A college wide receiver turned NFL tight end, Je'Ron Hamm will get his first chance to show his progress in the transition tonight against the Browns.

Je'Ron Hamm is looking forward to his first game action as an NFL player tonight against the Cleveland Browns.

Signed by the Redskins last September as a practice squad member, Hamm did not receive any game action despite spending three months with the New Orleans Saints last year.

He'll likely get plenty of playing time tonight against Cleveland, as two tight ends ahead of him -- Jordan Reed (hamstring) and Logan Paulsen (toe) -- aren't expected to play in the game.

"Just that competitive edge to go against another team," Hamm said when asked what he's looking forward to this week. "This past weekend with the Texans was a good start to get ready to go against somebody else, so I'm looking forward to going out there and making plays and just playing with my teammates. We've been preparing for a while, so it's going to be fun to go out there and put it to work."

Hamm, like teammate Niles Paul, was a college wide receiver before making the transition to tight end last year.

He appreciated his season-long stint on the practice squad, admitting it helped him as a blocker to go up against players like Trent Murphy and Ryan Kerrigan every day.

During the offseason, Hamm said he put on five additional pounds while also focusing on improving his technique at the position.

"Knowing how to place your feet on the ground, your hands, driving after you get in contact, stuff like that," Hamm said. "Pad level is big with blocking. Kind of just those little things can make a big difference in successful blocking."

Having offensive line coach Bill Callahan in the fold has also helped speed up Hamm's progress.

"I feel blocking wise, I'm getting better every day," Hamm said. "The pod drills Coach Callahan had us and the O-Line going against the D-Line helped me a lot. The receiving that was just natural, so that's the part out here that I'm just the most comfortable with. Blocking is becoming that.

Paul said he's already seeing a difference in Hamm's game.

"I think anybody who comes into this program as raw as the Je'Ron Hamms or the Chase Dixons, I think what Coach Wes [Phillips] can do to them as the tight ends coach; I think it's incredible," Paul said. "He's helped me improve so much and you see the transition of Je'Ron, you see the improvement and growth in him as he becomes a player out here."

On the team's first unofficial depth chart Hamm is the team's fourth tight end behind Paul and veterans Reed and Paulsen.

He's made several big-time plays during training camp, including several one-handed catches highlighting his athleticism.

Tonight's game, however, will be a test of how far he's come at the tight end position.

"He really bought into what Coach Wes was selling him," Paul said. "That's really what it is. You have to believe in yourself and whatever the coaches are selling you. He's improving well."

RELATED LINKS:
-- Trio Of Young Tight Ends Make Every Rep Count
-- Hamm Is Learning Every Day

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