Cleveland ? Every year there seems to be one. A player from completely off the radar turns heads during training camp.

Two years ago, Leigh Bodden and C.J. Jones did it. Frisman Jackson was the guy in 2002.

It didn’t take long for the 2005 candidate to surface.

Receiver Brandon Rideau, a free agent from Kansas University, wasn’t even a member of the Browns’ roster during minicamp in May. He was invited to camp as one of 20 tryout players.

After three days of workouts, only three tryout candidates were signed. One was Cincinnati offensive lineman Clint Stickdorn. The second was since-released defensive lineman Ellery Moore. The third was Rideau.

“We had a meeting with all the unsigned guys, and after the meeting the coach told us some of us would be signed and some won’t,” Rideau said. “After I came out, a guy pulled me to the side and told me they wanted to sign me. I was excited. I knew I had ability and I knew I wanted to be able to come out and show what I could do.”

He ran crisp routes, controlled his body and caught nearly every ball thrown his way. And so far in training camp, he has picked up right where he left off.

“That’s why he’s carrying my helmet,” veteran receiver Antonio Bryant said. “When you’ve been in the game long enough and you see a guy like that, you lean on him and make him pay his dues because that’s a guy who has potential.”

Although playing on the third and fourth teams, Rideau seems to get thrown to on nearly every play in which he participates. He’s catching balls alone, in traffic, and along the sidelines.

Now, Rideau is anxiously looking forward to the team’s preseason games. He knows those will be the ultimate test of his ability to make the Browns roster.

“Not too many people know about my playing ability or know of me. I feel like I have a chance to make a name for myself,” he said.

However, with nine other receivers on the team and probably only room for five or six on the 53-man roster, Rideau faces a tough road. Especially considering four of those slots are all but locked with Bryant, Dennis Northcutt, Andre’ Davis and rookie Braylon Edwards.