WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, West Virginia (92.3 The Fan) – Mother nature forced the Browns to change things up Monday.
Following practice Browns executive vice president of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry held his annual training camp Q & A with reporters.
Here’s the top Brownie Bites from Day 4 at The Greenbrier for training camp.
Early start – The Browns moved up their morning practice nearly two hours to avoid any midday thunderstorms that were in the forecast. With the upper fields a soggy mess, the team used the lower artificial surface field, which was also waterlogged. The first padded practice of camp, which included some on and off light rain, lasted around 70 minutes and was an acclimation style workout with very little in the way of competition periods other than some technique coaching among the offensive and defensive position groups.
Fresh perspective – The horrific accident that saw David Njoku suffer significant burns to his face and hands changed the tight end’s outlook on life, and the game of football. “I feel like it changed my perspective immensely in terms of just what really matters in life and how far the human body can go,” Njoku said. “I had the Pro Bowl last year, but I was still kind of pissed just being there, just not practicing for the Super Bowl... So everyone I believe on this team aspires to be in that position of playing for a championship and that's what championship football is all about.” The road through the Browns schedule and ultimately the AFC is as difficult as it gets. “The AFC is the most challenging and with that being said, this is the best place to be,” Njoku said. “We wouldn't want it easy. If it was easy then it is not really worth going all out for, you know what I mean? So that that's part of the joy in this crazy game is giving it everything you've got and still uncertain of going all the way.”
Berry’s business – With camp underway, most of Berry’s off field business has been handled, including getting receiver Amari Cooper to report on time with a restructured final year of his contract. “He's been a big part of our success last year and we were glad we were able to resolve the situation,” Berry said. Cooper enters his 11th season 514 yards shy of 10,000 for his career and last year became the first receiver in franchise history to tally back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, but as is his policy, Berry did not want to get into specifics about whether extending Cooper is in the offing. During last year’s camp Berry restructured multiple contracts and it is possible he could do the same again this year but he does not have to do so for immediate salary cap relief. “Without necessarily tipping our hand, we could,” Berry said. “We may or may not, but we do always try and operate with a multi-year time horizon and try and get ahead as many issues as we can.” Berry also sidestepped a question about extending linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
Build the dome – While the Browns have yet to decide whether to move forward with a $1.2 billion renovation of Cleveland Browns Stadium or a $3.8 billion dome and development in Brook Park, Berry threw in his two cents on what he would like the organization to do. “I'd prefer the dome solution,” Berry said. “I'd prefer to be indoors. I think that's better for the team. And I also think being in the Midwest with the elements and everything, it's better for our fans as well. It creates a better fan experience late in the year when we're making those playoff pushes. But I do want to emphasize any solution's a good solution. We're happy whether it's a renovation, a build, whatever, because it just means that our home environment is that much more of a home field advantage here in Cleveland.” While Berry would like to see the Browns move indoors in 2029, he conceded there are plenty of quarterbacks and teams who have enjoyed sustained success in the elements including Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.
Proud pop – Running back Jerome Ford joined his teammates at The Greenbrier after becoming a father recently. With Nick Chubb continuing his rehab plan, Ford is presumed to be the No. 1 running back heading into the season.
Roster move – The Browns signed offensive guard Zack Johnson and placed center Brian Allen on injured reserve due to a calf injury suffered Saturday. New roster rules this year allow the Browns to be able to return two players placed on IR during training camp in the regular season.
Roll Call – RB Nyheim Hines (NFI-knee), CB Greg Newsome II (NFI-hamstring), S D’Anthony Bell (PUP-shin), RB Nick Chubb (PUP-knee), T Jack Conklin (PUP-knee), DT Dalvin Tomlinson (PUP-knee), T Jedrick Wills Jr. (PUP-knee), CB Cameron Mitchell (right leg), OG Wyatt Davis (undisclosed), and WR Jerry Jeudy (undisclosed) did not practice.
