Most, if not all Browns players, were in their own "bubbles" as Kevin Stefanski addressed them virtually Tuesday during the team's first meeting of 2020 training camp.
Though the Browns have gone above and beyond to ensure the bubble they've created at the team's facility in Berea provides the safest possible environment for preventing the spread of COVID-19, the players won't be spending all 24 hours of their day inside of it. That's what makes the bubbles they create at their respective residences all the more important as the Browns and NFL hope to be at their healthiest selves when the season kicks off in September.
Stefanski said the team "talked a lot" Tuesday about the importance of responsible behavior outside of the facility.
"To me, it's a shared responsibility," Stefanski said. "It's something that it's not just one person's responsibility to stay on top of. We're really going to be counting on our veterans to show some good leadership here. It's a unique time and I know there's a work-life balance for our players and I completely understand that, but this is such a unique time and they have to take care of their teammates.
"We talk so much about being a good teammate and one of the ways we can a good teammate is when you leave this bubble and go into your own bubble, just making sure that you're making really sound decisions and ultimately you're taking care of your teammates when you do that, your teammates and your coaches."
Stefanski said he's encouraged players to continue those conversations with those who will be closest to them throughout the season. Their actions, too, are just as important.
"It's something all of us are living with and something all of us have to make good choices, make good decisions," Stefanski said. "You just have to do everything in your power to keep yourself and your teammates and their families safe. That's hard. That's not easy for a lot of families, mine included, but you just have to do it. It's the sacrifice that we're making to make sure that we're keeping everyone else safe."
No change
Stefanski said he has not yet talked with David Njoku but stressed the team's stance has not changed on the fourth-year tight end, who recently requested a trade.
"We believe in David, excited to work with him," Stefanski said. "I'll get to finally be in the same room as him this weekend – he's coming in for physicals – and then get out on the field with him Monday. Excited to work with him."
Njoku, a former first-round pick, was sidelined for most of 2019 because of a wrist injury but excelled the previous season, catching 56 passes for 639 yards and four touchdowns. The Browns picked up Njoku's fifth-year option in April to extend his contract through the 2021 season.
Landry on schedule
Stefanski said he would know more in the coming days but continues to be encouraged by the progress of WR Jarvis Landry.
Landry, a five-time Pro Bowler who is coming off a 2019 season in which he set career-highs in receiving yards and yards per catch, underwent hip surgery in February.
"He remains on schedule based on everything he has done post-surgery," Stefanski said.
'Next man up'
Stefanski said he respected the decision of G Drew Forbes, who was placed on the reserve/opt-out list Wednesday. Forbes, a sixth-round pick in 2019, was among those competing for the starting job at right guard.
"There should be competition at a lot of positions, that's the fun part of training camp and I think our guys are eager to compete," Stefanski said. "Drew made a decision. I respect his decision. It's the 'next man up' mentality and we'll see how it all shakes out."
Head coach Kevin Stefanski met with the media via Zoom on July 30, 2020.
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Thursday that the team won't huddle during training camp walk-throughs, a football version of social distancing. That tweak brought to mind a larger adjustment the XFL introduced during its 2020 season, and planned to enhance in future years, until the league filed for bankruptcy in April.
To speed the pace of the game, the XFL initiated a major expansion of wireless communication from a coach's headset to a small speaker in players' helmets. The NFL currently allows it for quarterbacks and defensive signal-callers. But the XFL also used it for some skill-position players and planned to implement it for linemen in 2021.
There is no need for a huddle, of course, if every player hears the playcall at the same time as the quarterback. Conservatively, a team could eliminate at least 100 instances of players gathering close together during each game.
There is no evidence that the NFL gave serious thought to expanding coach-to-player communication as part of its pandemic protocols. Historically, it has been slow to adopt technology on the field. Remember, it still prohibits teams from using their Microsoft Surface Pro tablets to view video on the sideline.
But there is a world of advantages to consider in such an expansion, even if it has to wait until a less chaotic time. According to Sam Schwartzstein, the XFL's former director of football operations, the league was planning multichannel communications in 2021 that would have allowed position coaches to speak only to their players prior to the snap. The XFL also eliminated the cutoff point for communication to help improve the quality of play. (The NFL's cutoff point is with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock.)
"You don't need to make the game harder than it already is," Schwartzstein said. "Coach-to-player communication is definitely the next step. We had just scratched the surface with it."
I will be honest. I have reached the point where I am not consuming any of this media on new coaches. Every year I go to the opener and I say to myself....I will know in the first half and certainly by the end of the game if this coach is worth a damn.Every single time and I mean every single time, they come out in the opener and I watch them accumulate 8 pre snap penalties in the first half and I know they are going to suck.
Last year was a special type of abomination with the sloppy play but certainly not an outlier. So while I clicked on this link, I saw what it was and did not read it. I will watch and judge for myself if this guy has any idea on what he is doing.
I haven't seen disciplined football since Eric Mangini.....that was literally a decade ago.
A few things have come out over the past two days that were worth mentioning, but didn't really demand their own individual stories.
1. Odell Beckham Fallout Odell Beckham's conversation with the Wall Street Journal was two weeks old when it was published. And since he's currently in Berea working with the team on conditioning, what he said has been treated as something he no longer believes because he isn't opting out this season.
The concerns Beckham raises in that article are no less valid than they were two weeks ago. They might be more valid given the increase in the death count over the past two weeks. Nothing Beckham said seemed like it was about his individual safety, but was speaking about the league and ultimately society as a whole.
Just because Beckham has a huge salary doesn't mean he can't have the concerns of 'regular people'. Plenty go to work because that's their job, but that doesn't mean ethical concerns regarding whether sports and football specifically should be played are invalid. There's nothing about that thought process that's untenable and it really reflects the concerns of many people in this country.
If Beckham has some peace of mind because he believes the team is doing everything they can to keep the players safe, that's great, but it doesn't address the concerns he raises about society as a whole.
2. Organizational Attitude Remains Positive Whether it's Kevin Stefanski, the team's head coach or general manager Andrew Berry, they really seem to be maintaining a positive attitude, trying to roll with the punches, not allowing any setbacks to get them down, at least publicly.
They've only had three players opt out to this point and two of those are players were in line to potentially start in Drew Forbes and Andrew Billings. Forbes would've at least had a chance to start at right guard, competing with the incumbent Wyatt Teller. Billings was going to have a major role in the defense, was a big addition to their run defense and reducing the overall workload Larry Ogunjobi was going to have this season.
Two positions with excellent depth now may need help from outside the organization. The team has been supportive of the decisions of those players, which is really all they can be in this environment. They may lose more before Thursday's deadline. And they have work to do to improve their roster, but they aren't sweating.
The 80-man roster limit does ensure they options to bring in to try to address the situation. It's just not going to be easy to replace what those players brought to the table.
Damon Harrison is the gold standard at nose. The Browns could look into that spot, but many of the players that are opting out this season are offensive and defensive linemen. Being obese has increased risk with COVID-19 given the potential stress it can put on the heart and lungs in particular. The NFL's athletes that are over 300 pounds are incredibly impressive, but the human body really isn't designed to casually carry that much weight, so that is a concern.
3. Team's Handling of David Njoku The Browns continue to take the high road with tight end David Njoku in light of his trade demand which he has now rescinded. They want him on the team, so it's not a surprise. He's a big part of their plan, wanting to utilize double tight end sets in their offense at a high rate. They have no interest on rubbing salt in the wound to Njoku, even if it's just to his ego.
Njoku has been immature at times in his career and they need him engaged and positive to maximize his impact on the team. Even while acknowledging he was surprised by the trade demand, Berry noted that Njoku was communicative throughout the process, trying to make it minimize the salacious nature of the story.
Njoku, should he feel attacked and opt to sulk, he could have another nothing year. It's in the best interest for both Njoku as well as the Browns to keep him as positive as possible. The team has really handled this situation well and it might provide some tangible benefits this season.
4. Baker Mayfield Things When asked about Baker Mayfield, Berry was positive about him. From his efforts to bring the team together in a unique offseason, his own work to transform and improve his body and put in the work necessary to be a great quarterback, Berry was excited about what he can be.
Berry wasn't asked about Mayfield's Instagram post that featured Dr. Stella Immanuel, a doctor that has provided a massive endorsement for hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19. Even if there are people who believe in that drug as an effective treatment, Immanuel's other beliefs have drawn scorn from critics.
From her insistence that vaccines being developed are made from alien DNA and will make people immune to being religious to saying that gynecological conditions are caused by sex with demons that occurs while women sleep, she's not exactly the ideal champion for that particular cause. It will be interesting to see if this comes up with Stefanski or Mayfield himself when he next has a media availability.
Berry wasn't asked about Mayfield's Instagram post that featured Dr. Stella Immanuel, a doctor that has provided a massive endorsement for hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19. Even if there are people who believe in that drug as an effective treatment, Immanuel's other beliefs have drawn scorn from critics.
From her insistence that vaccines being developed are made from alien DNA and will make people immune to being religious to saying that gynecological conditions are caused by sex with demons that occurs while women sleep, she's not exactly the ideal champion for that particular cause. It will be interesting to see if this comes up with Stefanski or Mayfield himself when he next has a media availability.
Oh dear Lord.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Berry wasn't asked about Mayfield's Instagram post that featured Dr. Stella Immanuel, a doctor that has provided a massive endorsement for hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19. Even if there are people who believe in that drug as an effective treatment, Immanuel's other beliefs have drawn scorn from critics.
From her insistence that vaccines being developed are made from alien DNA and will make people immune to being religious to saying that gynecological conditions are caused by sex with demons that occurs while women sleep, she's not exactly the ideal champion for that particular cause. It will be interesting to see if this comes up with Stefanski or Mayfield himself when he next has a media availability.
Two questions and a comment.
Q1: Did that lady really make those claims?
Q2: What did Baker say about her on Instagram?
C: I would like to see Tony Grossi question Baker about this.
In the PP forum there are links that show she has supported those very beliefs. My guess, although that's all it is, is that the same link Trump posted of this woman was retweeted by him. I am not going to elaborate any further on it because I don't feel this is the proper forum for me to do that.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Berry wasn't asked about Mayfield's Instagram post that featured Dr. Stella Immanuel, a doctor that has provided a massive endorsement for hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19. Even if there are people who believe in that drug as an effective treatment, Immanuel's other beliefs have drawn scorn from critics.
From her insistence that vaccines being developed are made from alien DNA and will make people immune to being religious to saying that gynecological conditions are caused by sex with demons that occurs while women sleep, she's not exactly the ideal champion for that particular cause. It will be interesting to see if this comes up with Stefanski or Mayfield himself when he next has a media availability.
Two questions and a comment.
Q1: Did that lady really make those claims? YES
Q2: What did Baker say about her on Instagram? I'm not on instagram,, so I got no idea
C: I would like to see Tony Grossi question Baker about this. Me also
Last edited by Damanshot; 08/06/2007:49 AM.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Berry wasn't asked about Mayfield's Instagram post that featured Dr. Stella Immanuel, a doctor that has provided a massive endorsement for hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19. Even if there are people who believe in that drug as an effective treatment, Immanuel's other beliefs have drawn scorn from critics.
From her insistence that vaccines being developed are made from alien DNA and will make people immune to being religious to saying that gynecological conditions are caused by sex with demons that occurs while women sleep, she's not exactly the ideal champion for that particular cause. It will be interesting to see if this comes up with Stefanski or Mayfield himself when he next has a media availability.
Two questions and a comment.
Q1: Did that lady really make those claims? YES
Q2: What did Baker say about her on Instagram? I'm not on instagram,, so I got no idea
C: I would like to see Tony Grossi question Baker about this. Me also
LOL at putting Grossi on the case.
There is no level of sucking we haven't seen; in fact, I'm pretty sure we hold the patents on a few levels of sucking NOBODY had seen until the past few years.
LOL as well, I agree with humor of Grossi, but part of me would like to see how he would handle that. Maybe it is something Ancient Aliens missed out on.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
By Scott Patsko, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio – If you look at the roster on the Browns’ website, you’ll see only Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller listed as guards among the active players.
That’s because the rest of the position group opted out of the 2020 season this week. Drew Forbes, Colby Gossett and Malcolm Pridgeon are among the five Browns sitting out the season due to coronavirus concerns, creating some depth questions at guard.
While Bitonio is the obvious starter at left guard, Teller was expected to compete for the right guard job.
Andrew Berry has said Teller, Forbes, draft pick Nick Harris and Even Brown are candidates at right guard. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan mentioned Teller, Forbes, Gossett and Willie Wright as possibilities.
As the Browns get training camp up and running, let’s take a closer look at what the Browns lost at guard, what remains, and what else might be available.
WHAT WAS LOST?
Forbes, a sixth-round pick last year, was considered by most to be Teller’s main challenger. Being mentioned as a top contender by both Berry and Callahan certainly didn’t hurt that belief.
It would’ve been his second run at the position. Forbes was a tackle in college but entered the 2019 right guard competition late in training camp before beginning his rookie season on IR. He returned late in the season to play nine special teams snaps and has yet to take the field on offense. His NFL guard experience is 116 preseason snaps.
Gossett was a sixth-round pick of the Vikings in 2018, and began his career on the practice squad. The Cardinals signed him late in the season and he started the final four games at left guard, earning replaceable level grades from Pro Football Focus. He spent last season on the Patriots and Browns practice squads.
Pridgeon, originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Texans in 2019, has yet to play in an NFL game.
WHAT REMAINS?
Bitonio is a two-time Pro Bowler and not really part of this conversation because his spot is secure.
Teller was a fifth-round pick of the Bills in 2018 and started the final seven games of his rookie season. He was traded to the Browns last year shortly before Week 1, then took over for Eric Kush midway through the season. Only Kush and Chris Hubbard had worse run-blocking grades from PFF than Teller (48.2)..
After Teller and Bitonio, the Browns need to look to their centers for guard experience. Berry pointed out after the draft that all the Browns’ guards and centers would be cross-trained.
Harris played guard his first two seasons at Washington before switching to center. Similarly, Brown was a guard at SMU before switching to center his final two seasons. In the NFL, Brown has 37 snaps at guard, all in Week 14 for the Dolphins last season.
Wright, signed as an undrafted free agent last season, has yet to play in a regular season game. He was used primarily at center in the preseason.
There is also Hubbard, the Browns’ right tackle the last two seasons, who is battling for a reserve role after restructuring his contract. During his first three seasons – as a Steelers backup - he was used almost exclusively as a guard during preseason games.
WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE?
This kind of depends on what the Browns want to accomplish.
Do they want guards who can compete with Teller for the starting spot? It seems they would’ve signed more experienced guards by now if that were the case.
Former Saints Pro Bowl guard Larry Worford – whose style of play seemed to clash with the quick, athletic guard play Kevin Stefanski’s offense requires – is still a free agent, but announced he is sitting out the 2020 season.
Free agent Josh Kline started 12 games at right guard last season for the Vikings. But despite signing him to a three-year $15.5-million deal prior to last season, the Vikings released him in March. Kline has been out there this entire time, leading one to wonder if Stefanski determined he wasn’t the best fit for his offense (PFF has given Kline a starter-level grade as a run blocker just once in his seven seasons).
Former Broncos guard Ronald Leary (31) is still a free agent. The Broncos declined to pick up his option, saving them more than $8 million in 2020 (he signed a four-year, $36-million deal in 2017). But Leary has played just 19 games over the last two seasons and hasn’t lasted a full season since 2013.
Do the Browns simply want to add more guards to avoid logistical issues during camp drills? If that’s the case, it’s not hard to find camp bodies.
A POSSIBLE SCENARIO
Where the Browns could really feel the pinch of losing three guards is the practice squad, which is expanded to 16 players this season. Teams have a chance to stockpile more offensive linemen that way (the league even allows two extra players to be active on game day, and one must be a lineman).
If the Browns just move forward with what’s on the roster, they’d surely need to search the waiver wire for options following cut-down day. Then they’d have to get those players up to speed as the season begins as opposed to having their own roster cuts - who would already be familiar with the scheme - clear waivers and move to the practice squad.
But that’s way down the roster.
It seems more likely that Berry will sign some extra camp bodies to play guard, and the Browns will move forward with a right guard competition that includes Teller, Harris, Brown, Wright and maybe even Hubbard.
Most NFL teams take nine or 10 offensive linemen into Week 1. The Browns currently have 11 on the roster. If Teller does claim the starting job, the Browns could have a backup group that includes Hubbard and Kendall Lamm at tackle and Harris and Brown available for guard or center.
That’s a scenario that could’ve happened even with Forbes, Gossett and Pridgeon still in the picture
Kevin Stefanski says he’s 100% committed to Jedrick Wills Jr. as Browns’ left tackle vs. Ravens despite rookies being behind the curve this season
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/08...er-on-that.html By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com BEREA, Ohio -- Kevin Stefanski says the Browns are still 100% committed to starting rookie Jedrick Wills Jr. at left tackle vs. the Ravens in the opener Sept. 13 regardless of offensive line coach Bill Callahan observing that Wills is behind the curve like all NFL rookies.
Stefanski also said not putting Myles Garrett over Wills most of the time in team drills is more about what the defense is trying to accomplish.
“If that’s something that we want to do, less so than what it means to Jedrick,’' he said.
Callahan acknowledged that it’s been tough for young players such as Wills, the No. 10 overall pick, to learn their craft with their no offseason or preseason — let alone trying to make the quantum leap from right tackle to left.
“Rookies across the league are behind the curve,’' Callahan said. “Our goal is to bring him up to speed as fast as we can. We’ve really inundated him with techniques and walkthroughs. We’ve gone through several measures in the classroom showing him different players doing the techniques that we’re asking of him. The progress has been positive, but you just don’t know until you go up against live competition.’'
Wills will get a small taste of game speed on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium when the Browns wrap up the first of two practices there with a “move-the-ball’ competitive period. It’s not the same as having to make sure your quarterback doesn’t end up on his back in a live game, but Wills is working against Pro Bowl competition each day.
“Having the looks that we’re getting in practice from No. 54 (Olivier Vernon) and No. 95 (Myles Garrett) certainly helps that,’' Callahan said. “He’s obviously lost his share and he’s won a share of his reps, but that experience of getting out against quality and premier pass rushers is invaluable. Every day, it’s a learning experience for him.’'
During most team drills, Garrett, who missed the first five days of camp with a tweaked hamstring, is lined up at left end across from right tackle Jack Conklin. But Callahan, like Stefanski, says it’s more a statement about the defense than trying not to shatter Wills’ psyche. Other players, such Sheldon Richardson, have worked against Wills at times.
“We’ve had Myles over Jedrick’s position several times, not only in the one-on-ones but also in team,’' Callahan said. “I can’t speak for the defense, but what I feel and what I sense is that they’re just trying to get Myles up and going. He’s on a little bit of a pitch count, so I’m sure they’re monitoring his reps and making sure that he’s not overdoing it as he’s just making his way back in.’'
Callahan said Garrett is quickly rounding back into form, which will help all of the o-linemen get their game faces on.
“Watching Myles yesterday, he was really impressive finishing plays, and we highlighted that today as a team to watch him finish,’' he said. “He had great championship effort on the plays that were shown to the team. I was really impressed, as I’ve always been impressed by Myles.
“In terms of his one-on-ones getting matched up on Jedrick, we’re trying to give Jedrick as many different looks as possible, whether it’s a speed rusher, a power rusher or a combination-type player. We’re just trying to get as many different people on him to give him that exposure of the speed, quickness and power that he’s going to face.”
Callahan dismissed the notion that Wills is struggling more than anticipated in the switch from right tackle to left.
“I wouldn’t say that,’' he said. “I’ve gauged his rate of improvement. You’d love to have it much higher, like a veteran level, but let’s be realistic, that’s just not going to happen in this day and age because of the tardiness of techniques of not having the offseason and things of that nature. I do think that the players learn more once they get into the games. They are really more in tune to what’s going to occur and what they can expect. That rate of improvement is key.’'
He said the key for Wills in this coronavirus-marred season is to keep trending upward.
“Week in and week out as we move through the schedule and during the season, I just want to see constant improvement,’' Callahan said. “I want to see his technique get better and I want to see him graduate to a level where he can handle just about anything. Now, he is not going to be proficient at everything, but I want him to have good exposure and a good understanding of the things that are going to be facing him.”
Callahan was realistic about the possibility of starting two rookies on the line against the Ravens in Wills and fifth-round pick Nick Harris, who might have to start in place of JC Tretter. Tretter underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Aug. 13th, and the opening will be cutting it close for him.
“We just have to deal with it,’' Callahan said. “We weren’t expecting JC to have surgery, and of course, he’s working hard to make his way back. Of course, I’ve had so many different combinations over the last few years, it’s been fun. It’s challenging. It’s not what you really want optimally because you don’t want two rookies in there, but we’ve had great veteran leadership with Joel Bitonio just helping those guys out, communicating and putting a calm to them. Overall, I think they’re going to get better as time goes on. It will not be perfect, but again, the experience is totally invaluable.”
Callahan said the Browns are letting Wills work out of a two-point stance on his side.
“We’ve staggered Jedrick in a two-point and a three-point so he has worked in both,’' he said. “He’s punching out of both stances to the close side where the tight end is there positioned next to him. Most of our tackles are down in three-points. We have given a little bit more flexibility to the left tackle to the open side of the formation where there is not a tight end adjacent to him to play from a two-point because that’s where their best defensive player is located.
“To be in that position from the two-point, probably more comfortable for the tackle because he can see a lot more, he can anticipate a little bit better and it does help them when they do pass set.”
Callahan agrees with Garrett that Wills, who’s expected to address the media Sunday, mustn’t get down in this accelerated camp when he gets beat, especially by the savvy, Pro Bowl veterans he’s facing. Wills just turned 21 in May, and spent his career at Alabama at right tackle, protecting lefty Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside.
“For all the rookies in our league and especially on our team, they need to learn the cycle of the snap, and they need to get the mindset prior to the play in the pre-snap,’' Callahan said. “Then of course when the snap is over, good bad or indifferent, they need to process that quickly and find out or learn what they did good, what they did bad and what they could do better and then move on to the next play.
“That ability to change the mindset of the next play and going to the next play is critically important for a young player. Sometimes, they have the tendency to dwell because they want to do so well that it kind of feeds into that cycle of overthinking, paralysis and things of that nature. We have worked really hard at trying to get a mindset for Jedrick and all of our players of getting on and getting forward with the next play.”
Garrett promised last week to help Wills both mentally and physically.
“That was one of the things I was seeing when he was out there going against OV,’' Garrett said. “He’d get beat once or twice. Just try to pick his head up. ‘Hey, focus on the next play.’ [Vernon] has been in the league for a long time for a reason. He knows how to play the game. He knows how to rush the passer. You can’t get discouraged from one drive.
“This could just be the one where he got you and you could go on to protect the quarterback perfectly for the rest of the game, so don’t allow these couple plays to keep you from getting where you want to go. This is just training camp, and you have a long season. You can improve from today all the way to there, and end up like one of the guys who only gives up one or no sacks throughout the year.’'
Garrett also vowed not to go easy on Wills.
“Oh, no,’' he said. “Nobody ever learns when you dial it back. Now walking through, that’s different. Once we’re out there with pads on, shells or whatever it is, I’m going to give him whatever I have so he can get that feel of a good defensive end coming off on him and what he’s supposed to be on him.”
Over the next two weeks, Wills will probably experience more of that.
Not surprised to hear Wills is behind ... change of positions and basically no true offseason
I was hoping he’d be better than what is being said if you read between the lines
"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."
Roster exemptions: Raekwon McMillan (Raiders after trade from Dolphins), James Lockhart (claimed off waivers) Roster exemptions lifted: Damion Willis (Browns), Salvon Ahmed (Dolphins)
Waived: D.J. Montgomery (Browns), Jalen Dalton, Darrin Paulo (Saints), Christian Angulo, Javon Leake (Giants), Kofi Amichia (49ers), Eli Mercer (Seahawks)
Quote of the Day: Browns competition for 3rd WR is open and ongoing
Quote of the Day is a recurring series that will single out something said by a Browns player, coach or executive in a given day and provide context behind its importance.
The quote: "I think our evaluation of that spot on our roster is still ongoing. Certainly, (WR Rashard) Higgins has done a nice job and been very competitive to try to earn that position. I think there is a very competitive situation on our roster for that spot and we have a lot of guys vying for it. I do not think anything is set in stone. I think the evaluation is still ongoing." — Pass game coordinator/WRs coach Chad O'Shea
Everyone knows who the Browns' top two wide receivers are.
Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry share a combined eight Pro Bowls, 1,028 receptions, 12,000+ yards and 80 touchdowns between them. They give the Browns' one of the best one-two punches at the position in the entire NFL.
Behind them, though, remains an ongoing competition, and O'Shea made that clear as he went down the line of potential options. Observations from practice haven't provided many tells, either. Each player in the mix has seemingly received an opportunity or two with the first offense.
The options are plentiful, though, and each player has seemed to make a positive impression on O'Shea, who has coached some of the best at the position across a career that includes five conference titles and three Super Bowl rings.
"When you look at that area and those guys that are vying for that position, whether it is Higgins or whether it is (Taywan) Taylor and Damion Ratley is coming off being injured and he is coming back to the field some … Really, there are a lot of guys that are doing a good job," O'Shea said.
"I would say the competition is still open."
Higgins has made a number of plays over the past week of practice, including a handful of touchdown catches during Thursday's shortened session. The veteran is coming off a disappointing 2019, but his chemistry with Baker Mayfield remains apparent. He received high praise from offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt earlier in the week, too.
"Higgins has stepped up," Van Pelt said. "He really has been impressive with his ability to finish plays. He battles right to the end in the run game, and in the pass game, he is getting better each day."
Ratley has only participated in a few practices because of a groin injury. He's one of the team's fastest wide receivers and ended 2019 on a high note when he caught a long touchdown against the Bengals.
Taylor didn't see the field much last season after joining the team in a trade right before the season opener. The former third-round pick was productive in 2018, though, and has made a number of plays throughout camp.
KhaDarel Hodge, one of the Browns' top special teams players, recently rejoined the team after missing time for personal reasons. During the early part of camp, Hodge was on the receiving end of a number of big plays.
"KhaDarel Hodge is somebody that I have been extremely impressed with," O'Shea said. "I have a great deal of respect for the way he plays the game. The one thing that he has done is he has given himself an opportunity to play multiple positions because he studies hard and he knows what to do."
And then there's sixth-round rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones, who drew praise from Kevin Stefanski on Friday for his "versatility" and ability to help the Browns at a number of spots, including special teams. O'Shea's assessment of the rookie was matter of fact but he certainly did not eliminate Peoples-Jones from this wide-open competition to work alongside Landry and Beckham as the Browns' No. 3 receiver.
"There are some things that he is a making a lot of progress on and he is doing exactly the way we want him, and then there are going to be some times where there is not as much consistency as we want," O'Shea said. "I think that is true of all young players that try to transition into the National Football League, especially in a very unique year in which we have had the limited amount of opportunities to go out there together. I have been pleased with his work ethic and his overall attitude."
NOTESNotes: As Browns look to build winning culture, Malcolm Smith brings Super Bowl experience, willingness to share knowledge
https://www.brownszone.com/2020/08/29/no...hare-knowledge/ BEREA — New linebacker Malcolm Smith has been where the Browns are desperate to get. He’s appeared in the playoffs four times, playing nine games, including the 2013 Super Bowl. He returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown, recovered a fumble and totaled 10 tackles as he was named MVP of the league’s biggest game. As the Browns attempt to build a winning culture after two decades of losing, Smith brings valuable experience from his four years with the Seahawks. He knows what it takes. “One is definitely the passion every day to come to work and understand that you are competing on multiple fronts,” he said Saturday. “You are competing to stay healthy. You are competing to stay strong throughout the year. You are competing to pay attention to the small details. “Everything counts. That was something that we always harped on. All the good teams that I have been on and all the good organizations, it has always been about everything you put in counting toward something. There are no steps that get ignored, and as soon as you do, you give an opportunity for someone else to beat you.” Smith was signed last Sunday after Mack Wilson went down with a hyperextended knee. Smith, 31, adds experience at a position lacking proven depth. “I am just trying to add my sauce and bring what I can to the mix,” he said. “That is how you get things better. You blend energies and you try to get everyone moving in the same direction. “It is not fair for me to keep some of the knowledge that I have. You have to share what you know for us to be good, for us to compete and for us to operate at our best as a unit. You don’t want to miss any opportunities to share what you know.” Smith remains motivated by not being invited to the scouting combine before he was a seventh-round pick in 2011. The Super Bowl MVP trophy that sits in his home office is the perfect proof that he belonged in the NFL. “It is cool. It is definitely cool for my family to have something like that attached to my name, and it is special,” he said. “But overall, it is just a testament to the group we had and the work we put in and even myself individually.” Sheldrick Redwine has passion for fighting social injustice, foundation to help kids and is ready to take next step in career
I’M NO. 3
The most intriguing position battle may be at the No. 3 receiver spot. Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Taywan Taylor, Damion Ratley and rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones are in the mix to join Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry in three-receiver sets. “Certainly, Higgins has done a nice job and been very competitive to try to earn that position,” pass game coordinator/receivers coach Chad O’Shea said. “There is a very competitive situation on our roster for that spot, and we have a lot of guys vying for it. I do not think anything is set in stone.”
Hodge made an impact last season on special teams but could expand his role on offense. He spent a lot of time with the first team Saturday. “KhaDarel Hodge is somebody that I have been extremely impressed with,” O’Shea said. “I have a great deal of respect for the way he plays the game. He is very good mentally. “He is dependable and detailed. I am very fortunate to have him in the receiver room, and he is a good example for our other players of the overall dependability and putting the team first in everything he does.”
THRUST INTO ACTION
Rookie fifth-round pick Nick Harris didn’t have time to settle into his first NFL training camp. Tretter had knee surgery the day before practice started, bumping Harris into the starting lineup. Tretter’s status for the opener Sept. 13 in Baltimore remains in question, which means the Browns could start two rookies — left tackle Jedrick Wills and Harris. “We just have to deal with it,” line coach Bill Callahan said. “We were not expecting JC to have surgery and, of course, he is working hard to make his way back.” Callahan likes how Harris has handled himself. “He can get us in and out of the protection calls that we need to make. That aspect for a young center has been really impressive,” Callahan said. “Then, of course, trying to bring him up to speed with all the physical fundamental techniques at his position, it has been really challenging, but he is a guy that continues to make strides and improvement. “He has just come in there with a really good confidence about himself and nice poise, and that is refreshing for a young player.”
INJURY REPORT
Linebacker B.J. Goodson didn’t practice for a personal reason. ** Backup tackle Chris Hubbard (ankle) didn’t practice. ** Cornerbacks Greedy Williams (shoulder), Kevin Johnson (lacerated liver) and M.J. Stewart Jr. (hamstring), center JC Tretter (knee) and Wilson (knee) remained out. ** Defensive end Adrian Clayborn (groin) returned to practice. EXTRA POINTS
Stefanski still won’t announce whether he or coordinator Alex Van Pelt will call the offensive plays during the season. “We are going to mix it this week, but I am sticking to the plan,” Stefanski said. “I promise I will update you guys when appropriate.” ** The roster exemption for receiver Damion Willis expired, so receiver D.J. Montgomery was waived to make room on the 80-man roster. Willis was claimed off waivers from the Bengals on Wednesday. He didn’t practice Saturday.
Eli Ankou’s NFL journey has been a winding one. Three years, three teams and only 20 games played. The Ottawa native has spent it all battling on the fringes of rosters and this year was to be no different but while the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the rest of the world to its knees, Ankou was given a chance to shine.
Ankou was poached off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice roster by Cleveland in 2019 and his seven tackles in nine games with limited reps as a run defender were enough to earn him a training camp berth. In a regular year, Ankou would have almost certainly been on the chopping block but the coronavirus caused a rash of changes in the NFL and veteran free agent signing Andrew Billings opted out of the 2020 season. That left a 328-pound hole for a run-stuffing nose tackle in the defensive line rotation.
Listed at six-foot-three and 325-pounds, Ankou is at least 20 pounds heavier than any other player on the Browns roster, which meant he immediately got first crack at Billings’ role. Most outside the club thought a free agent would be brought in to replace him but with a week left in camp, Ankou has remained and he’s made the most of his opportunity.
On Friday, the UCLA-product was named one of the eight most impressive performers in Browns’ training camp by Jeff Risdon of the USA Today sponsored BrownsWire, listed alongside established NFL stars like Odell Beckham Jr, Kareem Hunt and Autin Hooper. One thing has set Ankou apart in the eyes of those who frequently view Browns’ practice, a natural ability to get his hands into passing lanes.
After Ankou deflected a Baker Mayfield pass up in the air for an interception on Thursday, the Browns’ in-house host Nathan Zegura marveled aloud over the live-stream broadcast.
““How many times have we said, ‘pass batted down by No. 91’?,” he asked.
Apparently, it’s been an awful lot and Zegura elaborated on Ankou’s camp performance in his practice recap.
“He has done an excellent job taking on double teams and has shown a knack for batting balls down at the line of scrimmage,” he wrote. “Kiffin even raved about his athleticism and movement skills for a man that size.”
A player who once seemed a roster long-shot appears to have carved himself a niche in Cleveland. While Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi will start for the Browns along the interior, with top rookie Jordan Elliott used heavily in rotation, Ankou appears to be the one tasked with doing the dirty work and two-gapping on the inside. It may be the fourth man on the depth chart but it means another year of NFL employment for the 26-year old.
Should Ankou keep his momentum going another week and make the roster, it will be a proud moment for Ottawa football fans but one that might be bittersweet in the long term. A year of NFL success will keep Ankou another year further from returning home and suiting up for the Ottawa Redblacks, who drafted him in the third round of the 2017 CFL Draft.
Still, Ottawa has established itself as a growing producer of top football talent and those in the city might well have October 4th circled on their calendars. That’s the day that Cleveland travels to Dallas and, if all goes according to plan, both defensive lines will feature Ottawa born anchors in the form of Ankou and Cowboys’ rookie Neville Gallimore.
Cleveland Browns Training Camp Recap: Day 13 - What Happened to Njoku? The Browns’ tight end mysteriously disappeared from practice, and was not listed on the injury report afterward.
Let’s get right into the Day 13 practice report for your Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report - Day 13 (8/29/20) 1. No Pads: With the Browns set to practice at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, Cleveland practiced in shorts without pads on Saturday.
2. Drill of the Day: This is a cool camera angle for the quarterback accuracy drill, seeing QB Baker Mayfield put it on target and right through the net:
3. Third WR Role: As I have mentioned in the past, whoever wins the No. 3 receiving job will likely not see a lot of reps on gameday, based on Kevin Stefanski’s history. But, you still want a reliable person for that role, and also, you want someone else reliable in general in the event they need to fill in for WR Odell Beckham or WR Jarvis Landry. Prior to practice, receivers coach Chad O’Shea was asked about the third receiving job, and said that WR Rashard Higgins, among others, have done a nice job. When asked specifically about WR KhaDarel Hodge, he gave him some nice praise:
Hodge and Higgins each saw some work with the first-team offense in practice.
4. Jedrick Wills to Start Week 1: OT Chris Hubbard was not at practice today. After practice, he was listed on the injury report with an ankle injury. Also missing from practice was LB B.J. Goodson (personal). As for starting rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills, offensive line coach Bill Callahan spoke before practice and conveyed what others have said: it’ll take some time for Wills or any rookie to get ready in this shortened season, but he’ll get there:
Head coach Kevin Stefanski left no doubts, though: Wills will 100% be the starting left tackle in Week 1.
5. Njoku’s Mysterious Disappearance: After coming out to begin practice, TE David Njoku walked back inside a little bit after, and “didn’t appear to be injured.” After practice, no mention of Njoku was made on the injury report. A lot of fans on Twitter have jumped to the speculation that Colts TE Trey Burton suffered a calf injury today, and want Cleveland to trade Njoku for S Malik Hooker (since S Grant Delpit is out for the year). That is not a rumor, though — it’s merely fans trying to connect some dots.
6. Still Kicking Reliably: Second-year K Austin Seibert connected on all eight of his field goals to end practice again, continuing his strong camp. One of his kicks ricocheted in off the upright, so maybe he’s learning the Phil Dawson trick. His next big test comes tomorrow at the stadium.
7. Sunday’s Stadium Practice: Head coach Kevin Stefanski said that tomorrow’s practice at FirstEnergy Stadium will serve as a normal practice, and also for the team to get familiar with the stadium itself. They will have at least one “move-the-ball” period that is competitive. The next time they practice at FirstEnergy Stadium, they will treat that one as more of a scrimmage/dress-rehearsal.
In addition, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will call plays during the Sunday practice:
8. Brownies: The Browns have waived WR D.J. Montgomery. ... DE Adrian Clayborn (groin) returned to practice. ... Other players absent from practice included CB Kevin Johnson (liver), CB M.J. Stewart (hamstring), C JC Tretter (knee), CB Greedy Williams (shoulder), and LB Mack Wilson (knee). ... A total of 75 puppies have been adopted via the Browns Puppy Pound this year.
9. Next Up: On Sunday, the Browns will practice at FirstEnergy Stadium, beginning at 1:25 PM. The players have Monday off.
He's the kind of guy that doesn't make it here and goes somewhere else to be a Pro Bowl TE. And the guy we keep will be out of the league in two years...
95% chance. He went inside with the strength trainers for scheduled work according to Zegura.
If only we could get exercise benefits from jumping to conclusions .....
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
It will take a good half of the season for Wills to get comfortable with the position. The change to LT from RT is a success but the lack of physical work has ALL NFL rookies behind...maybe CB and WR can be a little ahead as they can get most done without contact involved. But OL you need contact to learn. So we will have to use about 8 games real games to get him comfortable at LT. So I hope the fans don't judge him on those first 8 games and call him a bust. He will get better with each game.
jmho
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off! Go Browns! CHRIST HAS RISEN! GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
I think Njoku sticks unless we can trade him. What could we get for him? Maybe like a 5th round pick ... he simply isn’t good considering what he could be
"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."
He's the kind of guy that doesn't make it here and goes somewhere else to be a Pro Bowl TE. And the guy we keep will be out of the league in two years...
Ya, cause we’ve had so many players leave here to go on to be pro bowl players ...
Did anyone actually think that Wills would be a finished product at this point.. Even with a normal off season of Prep... I doubt he could have been totally ready.
Give it time... I figure by Mid Season, we'll begin to see how good he can be.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Did anyone actually think that Wills would be a finished product at this point.. Even with a normal off season of Prep... I doubt he could have been totally ready.
Give it time... I figure by Mid Season, we'll begin to see how good he can be.
It's really hard to get good impressions based on this off season.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
Did anyone actually think that Wills would be a finished product at this point.. Even with a normal off season of Prep... I doubt he could have been totally ready.
Give it time... I figure by Mid Season, we'll begin to see how good he can be.
Agreed - I wonder if the pick would be the same knowing how poor the pre-season prep would be? I'm expecting early season struggles and improvement throughout the season and a big leap forward next year where he plays at a top level.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
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