony Fields with fifth-round pick

Browns select West Virginia LB Tony Fields with fifth-round pick

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The Cleveland Browns added another good athlete to the defense in Tonty Fields. The West Virginia linebacker joins the Browns as the No. 153 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft.

Fields is a lightweight backer at 220 pounds who wins on speed, hustle and instincts. He earned All-Big 12 honors in 2020 after leading the Mountaineers with 88 total tackles. Fields also picked off a pass and logged one sack.

Prior to his time at West Virginia, Fields was a starter at Arizona, which used him in a more aggressive attacking scheme. He had a good showing at the Senior Bowl in January and offers the Browns considerable effort and experience on special teams units.