Sports
Browns close out Week 2 of training camp
The second week of Browns' training camp wrapped up on Saturday, and the Browns are preparing for what comes next. Cleveland will kick off the first week of the preseason starting next week as they travel to Charlotte for a joint practice with the Panthers before the first preseason game on Aug. 8.
Saturday's session featured hard hits, 1-on-1 drills and red zone work. Most players got valuable reps before the off day on Sunday. Head coach Kevin Stefanski continues evaluating players each day of practice, expressing how much easier evaluation is with padded practices.
"I think you learn about everybody when the pads go on, and it's more physical," Stefanski said. "Like we've talked a lot in the offseason. You have to take everything in the offseason with a huge grain of salt because there's no contact. And then once you finally get out here and you can have contact, I think you make better evaluations of your players."
The Browns appear focused but loose heading into the week, especially veteran DT Shelby Harris. At almost 34 years old, Harris has been in the NFL for 11 years, officially earning the title of seasoned vet. He's been a part of numerous training camps, and after Saturday's practice, Harris reflected on how his experience in the NFL gives him perspective on the grind of camp.
"I enjoy being out here with the guys," Harris said. "That's the thing you love the most is just the team and being around all the guys and putting in that work. Training camp is the time where you are supposed to be bonding with everybody and getting to know all the young guys. But then also you go out there and you gain respect. You earn that respect. You're watching people run full speed, making plays and it's just a time where you really get close to your teammates. That's really, I think, the main part. Obviously, you want to get in shape, but this is the main part of training camp, is really just building that bond with your teammates."
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The pads were back on for a second consecutive day, making it the fourth padded practice the Browns have had in training camp.
The agenda for Day 9 included setting the tone at the start of the day. Practice started with 1-on-1 drills before working into team drills, including special teams and an 11-on-11 period that started from inside the offense's 10-yard line.
"Should be a good group of guys pushing each other today," head coach Kevin Stefanski said before practice. "Then, we have a day off tomorrow and then start talking about Carolina next week."
Here are the top observations from Day 9 of training camp:
Injury report
DE Myles Garrett and CB Greg Newsome II were held out of practice on Day 9. Stefanski said that Garrett was held out of practice as a precaution, while Newsome has a shoulder injury and is considered "day-to-day."
Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Kenny Pickett were both held out of team drills after participating in 1-on-1s. Sanders was held out due to arm soreness, while Pickett is still on the mend from his hamstring injury.
Starting physical
Right after the Browns stretched, they circled up on the far end of the practice field at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Stefanski set the tone of the practice, instituting a 1-on-1 blocking drill between the running backs and linebackers as the first drill of the day. The entire team watched and cheered as the two positions butted heads, getting the energy level up.
Right after that, wide receivers and defensive backs went at each other for 1-on-1s. CB Denzel Ward broke up the first play while WR Luke Floriea drew a pass interference call on the second and final play of the drill.
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QB Kenny Pickett has been working around the clock to attack the rehab for his hamstring injury and return to the field.
He has been arriving at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus around 6:30 a.m. for stretching and strengthening work, following by icing. Then, before he steps out on the practice field, he applies heat to the injury and stretches once again. Following any on-field work, he spends more time recovering and strengthening the leg. And when he leaves the for the day, he has equipment at home that allows him to continue his rehab.
That treatment plan has allowed him to progress through the hamstring injury and take necessary steps forward to eventually returning to fully participating in training camp.
"It's coming along," Pickett said. "Just trying to take it a day at a time. It's frustrating not being able to out there competing but trying to do my best to listen to what the doctors and trainers are saying, and trust everything in the process."
Pickett said the hamstring injury occurred towards the end of practice on July 26 on a run play. He did not participate in the following three practices before returning in a limited capacity on Aug. 1 and participated in practice for a second consecutive day on Aug. 2. He did not participate in team drills in either of the two days of practices since he returned.
"He's pushing himself to get back to full team periods as soon as possible," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "We're also going to be smart and be appropriate with where he is. But I thought he did a nice job yesterday and we'll continue to work that day to day."
While Pickett is not able to take the live reps in team drills, he has found ways to stay involved. He has approached the days as if he was still practicing, so he spends time studying the script for that day's practice. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has the offense treating each practice like it is a game plan, so they receive the script the night before, which allows Pickett time to study and prepare.
He also has been taking the mental reps behind Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders out on the practice field, and film reps in the meeting room. The 1-on-1 drills at the end of practices have allowed him chances to throw and work in the pocket.
"(The mental reps) are everything for me right now," Pickett said. "That's all I'm able to get. So, trying to learn from what they do, what went well, what didn't go well. So, when I get back out there, I don't make the same mistakes, and I can do the same positives that those guys are doing."
Mobility is one of the traits of Pickett's game, and one that Stefanski highlighted during the first block of practices in training camp. In team drills during those practices, Pickett demonstrated his speed and ability to create plays outside the pocket through the use of his legs.
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