Fullback Owen Marecic will have to impress the Cleveland Browns with his lead blocking in training camp if he hopes to have a job this season, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland. Grossi suggests that Marecic's performance in training camp will be the best opportunity to demonstrate that he has improved, but that the team would likely move on if he's not impressive in that vein.
Owen Marecic on Browns roster bubble
Cleveland Browns fullback Owen Marecic is on the roster bubble and will need to impress the new coaching staff with his hopefully improved lead blocking in training camp to stick around.
USA TODAY Sports
Marecic was highly touted coming out in 2011, and when the Browns selected him in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, he was supposed to be the long-term starter at fullback. Marecic was billed as hard-working and versatile, and multiple teams were reportedly interested in his services at the time.
When the Browns drafted Trent Richardson in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Marecic was to take on a bigger role as the lead blocker in the team's run-first offense. Unfortunately for Cleveland, he struggled mightily in that role and was eventually demoted to the inactive list while tight end Alex Smith took over the fullback position.
Marecic has an opportunity to make things right, however. There’s a new coaching staff in town and they have yet to evaluate Marecic and what he has to offer. It’s something of a clean slate at this point. Still, if Marecic can’t show the team his lead blocking prowess in training camp -- when the pads go on for full contact -- then the team will likely pursue another option in free agency or convert someone on the roster to take over the job full time.
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