Brian Robiskie catches on at Browns camp

By Nate Ulrich

Akron Beacon Journal

BEREA

As practice wrapped up this week, Cleveland Browns wide receivers ran routes into the end zone and caught high-arcing passes.

After Brian Robiskie secured a reception, his momentum carried him under the press tent. Browns coach Pat Shurmur’s news conference was briefly interrupted by the click-clack sound of Robiskie’s cleats smacking asphalt.

“Hey, Robo, how you doin’?” Shurmur said with a laugh as Robiskie turned to exit the interview area. “Nice catch.”

It wasn’t the only time Robiskie has caught his new coach’s eye this summer. He has quietly performed well throughout training camp.

“I would say Robiskie has been very steady,” Shurmur said Wednesday during his post-practice chat with reporters, this time without a cameo from Robiskie. “You can say that a lot about what he is. He’s just a steady guy in terms of his personality, his performance, being on time and doing the right thing. He’s had a steady camp, and I think that speaks well to him.”

Robiskie, 23, has caught virtually everything thrown his way since camp started. During an 11-on-11 session in the Browns’ most recent practice, he sneaked behind coverage in the middle of the field, hauled in a pass from quarterback Colt McCoy and ran untouched toward the end zone.

The crowd expressed its pleasure by barking.

But many of those same die-hard fans have been calling for the Browns to add a proven, veteran wide receiver to their roster. Statistics support their arguments.

Last season, tight end Benjamin Watson led the Browns with 68 catches and running back Peyton Hillis was second with 61 receptions. The receivers lagged.

The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Robiskie has heard the skeptics. However, he’s convinced that Shurmur’s version of the West Coast offense will help receivers produce more than they have in recent seasons.

“We all know that the past couple years it’s been tough for the receivers because we haven’t gotten, I think, as many opportunities as we would like to have had,” said Robiskie, whose 29 receptions last season translated to 310 yards and three touchdowns. “I think regardless of what people are saying and what everybody else is doing, we know that right now we’re gonna have a chance to make plays and help this team.”