Pressley could see plenty of snaps
The Cleveland Browns have signed fullback Chris Pressley.
Pressley, 27, spent the majority of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals and started for the playoff squad in both 2011 and 2012. In 2012 he helped Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis lead the NFL in third-and-1 rushing conversions (14-of-15). An injury forced Pressley to the Physically Unable to Perform list in 2013.
The 5-foot-10, 249-pounder was a college teammate of Browns left tackle Joe Thomas at Wisconsin. Originally an undrafted free agent, Pressley will be entering his sixth season in the league.
On the surface it doesn't appear that signing someone with 28-yards in his career will heavily impact the Browns offense.
What's really interesting about this move is how it relates to Kyle Shanahan's offense.
If you ask Redskins players in Washington who the unsung hero on the offense was, most of them will tell you it's fullback Darrel Young. Some of Shanahan's pistol read-option formations would not have blossomed without Young's skillset. He was a missile on run blocks up the middle and a rock in stopping pass rushers on the edge.
Pressley said the Bengals did utilize some of the zone-blocking schemes Shanahan is known for while he was in Cincinnati.
"It's a great scheme," said Pressley. "You're working against a defense's strength. Sometimes they are a hard-flowing team, let's find that cut, hit that seam, try and break [out a run]. Backside tight ends can come across or a fullback coming there and busting it open. It's a great scheme as long as we execute it."
The only other fullback listed on the Browns roster is Chris Ogbonnaya, a position change he made last season. Ogbonnaya is listed at 225-pounds and isn't your traditional old-school fullback. While he was injured Pressley spent a lot of his time watching film and says he will have better anticipation for what's coming on the field.
"I'm ready to show [the Browns] that my best football is ahead of me," said Pressley.
Keep an eye on the signing of Chris Pressley as we get closer to the summer months.
