By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com | Posted July 26, 2018 at 07:51 PM 0 shares 1 Comment
Tyrod Taylor and Baker Mayfield go through quarterback drills. (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com) CLEVELAND, Ohio - The first day of Browns training camp is in the books, and the afternoon featured some big plays, some gaffes, a few injuries and a do-over at the end when coach Hue Jackson wasn't happy with a team drill. Tyrod Taylor, working with the first-team offense, made the play of the day when he fired a ball down the deep left side for Jarvis Landry. Baker Mayfield, working with the second-team offense, connected with Rashard Higgins in 11-on-11s for a deep TD pass. Linebackers Jamie Collins and Mychal Kendricks sat out team drills as they continue to recover from their surgeries, and fifth-round linebacker Genard Avery out of Memphis got some first-team reps at the Sam linebacker spot in Collins' absence. Greg Robinson, signed last month, worked with the second-team offense behind Shon Coleman at left tackle, and second-round pick Austin Corbett worked with the second team at left guard. But Jackson said the club hasn't given up on the rookie yet at left tackle, even though Joe Thomas told NFL Network he's a guard. The following players did not practice today due to injury: OL Desmond Harrison (toe-PUP), DB Jabrill Peppers (groin-NFI), DL Chad Thomas (hernia-PUP) and DL Trenton Thompson (illness-NFI). The following players left the field with injuries today: TE Devon Cajuste (concussion), DL Caleb Brantley (cramps), DL Daniel Ekuale (calf), WR Damion Ratley (hip) and WR Derrick Willies (cramps). Here's a look at some training camp highlights from day one: 1. Antonio Callaway blisters in one-one-ones Callaway, the Browns' fourth-round receiver, tore up the defensive backs in one-on-one drills to the delight of the crowd. On one play, he beat Denzel Ward on a bomb from Baker Mayfield. Callaway sat out minicamp with a groin injury, but looked fast and healthy in practice on Thursday. In team drills, he dropped a sideline route, from Mayfield, but if he keeps progressing, he could steal playing time away from Corey Coleman, who's filling in for Josh Gordon as the starting "X.'' 2. Tyrod Taylor and Jarvis Landry connect Tyrod Taylor to Jarvis Landry is becoming a familiar refrain, especially with Gordon absent. The three-time Pro Bowler caught passes all over the field, but made the play of the day on the long sideline reception from Taylor in team drills. (Not shown in the tweet above). The Browns will count on these two to score a lot this season, and Landry is eager to go deep more and improve on his 8.8-yard per catch average from a year ago. 2. Tyrod Taylor and Jarvis Landry connect Tyrod Taylor to Jarvis Landry is becoming a familiar refrain, especially with Gordon absent. The three-time Pro Bowler caught passes all over the field, but made the play of the day on the long sideline reception from Taylor in team drills. (Not shown in the tweet above). The Browns will count on these two to score a lot this season, and Landry is eager to go deep more and improve on his 8.8-yard per catch average from a year ago. 3. Corey Coleman getting his chance
" Antonio Callaway blisters in one-one-ones Callaway, the Browns' fourth-round receiver, tore up the defensive backs in one-on-one drills to the delight of the crowd. On one play, he beat Denzel Ward on a bomb from Baker Mayfield. Callaway sat out minicamp with a groin injury, but looked fast and healthy in practice on Thursday. In team drills, he dropped a sideline route, from Mayfield, but if he keeps progressing, he could steal playing time away from Corey Coleman, who's filling in for Josh Gordon as the starting "X. "
I have some high hopes for Calloway being the steal of the draft .. he gotta stay out of trouble, but there is a lot to like about the physical talent.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Joel Bitonio on rookie LB Genard Avery “I think he’s going to be the real deal. I know it’s early but he can really rush the passer. They’re going to play him at stand-up LB but when we need to rush the passer, he can play on the edge and really make things happen”
Joel Bitonio on rookie LB Genard Avery “I think he’s going to be the real deal. I know it’s early but he can really rush the passer. They’re going to play him at stand-up LB but when we need to rush the passer, he can play on the edge and really make things happen”
My favorite draft pick by far since we tabbed him ... really encouraged by his versatility
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
The obvious thing I saw in his tape was quick feet.
It is one thing to be fast say in the forty. That is not what I mean.
Quick feet comes into play when in short space you can set a defender up and explode to gain separation. It also comes into play after the catch. When you are elusive and can bust plays open.
Callaway has that. He will be tough to cover on shake routes.
I hope he will become a professional and leave his past behind.
So I saw Sam Darnold didn't report to camp and has an unsigned contract. Glad we're not dealing with that drama.
Its crazy that even with slotted contracts and all that time that some still don't get to camp on time
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
The Cleveland Browns have signed DL Zaycoven Henderson and WR Blake Jackson.
Henderson is a 6-1, 305-pound rookie out of Texas A&M. He appeared in 45 games for the Aggies and totaled 111 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He is a native of Longview, Texas.
Jackson is 5-10, 200-pounds and officially in his first NFL season out of Mary Hardin-Baylor. A quarterback in college, Jackson appeared in 39 games, passing for 4,311 yards and 49 touchdowns. He earned Most Outstanding Player Honors in the 2016 Stagg Bowl after leading UMHB to the National Championship. He also spent time in the CFL. Jackson is a native of Houston, Texas.
so it looks like Breeland and Pacman may not come to fruition, at least today
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
" Antonio Callaway blisters in one-one-ones Callaway, the Browns' fourth-round receiver, tore up the defensive backs in one-on-one drills to the delight of the crowd. On one play, he beat Denzel Ward on a bomb from Baker Mayfield. Callaway sat out minicamp with a groin injury, but looked fast and healthy in practice on Thursday. In team drills, he dropped a sideline route, from Mayfield, but if he keeps progressing, he could steal playing time away from Corey Coleman, who's filling in for Josh Gordon as the starting "X. "
I have some high hopes for Calloway being the steal of the draft .. he gotta stay out of trouble, but there is a lot to like about the physical talent.
Berea, OH (92.3 The Fan) – Carlos Hyde calls him “Beast,” Duke Johnson “Old School.”
The Cleveland Browns expect him to be a playmaker.
Rookie running back Nick Chubb is opening eyes and at the same time earning the respect of his new teammates, especially his fellow backs who are competing with him for touches this season.
"He's old school,” Johnson said Friday. “The way he carries himself, the way he dresses in practice, it drives me crazy.
"His helmet, his face mask, he doesn't really wear gloves all the time. He's in the wrong generation."
Chubb smiled when asked about Johnson’s comment.
"I am who I am," Chubb said. "I really don't wear chains or anything flashy. I put my pads on and my gear and whatever I need and just go to work."
The Browns selected Chubb in the second round – 35th overall – in the draft this past April out of Georgia where he racked up 4,769 yards, averaged 6.3 yards per carry and ran for 44 touchdowns.
"Nick is a beast," Hyde said. "Definitely brings a lot to the game that will get us some wins this season. Just, overall, a good player."
It’s not often you see a rookie earn high praise from seasoned vets, especially ones he’s trying to take work away from, but Chubb’s done just that.
“I don’t really feel like he’s a rookie,” Hyde said. “Usually, rookies come in and be all kind of lost, just trying to feel their way out. I think Nick understands what’s going on. He understands what being a pro is. “
Pick your poison – The Browns hope they’ve built a 3-headed monster in the backfield with Hyde, Chubb and Johnson.
“We definitely could be something special,” Johnson said. “We have to find our roles. Each one of us has to find a role and not be upset about it, not get bothered by it but embrace it. And the sooner we embrace it and the sooner we understand what our role is for this team, the better we'll be."
Hue Jackson has talked at length about running the ball but maybe the third year will be the charm when they actually do it.
“We have to have a mindset that we can do that, but at the same time, we have to do what it takes to win games,” Jackson said. “You guys know sometimes that means we might run it a ton, and sometimes we might have to throw it a ton. Whatever it takes, but we have to become a physical group, and be able to run the ball when we need to run it.”
Johnson has worked with receivers in drills during the first 2 practices, a sign that he might pull double duty like he did a year ago leaving the bulk of the ground work to Chubb and Hyde.
“You don't always need to hand the ball off and put it in someone's stomach to see what kind of runner they are,” Johnson said.
What is clear is that before pads have even been put on – that happens Saturday – egos have already been checked at the door among the 3 backs.
“You pick your poison,” Chubb said. “We have talented running backs so it’ll be hard to stop for a defense. It’s hard for them to plan and scheme. I come from a crowded backfield too so it’s nothing new to me.”
Need for speed – Jarvis Landry has shown off his Velcro hands daily since joining the Browns but on Friday he flashed his speed.
During a receiver-defensive back drill, Landry put a double move on T.J. Carrie faking an outside burst before turning inside and catching Tyrod Taylor’s throw at the 25 and cruising into the end zone for a 60-yard score.
Once Landry turned on the afterburners, Carrie was left in the dust. After the play Landry wrapped his hand around Carrie as if to console him and the 2 appeared to have a good laugh about it.
Nothing like it – Hyde marveled at the fan turnout for training camp the first 2 days.
“Oh man, that was awesome,” Hyde said. “The first time since I’ve been in the league that I’ve seen a lot of fans at a practice. Just shows how loyal the Dawg Pound is.”
Hyde was asked to compare the turnout to what he experienced in San Francisco.
“We had a little bit last year. That was like the first time I’d see it, but not as good as here,” Hyde said.
Puppy pound counter – 13 puppies from the Northeast Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) were adopted Friday and a total of 24 the first 2 days of camp. Since the program’s launch in 2015, 247 puppies have been adopted.
Injury report – Did not practice: WR Damion Ratley (hip), TE Devon Cajuste (concussion), DL Daniel Ekuale (calf), OL Desmond Harrison (toe-PUP), DL Chad Thomas (hernia-PUP) DB Jabrill Peppers (groin-NFI), and DL Trenton Thompson (illness-NFI).
DL Caleb Brantley left practice for a second straight day due to cramps and OL Greg Robinson is being evaluated for concussion.
Up next – First practice in full pads Saturday from 2:35-5:30 p.m.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
This was quite a good read. Duke produced as well as anybody; he gets us and seems to get what we are doing. This was interesting to see some good analysis and "big picture" kind of take on this. Good stuff and I see it as a real positive before we get the hitting started for real.
Today, Football breaks out in Berea!
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
