BEREA, Ohio - Andrew Hawkins is one of the smallest players on the Browns roster, but hes made one of the biggest impressions so far this season.Through Clevelands first three games, the 5-foot-7, 180-pound Hawkins leads the team in receiving with 21 catches for 244 yards.Its early still, we still have a lot of work to do, but Im very blessed, Hawkins said Thursday as he and his teammates were packing up to enjoy their bye week.The Browns signed the 28-year-old Hawkins to an offer sheet in March, and when the Bengals chose not to exercise first-refusal rights on the restricted free agent, Cleveland landed the receiver, who actually began his career with the Browns as a tryout player at the teams 2008 rookie minicamp.Hawkins also spent two years (2009-10) in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes and current Bears coach Marc Trestman, along with appearing on Michael Irvins reality TV show, 4th and Long, in 2009.Coming from where I came from, being on the couch praying just for an opportunity to be on the practice squad, and that taking years to get accomplished, Hawkins said. Im always in awe, just being in this situation, I always have to pinch myself because theres times I didnt think this would be possible.So far, hes certainly taking advantage of the situation. Hawkins has developed chemistry on the field with quarterback Brian Hoyer, as he is averaging seven catches a game.And while he has naturally played a lot of the slot position in his four years in the NFL, the Browns have him lining up all over the place, including the outside.His ability to beat man-to-man coverage, thats all it takes to play on the outside, wide receivers coach Mike McDaniel said. He has the speed to do that. I wouldnt say its surprised me. Hes lived up to my expectations since hes been in-house.Hawkins does display a surprising amount of physicality for a player of his size.Hell give you everything he has, McDaniel said. Im sure if you asked DBs that hes played against, you go through warmups and you see a smaller stature. Youre just not expecting that feistiness. He is a football player.Hes not just a slot, skill, finesse player. Hes played defence. Hes played offence. Hes not afraid of the physicality and will do whatever it takes to make both him and his team successful.Hawkins surprising start has been exactly what the Browns were hoping for, as they have had to contend with the suspension of Josh Gordon. Though he has enjoyed a featured role in Gordons absence, Hawkins is looking forward to having the leagues leading receiver from last season back on the field with him.Josh is an incredible receiver, one of the best receivers in this league, Hawkins said. If I had my choice, hed be here with me right now. Hes that much of a difference-maker. Honestly, I cant wait to have Josh back, thats all I know.Three games is a small sample size for anyone, Hawkins knows that. But hell be doing everything he can to try and sustain his success as the season continues.All I kind of focus on is myself, and what I can control, Hawkins said. I feel like its my duty to give everything I have. I think its just a matter of kind of my journey to get here. It was a very tough road and I dont take anything for granted.NOTES: Coach Mike Pettine had a message for his players before the team went into the bye week. They represent not just themselves, but their families and the Cleveland Browns when theyre out of the building. I just keep stressing it to them. Surround yourself with good people. Make good choices. Its a good group, and I think that the time off will be well spent. . QB Brian Hoyer and DB Jim Leonhard got work at the holder position in practice Thursday as part of a normal routine. . LB Craig Robertson (birth of a child) and QB Connor Shaw (illness) returned to practice. Gaylord Perry Jersey . The Red Wings hadnt played the night before. The Boston Bruins had. A month from now, or two months from now, it doesnt matter. But right now it does matter, when you start and you play back to back, its wear and tear on you for sure, Babcock said. Meibrys Viloria Jersey . - The Denver Broncos kept rookie wide receiver Tavarres King from joining the Green Bay Packers by promoting him to their active roster Tuesday. https://www.cheaproyals.com/.Y. -- Sore nose and all, Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to help Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 5-3 on Friday night, snapping the Penguins mini-slump and slowing the Sabres late-season surge. Glenn Sparkman Jersey . Only it wasnt the extended right pad of his old teammate Jonathan Bernier early in the final frame, it was James Reimer, who stole a night that was supposed to belong to the former King. Jorge Bonifacio Jersey . -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released veteran guard Davin Joseph, a mainstay on their offensive line over the past eight seasons. HOUSTON -- Collin McHugh has earned his spot in the Astros rotation. McHugh allowed two hits over 8 2-3 stellar innings as the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 5-1 on Sunday. McHugh (2-0), who was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on April 22 to make a start after Scott Feldman had been placed on the disabled list, followed up his first outing where he struck out 12 and allowed three hits in 6 2-3 innings at Seattle on Tuesday with another dominant performance. "When we sent him out there in the ninth it was with the complete hope that he was going to be able to finish what he started," Houston manager Bo Porter said. "That was tremendous. Attacking the strike zone with all three of his pitches and to pitch that well against a really good hitting Oakland As lineup speaks volumes to Collin and the way he and (Carlos) Corporan worked today." McHugh struck out seven and walked three, allowing one run in the longest outing of his career. His previous longest outing had been seven innings on Aug. 23, 2012, against Colorado when he was a member of the New York Mets. "I actually wasnt even thinking about the hits," McHugh said. "I was more mad about the walks. I walked a couple guys early, and with this team, you cant really give them free base runners because anyone in that lineup can do damage to you. As I kind of got momentum, I started to roll with it, and it got easier to make pitches and kind of feel the flow and go with it." After the first, McHugh retired 23 of the next 24 batters, including 19 straight before Brandon Moss was hit by a pitch with two outs in the ninth. Moss stole second and came around to score on Alberto Callaspos single -- McHughs first run allowed in 15 1-3 innings this season. Porter said McHugh has "earned his keep". "I dont think he put us in a tough spot; I think he put himself in a really good spot," Porter said. "Performance pretty much speaks for itself. This guy has earned the right to get the ball the next turn." McHugh said he hadnt had a lot of consistent starts in his career, so to know he would get the ball again in five days felt nice. He became the first pitcher in Astros history go 6 2-3 innings or more while allowing one run or less with seven or more strikeouts in each of his first two starts as an Astro.dddddddddddd Raul Valdes got the final out to complete the two hitter. Jed Lowrie, who singled in the first inning, drew a walk in the third for McHughs lone base runner until the ninth. "He had a great cutter early on and was a little bit harder with his stuff early on," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said of McHugh. "Then coming back later in the game he mixed in his curveball better and his change-up. He really did keep us off balance." The right-hander, who Houston claimed off waivers from Colorado during the off-season, got out of trouble in the first after loading the bases with two outs with a walk to Callaspo by getting Josh Reddick to pop out to end the inning. Jose Altuve had two hits, including a two-run home run in the seventh, and Jonathan Villar also had two hits, including a two-run triple. Tommy Milone (0-2) allowed four runs on five hits with two strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings. The left-hander was just effective for most of the day, retiring 12 out of 13, including nine in a row, but he ran into trouble in the seventh. Villar extended the lead to 3-0 with a two-out, two-run triple to the left centerfield gap in the seventh, scoring Matt Dominguez and Carlos Corporan and ending Milones day. Altuve greeted Dan Otero with a two-run home run to the Crawford Boxes in left to up the lead to 5-0. Dexter Fowler gave the Astros a 1-0 lead in the third with a groundout scoring Villar, who had doubled with one out and reached third on an Altuve single. NOTES: Oakland outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was out of the lineup for the third straight game with a strained left hamstring. Cespedes left in the seventh inning of Oaklands 10-1 win over Houston on Thursday after legging out an infield single. ... Feldman, who has been on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 18 with right bicep tendinitis, threw Saturday and was fine and was on track to make his next scheduled start, manager Bo Porter said, adding that could be either May 3 or May 4. Feldman is eligible to come off the DL May 3. ' ' '
