‘Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cleveland Browns’ Episode 5 Superlatives

Best moment: Brogan Roback throws a touchdown

The Browns had a couple roster longshots the pull for this summer, and that included fourth-string quarterback Brogan Roback. The undrafted rookie finally got a shot to play with the entire second half to himself in the preseason finale, but he started off slow by completing just one-of-seven passes. You could tell that he was pressing a bit—and his girlfriend Ally Goff was doing the same in the stands. However, Roback caught fire and was able to find the end zone with a touchdown strike to fellow rookie Blake Jackson, causing his teammates to go crazy on the sidelines and his girlfriend to cry tears of joy, which you could tell were sincere. Overall, it might have been the best moment of this year’s Hard Knocks.

 

Worst moment: Devon Cajuste gets cut

Even for football fans that knew it was coming, this was still a tough one. The 25-year-old was instrumental in the team’s opening drive against the Lions with two receptions, and it was clear his teammates (like starting tight end David Njoku) were extremely happy for him making an early impact. Cajuste still needed work on his blocking, though, and he got banged up and struggled the rest of the game, which seals his fate as a roster casualty. To make matters worse, a camera crew was with his father Gregory during the game, and he was telling himself that Devon was making the team. Then, when they FaceTimed, the elder Cajuste thought his son made it, which he didn’t.

 

Funniest moment: Todd Haley watches Christian Kirksey dance

Todd Haley had a few funny moments, including telling Cajuste to pretend he’s blocking for “his rocks” that were featured in the previous episode, and making fun of the name “Carl” again on the sidelines when they showed a baby on the video board. But a potentially glimpse into the future of the Browns came during a Sunday morning practice, as people were going to a church next to the field, while the team had the expletive-heavy song “John” by Rick Ross and Lil Wayne blasting with Christian Kirksey dancing to it during stretching. It was funny, but even funnier was the look on Haley’s face—one that basically said “this guy wouldn’t be dancing like a fool instead of stretching if I was head coach”—as he watched.

 

Underrated moment: Carl Nassib is waived

It didn’t seem like Carl Nassib was in danger of getting cut throughout the series, and he originally made the team over Nate Orchard. However, it didn’t last long, as Cleveland wanted someone on waivers, so they had to part ways with the former third-round pick. Of course, we’ve grown accustomed to Nassib’s foul-mouthed financial wizardry, but he handled his release like an absolute pro with great honor/respect towards Hue Jackson and the Browns. Once he left the room, a brief solo shot of Jackson showed that it was probably the coach’s toughest cut of the year.

 

Best quote: Todd Haley

“I’m beginning to find out you have no life outside of this.” – to Gregg Williams

 

MVP: Brogan Roback

The highlight was his touchdown, and Roback will have that moment (and the game ball) forever. And like Nassib, the rookie was a bit of a goofball throughout the five episodes, but he seemed to grow up quickly when handling his release meeting with Jackson and talking with his girlfriend in his final scene. Plus, earlier in the episode, Roback provided some laughs with his impersonation of Bob Wylie, and then during the game when he was basically threatening his teammates in the huddle and then backed out and calmly asked the ref, “How ya doin’?” Plus, whether or not he gets another shot in the NFL, we will always remember Roback for starting the “Tuh-rod” controversy in Episode 1.