Chris Westry has Specific Appeal to Browns
The Cleveland Browns have a deep corner room and added to it in the draft with Cameron Mitchell, yet they went ahead and signed free agent corner Chris Westry, which begs the question why? Why Westry as opposed to adding a player at another position?
A tall corner with long arms and elite speed, Westry has to be a pleasant surprise and find his way onto the opening day roster or the practice squad, but the answer may be far simpler. Press.
Westry is competing for himself and trying to earn a contract, whether with the Browns or elsewhere, but the biggest beneficiaries of this move could be the Browns wide receivers.
Westry is big with the ability to jam opponents at the line of scrimmage. One of the Browns divisional opponents just drafted a pair of big corners who excel in press coverage. The Pittsburgh Steelers added Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice, a pair of Big Ten corners who thrived due to their physicality.
It may be tempting to dismiss Trice as a seventh round pick, but that is likely due to a medical flag as opposed to a lack of talent. He tested like an elite athlete and was one of the most effective press corners in college football last season. According to PFF, which ranked Trice 77th on their draft board, Trice gave up just one reception 88 press reps this past season. It was a similar situation with Porter. He yielded just 68 yards in 106 snaps playing press.
The Browns will play other teams that press this season, but this is their division rival and they will be facing them week two. Westry might be a move to help prepare these Browns receivers to deal with a big body who wants to press them at the line. Martin Emerson Jr. could be helpful with that as well.
If Westry shines, he could give the Browns another option for teams they might want to press. His size is useful and he possesses the deep speed to run with most anyone. Westry has also been a player that has contributed on special teams. Best case scenario, Westry probably ends up on the practice squad, but this move is bigger than just auditioning another corner.
