DaytonDailyNews.com

BEREA — Neither Kevin Hoyng nor former University of Dayton teammate Matt Champa impressed the Cleveland Browns' decision-makers enough to be offered a contract, but both enjoyed their weekend tryouts in rookie minicamp.

"I couldn't be happier with the opportunity I was given," said Champa. "They treated us fantastic. It was all first-class."

By midafternoon Sunday, May 4, a couple of hours after learning their fates, the two friends were at Champa's mom's house in Sagamore Hills, halfway between Cleveland and Akron.

A few hours later, they were scheduled to board flights back to the real world, Hoyng to Dayton — he teaches seventh-grade social studies at Northmont — and Champa to Cincinnati, where he sells health insurance.

Odds had been long here, of course. Hoyng, the former UD quarterback, tried out at safety but didn't have much of a chance with 20 defensive backs vying for attention, including a handful already with contracts. Champa, a tight end in college, got a look at receiver.

"It was a little bit frustrating just because there were so many guys there," said Hoyng, who had not played defensive back since high school at Coldwater. "But I understand the business behind it. I didn't feel out of place. No regrets. I put it all out there."

Ron Todd, Hoyng's Dayton-based agent, tried to boost his client's spirits.

"I told him it was like 'American Idol,' " Todd said. "You get to Cleveland. That's like getting to Hollywood. Then you have three days to show what you can do.

"Kevin started laughing, but it really is just like 'American Idol,' man. Somebody has to make it, but there are a lot more people who don't."

Jereme Perry anyone?

Todd said he expects to hear from the Browns this week regarding their interest in defensive back Jereme Perry, another client. Perry made the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2006 but was released before last season. He hooked on with the Miami Dolphins but was recently let go. The Browns are exploring ways to deepen their secondary, which explained the presence of so many DBs in rookie camp.

Minicamp concluded Sunday with a morning workout. The Browns did not immediately reveal if any of the 54 tryout candidates had been given contracts. Next up is a series of 12 full-squad practices known as OTAs (organized team activities) later this month.

Savage reflects

In his three seasons as general manger, Phil Savage has torn the roster down and built it back up. Does one transaction stand out above the others?

"I wouldn't want to single out just one," he said. "That draft last year seemed to put the Browns on the map. We took Joe Thomas, and he ends up going to the Pro Bowl. We drafted Brady Quinn and had to do it in a dramatic way. And we took a chance on Eric Wright, and he responded.

"That draft seemed to solidify the idea that we might have some idea what we're doing."

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