Joint practice -- Antonio Callaway is probably the best on the team.

Took me awhile.... I get it

Good news about the WRs and Hunt

Not gonna lie, OBJ being hurt all camp doesn’t give me a warm fuzzy

Different breed of a WR... don't sweat it.

Can confirm it's a hip injury (but not a hip pointer) that's been keeping #Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr. out of team drills

@ByNateUlrich

ANALYSISTraining camp log, Day 15by Scott Petrak August 14, 2019

SUPPLY AND DEMAND: As Browns general manager John Dorsey watched his defense practice, he couldn’t help but notice the tight ends of the Colts.

They have a lot of them, and they’re an impressive bunch physically. Behind starters Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle are Ross Travis, Mo Alie-Cox, Gabe Holmes and Hale Hentges, who’s the shortest at 6-foot-4. As a group, they had a good day against Cleveland’s linebackers and safeties.

The Browns have question marks at tight end behind David Njoku and Demetrius Harris, and Dorsey could target one of the Colts backups in a low-level trade or on the waiver wire after cuts.

NEWS OF THE DAY: The joint practices with the Colts featured a lot of energy and competition, but the team drills were missing a handful of big names. Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and cornerback Denzel Ward were limited to individual drills, while Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (ankle), left guard Quenton Nelson (ankle) and kicker Adam Vinatieri (knee) didn’t dress.

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CAMPER OF THE DAY: Second-year defensive end Genard Avery is back from an ankle injury, and back making plays. He had a sack from left end as he blew past the right tackle, batted a pass at the line that went flying over the quarterback’s head and worked in with the first-team line.

PLAY OF THE DAY: Receiver Rashard Higgins ran an out route and caught the pass from backup quarterback Drew Stanton along the sideline before falling out of bounds.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I did not expect anything different from them. We travel well. They are excited. They are passionate. They are the most passionate fans in the NFL, and I expected them to be there.” — Coach Freddie Kitchens, on the large number of Browns fans in attendance, many of whom chanted his name as he walked off the field.

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE: 4-6 p.m. against the Colts in Westfield, Ind.

https://www.brownszone.com/2019/08/14/training-camp-log-day-15/

https://923thefan.radio.com/articles/odell-beckham-jr-limited-hip-injury
Browns Camp Notes: Odell Beckham Jr. limited with a hip injury

Backup RB Dontrell Hilliard suffers injury to left leg Wednesday


DARYL RUITER
AUGUST 14, 2019 - 9:36 PM

© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

CATEGORIES: Browns Training Camp NFL Browns
Cleveland, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – We are not on site in Westfield, Indiana where the Browns are holding joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts, but here are some notes taken from audio and quotes provided by the Browns as well as reports from the many reporters who did make the trip.

Beckham banged up – Odell Beckham Jr. was limited Wednesday and did not participate in team drills according to multiple reports.

“He has a little bit of something going on that we expect him back pretty soon,” head coach Freddie Kitchens told reporters.

That something is a hip injury according to multiple reports, but it doesn’t seem like many with the team are worried, including quarterback Baker Mayfield.

“Obviously, he is going to be ready to go when it is time to play,” Mayfield said. “Him sitting out and doing some of the things mentally is him getting used to the offense, seeing things and hearing us communicate it and so when he comes out there, he can be full speed and know exactly what to do. It is great for those other guys to get out there and get a chance to see a change of pace. The more guys who are ready to play with the first group, the better.”

Kitchens was noncommittal when asked if Beckham will play Saturday afternoon against the Colts.

“We have not decided yet,” Kitchens said. “He probably could play, though.”

Hilliard hurt – Dontrell Hilliard is expected to assume the role vacated by Duke Johnson Jr. following the trade to the Texans as the No. 2 back, and possibly returner too, but Hilliard is now hobbled.

Hilliard apparently suffered an injury Wednesday that resulted in his left thigh being wrapped according to reports from the multitude of outlets on hand to cover the practices.

Ward also limited – Cornerback Denzel Ward was also limited Wednesday to individual drills according to multiple reports but, again, the injury doesn’t appear to be serious.

“I expect him to be back,” Kitchens said.

Defending themselves – A minor scuffle, as is custom when it comes to joint practices between NFL teams, broke out Wednesday between Browns safety Tigie Sankoh and Colts running back D’Onta Foreman according to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

According to Petrak a “couple punches thrown that didn’t appear to land. Freddie Kitchens on the other field with offense, so no sprints.”

Kitchens was asked after practice by reporters about the dust up.

“I will see what happened,” Kitchens said. “I just know that we are not going to take nothing from anybody. At some point, you have to stand up for yourself. If it is a penalty then it is a penalty, but sometimes… I don’t know. I don’t know what happened.”

Although Kitchens is OK with his players defending themselves, he’s not looking for a bunch of fights to break out either.

“We are not going to get penalties against our own team when we are in Berea. We are not going to come in here and take anything either now,” Kitchens said. “There better not be a lot of fights, but we are going to line up and run here. They know that, and they have been told that. That is why they pay me to be the head coach. I will determine at that time.”

On the table – Although Eric Kush practiced most of the day with the first-team offense, Kitchens shuffled the first team line late in practice prompting questions about the change to Kitchens and a humorous response from the coach.

“There is a chance for everything,” Kitchens said. “We could put Greg Robinson in at guard. I am just going to get all sorts or rumors going now. We could move Corbett to tackle. We could get No. 43 and put him at guard. If we ever get his pads down, we may do it.”

Injury report – According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal WR Damion Ratley, CB Tavierre Thomas, CB TJ Carrie, LB Sione Takitaki, DE Jarrell Owens, TE David Njoku and DE Chad Thomas did not practice Wednesday. OL Kyle Kalis, TE Seth DeValve and DT Brian Price, who are in concussion protocol, did not make the trip.

Up next – Joint practice with the Colts Thursday afternoon.

I don't like to hear this.

Maybe Sheehy-Guiseppe gets another chance at returning, and D'Ernest gets to audition a bit more for this team or another.

Browns notebook: Hip injury limiting Odell Beckham Jr., team source says

By Nate Ulrich
Posted Aug 14, 2019 at 10:09 PM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) runs a drill during practice at the NFL team's football training camp in Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, in Westfield, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)▲
WESTFIELD, INDIANA — When the Browns lined up Wednesday against the Indianapolis Colts, superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. simply watched the action.

Beckham went through individual drills during the joint practice at Grand Park Sports Campus, but he sat out all one-on-one, seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 periods. He hasn't participated in a team drill during a padded training camp practice since Aug. 6.

A Browns source said Beckham is dealing with a hip injury, but it's not a hip pointer, which ESPN reported as the specific issue.

"He's got a little bit of something going on, but we expect him back pretty soon," Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said after the 15th session of camp and the first of two joint practices with the Colts.


Will Beckham play Saturday when the Browns face the Colts in preseason game No. 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis?

"We haven't decided yet," Kitchens replied. "He probably could play, though."

Despite the lost opportunities to develop chemistry, Kitchens said he remains confident Beckham and quarterback Baker Mayfield can get on the same page. Mayfield echoed his coach's sentiment.

"Obviously, he's going to be ready to go when it's time to play," Mayfield said of Beckham, whom the Browns acquired in March via a trade with the New York Giants. "Him sitting out and doing some of these things mentally is him getting used to the offense and seeing different things and hearing us communicating it. So when he comes out there, he can be full speed and know exactly what to do."


Kitchens added Beckham "is ready to go mentally. We've got to wait and get him ready to go physically, but he'll be there."

The more repetitions a receiver and quarterback get together, the better. Rashard Higgins still has a stronger connection with Mayfield than any other Browns receiver largely because they practiced so much together last summer.

"Higgins and I, that came because he was my guy on that second-team offense last year and throughout all those reps in the offseason," Mayfield said. "So [my connection with Beckham], it'll come with time. Just like Jarvis [Landry] and I [were able to ensure our] chemistry grew as well."

Culture shock?


Mayfield said he agreed with Kitchens' stance that the physical camp he has run this summer is a "culture shock" some Browns players. The team has worn pads in 12 of the 13 sessions it has been allowed to don them.

"I think part of the culture change is beating some of that out, being a tougher team, being that mentality of coming out and realizing that we're going to be the tougher people every day and work for it," Mayfield said. "So I think it's caught some people off guard a little bit. But me being around Freddie last year, not so much."

Mayfield said he doesn't know of any players complaining about the physical nature of Camp Kitchens.

"We've got guys that are bought in right now," Mayfield said, "and that's the best part about it."


Presence felt

Running back Kareem Hunt reminded the Colts he's an elite playmaker. He broke loose for impressive runs on back-to-back plays in an 11-on-11 drill and later showed dynamic burst after using one hand to catch a screen pass from Mayfield.

A groin injury prevented Hunt from participating in team drills until Monday.

"I thought he looked good for not taking any [team] reps [until this week]," Kitchens said. "He broke out on a few, embraced his speed and all those things you see on tape. He has been good in the pass protection. He's right where we want him to be."


The Browns hope Hunt can do everything he needs to do off the field to return from his eight-game suspension for physical altercations last year with a woman in downtown Cleveland and a man in Put-in-Bay. If Hunt can stay out of trouble, he'll be back in action Nov. 10 against the Buffalo Bills.

"It's great to have Kareem out there, the special talent that he is, and to get out there with us because he's going to have a long wait until he plays," Mayfield said.

Starting running back Nick Chubb broke off several long runs against the Colts, too. And in a seven-on-seven drill, Mayfield floated a pass over All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard and into the hands of Chubb.

Waiting game


Hunt isn't the only Browns player who'll begin the regular season by serving a suspension.

Last week, the NFL docked receiver Antonio Callaway four games for violating its substance-abuse policy. Callaway made the trip to Indiana but didn't practice because he suffered a high-ankle sprain in last week's preseason opener.

"Obviously, very disappointing," Mayfield said of Callaway's suspension. "But I think Callaway's made some changes, and we've seen the progress with him. Him being hurt right now hurts more right now because he could be getting reps. I think that hurts us a lot. It has given guys other opportunities to play. But I expect Callaway to come back better than ever."

Standout defender


Browns defensive end Genard Avery had a virtual sack against quarterback Phillip Walker and batted a pass thrown by quarterback Chad Kelly. It was the first dominant performance of camp by Avery, who missed time with an injured ankle.

"He's worked really extremely hard during the offseason," defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi said. "I was with him a few times working on his pass-rushing abilities, stopping the run, just being a game changer. I'm really excited to see what he does."

The coaches have noticed, too.

"Genard has gotten better against the run and the pass," Kitchens said. "I expect him to be out there and contributing to the team, whatever we ask him to do. He can certainly get after the passer, and we like that."


Ogunjobi rushed up the middle for a virtual sack against quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who stepped up in the pocket because of pressure from defensive end Myles Garrett.

Extra points

• Cornerback Denzel Ward practiced but sat out team drills with an undisclosed injury. Kitchens said he doesn't think there's any doubt Ward will be fine.

• Landry is obviously on a pitch (or snap) count. He sat out one-on-one drills and early team drills before entering 11-on-11 action later in practice.


• Running back Dontrell Hilliard finished practice with an ice pack strapped to the back of his left leg.


https://www.ohio.com/sports/20190814/bro...impression=true

Browns Camp Happenings (Day 15): Freddie flexible about fighting

Posted Aug 14, 2019 at 10:34 PM

Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens and Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich talk during practice at the team's combined training camp Wednesday in Westfield, Ind. [Darron Cummings/The Associated Press]▲
BROWNS CAMP HAPPENINGS

Browns safety Tigie Sankoh engaged in skirmish with Indianapolis Colts running back D'Onta Foreman as the two teams held a joint practice Wednesday at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana.

Coach Freddie Kitchens has told his players he would force them to run gassers as punishment for fighting, but he's willing to bend his rules sometimes.

"We'll see what caused it and what happened and then evaluate the situation," Kitchens said. "But we're not going to take anything from anybody. ... At some point, you've got to stand up for yourself."


Linebacker Christian Kirksey said he didn't think Kitchens would make the Browns run.

"We're not going to take anything from a player doing anything they're not supposed to do," Kirksey said.

• Wide receiver Rashard Higgins had one of the better plays of practice when he caught a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield along the sideline with cornerback Kenny Moore II applying tight coverage. Higgins later caught a pass from backup quarterback Drew Stanton while falling out of bounds.

• Undrafted rookie receiver D.J. Montgomery made several plays. The highlight was his 4-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Garrett Gilbert in the back right corner of the end zone.


• Incumbent Greg Joseph and rookie fifth-round draft pick Austin Seibert each went 5-for-5 during a field-goal drill, making kicks from 33, 39, 43, 48 and 51 yards.

• For a few snaps late in practice, there was a shake-up on the first-team offensive line. Kendall Lamm replaced Chris Hubbard at right tackle, and rookie Drew Forbes replaced Eric Kush at right guard.

• Rookie linebacker Sione Takitaki (hamstring) and defensive end Chad Thomas (sprained neck) joined the list of injured players who sat out practice.

• The following players remained idle but worked out on the side with Takitaki and Thomas: cornerback TJ Carrie (hamstring), tight end David Njoku (knee), defensive end Jarrell Owens (groin), receiver Damion Ratley (hamstring) and cornerback Tavierre Thomas (hamstring).


• Tight end Seth DeValve, offensive lineman Kyle Kalis and defensive tackle Brian Price remain in concussion protocol and didn't make the trip to Indiana.

THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE: Joint practice with the Colts from 4-6 p.m.

— Nate Ulrich

https://www.ohio.com/sports/20190814/bro...impression=true

I think Seth is most likely done in Cleveland. I always liked him and hoped he'd do well.

Unfortunate.

For some reason, he always reminded me of Mark Campbell from the 2000 team.

OBJ will be better by the start of the season.

Wink I’m hurt Wink....

Mark Campbell, there's a name...

For some perspective:

Mark Campbell in his three seasons with the Browns (he missed all of one season due to injury) (46 games):

46 receptions, 390 yards, and 4 TDs

Seth Devalve in his three seasons so far (41 games):

48 receptions, 596 yards, and 4 TDs.

J/c

It seems like barely a day goes by when we don’t hear about Higgins making great plays

j/c...
Seth, man he's been out for a while with that concussion. I sort of remember it happening and if memories serves me well it was something unecessary???

Really like/d him and wish he could get better and make the team - it is he I wish to be our H-back (FB) as that guy will get wide open and I rather have a guy with 4.5 speed and 245 catching a swing from Baker full speed. Than a 4.8 FB with questionable hands!

Hunt getting the rust off. Strong, Willies and of course Higgins getting a lot of reps as the two Vets continue to sit out I think their injuries are of the kind that if we were in December via for a playoff they would be playing.

We are trying to get them both to 100% for our opener and also to have the least amount of film of the two out there with our O and Mayfield and give our Opponents a our version of Shock and Awe!

Can't wait for the season to start!!!

I agree. It sounds both ominous and exciting.

Not sure what he needs to do eo stick, and less sure what he can do to help himself. Might be good trade for somebody if he can suit up. Like him.

So OBJ is still a little gun-shy when orange helmets are flying at him during the pre-season?

BBC did a number on him.

Guys do tend to lay it all out there when they are fighting to make a team.

Yep.

I was one of those who really liked him out of college. I also had hopes for Payton .... but that didn't work.

It seems like this joint practice is producing a lot of injuries.

I was really hoping to see Lawrence string together some nice work this preseason.

Jc

I’m hoping Lawrence’s injury isn’t serious; he was someone to watch for the next few weeks here

Takitaki must really regret being injured.

So who won? Sounds like a fine practice for the game. Maybe we are bringing some chippy to Indy. Hats off to Mister Chubb! Wahoo!

Can we just play it tomorrow?

Sounds like Strong had a good day today

ANALYSISTraining camp log, Day 16by Scott Petrak August 15, 2019

SAD SIGHT: Colts receiver Daurice Fountain wailed as he lay on the ground. Players and coaches from both teams, Colts owner Jim Irsay and Browns chaplain Robert Brooks tried to comfort and console him as his left leg was put in an air cast and he was eventually driven off the field and taken to a hospital.

He dislocated and fractured the ankle, according to multiple reports.

NEWS OF THE DAY: The Fountain injury cast a pall over practice for a while, but it didn’t stop the teams from fighting throughout. Browns linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong was the headliner of the featured bout, throwing several violent punches.

CAMPER OF THE DAY: Browns receiver Jaelen Strong opened practice with a good catch over cornerback Quincy Wilson during one-on-ones. He never stopped making plays.

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He had touchdowns in one-on-ones and seven-on-sevens, then made his best catch on a 29-yard go route down the left sideline from Baker Mayfield in the team two-minute drill. He dived to make the play and held on despite rookie cornerback Rock Ya-Sin having a fistful of his jersey.

Strong is battling for a roster spot and could add a physical presence with his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame.

“He could potentially bring that to the group because he is a physical guy when he wants to be,” he said. “We just need it every day. I want to know every day what I am going to get.”

PLAY OF THE DAY: Nick Chubb took the first-down handoff, headed through the hole over left guard, made a subtle cut to the right and was gone for a 65-yard touchdown that fired up Mayfield and the rest of the offense. There was no tackling during the practice, but it looked like a touchdown.

“I think we know, and I think they know,” Kitchens said of the Colts.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m excited for the direction we’re moving in. I can see it. I can feel it from you guys. I can feel it from the fans. I can feel it from this team. They’re excited about this season. First time being in the stadium, I can feel that energy. I told you I’m an empath. I can really feel that. So I know that they’re ready. I know we’re going to be ready when it’s time.” — Receiver Odell Beckham Jr., on the state of the team after the two days with the Colts.

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE: No practice. The Browns play the Colts on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium.


https://www.brownszone.com/2019/08/15/training-camp-log-day-16-2/

Browns notebook: With Freddie Kitchens urging players not to back down, final joint practice with Colts turns into 'Fight Club'

By Nate Ulrich
Posted Aug 15, 2019 at 9:29 PM

WESTFIELD, INDIANA — Browns coach Freddie Kitchens gave his players the green light to fight if it meant they would stand up for themselves during joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts.

In the second and final practice between the two teams Thursday, the practice fields at Grand Park Sports Campus transformed into "Fight Club."

During a punt coverage drill, Browns linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong threw haymakers at Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin. Colts cornerback Quincy Wilson was involved in everything escalating to that point. Players from both teams formed a huge scrum, and it took a minute or two to break it all up. Then there were a couple of aftershock dust-ups when the drill resumed.

Earlier, Browns wide receiver Jaelen Strong caught a pass of about 20 yards from quarterback Baker Mayfield and subsequently got into a skirmish with a Colts defender. Left guard Joel Bitonio ran into the fray as a bunch of players from both teams gathered.


On the other field, the Browns' defense fought, too. Rookie safety Sheldrick Redwine tussled with Colts wide receiver Deon Cain. Rookie safety J.T. Hassell also mixed it up with Colts receiver Zach Pascal.

Those scenes came on the heels of Kitchens declaring after Wednesday's practice the Browns wouldn't back down to anyone.

"Message was received," Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said. "We came here to impose our will the same way we would do in the regular season when it comes up. We're not backing down from anybody, and I love that mentality. That's all I've ever known. You don't want [fighting] to happen, but it happens sometimes.

"Competitive nature runs high. As long as you can contain it and make sure we're still able to do all the drills. We came here to practice. We didn't come here to fight. It's good to see that we do have fight in us, and they were going pretty hard. It was an active day."


Kitchens thought his players failed to establish the tempo during Wednesday's practice.

"We identified that problem last night," he said Thursday, "and they came out and fixed it.

"We set the tempo. Nobody else does. I think these guys learned that today."

Setting the tempo led to brawling.


"We just have a way that we are going to treat our practices," Kitchens said. "That's how we're going to practice. That doesn't ever change. It doesn't matter who we're going against. It doesn't matter if we're going against ourselves.

"I think we learned a lot about ourselves from the standpoint of that's how you have to approach it. You keep your tempo. Let everybody else adjust to yours, not the other way around."

"I told you guys [in the media] yesterday we're not into backing down from anything."

Top secret


Kitchens withheld his plan for how much he'll play his starters Saturday in preseason game No. 2 against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

"We'll wait and see on Saturday," Kitchens said. "I haven't fully decided yet. I'm not trying to avoid the question. I really haven't decided. I swear to you guys. I take it one day at a time. I think I have a preliminary plan, but that changes. We got some good work done today and yesterday. We'll see. We'll talk about it and determine that."

In last week's preseason opener, the Browns' 30-10 win over Washington, the starting offense and defense each played a series.

Running back Kareem Hunt didn't play in the first exhibition game because of a groin injury, but he returned to team drills this week and is positioned to face the Colts. Hunt said he "most definitely" wants to play Saturday.


O-line watch

A player who's positioned to receive ample playing time against the Colts is rookie offensive lineman Drew Forbes, a sixth-round draft pick from Southeast Missouri State. After toiling with the backups for the first two weeks of training camp, Forbes got first-team reps at right guard late in Wednesday and Thursday's practices.

"He has gotten better," Kitchens said. "He kept his head down when everything around him seemed to be falling apart. He kept his head down and just kept working. I think he has seen some of the benefits of doing it like that.

"Some of these guys just have to play. Some of these guys come from small schools, and they just have to play. He flashed in the game the other night, so that earned him some more reps. He flashed yesterday, so that earned him some more reps. It's kind of like we're on a reward system around here, I guess, like your little gas card."


The No. 1 right guard in Thursday's practice was still primarily Eric Kush, a veteran free-agent pickup. However, Forbes is worth watching at an unsettled position.

Extra points

• Tight end Demetrius Harris and receiver Jarvis Landry dominated an early seven-on-seven, red-zone period. Harris had a touchdown catch, and Landry added two. However, Mayfield also had a pass intercepted by safety Khari Willis.

• Practice on one of the two fields stopped when Colts receiver Daurice Fountain suffered an injury and screamed in pain. Colts owner Jim Irsay and many players from both teams consoled him as medical personnel immobilized his left leg. He was carted off the field at 5 p.m. NFL Network reported he suffered a dislocated and fractured ankle.


• Mayfield and the rest of the first-team offense produced a five-play, 65-yard touchdown drive in a two-minute drill. Mayfield and Strong connected for 29 yards on a go route, and, on the next play, Mayfield threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Landry. The second- and third-team offenses stalled. The No. 3 offense should have scored a touchdown, but rookie receiver Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi dropped a 36-yard pass in the end zone from quarterback Garrett Gilbert.

• In a red-zone, 11-on-11 drill, receiver Rashard Higgins dropped a pass from Mayfield, and Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II intercepted it off the deflection. Moore also broke up a pass to Harris on the next play. Mayfield bounced back with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Strong. In the same period, tight end Pharaoh Brown fought through traffic to grab a 6-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Drew Stanton. General Manager John Dorsey was excited enough to signal TD.

• Rookie cornerback Greedy Williams intercepted a pass from quarterback Jacoby Brissett on the first 11-on-11 play between the Browns' defense and the Colts' offense.

https://www.ohio.com/sports/20190815/bro...impression=true

"...I'm an empath." This, I think, is good news in general.

As it pertains to football, it might even be better news. Emotionally on the same page as Baker. Feeling the DB's decision to cut one way or the other, etc......

So we don't practice penalties, but fighting is no biggie?

These joint practices might have to be re-considered. A player is more liable to get into it with an opponent at camp than a teammate.

They were counting on him big time to be the guy opposite Hilton.
I fully expect the Colts to be a buyer of our excess at WR after this week or next. You *know* they are looking closely at that group given how thin they are.

Good point ... It wouldn’t shock me to see a deal get done ... wonder if they have any excess RG’s

I would imagine there's a fair amount of pent up frustration going into a joint practice. Going against your own for a couple weeks means you have to hold back and be more careful, and then suddenly you're competing against another team, you get to unload a little bit.

Yeah that’s true ... it seems like every practice has some fights. It’ll be interesting to see if it carries over to the game tomorrow

Indy star

Colts-Browns observations: Indianapolis offensive line needs to fix its pass protection
Joel A. Erickson and Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star Published 9:18 p.m. ET Aug. 15, 2019 | Updated 9:23 p.m. ET Aug. 15, 2019

Frank Reich typically doesn't let loose.

But at one point in Thursday’s joint practice against the Cleveland Browns, the Indianapolis Colts coach wasn’t happy with how his offensive line was identifying and picking up blitzes and stunts, and he let them hear it.

A line that led the league by allowing just 18 sacks a year ago had issues on consecutive days of practice against the Browns, and Reich wasn’t happy with the free rushers in Jacoby Brissett’s face.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Zach Pascal (14) reaches for the ball as Cleveland Browns cornerback Greedy Williams (26) defends during their joint practice at Grand Park in Westfield on Thursday, August 15, 2019.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Zach Pascal (14) reaches for the ball as Cleveland Browns cornerback Greedy Williams (26) defends during their joint practice at Grand Park in Westfield on Thursday, August 15, 2019. (Photo: Matt Kryger/IndyStar)

“We had some pretty shaky moments in the middle from a protection standpoint,” Reich said. “It was really disappointing in the sense of, you know, we led the league last year in fewest sacks and all that stuff. To come out here and not handle the pressure the way they brought it, we’ve got to learn from that.”

Indianapolis was working without its starting line. Left guard Quenton Nelson, who has been battling an ankle injury, and center Ryan Kelly did individual drills but did not take any snaps in 11-on-11 work, giving way to Jake Eldrenkamp and Josh Andrews, respectively.

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The problem is, that’s no excuse. At some point during the regular season, the Colts likely will have to play without one of the starters, and Indianapolis must be better at picking up blitzes and stunts.

Brissett, who has taken all of the first-team reps as Andrew Luck battles the high-ankle injury that initially started as a calf strain, threw an interception on his first 11-on-11 play of the day, misfiring in the direction of T.Y. Hilton and getting picked off by Browns rookie Greedy Williams.


Brissett settled down and completed 12-of-19 passes, including a nice throw to Mo Alie-Cox for a touchdown in the final red-zone period, but he faced a lot of pressure, and it’s something the Colts must clean up.

“We’ve got to take our medicine and say, 'Hey, we got beat today from a protection standpoint,'” Reich said.

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Before the Browns arrived, Reich told reporters that he didn’t want to see the kind of fights that have made joint practices infamous.

Indianapolis and Cleveland avoided haymakers, but a practice that was chippy from the start boiled over at least five times as players had to be separated.

“You never want to see scuffles,” Reich said. “If it’s going to happen, it’s typically going to happen on the second day. It typically gets really chippy in special teams periods, for whatever reason. We just have to continue to try to eliminate those things.”

A back-and-forth between Deon Cain and Browns cornerback Sheldrick Redwine ended with both teams jawing and pushing. Colts running back Jonathan Williams got mixed up with a couple of Browns at one point. Rookie safety Khari Willis and Browns receiver Jaelen Strong got into it, and there was another fight between the Cleveland offense and the Colts defense.


The worst one, a fight that started between Colts running back Nyheim Hines and Browns linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong during a special-teams period late in the practice, brought the majority of both teams out, and Reich was in the middle breaking it up.

Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens did not seem displeased with his team for fighting.

“I told you guys yesterday,” Kitchens said. “We are not into backing down from anything.”

Kitchens felt the Browns practiced on the Colts’ tempo in the first session between the teams, and he told his own team he wanted to practice at their tempo on Thursday.

Reich, for his part, thought the fights between the teams didn’t escalate too much.

“For the most part, they handled it well,” Reich said. “No big blows, anything like that. A little bit the normal course of business.”

Battling Baker
Indianapolis never got a chance to practice against Odell Beckham Jr. The Browns star was held out of 11-on-11 work due to a minor injury.

But quarterback Baker Mayfield is one heck of a test in his own right. When Cleveland’s No. 1 offense got its chance at a 2-minute drill on Thursday, Mayfield missed on his first throw, then ran off four consecutive completions, marching Cleveland down the field and capping it with a touchdown pass to Jarvis Landry.

Indianapolis also gave up a 65-yard touchdown run to Nick Chubb up the middle. Chubb and the Browns running game hit a few highlights over the two days, but this run clearly would have been a touchdown; Chubb was untouched.

After a slow start, the Colts defense made a few plays.

Rookie safety Khari Willis picked off Mayfield in 7-on-7, cornerback Kenny Moore intercepted Mayfield in 11-on-11 on a ball that Browns receiver Rashard Higgins couldn’t handle, and Willis nearly had a second pick, only failing to reel it in because Moore got his hands on it and broke it up.

Attendance
Luck (calf), defensive end Jabaal Sheard (knee), kicker Adam Vinatieri (knee), wide receiver Parris Campbell (hamstring), running back Jordan Wilkins (ankle), safety Clayton Geathers (undisclosed) and wide receiver Penny Hart (hamstring) did not practice.

Quick hits
Kemoko Turay had a “sack” for the second consecutive day. Turay battled a shoulder injury early in camp, but since he returned, the second-year defensive end has flashed some promising ability off the edge. … A snap sailed over Chad Kelly’s head at one point, another in a line of issues getting the snap right between the quarterbacks and centers on the second and third teams. … D’Onta Foreman had one impressive run, slicing through the hole on a pitch to the left for big yardage with the third-team offense. … Hale Hentges, who has had a great camp, had an unbelievable one-handed catch at the back of the end zone in one-on-ones, reaching with one hand and bringing it in, then toe-tapping with both feet.

I want to know if this was due to our talent level, our scheme/calls, or their communication/player ability?

I want to be excited at the thought that our DL was just so good that one of the best lines in 2018 was getting abused, but it could also just be poor communication because they were down two starters.

One thing that seems to be emerging over the past couple weeks... Freddie seems bent on encouraging a physical brand of football and a take no prisoners / take no bs attitude. He was 100% unapologetic for the fights that took place during the joint practices and almost seems to encourage it.

For the most part, I like it. Football is a violent game that requires a violent demeanor. I think you have to be careful going into the season though. There are already some "quick trigger" type personalities on this team -- screaming at someone for a facemask then patting them on the back for a fistfight is a bit of a mixed message.

Well they were down 2 starts on their OL,
I think pretty much even the Browns backups on DL, (given the free agent signings, and Myles, and all that,)

I mean the Browns 2nd team has got to have some experienced NFL'ers with several starts in the regular season in the past, Trevon Coley, Chris Smith, and we saw what Deveroe Lawarence did last week,
In pass pressure, it's no surprise the Browns would make the pocket break down, I mean you can only sit so many first teamers right?

This makes me remember a thing I read on DT, from about 3 or 4-5 weeks ago where the OTA or Camp practice mentioned Bakers day, and talked of how he had to run out of the pocket several times because of pressure.

---
I wish someone could come up with a running count, on how many pick 6's or just int's Greedy has been reported having since even OTA's, it's got to be over 6 right?

Man, If I'd put Denzell Ward at safety, TJ Carrie as the Nickel Slot corner,
Mitchell and Greedy as the outside corners, That is 4 man to man coverage guys right there, before you even use one of your safeties; That's riches.

Evidently it didn't.. because your whole article violates the first rule of Fight Club.

The Tuna all day long baby ....

The BIG Tuna! *L*

Browns preseason game No. 2 viewing guide: Nick Chubb-Kareem Hunt combo comes to forefront

By Nate Ulrich
Posted Aug 16, 2019 at 3:38 PM

INDIANAPOLIS — With Kareem Hunt returning to team drills this week after a groin injury kept him sidelined for most of training camp, the Browns received a sneak peek of the tandem the NFL's 2017 rushing champion can form with starter Nick Chubb.

The Indianapolis Colts got a taste of the dynamic running back duo Wednesday and Thursday in their joint practices with the Browns at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana.

Hunt is now expected to make his preseason debut with the Browns when they face the Colts in the second exhibition game for both teams at 4 p.m. Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Because of Hunt's physical altercations with a woman in downtown Cleveland and a man in Put-in-Bay last year, he'll serve an eight-game suspension from the NFL and won't be eligible to play in the regular season until Nov. 10 against the Buffalo Bills.


The Browns are already thinking about the boost they will get from Hunt, provided he stays out of trouble, in Week 10.

"All I know is the season's long, right?" wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said after Thursday's joint practice. "And to have somebody who's of that caliber coming in, in the back end of the season fresh — you know what I'm saying."

Hunt is thinking big, too. Two years ago, the Willoughby South High School graduate led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie third-round draft pick with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs cut the University of Toledo product last year when a surveillance video surfaced showing him shoving and kicking a woman. John Dorsey, the former Chiefs General Manager who holds the same title with the Browns, threw Hunt a lifeline by signing him on Feb. 11.

Now Hunt insists he "definitely" believes the Browns can be as explosive on offense as the Chiefs, whose star playmakers include quarterback Patrick Mahomes, receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce.


"We've just got a number of receivers, running back talent, a great quarterback, the same thing K.C. has," Hunt said. "So there's similarities.

"It's a lot of big pieces to this offense. It's hard to really find or point out a weak spot on this team, offensively and defensively."

As much as Beckham is excited about Hunt, the reverse is true as well. Hunt views Beckham as a downfield complement akin to Hill.

"[Hill has] tremendous speed," Hunt said. "I don't think I've ever seen speed like that before. It's just great, great talent. Odell is another guy who can just make big plays all the time."


Hunt had never previously been paired with a running back as formidable as Chubb, though. As a rookie second-round pick last year, Chubb didn't start until Week 7 but still finished with 996 rushing yards.

"No drop-off [from me to Chubb]," Hunt said. "He's definitely a great running back, and I consider myself one, too."

Beckham watched Chubb play at the University of Georgia.

"I think he's got great vision," Beckham said. "I think he's a great back. I'm definitely happy to have him."


But Beckham's scouting report was flawed. The superstar admits he didn't realize Chubb possesses elite breakaway speed. Chubb reminded everyone again Thursday, when he busted loose for a 65-yard touchdown run against the Colts, who employ Darius Leonard, an All-Pro linebacker and last year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Coach Freddie Kitchens explained the Browns became believers in Chubb's home-run ability in the buildup to last year's draft.

"During the evaluation process, you saw the speed and you saw the agility," Kitchens said. "He has one of the best jump cuts I've ever seen. I'm not claiming I have seen every jump cut, so I'm sure I'm going to offend somebody with that. He has a good jump cut in the hole. He has great body control, balance and all the characteristics and skill sets that good running backs have."

Catching passes out of the backfield is a facet of the game Chubb has focused on this offseason.


"Nick is going to work his tail off," Kitchens said, "and he has really put a lot of time into that, and I think that it's showing. He feels more comfortable. A lot of it's just the comfort level. He feels more comfortable doing those things now, and he's pretty consistent catching the ball."

Kitchens declined to disclose how much Chubb, quarterback Baker Mayfield and the rest of the starters will play Saturday. The first-team offense and defense played a series in last week's preseason opener, a 30-10 win over Washington at FirstEnergy Stadium. This weekend, though, Chubb and Hunt should both be in action for the Browns on a game day for the first time.

Front four

The No. 1 defensive line of the Browns is expected to make its preseason debut as a group. End Myles Garrett and tackle Larry Ogunjobi played in the opener, but end Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson sat out with minor injuries. All of them practiced this week, plus a key backup, edge rusher Genard Avery, returned from injury, too.


"[We're learning] how we play off each other, the things that we're doing, rushing, stopping the run," Ogunjobi said. "It's cool just being able to feel the guys out and understand this is what Myles does or Olivier, Sheldon, and then work off each other from there."

Although the Browns won't get a chance to sack four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Andrew Luck because he's injured and being replaced by Jacoby Brissett, the Colts should provide a good measuring stick because they have one of the better offensive lines in the league.

On the other hand, Colts coach Frank Reich has said All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson likely won't play Saturday because he's working his way back from an ankle injury. Nelson sat out practice Wednesday and returned Thursday in a limited capacity.

Time to shine


With starting tight end David Njoku missing time with a knee injury, backup Demetrius Harris took center stage against the Colts. Harris became a frequent and reliable target of Mayfield in the joint practices. He'll look to maintain his momentum Saturday in a bid to receive more playing time in the regular season than he might have gotten otherwise.

"He was coming on before he went down with a concussion [earlier in camp]," Kitchens said, "and he looks like he picked up where he left off and is continuing to get better."

In the battle for a roster spot or two in the back end of the receiving corps, Jaelen Strong and undrafted rookie D.J. Montgomery strengthened their cases in the joint practices.

Kitchens has acknowledged their progress but stressed he wants them to become more consistent.


On the offensive line, rookie sixth-round selection Drew Forbes has worked his way into the competition at first-team right guard. Eric Kush is atop the depth chart, but Forbes took a few reps with the No. 1 offense Wednesday and Thursday.

Under the microscope

The kicking duel between incumbent Greg Joseph and rookie fifth-round pick Austin Seibert remains an important point of interest.

Both of them went 5-of-5 on field goals in the first joint practice Wednesday. There wasn't a field-goal period in Thursday's session.


Joseph has been better than Seibert throughout camp. In the preseason opener, Joseph made his lone field goal but went 1-of-2 on extra points. Seibert didn't attempt a field goal and went 2-of-2 on extra points.

https://www.ohio.com/sports/20190816/bro...impression=true

12 questions with Joel Bitonio, who has seen the Browns come together in Indianapolis

https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/12-...medium=referral


The Browns have talent in each direction Joel Bitonio looks when he lines up at left guard and prepares to block for what could be one of the top offensive attacks in the NFL this season.

Bitonio, a six-year veteran, is one of the leaders of that offense, and he’s liked what he’s seen so far as the Browns continue their week in Indianapolis looking to inch closer toward making this season’s high offensive expectations a reality.

ClevelandBrowns.com talked with Bitonio ahead of the Browns’ second preseason game against the Colts and discussed the progress of the offense so far.

CB.com: How do you think the two practices with the Colts have gone?

Bitonio: I think it was really solid. I think it's always good to get some extra work in with different guys. You always want to see different pass rush moves, different teams and different schemes defensively. It was fun to go out there and battle. It got a little heated in the second day, but I think pretty much everyone in the second day gets a little heated. You get yelled at from coaches if you're not doing something right the night before, and you want to come out and really show out the next day. So it got a little heated, but I think, overall, we showed some really good things, and it'll be fun to play them on Saturday.

CB.com: Do you think you guys were a better overall team in the second practice?

Bitonio: Yeah, I think so. I think we did some really good stuff the first day. I think we ran the ball really well, but there was a lot more energy at practice the second day. It was a normal, clean practice, and we had a couple big plays on the two-minute drive. It was good. We felt good after the second day.

CB.com: How does the overall experience of the joint practice help the team come together?

Bitonio: The O-line has a lot of time to hang out, tell stories and play some card games. We have a room with a shuffleboard table and things like that, so it's been fun. You get to know your guys a little bit more. In training camp, you have such a regimen at home where you're doing the same thing every day. Here, you see different guys and run into different people, so it's pretty cool to see.

CB.com: Were you the one that put in that request for the shuffleboard table?

Bitonio: Yeah, it was a Joel Bitonio game room for the weekend. We got an Xbox in there, some ping pong, so it's fun. It's not quite that good of a board (room), but it gets the job done for the week.

CB.com: Is that a request that you couldn't have made as a rookie?

Bitonio: 100 percent. I might not have made it last year. I asked a few other people, and someone was just like, 'Just ask Freddie.' So I asked Freddie and he was like, 'Uh, yeah. We should've done that a while ago.' It was easy. Freddie is a good coach, and he'll make sure we get the things we need.

CB.com: What is it about the two-minute offense where everything is just working for the team?

Bitonio: Baker does a good job of getting us in the right spots, and then we just have to execute from there. We do a good enough job of pass protecting, and he gets the ball in a receiver's hands and then they make some plays. That catch from Jaelen (Strong) down the sideline was a huge catch, and then Jarvis (Landry) made a couple big plays. When you're converting like that, it's pretty easy. I don't know if the Colts gave us every look they had. They kind of sat back and played a little Cover 2, but it was fun to go out there and score. Every time you get a score on a two-minute drill, it's pretty fun.

CB.com: What did you like about the run-blocking game so far and how much has it improved since the start of camp?

Bitonio: (The Colts) are a penetrating front, so they have guys that are athletic and can get up the field. Any time you can get a couple bodies on them, you have a chance to move them a little bit. It's hard at practice because you see arm tackles and you think, 'Oh, would he have dove there to make that tackle?' With (Nick) Chubb most of the time, I'm like, 'I don't think they're making that tackle.' Yesterday, we saw a 65-yarder where Chubb literally didn't get touched. I was like, 'I think he made that. He scored on that one.' Run-blocking, even more than pass-blocking, takes time to develop the rapport with your guys. How do you work a double-team? How do you feel when guys are moving around? I think that with every day that goes on, we get a little bit better.

CB.com: What have you seen from Drew Forbes and the way he's tackled so many offensive line positions so far?

Bitonio: I think it's finally starting to slow down a little for him. I think the first OTAs and the first couple weeks of camp, you have so many places around you and his feet are just going crazy and his brain is like 'ahh,' and then he just goes out there and does something. Now it's fine, and he's understanding and he can take one step at a time. It's moving fast, but it's not moving that fast. I think that's just for the rookie, when you can make that step. It's good. He's physical, and he plays hard. Those are things you can't really coach. You're just trying to build off of that with everything else.

CB.com: Do you still give him heat for the 'Prospect X' thing?

Bitonio: I think he'll get heat for that forever.

CB.com: How has he handled that?

Bitonio: He's good. He's quiet, so it's not as fun to mess with him, but I think he's embraced it a little bit.

CB.com: How do the joint practices make the actual preseason game feel different?

Bitonio: You almost feel like you know the guys a little bit. You wonder if they showed you every pass rush move they had on 1-on-1s or if they're holding some of it back. You wonder what's going on. After the game, you have more respect for a guy you've been battling in practice. You say, 'Hey, it was fun, and we'll see you down the road, hopefully.'

CB.com: What are you looking for the offensive line to accomplish in the second preseason game?

Bitonio: Just continue to build on what we did in the first game. We didn't get a huge amount of playing time, but just continue to grow and try to take the next step. We passed the ball quite a few times that first game, so we'll see what goes. Whatever they call, we'll just go out there and try to execute it and build on what we did on the first week.

J/c

I’m excited to see the Chubb/Hunt combo at the same time ... that’s a nightmare for defenses, especially if Chubb shows improved catching ability

I'm worried about the first 8 weeks, and how everyone else, even Gray, has looked better than Hilliard,

Yet Hilliards' the one slotted behind Chubb; Chubb can't do it alone.

Yeah, Hilliard has to look better the next few weeks IMO