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That was punctuated by a critical miss in a playoff(?) game that ended the season for the Ravens. I'd guess that's what people outside of Cleveland think of when they hear Billy Cundiff.

Browns Camp Report: Day 6

It will be interesting to see how the plays break down in Saturday’s scrimmage. One day after saying the team would soon start giving Johnny Manziel some snaps with the first team, Manziel was again with the backups. Coach Mike Pettine said after Friday’s practice that he had yet to lay out exactly how the scrimmage snaps would break down, which is a bit of an oddity given the way coaches prepare. Traditionally, each quarterback would get at least one chance against the starting defense.
•Free safety Tashaun Gipson left practice and was taken in the locker room with what looked like a leg injury. Pettine would only say he was “being evaluated.” Gipson, the team’s most underrated player, had been having a very strong camp. It’s not known how long he might be out, if at all.
•Friday was a day for the offense as players celebrated every touchdown. Manziel flipped the ball over the goalpost, Anthony Armstrong threw a ball into the stands, Nate Burleson tucked the ball under his shirt and waddled around and Willie Snead spiked the ball with authority. ““I think they were a little frustrated over time with the defensive backs,” Pettine said. “They’ve been very physical with them and they won a lot of the battles. I think that just spilled over. Anytime they got a chance to get in the end zone, they wanted to make sure everybody knew it.”
•Though quarterback is the obvious position that will be watched in the scrimmage, there are others. Among them … Receiver: What’s life going to be like without Josh Gordon, if he’s suspended? … Linebacker: Chris Kirksey has stood out in many drills; he appears to have some serious ability. … Cornerback: Justin Gilbert is coming on every day; can Buster Skrine hold him off? … Running back: Terrance West was the talk of camp for two days, but he seems to have leveled off. He and Ben Tate should both get long looks.
•Travis Benjamin received his first significant time with the offense, and the team found clever ways to take advantage of his speed. Benjamin left linebacker Zac Diles flat-footed with one juke move after a catch. … Undrafted rookie Willie Snead is the best of the rookie receivers. Snead got some snaps with the starters on Friday. … Rookie Joel Bitonio continues to impress; he smothered Jabaal Sheard in a one-on-one pass-rush drill. … Brian Hoyer had three excellent throws in red-zone drills, two that resulted in touchdowns – one on a slant to Austin the other on an in to Taylor Gabriel, in front of Donte Whitner.
•Up next: The Browns will have an intrasquad scrimmage at the University of Akron at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/79928/browns-camp-report-day-6

LOL at the only way the offense can win the day is by catching punts and including the coaches in the drill. If that doesn't tell us something..........

Cundiff kicked very well last year. Let's hope he continues.

Oh, I hope that Gipson's injury isn't serious. I fully understand that many on this board believes he stinks, but both Jauron and Horton praised him quite a bit. Horton even said he was the defensive MVP. Our new regime did not bring in one player to challenge him. Oooppps, some of you say Leonard. Nope guys. He was brought in late. He is here to either give him that "one more year" that he wants and/or to mentor some of the other guys while playing in dime situations, which are more common than many think.

Some of you think I am stupid, but others respect my football takes...........For the latter group: I think the guy played very well last year. He is young, raw, and still learning. I think he is only going to get better. Losing him would be a huge blow for our defense.

If he stinks cut him and sign a different guy. There are plenty of good kickers on the street. It's where we got Cundiff

I thought Gipson improved quite a lot over the course of last year.

His 'learning curve' is reminding me of Buster Skrine's...

Gipson - I don't think anybody hates him. We just realize that he is an average safety and unlikely to ever becomes anything more.

Cundiff - Missing 3 of 4 from 30 yards is the yips. Missing 3 of 4 from 50 is not. jmo

Some of you think I am stupid, but others respect my football takes...........For the latter group: I think the guy played very well last year. He is young, raw, and still learning. I think he is only going to get better. Losing him would be a huge blow for our defense.

As in most cases of what we see on the field - We agree. Gipson is a gem from the UDFA ranks, I for the life of me cannot understand the negatives some view him with? The strides he made from a rookie to a 2nd year starter was simply amazing. Something we just don't get that much here. I know some will sight Cribbs. But he couldn't get a starting position...he was a special football player. Gipson became a Starter as he earned it. Pettine showed no hesitation in naming Gipson a starter in an off season of known competition. Just too many with great knowledge of DBs seem to agree with Vers n Me...I don't understand the lack of excitement for him. Every team of "DESTINY" as I call this one...has 2 or three of these that make it so!

jmho

Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 6

homps says hello, Browns fans! I got up bright-and-early Friday morning to head on our to Berea for my second training camp session of the summer. The attendance was announced at 3,391 fans, which is a high amount but actually the lowest-attended camp I've been to since 2012.

Today's training camp report is going to be structured a little different. Usually for the Family Day event every year, I discuss my notes in chronological order. I can't do that this year since I'm not going to Akron on Saturday, but I'll still roll with the chronological report to keep things fresh (except for the "Brownies" bullet point). Let's get to my notes from Day 6 of training camp.




CLEVELAND BROWNS TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 6 (8/1/14)
1. Setting the Scene, Part 1: For those who read my personal report from Day 2 of training camp, this "setting the scene" section is an extension of that. I applied for an "easy pass" earlier in the week and got it for Friday's practice. It's supposed to allow you in to practice before the gates open at 8:30 AM; or, even after the gates open, you can still avoid the long lines and just pass through the "express line" on the far left of the entrance.

My brother and I walked on to Beech Street at 8:28 AM. There were two Papa John's vehicles that were leaving the area from where we were headed, which seemed unusual. We saw the huge line of fans in the street, but we stayed on the far left sidewalk, walking freely up to the gate. My brother was asking, "are you sure we can just go past everybody, isn't that kind of ridiculous?" In my head, I was thinking, "I wonder how many of these people think we're cutting them."


2. Setting the Scene, Part 2: Right as we got up to the front, the main gates opened. There wasn't a single person in the "easy pass express line." Our bags were checked, ticket scanned, and we were inside right at 8:31 AM. Upon entering, workers were saying, "don't forget to get your free slice of pizza!"

I am a sucker for free food -- I think I made a living off of it in my college years. I scurried over and grabbed a fairly large-sized piece of pizza, courtesy of Papa John's (that explains the two cars I saw earlier). I eat a lot of pizza, but I think that's the earliest I've ever had a slice, and it was oh-so-tasty. Unfortunately, practice was being held on Field 2 again, which is the one where fans are furthest from the action.

We picked a different area to sit with our foldable chairs -- behind the white picket fences, which is more in line with mid-field. Of course, the offense-defense drills ended up being on the south side of the end zone today (away from the building), which is where we sat Sunday. Oh, well -- the view we had Friday morning still wasn't too bad, all things considered.


3. Leonhard Getting in Work Early: It's tough to project whether S Jim Leonhard will have a roster spot this year. On Thursday, it was indicated that he plans on retiring after this season. Right before practice started at 9:30 AM, Leonhard was off to the side, away from his teammates. There were a couple of ball boys throwing a football to each other and allowing Leonhard to practice his technique of knocking the ball away each time as a defender.

It's one of those things that reminds me of Leonhard's "veteran status" -- a willingness to kind of go off and do his own thing. He feels comfortable on a Mike Pettine team, but now the question is whether Pettine needs Leonhard anymore or if he sees more upside in keeping the likes of Jordan Poyer and Josh Aubrey.


4. Anyone But Edwin Baker on ST: One of the first drills of practice involved players returning simulated punts and/or kickoffs from the JUGGS machine. Some of the players involved included RB Dion Lewis, RB Edwin Baker, WR Travis Benjamin, WR Andrew Hawkins, WR Anthony Armstrong, WR Willie Snead, WR Jonathan Krause, and CB Buster Skrine.

One player stood out in the drill (which only involved fielding the kicks), and that was Baker. Unfortunately for Baker, it was for the wrong reasons. I saw him muff the kick/punt three times. The next closest might have been Krause, who appeared to have one go off of him. All I know is that there is no way in hell Baker sniffs return duties on gameday.


5. Whitner Not Afraid to Deliver a Pop: Thursday was a "live tackling" practice, and Saturday's family day will feature "live tackling" as well. The teams were in full pads on Friday, but tackling was not permitted. That didn't stop SS Donte Whitner from squaring up early in 7-on-7 drills to meet RB Terrance West head on. You knew both players were still "taking it easy," but if that were a preseason game, it would've been pretty awesome to find out which player would've come out on top.


6. 1-on-1 WR/DB Drills: These drills were taking place on the other field, but because of my seat location today, I could at least see some of the action. WR Nate Burleson made a couple of note catches in which the ball just seemed to stick right on his shoulder with the defensive back on top of him. WR Anthony Armstrong showed off his speed against a defensive back on a deep ball and made a nice falling catch.

WR Andrew Hawkins and WR Taylor Gabriel used quickness to their advantage to gain significant seperation. WR Willie Snead had two plays where the quarterbacks couldn't connect with him, but it was hard to tell if that was due to Snead not making great plays on the ball, or if the passes just happened to be errant when it was his turn.


7. Gunner Candidates: The Browns did a drill where literally a boatload of players took turns at the gunner position, attempting to stop Spencer Lanning punts from landing in the end zone (i.e. their goal was to down it at the 5 yard line). Listing everyone wouldn't be useful information, but I did take note of the first two players who began the drill: S Johnson Bademosi and CB Isaiah Trufant. Could they be candidates for the primary gunner positions?

While the gunners were practicing the downing of punts, WR Travis Benjamin and CB Joe Haden were taking turns fielding the punts or waiving fair catch on them. Benjamin actually muffed one punt, and then immediately seemed to playfully make a motion with his hand as if to say, "where's the flag, the gunner interfered with me."


8. First Set of 11-on-11's Begin Ugly: The first set of 11-on-11 drills didn't go too well for either quarterback. QB Brian Hoyer began with a handoff, but then he called a timeout before the start of the next play. When the next play came, there was no where for him to pass the ball, and after a long time (probably would be a game sack), he just tossed the ball into the stands.

The uglier part came when QB Johnny Manziel came in under center. WR Taylor Gabriel wasn't very open -- there were three orange jerseys around him (the defense was wearing them) -- but Manziel forced it anyway and S Josh Aubrey jumped the route with a nifty one-handed interception. Zac Jackson of FOX Sports Ohio, who probably had a better look than I did, said that Manziel was "unhurried and through the ball off of his back foot."

Other notes I scribbled around this time: WR Travis Benjamin had a nice open-field juke off of a swing pass, and WR Miles Austin had a high ball deflect off of him and up into the air. The deflection off Austin hit the ground, but it's one of those balls that normally finds a defender. The quarterbacks also seemed to be a bit erratic during 7-on-7 red zone drills.


9. Safety Punts & Kickoffs: I got to see something I've never seen at a Browns training camp session before: the safety punt! Spencer Lanning only did two safety punts, but it's always cool to see a little something new in practice. After that, Billy Cundiff came on and did a bunch of kickoffs. Players were practicing running down the field, but the drill pretty much just involved Cundiff booming the ball out of the end zone every time.

Offense Gains the Momentum: The special teams drills must have given the offense a much-needed lift, at least when Hoyer was under center, because for the rest of practice, they turned things up a notch and it was a pleasure to watch. I took notes on the 11-on-11 drills, which are listed below. Then, there was a brief water break before they went to 11-on-11 red zone drills. I had to leave at 11:40 AM, so I missed the red zone stuff.


11. 11-on-11 w/ Hoyer: Here are the plays I saw with QB Brian Hoyer in 11-on-11 drills:

Play 1: Hoyer attempted a pass to WR Willie Snead on an out route that fell incomplete. It was a good throw, but CB Buster Skrine kind of mugged Snead and was flagged for either interference or illegal contact.

Play 2: Right at the snap, Hoyer didn't hesitate: he whipped a pass to WR Miles Austin at the line of scrimmage from the slot position. It only gained a couple of yards, but I suspect this was one of those run-adjustment type of plays.

Play 3: Hoyer dropped back and fired the ball to WR Anthony Armstrong on a quick slant. It was a tight window, but the pair hooked up for what would've been a nice gain.

Play 4: On Hoyer's final attempt, he got rid of the ball quickly to WR Willie Snead over the middle. Snead was open for a nice 5 yard gain, but he wasn't looking for the ball and didn't make the catch. It seemed like Snead was too busy worrying about OLB Paul Kruger coming into his view.


12. 11-on-11 w/ Manziel: Here are the plays I saw with QB Johnny Manziel in 11-on-11 drills:

Play 1: Manziel handed off to FB Ray Agnew for a short gain.

Play 2: Manziel threw toward the left side of the field for WR Andrew Hawkins. I kind of had my head down writing notes, so I'm not certain if the ball was behind Hawkins or if he dropped it. The bottom line: incomplete pass.

Play 3: Manziel tried to get the ball to WR Miles Austin, but the pass fell incomplete.

Play 4: OLB Paul Kruger got some pressure off the edge, and Manziel did a nice job moving around in the pocket to avoid the sack. He rolled out to his right and fired a sideline pass to WR Marlon Moore. CB Justin Gilbert read it perfectly and broke up the pass -- if you ask Gilbert, he'll probably tell you he should have picked it. Not a great day for Manziel, to say the least.


13. 11-on-11 w/ Thigpen: Here are the plays I saw with QB Tyler Thigpen in 11-on-11 drills:

Play 1: Thigpen threw a pass to TE Emmanuel Ogbuehi, but S Josh Aubrey basically bear hugged him before the pass arrived, drawing a flag from the officials.

Play 2: I'm not 100% certain what happened here, but after I was writing notes on the previous play, I looked up to see Thigpen running up the field to his left for a few yards. Someone behind me uttered that there was a bad snap or exchange, so I'll roll with that.

Play 3: Thigpen threw was looked to be a Bang 8 route to WR Charles Johnson and the duo connected. I know the Johnson hype is still there, but from the two training camp sessions I've been to, his reps seem quite limited, as if he's part of the third stringers.

Play 4: Thigpen overthrew an out route to WR Travis Benjamin, but the coverage appeared to be there anyway.


14. Skip Connor Shaw: Let's just skip QB Connor Shaw, because he's not important (no, seriously -- they just moved right from Thigpen back to Hoyer).


15. 11-on-11 w/ Hoyer: Here are the plays I saw with QB Brian Hoyer in his second attempt at 11-on-11 drills:

Play 1: WR Miles Austin had a mismatch against a linebacker, and he made him pay. Austin faked a move to the outside and then went back to the inside. Hoyer timed the break beautifully and already had the football on its way for a nice completion.

Play 2: Hoyer went deep for WR Andrew Hawkins, who had a step on his defender. I thought it was going to be a completion, but the ball just barely fell out of the reach of Hawkins.

Play 3: Hoyer's final play of 11-on-11's was a strike to WR Anthony Armstrong on a deep slant route. If we total Hoyer's performance in the past two 11-on-11 drills, he was 4-of-6 for pretty good yardage.


16. 11-on-11 w/ Manziel: Here are the plays I saw with QB Johnny Manziel in his second attempt at 11-on-11 drills:

Play 1: This play was actually kind of a negative for Manziel. CB Joe Haden immediately fell down at the start of the play, and the fans gasped as WR Jonathan Krause was wide open down the field. Manziel didn't see it whatsoever though -- he was looking to the left, while Krause was on the right. Eventually, after some scrambling, Manziel saw Krause and lobbed the ball up to him for the easy completion. What was Haden doing in, anyway? Per Tony Zarrella of 19 Action News, he was subbing in for CB Justin Gilbert for a play.

Play 2: Manziel threw a smooth pass from the pocket on an out route to WR Miles Austin. The crowd let out a cheer, but I don't think it was one of those sarcastic cheers -- I think they just overreacted to finally seeing a good throw from Manziel.

Play 3: Manziel rolled out and hit WR Willie Snead for a short gain. After going 0-of-3 in his first set, he went 3-of-3 in this set to finish 3-of-6. Hoyer was the more polished quarterback, but it'll still be fun to watch Manziel grow as the preseason comes along.


17. One More Slice & Coaches Fielding Punts: As I stated earlier, I had to pack up and leave at 11:40 AM, about 20 minutes before practice was scheduled to end. The Browns were doing some 11-on-11 red zone drills, and from the sounds of things, I believe the offense was performing well.

As I was exiting, Papa John's was begging fans to take the remaining slices of pizza that they had. You bet I took another slice! Local media reports state that after I left, the Browns had another competition for the orange jerseys. This time, it involved assistant coaches fielding punts from Spencer Lanning. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan must have done a better job than the defensive side, because the offense will wear the orange jerseys for the first time this Monday.


18. Camp Chatter from the Fans: I always try to listen for the logical or absurd "camp chatter" from opposing fans around me. Here is a sample:

(1) There was more logical talk than absurd talk among the section of fans around me Friday. One kid was asking his dad (or guardian) why the Browns needed so many players in camp who won't make the team, and the elder fan explained that teams want to see if they can find any diamonds in the rough. Good answer -- although I would've also added that you need the bodies to eat up minutes during the preseason games.

(2) One fan said that the Browns' defense has always been pretty good -- at least better than the offense every year. I assume he was talking about the post-1999 Browns, in which case both statements are not true. We've had some horrid run defenses, and in 2007, the Browns' offense lit it up with QB Derek Anderson, while the defense was terrible.

(3) This one had me laughing out loud, from the same father-son pair from earlier. Out of no where, I just heard the kid exclaim, "Is that Seneca Wallace!?!" to which the father laughed too and replied, "No, that's Brian Hoyer, you goof."

(4) Fans were confused again, wondering who was throwing those high kickoffs/punts (it was the JUGGS machine).

(5) "Hey look, there's Tony Grossi," said a fan nearby. I whipped out my camera and snapped a shot just before he got out of the frame. I also saw Ken Carman and Adam the Bull at practice, and a fan did Carmen's signature "yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!"

Injury Updates: NT Phil Taylor remained out. OT Martin Wallace, WR Chandler Jones, ILB Darius Eubanks, and ILB Tank Carder were also idle.


20. Brownies: With LT Joe Thomas having the day off and Wallace being idle, Paul McQuistan filled in at left tackle. ... Media reports say that OG John Greco received some of the first-team reps at right guard over OG Garrett Gilkey. ... A brief confrontation broke out near the start of camp, but didn't amount to much. ... QB Johnny Manziel was flagged for flipping the ball over the goal posts after a touchdown. ... WR Anthony Armstrong tossed the ball into the grandstand after he caught a touchdown. ... The orange jerseys look cool in person. ... QB Johnny Manziel had the neon shoes on early, but took them off again. ... The zip line was right behind me, which I took a photo of below before I left.

http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2014/8/1/5961041/cleveland-browns-training-camp-report-day-6

Thanks pblack18707!

Anyone know if the scrimmage today is being streamed online?

Thanks for the article. It's entertaining reading in a lighthearted sort of way. This one always cracks me up, though:

Quote:

---

Camp Chatter from the Fans: I always try to listen for the logical or absurd "camp chatter" from opposing fans around me.

---

Opposing fans?

Live scrimmage updates can be seen here: Scrimmage Updates

Thanks for the link.

Interesting reading some of those tweets. Best Manziel has looked since camp started, huh?

I always take the camp reports by reporters/fans w/a grain of salt. Sometimes, their bias is screaming at me right off of the page. Can't wait to see these guys play w/my own eyes.

Great .... Cameron left before the "half", and his condition will be updated after the scrimmage.

I saw that.

Sounds like the defense is dominating. No scores yet. I'm a little worried about Hoyer. Mingo is making plays, which is a good sign.

Manziel is reportedly living up to his reputation of being more of a gamer than a practicer ..... even in a simulated game like this. From what I have read and seen so far, he's having what might be his best outing as a member of the Browns yet.

Who are those other guys? Captain, bishop, and Puck? Just fans joining in? Freaking weird.

Sounding like a bruised shoulder for Cameron. Cameron leaving the game is a big loss for Hoyer, lets face it thats his first and 2nd options lol.

@nateulrichABJ #BrownsFamilyDay scrimmage ends at 12:28 pm. Was scheduled to run until 2:10 pm but weather interfered

Doesn't sound too serious with Cameron, keeping fingers crossed, can't afford to have him unavailable.

Interesting ..... and it fits with the reports that Manziel had a good day today.

Zac Jackson ‏@FSOhioZJackson 5m
Strictly my two cents: Tide has changed. Manziel has momentum. Feels like a really interesting week ahead.

This guy's name does seem to be coming up a lot, early in camp. Maybe Taylor not being able to go gives him a shot.

Steve Doerschuk ‏@sdoerschukREP 2m
Mingo, playing with sizzle himself, sheds light on a sleeper. Says No. 60, FSU rookiie Jacobbi McDaniel, "is going to be a stud."

Said it all along, even when the reports were how great Brian Hoyer was...

Johnny Manziel starts Week 1

I remember you saying that.

Another Tweet from today:

Chris Mortensen ‏@mortreport 4m
Watched Browns scrimmage today. Just a scrimmage but easy to see Manziel is closing gap & will start getting some one reps next week.

I wonder what is up w/Hoyer? I expected Manziel to struggle throughout camp, but it really seems like both QBs have been struggling.

I wonder if it has anything to do w/how bad our WRs are? Or, is he having a hard time coming back from his injury [mentally?] Is this system more difficult for him [that seems like a real stretch.] Or, is it something else?

I just wanted to comment on just how good all of these rookies are looking. Manziel pulling close to if not even with Hoyer already. Kirksey is making plays and moved into the starting group at ILB. Bitonio is starting at LG hasnt had his name mentioned and for OL thats great. West looks like he will probably surplant Tate at RB. Crowell is starting to get his name mentioned and Sneed has been getting some reps with the Ones. And we havent even talked about gilbert yet and he has even better hips than i thought.

I know its early and not one browns fan would be shocked if every single one of them busted, its what we have grown to expect, but this class feels different. I have honestly had to temper back some of my enthusiasm from the videos i have seen of practice. Wont know until its for real but they arent looking like rookies other than Manziel lol

I think Hoyer is just who he is.

I think Browns fans are so used to poor QB play that they were enamoured with a guy who was/is average at best.

Hoyer is a good back up/spot starter, IMO.

jc

I just hope they both do their best and that the best QB starts. I still think it would be wise to not throw manziel to the lions yet. Big difference between reading defenses this time of year vs the regular season. I'd rather hurt his confidence on the bench than have it damaged by being beaten up.

Either way I am willing to be we see both of them starting sometime this year because our starting QB never goes long without getting hurt it seems =(

jc...

Everyone assumes Hoyer is over his ACL injury and ready to go...was that the case with RGIII and his injury?

I've heard that it takes two years to fully recuperate from a knee surgery...it's only been like 10 months for Hoyer. He may be able to knock off the rust quicker that 2 yrs that it takes some.. Hoyer might need a bit longer than 2 weeks.

Browns Notes: OLB Barkevious Mingo has INT, big return as good start to camp continues

AKRON — Outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo has been All-Berea through one week of training camp. He added All-Akron to his resume after the Family Day scrimmage Saturday at InfoCision Stadium.

Mingo intercepted a Brian Hoyer pass tipped by rookie defensive lineman Jacobbi McDaniel and returned it nearly 50 yards.

“I was fortunate enough to come down with it,” Mingo said. “The first instinct is to take it to the house. I had some guys coming on angles, got a spin in there, worked on my running back moves and eventually got tackled.”

“He was hell-bent on scoring,” coach Mike Pettine said. “I was waiting for the officials to blow that one dead, but that was a heckuva play by him.”

Hoyer had the angle on Mingo and “tagged” him early in the return, but Mingo continued downfield until right tackle Mitchell Schwartz tackled him.

“I would’ve tackled him first of all if it weren’t a scrimmage,” Hoyer said.

“I would’ve dropped the shoulder,” Mingo said with a laugh. “But it’s all fun and games.”

Mingo’s start to camp has been all business. He had an interception early on the first day, has been consistently in the backfield and blew up another play Saturday with penetration.

“He definitely seems to be around the ball a lot, he’s so fast and so long and his arms are down to wherever they go, and his hands are up there,” Hoyer said. “I know he didn’t bat the ball, but he catches it and he takes off and he’s running 4.5 down the field. It’s nice to have a guy like that who can also come off the edge.

“I know there were a few times where I rolled out and he was right there. It’s good to see him make a jump from his rookie year to the next year and I think he kind of knows what it takes now. He’s one year in and obviously all the physical talent in the world is there.”

Mingo was the sixth pick in the 2013 draft but had a disappointing rookie year. He started three games, totaling 42 tackles and five sacks, only two after Week 4.

“Coming in here, I know what to expect,” he said. “I know what my job (entails). I know how to play my techniques. I’m comfortable with the offense, what they’re going to throw at us. I’m comfortable with the defense, knowing what I’m required to do. It’s Year 2. I’ve just got to get after them.”

INJURY UPDATE
Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron started the scrimmage but left with a shoulder injury.

“Jordan Cameron hurt his shoulder, he should be fine,” Pettine said. “It was more precautionary than anything else.”

Cameron caught a pass for no gain on the opening possession and was targeted on an incompletion on the final play of the drive.

** Starting free safety Tashaun Gipson has a sprained left knee and didn’t participate in the scrimmage, but Pettine called the injury “relatively minor” and said Gipson will hopefully be back midweek.

Gipson left practice Friday and didn’t return. He was replaced by Jordan Poyer with the starters.

MAKING MEMORIES
McDaniel went from just another undrafted rookie to scrimmage star.

In addition to the tip that led to Mingo’s interception, he returned a fumble for a touchdown. Linebacker Craig Robertson intercepted undrafted rookie quarterback Connor Shaw, fumbled and McDaniel scooped it up and scored from about 10 yards out.

“The guy’s going to be a stud,” Mingo said. “He’s wreaking havoc on the line. He can just get his hands on balls. What more can you ask for?”

McDaniel (6-foot, 293 pounds) was a reserve at Florida State as a senior. He started all 14 games as a sophomore.

** Receiver Miles Austin caught three passes for 38 yards from Hoyer, including a 19-yarder.

** Undrafted rookie receiver Willie Snead had two catches for 23 yards.

** Kicker Billy Cundiff made 42-, 53- and 28-yard field goals.

A DAY TO FORGET
Shaw, trying to challenge veteran Tyler Thigpen for the No. 3 job, had a brutal day.

Inside linebacker Zac Diles tipped a ball to himself and returned the interception for a touchdown. Shaw was given another chance right away, which ended three plays later when he threw an ill-advised screen pass that was picked by Robertson.

** Receiver Charles Johnson dropped a slant from Johnny Manziel at the goal line that would’ve been the offense’s lone touchdown. He didn’t have a catch.

** Slot receiver Andrew Hawkins was penalized for a false start and lost 3 yards on his only catch, a quick hitch.

EXTRA POINTS
Receiver Josh Gordon wasn’t at the scrimmage. His appeal of a drug suspension will continue Monday afternoon in New York.

** Defensive tackle Phil Taylor (hamstring), linebackers Tank Carder (foot) and linebacker Darius Eubanks (shoulder), receiver Chandler Jones (hamstring) and offensive linemen Martin Wallace (shoulder), Randall Harris (knee) and Nate McDonald (wrist) didn’t practice.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @scottpetrak on Twitter.
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