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Ten takes on the Browns' QB competition, Garrett's foot, Crowell and more
Updated July 25, 2017
Posted July 25, 2017




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10 takes as Browns training camp gets underway Thursday
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns' three-way quarterback competition will dominate training camp, but there are plenty of other story lines to follow.
Top draft pick Myles Garrett has set the bar high, but he might be limited with the foot he sprained in OTAs. Corey Coleman might also need time for a tweaked hamstring, but needs a big jump in year two. Rookie safety Jabrill Peppers signed over the weekend and is penciled in at strong safety, among other roles. Derrick Kindred will try to nail down the free safety spot, and Isaiah Crowell is gearing up for a “monster season."
Here are 10 of my takes as camp begins.
cleveland.com By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com  
Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

1. Start DeShone Kizer if he can handle it
I heard Eagles coach Doug Pederson say Wednesday he’s happy that Carson Wentz has 16 starts under his belt heading into his second season. Wentz went 7-9 last year and the Eagles believe he’ll be better because of that experience. If DeShone Kizer shows he can handle it, he should get as much playing time as he can.

The Raiders weren’t sorry they started 2014 second-round pick Derek Carr all 16 games as a rookie, even though he went 3-13. It paved the way for 7-9 the next season and 12-3 last year. A second-round QB has franchise potential, but there’s only one way to find out. The worst that can happen is that the Browns discover he’s not their man, and they set their sights on a QB in the 2018 draft.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com

2. Duke Johnson slated for the slot
The Browns lost a good slot receiver in Andrew Hawkins, who was released and signed with the Patriots. But Duke Johnson is a suitable replacement. He’s got the hands and the quickness to excel at the position. He’s averaged 57 receptions in his first two seasons out of the backfield. At the same time, after averaging 4.9 yards per run in 2016, he should remain a part of the ground game.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com

3. Fans deserve 6 victories this season
With 24 draft picks over the past two seasons — including three first-rounders this year — and fistfuls of cash spent in free agency, the Browns should be capable of six victories this season.

It's a monumental jump from 1-15, but the Browns were riddled by injuries last year. If they get good quarterback play, and key youngsters Corey Coleman and Myles Garrett are healthy, six victories are possible. They figure to have much improved offensive and defensive lines, good backs and other good skill players such as Kenny Britt. Three or four victories in the second year of this regime is not going to cut it.
Vegas has the over/under at 4 1/2 but that's not enough after all the resources they've had in the past two years.


4. JC Tretter has Pro Bowl potential
At the NFL annual meeting in March, Packers coach Mike McCarthy told cleveland.com that center JC Tretter “is a Pro Bowl center when healthy.’’ Tretter has missed 33 games with injuries over the past four years (one broken ankle and two knee injuries, including an MCL sprain that required surgery in January), but if healthy the Browns could have one of the league's better centers. There's developmental depth with Austin Reiter, who’s coming off a torn ACL.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com



5. The Browns could miss Demario Davis
Davis was the likely starter at middle linebacker before he was traded back to the Jets in exchange for defensive back Calvin Pryor. In Gregg Williams’ defense, the Mike is the quarterback of the defense and must be as smart as he is athletic.

Davis was also a good leader off the field. With Chris Kirksey moving to weak outside ‘backer, or the Will in Williams' 4-3 base, the two leading candidates to replace Davis are Tank Carder and second-year player Joe Schobert alongside Jamie Collins.

“(Carder’s) teammates are comfortable with him,’’ said linebacker coach Blake Williams. “His teammates have played with him a long time. We are comfortable with that. It is a competition. Nothing is by any means set, and that is real talk. You see Schobert out there doing a lot of good things as well. Dominique Alexander, another young guy doing a lot of good things out there. Nothing is set in stone.’’
If all else fails, the Browns should consider Kirksey as the Mike.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com

6. Derrick Kindred is the leading free safety
Derrick Kindred started five of his 12 games at strong safety last season before breaking his ankle and sitting out the final four games. With rookie Peppers set to start at strong safety, Kindred is the favorite to start at free safety, which was held by Jordan Poyer last season before a kidney injury.
Poyer is now with Buffalo.

The Browns mixed and matched safeties in spring practices, but Kindred lined up a lot with the starters. Jason McCourty can play free safety if necessary, but he’ll likely start out as the third corner.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com


7. Cam Erving vs. Shon Coleman at RT
Coleman, a third-round pick in 2016, seems to have the edge over Erving, but last year’s starting center can’t be counted out. A first-round selection in 2015, Erving enters with motivation after being moved outside.

“I want to be successful in this league,’’ Erving said. “I don't want to just be another guy, so there's always going to be a chip on my shoulder regardless of where I played, how long I played, every year there's something to prove. That's how I feel.’’

Erving is confident he’ll fulfill expectations at right tackle because he can focus on his own job and “you don't have to tell everybody else what to do.’’ He started only five games at center in college, and the pro demands of the position were too much. Right tackle gives him a chance to revive his career.   
John Kuntz, cleveland.com

8. Myles Garrett will need to proceed with caution
Garrett posted a video on Twitter leg-pressing a workout partner and more than 1,000 pounds of weights on July 5. But the Browns will likely limit him some in camp because of the high left ankle sprain he endured for most of his final season at Texas A&M. Garrett will want to impress immediately, but the Browns will have to back him off at times. The start of the season is far more important than the start of camp.


9. Let Collins roll
Collins, who looked happy and rejuvenated in spring practices, has been begging Gregg Williams to let him play some free safety and even showed off his throwing arm. The rap against Collins after the Patriots traded him here last season was he freelanced outside the structure of the defense.

Williams will play to Collins’ strengths and let him shine. If the man wants to play free safety (or throw a pass every now and again), why not? A happy Collins is good for the Browns.
Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com



10. Isaiah Crowell's contract
Crowell has a chance for a 1,000-yard season if he can keep focused on the field. Some players can block out a contract impasse and others can’t. He’s hired Drew Rosenhaus to negotiate a long-term deal.

Crowell must get to work, but the Browns should try hard to wrap him up before season's end. He’s an excellent runner, and is only 24. If he hits the market like Terrelle Pryor did, the chances of him returning are slim.   

cautiously optimistic about the JC Tretter quote/prediction
surprised about the Kindred FS statement

7. Cam Erving vs. Shon Coleman at RT
Coleman, a third-round pick in 2016, seems to have the edge over Erving, but last year’s starting center can’t be counted out. A first-round selection in 2015, Erving enters with motivation after being moved outside.

... very intrigued about this matchup/position battle.

I'm not surprised about Kindred. Listening to the Browns Daily Podcast, they were saying that Kindred was everywhere in OTA's/Minicamp.

Looked like the best safety of the bunch.


There's no question about his effort, so I'm not surprised he's in the discussion. Whether he'll be a good FS or not, is another question. But, the way I see it, he was a rookie last year. So I'd be willing to bet he'll be a better player this year.

Just depends on how he fits in the defensive scheme and how much he improves at what he's asked to do

If you start Pryor, Kindred and Peppers that is one hell of a trio of guys that will lay your ass out and that's what Greg Williams wants. I thought he would be our starting free safety and its looking like he has a real shot to be that guy.

I am looking forward to seeing what this group can do.

As for RT, Shon Coleman is a top 20 pick without the knee injury. The kid was the best player on that Auburn team. Its a big switch going from left side to right side but he has now had a year to make that adjustment. I think we are set at RT. If Cam doesn't really step it up, he may not make this team. Not sure how his salary is structured but he wasn't drafted by this regime and that is a ticket out of town if you aren't producing.

Tretter is going to have B and Z flanked on each side of him. Both are all pro caliber players. This could really be a scary interior if they can stay healthy. On paper top 3 OL easily. Can they stay healthy? Coleman year from rehab. Tretter coming off rehab. Bitonio coming off rehab. Our 6th OL may start on Pup.

It's that time of the year....

I've mentioned this several times. Expect Kindred as FS.

Yes, he blew some coverage last year as a rookie, but with a year under his belt, he will use those moments as teaching experiences to make him better.

Plus, he's a thumper. Having a thumper at FS is an extra added benefit for Gregg Williams.

I agree. A lot of our posters are saying our DB's and our WR's aren't good or this player isn't good etc. Well that was last year and some may have matured and gained some experience plus we got some new guys that can help and we have IMO a better DC which will help. I don't know if things will improve but it certainly looks better than last year at this time. I'm being cautiously optimistic at this point.

I know a lot of us (including myself) were clamoring for a FS in the draft ... I was shocked we never addressed the position outside of Powell (who is already gone) ... maybe the coaches like Kindred much more than I thought

I'm still hoping McCourty makes a move to FS.

Just an idea.

could happen

Allot of these moves will be determined in TC. We may be in for some surprises depending on who plays well and who doesn't. GW seems like he has allot of say about who will play and where. Should be interesting.

It's not going to happen this season or next season, but I think Haden would be able to make the switch when it's time.

I was thinking that this morning in the shower, lol


Haden would probably be a pretty good free safety. He's a good tackler, has good ball skills, can cover zone and man, and when he has the ball in his hands, watch out.

LOL man.....was all of that intentional?

Petey, don't you think it would be dangerous to be thinking of Haden's "ball skills" while in the shower? Then you end with "when he has the ball in his hands, watch out."

You're killing me, man.

Williams "requires" every player to know two positions- wonder if Haden has already tried one of the safety positions- he hasn't been a good corner for several years- injuries....wonder IF Williams will play best 11 no matter what.....GO Browns!!!

Everybody who is worried about the free safety position, it doesn't matter if you have 11 all pro db's back there, this league is not set up to have Db's win the game for you,

It's set up to have your Quarterback, and your passing game win it for you. And there is still no defense for the perfectly thrown pass.

But, ON the quote above.

If Haden, who is your hall of fame Corner, were to get some plays at the free safety position, two things would have to happen.

1. They'd have to sign someone to play corner over the opponents best receivers, in the offseason, like bringing in Jason McCourty or something.

2. They'd probably hint at it with the D.Coordinator making public statements like "everybody" on the defense has to play 2 positions, or something, meaning your hall of fame Corner. He's not going to play D tackle, or linebacker, so...

3. If they do get Haden roaming free in zone, at least he's the most experienced veteran and should have all the knowledge already.

But everybody who is worried about the Free Safety position, really, relax

After last year, if you get ANY kind of production, it's going to feel like gamechangers.
Plus!
With all the midseason replacmentalism of last year, just about anybody they bring into the game is going to have had a few starts already.

But if they put the 11 best defenders on the field, meaning the top 5 or 6 dbs, where does Kindred, or BBC, or Ibraheim, or Reynolds, or Channing, or Kai, fit into that.

But sometimes, I mean , the league is set up to pass, there's only so much you can win by having better Db's, and other teams are going to complete passes, but sometimes DTalkers act like if one pass gets completed then somebody is awful and always was, when everybody knows players do better when they're grouped with other gifted players;

Than if you left them on an island and expected them to make all the game saving plays by themself, without really any help to rely on, which seemed to happen last year.

edit: I didn't read the above 3 posts before making this one. hmm.

I liked the Kindred pick when we made it, and I think that he's a player. I expect him to start at FS, and to do well.

Shon Coleman hands down ... although I hope Erving can be quality depth ...

Kirksey as Mike. . . ? Moving Kirksey or he makes the calls or both? Tank can do this as well, I hope.