At 4:00 PM on Tuesday the Cincinnati Bengals announced that they will not be matching the Browns offer for wide receiver Anthony Hawkins. A four year contract worth $13.6 million over two years with $10.8 million up front was enough to make Hawkins a Brown. The early money is what eventually led the bengals to let go of Hawkins after six years.
Undrafted in 2008, Hawkins worked out with the Cleveland browns during training camp that same year. With out an offer on the table for his services, he never saw the professional field that same year. In 2009 Hawkins competed for a starting spot on the Dallas Cowboys roster via Michael Irvin’s tv show 4th and long. Coming up short and landing in second place, Hawkins signed a contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. The Allouettes went on to win two back to back Grey Cup championships.
During his play time in the CFL, the Cleveland Browns showed some interest in Hawkins once again but the Allouetes would not let him out of his contract. In 2011 after his contract was up, he signed with the ST. Louis Rams as a free agent but was waved and eventually picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals and has been there ever since. In his first NFL professional year, the Bengals used him in a reserve capacity with 13 games played 23 catches and 263 yards.
A hometown type, Hawkins is a playmaker that can position himself in the slot as well as contribute on special teams. With 51 receptions and 533 yards with 4 touchdowns last season, 2013 was looking to be his breakout year before suffering an ankle injury causing him toy miss much of the season.
After signing with the Browns, Hawkins took to twitter to thank the Bengals and their fans for giving him a chance back in 2011.
Cant thank the Cincinnati Bengals Organization & fans enough for giving me my first fair shot at the best job in all the land…
— Andrew Hawkins (@Hawk) March 18, 2014
The Cleveland Browns seem to be building a young and exciting offense and Hawkins will just add to that. Adding Andrew Hawkins will open up the field for fellow teammates WR Josh Gordon and TE Jordan Cameron, making the new offense for the Brown more dynamic.
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