Dawgs By Nature
The developmental league features former Browns and prospects
The United Football League (UFL) closes out its second season this Saturday with the UFL Championship Game, Saturday, June 14, with kickoff at 8:00 pm (Eastern). The game will be broadcast by ABC and ESPN+ and played at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.
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The Michigan Panthers, whose home city is Detroit, will square off against the DC Defenders out of Washington, DC. Each club won its conference title game on the road as DC defeated the league’s best team, the St. Louis Battlehawks, 36-18, while the Panthers knocked off the three-time champion Birmingham Stallions 44-29.
So, a new champion will be crowned.
Several former Cleveland Browns will be on each roster. For the Panthers, S Kai Nacua and RB Nate McCrary. On the other sideline, K Matt McCrane, CB Kiondre Thomas, and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams are with DC.
Two former Browns players, Birmingham DT Perrion Winfrey and LB Willie Harvey of the Battlehawks, were selected to the All-UFL team.
The UFL is designed to allow players to keep their careers alive and showcase their talents on new tape. From the league last year, a total of 80 players signed NFL contracts, and 37 were on 2024 NFL teams either on the main roster, IR, or practice squads.
The UFL has proven to be a valuable pipeline for NFL teams looking to find talent.
There are several players to watch on both squads in this weekend’s title game who could be potential future signings for the Browns in positions of need.
LINK: UFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TICKETS
How is the linebacker room for the Browns? MLB Jordan Hicks is productive but was injured last year. JOK is already on IR and will not play. Devin Bush has had legal issues, charged with assault. Winston Reid, Bookie Watson, and Mohamoud Diabate are thumpers, but in only their second year. The team signed veteran Jerome Baker, who is on his fourth NFL club. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold is an undrafted rookie, while Carson Schwesinger was drafted high but is a rookie as well.
Hines could add to this group and just might stick. At Texas A&M, he had 106 total tackles with three sacks. He closes quickly and is a consistent heavy hitter. Exceptional talent against the run and has long arms. The knock on him is that he is only average in coverage and lacks pop to anchor.
He went undrafted and was in the New York Jets camp. In the UFL this year, Hines had 53 total tackles for 10 games, which ranked #13. He added three sacks and scored two defensive touchdowns. At season’s end, he was named to the All-UFL team.
One position that...
