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Former Flyers in tryout for Browns
Monday, April 28, 2008
All Kevin Hoyng wanted was a shot. The Cleveland Browns are going to give him one. Hoyng's tight end, Matt Champa, will get the same shot.
Hoyng, the University of Dayton quarterback turned hopeful NFL safety, didn't get a free-agent contract
Extras
offer from Cleveland, but he did get invited to this coming weekend's rookie mini-camp.
"This is my one chance to make it," Hoyng said Sunday night, April 17. "I dreamed of this opportunity all my life, and I'm just going to go in and take my shot."
Hoyng's agent, Dayton-based Ron Todd, said a Browns' scout called at about 6:30 p.m. and offered the tryout.
"(The scout) liked him; they're buying into his upside," Todd said. "They want to invite Kevin up for a three-day 'free look' as I call it. From there, they'll see if they want to sign him or not."
Champa's agent got a call from the Browns at 10 p.m., offering a spot in this weekend's tryout for the 6-foot-3 220-pounder.
"All I can ask for is an opportunity, and that's what I've been given," Champa said. "I'll go up there and give my best."
Hoyng holds nearly every UD passing record and was the 2007 Pioneer Football League's offensive player of the year. Hoyng claimed that honor over San Diego QB Josh Johnson, who was drafted in the fifth round (No. 160 overall) by Tampa Bay coach and ex-UD quarterback Jon Gruden.
Cleveland didn't select a defensive back in its abbreviated five-man draft class. At 6-foot, 198 pounds, Hoyng is just as tall and just a few pounds lighter than the average of the 14 safeties drafted.
