Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

On Saturday night, I sat in Cleveland Browns Stadium with binoculars on number 83...Steve Sanders. It was painful to watch Steve stand on the sidelines as eight other Browns' wide receivers got to play first...plus another one that was hurt and inactive for the game. That leaves Steve on about the third or fourth team.

Steve did get in during the last drive of the first half and had his number called in the red zone. But, Charlie Frye threw a quick slant at Steve's ankles and he had no chance to make the play. If the ball is delivered in the right spot, Steve's got a touchdown.

The second started with Steve watching again. He then got most of the plays in the fourth quarter. He made a nice catch in traffic that was wipped out by a defensive penalty accepted for first down. He also saw a couple of turns on special teams covering the "gunner" on the punt team.

It takes some luck to get the right opportunities to make an NFL roster...look at Omar. He should be in camp with someone right now if he had a break go his way.

The Chiefs took the lead on a FG with less than 2 minutes to play. Steve was ready to come in and run the two-minute offense with a chance to help get his team a victory. However, the Browns get the kickoff run back for a TD and Steve's chance to shine goes by the wayside.

Players on the "cut line" don't get a lot of opportunities to showcase their talents. The kickoff return cost Steve one.

I read a blurb the other day (before the game) stating that Sanders was among a group of young WRs who have caught the coaching staff's eye. Problem is that there are 4-5 of these guys and they're all A) hoping the Browns choose to take 6 WRs this year, which they don't always do, and B) Competing with one another for that 1 lone roster spot, which may not even exist.

Steve's fighting an uphill battle, to be sure, but it's still possible that he could make the roster. He's definitely a practice squad candidate if he does get cut.

Best wishes for Sandman to earn a roster spot!