According to materials distributed by the Browns to the press this
afternoon, the team appears to have signed rookie C/G Ben Claxton to the
practice squad. Although it does not appear in their transaction listing, the
team also appears to have gotten C.J. Jones through waivers and placed him on
the practice squad as well.
Ben Claxton is a versatile offensive lineman from Mississippi, who was
selected in the fifth round of this year's draft by the Denver Broncos. While
he has a reputation as being tenacious and smart, Claxton lacks some of the
athletic skills found in a Day 1 choice like Jeff Faine.
Claxton was redshirted as a freshman at Mississippi after injuring his left
knee, and later broke his left ankle as a third-year sophomore. His injury
fortunes changed, however, and Claxton remained relatively free of injuries
and started for Mississippi his junior and senior year, finishing up with an
Independence Bowl appearance against Nebraska. Claxton was also presented with
the Sportsmanship award at the Senior Bowl last year.
While praised for his intelligence and "nastiness", Claxton is generally
regarded to lack some upper body strength compared against top-tier interior
linemen. Tony Pauline, however has suggested that Claxton's "football
intelligence and tenacity could endear him to a coach's heart". Combine that
with his versatility, and it's clear why Butch Davis would be interested.
Here is some additional information on Claxton: Tony Pauline's Scouting Report
- AB