Browns training camp is underway as the team arrived at the Greenbrier on Thursday. We have heard some positive and negative news over the past few days. I will go chronologically and highlight some of the important news the team has shared.
- Amari Cooper
- On Tuesday news broke that Cooper and the Browns agreed to a restructure to his contract that would guarantee his $20m salary, plus $5m in incentives. It would later come out that the Browns pushed $22.5m of Cooper’s money into future years. What does this mean? If the Browns do not resign him to a contract extension, the Browns will take a $22.5m dead hit next season. The door is not closed on a return for Cooper next season.
- Cooper said he was disappointed he missed OTAs and that he would like to finish his career in Cleveland.
- Injury News
- The amount of players we have sidelined to start training camp is not ideal. We were aware of the previous year’s injuries to our o-line but the Newsome and Tomlison news was a bit of a shocker. Newsome underwent surgery on his hamstring, while Tomlinson had a knee scope. Coach Stefanski said the hope is that they are ready for week one. It would be a great sign to see Wills and Conklin come off the pup list before the Browns leave the Greenbrier.
- PUP list – Nick Chubb (knee), D’Anthony Bell (shin), Jack Conklin (knee), Dalvin Tomlison (knee), and Jedrick Wills Jr.
- Non-football Injury – Greg Newsome (hamstring) and Nyheim Hines (knee)
- Cam Mitchell has been on the sideline with an injury.
- Jerry Juedy, David Njoku, and Myles Garrett are in a ramp-up period. They are participating in some drills but not all.
- Nick Chubb – There were reports yesterday that Chubb was sprinting and cutting at practice. It seemed to be extremely impressive. It seemed that every reporter there noted how impressive it was.
- Deshaun Watson – QB1 has been throwing in consecutive days. From videos and reports, it appears that he looks sharp in the early portion of camp.
- The Browns hired Dustin Nabhan as the Head of Athlete Health and Performance this summer. Hopefully, some of these ramp-up periods and surgeries are measures to ensure players will be healthy throughout the season.
- The amount of players we have sidelined to start training camp is not ideal. We were aware of the previous year’s injuries to our o-line but the Newsome and Tomlison news was a bit of a shocker. Newsome underwent surgery on his hamstring, while Tomlinson had a knee scope. Coach Stefanski said the hope is that they are ready for week one. It would be a great sign to see Wills and Conklin come off the pup list before the Browns leave the Greenbrier.
- Playcalling
- Kevin Stefanski announced that he will call plays this year. Stefanski wants to be the voice in the quarterback’s ear. I personally like that he is calling plays again. I think it is one of his strengths. The play calls will still be a collaborative effort from the offensive staff. Stefanski did not hire young offensive coaches just to do the same thing he has done in previous years. I don’t believe they have said whether Dorsey will be on the sideline or in the box.
- Jimmy and Dee Haslem will speak after practice today. I will give an update if there is anything noteworthy from that!