DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Camp Stuff

J/C

Grossi reporting that Jason Pinkston didn't make the practice field today. Wonder what that's about?

Twitter link

Did he miss yesterday as well? Hmm.

Unless I missed it in the articles posted, I'm surprised that there was no mention of it yesterday.

Grossi reported that Joe Thomas was not participating today also.

Nate Ulrich ‏@NateUlrichABJ · 3m
Guys still on NFI: ILB Carder, OL McDonald, G Greco, TE Barnidge, DE Winn & NT Taylor. Also not practicing K Rogers, WR C Jones. #Browns

The lastest (it has a scroll bar, so I cannot post it):

'Cleveland Browns training camp Day 2: Live updates'

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/07/cleveland_browns_training_camp_67.html

Tom Reed @treed1919
Hoyer has been much sharper than Manziel today.

No, doesn't sound good whatsoever...

Pinkston just can't catch a break or find a way to stay healthy...

Edit, here is a Tweet off Jason's account:

Quote:

---

I can assure you I'm in no legal trouble & retiring hasn't came up. As far as my situation I'll leave it to them to explain

---

I saw this statement come up on Pinkston's twitter a little bit ago.

I can assure you I'm in no legal trouble & retiring hasn't came up. As far as my situation I'll leave it to them to explain

Twitter link

Wonder why the team is being so tight-lipped about it?

If Pinkston's problem is related to the bloodclot and/or his ability to breathe...it may be that Pinkston didn't pass the conditioning test...just a guess on my part...

Ben Tate? you mean our new Slot WR Ben Tate

Browns' RB Tate eager to prove

BEREA, Ohio-- When the pads start popping on Monday, one of the more interesting battles will start to take shape.

Ben Tate was signed as an unrestricted free agent this past off-season to be the featured running back. However, the Browns traded up to select Terrance West in the third round of the NFL Draft in May.

Tate (5-10, 220) has just nine career starts in his first three NFL seasons and is hoping to break out in 2014.

Tate said he's ready for the challenge.

"I think so," Tate said. "That's coach Shanahan's philosophy, to run the ball. That's the way this offense works. For us, running the ball to be very important to be effective."

In 2013, Tate played in 14 games, including seven starts. He rushed for 771 yards and averaged 4.3 yards per carry. He played with cracked ribs and missed just two games.

In Tate's rookie season in 2011, he had his best year he carried the ball 175 times for 942 yards (5.4 avg.), including four touchdowns, despite getting just two starts. His career average is 4.7. Last year, he also caught 34 passes for 140 yards.

The Browns are committed to running the ball and Tate is a big part of those plans.

"I think it's been proven I know if you look at what we did in the off-season with the improvement at running back and some of the moves we made up front, we're still going to have the ability to throw the football," Mike Pettine said. "We're not going to put one wide receiver out there and go two tight ends.

"We want to be an efficient offense whether it's running or passing," Pettine said. "We're not going to just say it's a run. It's a league when you're unpredictable, that's when you're the most successful when you're throwing when people think you're running and vice versa.

"I think you have to have the ability to run the football," he said. "You get a lead you can end the game or when it's bad weather and you can't throw it you have to be able to move the football."

Tate was the backup to Arian Foster for three seasons and he knows in the NFL, you have to have depth. West has shown early in practices that he might be good.

"We'll see as we go you," Tate said. "You always need more than one guy. We might need three guys. You don't really know. It all depends on how we come together offensively. You really never know. We'll dictate that as a team as time goes on."

Tate thinks when the pads go on, players will begin to really show what they can do.

"Football is all about playing in pads," he said. "Football is not played in shorts."

"It's still early," he said. "Day one, everyone is anxious, but the cream will start rising to the top. When guys get tired and when we get into the preseason games-- that's what really matters. The team isn't made in the first two days."

EXTRA POINTS

Hoyer Sharp: QB Brian Hoyer was very sharp in the second day of practice. Hoyer hit on a couple of long passes in excess of 40 yards to WR Taylor Gabriel and WR Anthony Armstrong.

Overall, it appeared that Hoyer had a better second day than the first day. Pettine was asked if he thought Hoyer was a little anxious the first day of camp.

"I think it's just human nature to be a little flighty coming off an injury," Pettine said. "He's getting used to a lot of big bodies flying around back there.

"He would have to be a robot to not be affected," he said. "I'm sure there was a lot going on in his head."

Hoyer has been taking most of the reps with the first team, which means he's throwing to the veteran receivers most of the time.

Pettine was asked if QB Johnny Manziel will get more reps with the first team.

"Players are off Wednesday and we'll evaluate then."

Inside Battle: Pettine was asked what was going on in the inside linebacker position battle between LB Craig Robertson and rookie LB Chris Kirksey opposite of LB Karlos Dansby.

"Competition," he said. "We got Kirksey and Robertson there. We'll even put (Karlos) Dansby in there a little and will do a little bit of cross training."

Gray Returns: TE MarQueis Gray returned to practice after passing his conditioning test. He missed the first day of practice on the non-football/injury list. Gray, although listed as a tight end, practiced most of the time with the running backs/fullbacks.

Pettine was asked if he thought if Gray would stay with the running backs.

"We're hopeful," he said. "Anytime you have a versatile player with a history of a receiver skill set. When there's a true fullback in the game when a guy who is in it restricts the call sheet. It's when a hybrid guy is in there it can cause problems."

Off Day for Thomas: Pro Bowl OL Joe Thomas was given a scheduled day of rest and Pettine said he's earned it.

"Joe Thomas is one of our veteran guys that will periodically have a day off," Pettine said. "There will be scheduled days off for some of the veteran guys."

Still Out: Besides OL Jason Pinkston, OL John Greco, DL Phil Taylor, TE Gary Barnidge, K Jake Rogers and DL Billy Winn remain on the active non-football/injury list. Joining those players on the sideline was rookie WR Chandler Jones.

Pettine said that Taylor is rehabbing from an injury, but gave no timetable for his return.

Johnny's Shoes: Everything about QB Johnny Manziel is flashy--even his shoes. Manziel came out on the field before practice with neon yellow/green shoes causing a buzz.

However, before practice started he switched to is standard-issued shoes.

Pettine was asked if Manziel was asked to change them.

"I'm a black shoe, black sock guy," Pettine said. "It's team issued gear. Calvin Barnett came out yesterday wearing Oklahoma State socks and even though they were orange, that lasted about a day."

Pads Popping: Monday is the first scheduled day of full pads practice. Pettine said he's looking forward to it.

"I want to be able to hear the practice," he said. "You want to be able to hear the pads popping when we're getting after each other. That to me, is what's been missing to master the aspects with the pads on."

Number Change: Rookie RB Isaiah Crowell switched jersey numbers from 30 to 34.

Quick Hits: WR Charles Johnson continues to impress as he made a couple of nice catches, one a leaping grab of a high pass...DB Josh Aubrey dropped a pass that would've been an interception from QB Johnny Manziel...Manziel threw a laser pass to WR Miles Austin after mishandling the snap on a pass play...WR Josh Gordon ran with the third team on occasion as the Browns anticipate losing him to a NFL suspension looming as early as next week.

http://www.foxsports.com/ohio/story/tate-eager-to-prove-072714

Charles Jonson is my early pick to supplant Burleson. He's Gordon-esque.

Sounds medical to me.

Yeah kinda what I figured.

j/c

Johnny even gets in trouble for his socks and shoes lol

I like the fact they made him change. Training camp is about building a team and hell he should have had to run laps for showing up in different shoes.

Pinky, I imagine its somethign with the clots again as most people that have issues with blood clots has a constant battle with them which can lead to massive stroke.

Surprises so far in Cleveland Browns training camp

Kevin Jones

Let’s start with cornerback. Buster Skrine has carried over his solid OTA and minicamp work into the summer. On a deep crossing pattern 40 yards over the middle of the field, Skrine caught up with Josh Gordon, dove and batted the pass to the ground.

“I feel like I’m getting better every year,” said Skrine. “I’m becoming a smarter player. Corner is one of those positions where you need experience to be able to play [well]. Some of the best cornerbacks now struggled their first years playing. Now they are in the Pro Bowl every year.”

Skrine hasn’t received many reps at nickel back either. That job belongs to Isaiah Trufant at the moment, a former New York Jet with Mike Pettine. Trufant is scrappy and instinctive. The Browns want Justin Gilbert to learn the outside cornerback position first, but will probably consider getting the rookie some nickel back snaps later in camp.

Anthony Armstrong, although he really shouldn’t be a surprise to Browns fans anymore. The receiver made several noteworthy catches on Sunday – across the middle of the field and a deep 45-yard bomb from Hoyer. Armstrong is 31, but he doesn’t have the mileage on his body like other veteran receivers. He was a 27-year-old rookie in 2010. His speed and knowledge of the offense are the reason he’s a first teamer early on in camp.

Read our profile on how big of an impact Armstrong had as a Washington Redskin a few seasons back.

Wide receiver Charles Johnson had a much better practice on Sunday. His name has been circled by diehard Browns fans for months as a potential breakthrough sleeper candidate. He runs routes tenaciously and really uses his hands to catches the ball, more-so with his hands than his body. It also helps that he’s enormous – every bit of 6-foot-2, 215 pound. Pettine said he had to watch Johnson’s YouTube highlights to find out about the 25-year-old. General manager Ray Farmer noted Johnson’s 4.38 40-yard dash time.

On the defensive line John Hughes and Armonty Bryant have filled in nicely for the injured Billy Winn (hamstring). Hughes looks like he’s benefitting from the organized chaos on defense. Bryant, who crushed the conditioning test on Friday, is feeling like he’s upgraded what he can bring to the table.

“My quickness has improved,” said Bryant. “Being able to get around offensive linemen so far. This defense is exotic with different fronts.”

Quarterback snapshot

Brian Hoyer was zipping the football on day two of training camp. It was absolutely a much better day for Hoyer than Saturday. There were a few coverage sacks, but for the most part, the football was rarely touching the ground when Hoyer was the quarterback delivering it.

“I think anybody coming off (an ACL injury), it’s just human nature, may be a little flighty early with lots of big bodies flying around,” said Pettine about Hoyer’s improvement from day one to day two. “I think he’ll only get more comfortable as we go.”

Nothing spectacular on the other end from Johnny Manziel, at least with the naked eye. There was some uncertainty in some of his passes on Sunday. Pettine made a good point about evaluating the competition without watching film.

“I don’t know if I want to stand here every day just walking off the field and evaluate the performance,” said Pettine. “Sometimes you think one thing and you get in and watch the tape and your opinion changes completely, so it’s hard to say.”

Quick news and notes

Guard Jason Pinkston is “unavailable to practice,” according to Pettine, and it is unknown when he will return.

Defensive tackle Phil Taylor is rehabbing and should return soon.

Monday is the first day the Browns will wear pads.


Link

Ray Farmer’s competitive atmosphere coming to life

Kevin Jones

In an 11-minute interview with media members on Sunday, Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer used some variation of the word “competitive” on eight different occasions times.

With his careful construction of the roster, Farmer has created an admirable atmosphere for players to prove themselves. Think of it like a three-week-long horse race. Dozens of players on the Browns’ roster are constantly jockeying for position. Coach Mike Pettine said on Saturday that every single snap will be taken into account.

When asked if he would be shocked if Brian Hoyer lost the quarterback battle, Farmer responded with, “I don’t think I’d be surprised, shocked about anything.”

How many positions are completely solved at the moment? Tight end, left tackle, center, right tackle, one middle linebacker, one cornerback and two safeties. That’s a testament to the newfound depth on this Browns team.

Farmer and Pettine, who meet routinely throughout the day, will have some excruciating choices to make when August winds down. And that’s exactly what they want.

The best players will play. It seems like a simple and obviously useful strategy to employ, but a portion of NFL teams don’t live by that rule. Contracts, reputations and jersey sales often dictate playing time. It will never be that way under Farmer and Pettine’s watch.

“My role here is to try to improve the talent on this football team,” Farmer said. “I think we did that; to what degree I’ll let you guys judge. I think I’m always looking to get better. The movie is never over. Every day we come out here, every day we sit in there with the scouts, we’re looking to improve our roster.”

The wide receiver position has been a heavily debated topic for Farmer and his Browns this offseason. Instead of using draft picks to improve the group, Cleveland signed free agents Nate Burleson, Anthony Armstrongand Miles Austin. Although all three clearly still have talent left in the tank, they weren’t exactly hot commodities on the market. The team also plucked a handful of undrafted free agents.

“I like our receiving corps,” Farmer told reporters. “At the end of the day, there are some names that everybody here recognizes, whether it’s Miles Austin, whether it’s Nate Burleson. There are names that you’ll recognize. There are some other guys that you won’t recognize.

“For me, it comes down to when you look at what guys do it’s when they get an opportunity to play, will they play well? Nobody knew Miles Austin until Miles Austin got his opportunity. That’s what we’re looking for, guys that compete and then push Miles Austin to make our football team better.”

The Browns may find their “Miles Austin” breakout player because of Farmer’s competition philosophy. It could be undrafted receiver Willie Snead. It could be someone like defensive lineman Calvin Barnett. It could be anyone. There are real opportunities to shine Cleveland.

Believe it or not, training camp is the lifeblood of the new Cleveland Browns. The days are long. The nights studying iPads are even longer. If a player is unsure if he’ll make the 53-man roster, he probably won’t. The building is now jam-packed with confident football players who worship their beloved sport – just like their head coach and general manager do.

A phrase both Farmer and Pettine use has resonated with the team. Many players use this quote now in their interviews: “The cream will rise to the top.”

Yes it will.


Link

Nate Burleson: Our wide receivers will surprise you

Kevin Jones


Don’t tell 12-year veteran Nate Burleson that the Cleveland Browns don’t have enough firepower at the wide receiver position.

“As a whole I think we’ve got some pieces to the puzzle that can be really powerful,” said Burleson on Sunday. “Miles Austin is a beast. He looks like a linebacker. He’s fast. He’s strong. He snatches everything. Andrew Hawkins is a guy that is just a fantasy football guru’s dream. He can run any route. He’s so quick — just gets so open. I’ve made a few plays here and there in the league, so we’re good.”

For the first time in his career, Burleson is not exactly guaranteed a roster spot. He knows this is the case. And it’s lit a fire under the 32-year-old. Burleson shook off some drops in Saturday’s practice by rebounding Sunday to look like the Nate Burleson we’ve seen throughout the years.

Burleson’s all-encompassing career is part of the reason the Browns brought him to Cleveland. He’s a professional other Browns receivers can not only seek out for advice, but use as a model to further their own careers.

A third-round draft pick in 2003, Burleson wiggled his way into the Minnesota Viking’s starting lineup opposite Randy Moss. Burleson is a balanced player across the board – speed, route running and hands – whose work ethic was unmatched. The Vikings had no choice but to play the rookie.

Burleson’s 12 touchdowns in three seasons with the Vikings established himself as a proven NFL player. He eventually signed a $49 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

The last four seasons Burleson served as a mentor the one of the league’s most talented receivers in decades, Calvin Johnson. Detroit had plans to phase out Burleson a few seasons ago, but his production on the field forced the Lions to tap the breaks on their idea.

“When I was in Detroit, they brought in (WR) Titus Young, second round draft pick. As soon as he got in I told him, ‘You’re here to replace me. You’re cheaper. You’re a playmaker. If you do your job, I should be gone.’ That was two years ago.

“It’s the same thing here. These guys are brought in here to make plays. I’m here to tell them straight up, ‘You should be looking at me like the old guy. I want to go out and outshine the old guy.’ The difference is I’m the old guy that’s going to try to outshine you every day. That’s the competitive nature of this position.”

It was impossible not to ask Burleson, an aspiring football broadcaster, his thoughts on the Browns’ quarterback competition. After all, he’s right in the thick of it.

Burleson on Brian Hoyer: “He’s fantastic. He knows the playbook. I just said earlier he has a quiet swag about him. He has a lot of qualities. He’s really good. I like him a lot.”

Burleson on Johnny Manziel: “I love Johnny. I do. Johnny is for real. I like confident quarterbacks. I like guys that are borderline cocky. Both of those guys have that. You can see it. Johnny makes a play. He walks back and he’s got a swag to him. His shoulders are bouncing. Same thing with ‘B’ (Brian Hoyer)—Hoyer would throw a ball and throw a little wink at you.”

Don’t expect many more comments on other positions from the likable Burleson. He has his own job to earn. And the fight for his spot is well under way.

Burleson broke his way into the Vikings lineup. He hung onto his spot with the Lions. Why can’t he prove his doubters wrong again? The Browns could be the latest team Burleson wins over.

Link

My biggest worry about Burleson was the arm injury. No mention of that in this latest report is a good sign.

Thanks for all the articles. It's appreciated, but does who is Kevin Jones? Those articles sounded like he was being paid by the Browns. Anyone know who he writes for?

LOL............I was wondering why it sounded so contrived and fake.

Browns Camp Report: Day 2

BEREA, Ohio -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of the Cleveland Browns training camp:

Brian Hoyer will continue to get first-team quarterback reps through Tuesday. That’s the word from coach Mike Pettine, who said Johnny Manziel will continue to work with the backups until the team’s first day off, when the coaching staff evaluates things. If Hoyer keeps performing the way he did on Sunday, Manziel may find it increasingly more difficult to move up. Hoyer was that effective, and confident, and poised, and savvy. He clearly was the first star of the second day. As for Manziel, GM Ray Farmer said: “Johnny shows up fine.” #grabbingholdoftheposition?

It’s not fair to say that Josh Gordon has been marginalized, but he clearly is not getting the same amount of team reps with the ones and twos as he did in the offseason. It’s tough not to read into that that the team expects a tough result from Gordon’s meeting next weekend with commissioner Roger Goodell about his failed drug test. “When the league tells us what the clarity is,” Farmer said, “then that’s when we’ll move forward.” The meeting in New York evidently means that Gordon, the NFLPA and the league could not come to some sort of settlement on the issue, which happened last season when Gordon missed two games and played two games for free. That it goes to Goodell also means that rules negotiated and agreed to in the Collective Bargaining Agreement come into play. Some may wonder why Ray Rice only was suspended two games for hitting his then-fiancee while Gordon faces a year ban for testing positive for marijuana. It’s because personal conduct is the commissioner’s decision and substance abuse falls under hard-and-fast CBA agreements. #stormclouds

The running back competition could get interesting Monday when the team dons pads and runs the most physical drill of Pettine’s camp: the inside run drill. It involves five linemen, a tight end, fullback and running back against a front seven. Mano a mano. There will not be full tackling, but the blocking will be full speed and physical -- the way the coach wants it. “I want to be able to hear the practice,” Pettine said. “To me, you know when the pads are popping and we’re getting after each other.” Putting on the pads also should bring a new element to the passing game, as the pass rush will be much closer to real and the coverage more physical as well. “Football is played with the pads on so, to me the real evaluation of people really starts (Monday),” running back Ben Tate said. #saddleup

Guard Jason Pinkston was absent and the team was cryptic about the reason. Pettine merely said Pinkston was missing, he couldn’t explain why and answered “possibly” when asked if he Pinkston would be back. Pinkston had tweeted on Saturday lamenting his fate, and after Pettine spoke Pinkston tweeted that he was in no legal trouble and retirement had not come up. He referred questions to the team, which isn’t saying more than it has. Pinkston missed a considerable part of the 2012 season with blood clots, but returned last season. It’s now known if anything similar has sidelined him. #concern

Sounding like a long-time veteran, Tate also said this: “When this thing gets tough and everybody’s dead tired you’ll see (which) guys are going to dig and fight. That’s when the team is made. Guys don’t make the team in the first two days (or) three days of camp.” … To give Craig Robertson and Chris Kirksey a few extra snaps inside, the Browns put Karlos Dansby outside for a few plays. Which sounds like an intriguing notion; Dansby playng outside with his size and range. ... MarQueis Gray joined practice and returned to fullback after passing the conditioning test. He tweeted his issue was cramping. ... Joe Thomas was shown proper respect and given the practice off, while defensive lineman Phil Taylor is dealing with an unspecified injury. ... Receiver Charles Johnson remains the great unknown. Farmer said he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash coming out of college. The legend grows. ... Had the Browns been installing a new set of plays Sunday his blasé performance might have been understandable. Except they weren’t new. They were old plays practiced in the offseason. ... Manziel took the field in neon spikes, but changed them less than 30 minutes into camp. Players must wear team-issued gear. Saturday defensive lineman Calvin Barnett wore Oklahoma State socks. “That lasted a day,” Pettine said. “Even though they were Browns’ orange, that lasted a day.” ... Pettine added: “I’m a black shoe, black sock guy myself.” #dot-dot-dot-com

The last word: “Nobody knew Miles Austin until Miles Austin got his opportunity.” -- Farmer, explaining why he’s not worried about the team’s receiving corps without Josh Gordon.

http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/6880/browns-camp-report-day-2

The Browns have some veteran confidence… Training Camp Notes 07.27.14

Sunday’s camp practice was kind of boring. I’ve been to enough of these now that I think I can get a sense of when the intensity is at a pitch and when it’s not. Maybe Day 1 was something of an energy dump, like a fighter who punches himself out in the first round and day two was a bit more relaxed, but the intensity just wasn’t totally there. It’s early though, so I’m not drawing any conclusions from that. The thing that I can’t help but come away from my first day covering camp is to notice the veteran confidence they have this year.

After practice, Ben Tate spoke, and his confidence is well known by this point. Tate thinks he’s one of the best running backs in the league, and he’s more than happy to talk about it, but he’s also quick witted. Whether he’s being sarcastic at a question about what it’s going to be like to put pads on tomorrow, or whether he’s talking about his abilities, he just exudes confidence. He does get serious when he talks about his teammates and what they’re showing on the field and the fact that he thinks the Browns might need three capable running backs this year, but it’s just a different feel from many personalities I’ve seen in camp with the Browns over the years.

In the same vein, we also heard from Nate Burleson. Now, when people think of him, they think of him getting injured with a pizza. He’s the first to joke about it as he did today, but he also talks very eloquently about what it means to be his age in the league. He talks about how he’s told rookies that if they perform up to the level they’re supposed to he’ll be out of a job because a second rounder, like Titus Young was in Detroit, is younger, cheaper and could have more of a future. Obviously wide receiver is a question mark and the Browns have an odd mix of questionable veterans and totally unproven young guys, but Burleson is unlike any personality I’ve seen the Browns bring in.

Now, obviously Ben Tate has more of an inside track on a position than Nate Burleson, but it’s still good to see this kind of vibe from these two guys. It’s similar to what I think guys like Donte Whitner and Karlos Dansby likely bring to the team as well. Obviously attitudes and experience are only worth so much and these guys need to make plays as well. But assuming they can still play and do so at a level higher than the guys they’re replacing, the leadership and experience are much-needed bonus for a team that was still a little on the young side a year ago.

Now some other notes…

Donte Whitner cracked up the sidelines. A fan yelled to him, “Welcome to Cleveland!” Whitner gave him a glance and scolded him a bit. “You mean welcome BACK to Cleveland. I’m FROM here.”

There were two small fights during today’s practice. The one that I saw up close was between wide receiver Willie Snead and Browns corner Buster Skrine. There was some grabbing on the sidelines and all of a sudden, neither wanted to let go of the other. It was broken up quickly and didn’t seem to be all that big of a deal to either as practice went. Plus, there isn’t even 400 pounds between the two of them. That being said, Coach Pettine talked about it after practice saying that he went out of his way to talk to anyone who was involved in a skirmish to talk to them about being “competitive” as opposed to “combative.”

This is my fourth year covering a camp and my third year with a different head coach. Yes, all teams run practice in a somewhat similar way, but it’s odd to see yet another slight variation on that largely homogenous theme. I thought Chud was an improvement over Shurmur in terms of the way he carried himself in camp. I would say in my initial observations that Pettine is very similar to Chud. He looks and acts the part in and around the drills. Chud looked beaten down by the end of last season, but his training camp demeanor was a breath of fresh air from Shurmur who was first a rookie and then “dead man walking” in my two years seeing him.

This team has a whole lot to prove and a long way to go. I mean, really, they haven’t even worn pads yet in camp. Every year is a new scene though with the Browns in Berea. Ray Farmer spoke today as well and while he didn’t give much detail about much of anything, he’s a different kind of guy too. He is the first GM I can remember going out to interact with fans and sign autographs. Then, after he spoke to the media, I overheard him say he had to go back over to the fans to meet with someone who had a résumé for him. Let’s just say I never saw Mike Lombardi and Tom Heckert or any of their bosses do anything like that.

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/2014/0...14/#more-124396