BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The fan) – Jedrick Wills Jr. has won the left tackle job, albeit by default.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Saturday prior to practice that the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft will start Sept.
13 in Baltimore against the Ravens at left tackle.
There are no plans to move him.
Wills has had an uneven camp making the transition from right tackle, where he played at Alabama to the left side but the organization is confident Wills will settle in at the position as the season gets going.
“Every position, it is an occupational hazard that you are going to get beat,” Stefanski said. “Whether you are a safety, a corner or a tackle, it just happens in this game.”
Defensive end Myles Garrett mentioned earlier in camp he has seen Wills show signs of discouragement during practice by hanging his head at times. Garrett has done his best to lift the rookie's spirits and prepare him for what he'll face from top pass rushers in the NFL.
“I have not noticed that specifically from Jed, but I just know every player, young and old, is going to get beat and then you have to bounce back,” Stefanski said. “I make a big point when the offense makes a really good play in practice, ‘Next play.’ When the offense makes a bad play or the defense makes a good play or bad play, you just have to have a next-play mentality as a team and as a player.”
Closing time – The final open practice of training camp in Berea passed without much of a whisper.
Saving the pads for Sunday’s work at FirstEnergy Stadium, Stefanski had his team in helmets and shorts and the action was limited.
A Jarvis Landry catch over the middle just out of the reach of cornerback Denzel Ward and a Terrance Mitchell pass breakup on a ball intended for Odell Beckham Jr. was as exciting as the afternoon got.
The practice at FirstEnergy Stadium is expected to resemble the practices held to date in Berea with one exception, the final session of practice will be an 11-on-11 “move the ball” drill, according to Stefanski.
Stefanski also plans to hold a dress rehearsal on Friday at the stadium that will closely resemble a preseason game in the hopes the work will help him, his coaching staff and team get used to the building.
Top secret – Stefanski still refuses to divulge any details about who will call plays on game days – him or offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
“We have a plan,” Stefanski said. “I think we are going to mix it this week, but I am sticking to the plan. I promise I will update you guys when appropriate.”
Perfect day – Kicker Austin Seibert continued his strong training camp by making all eight of his field goal tries during the special teams period.
Seibert had one try bounce through off the left upright, but it still counts.
Roster move – The Browns waived receiver D.J. Montgomery Saturday.
The move was needed because the roster exemption for receiver Damion Willis expired to maintain the current roster limit of 80.
Njoku walks – Tight end David Njoku walked into the Casey Coleman Fieldhouse shortly after individual/positional work ended and team work began and did not return to the field.
Njoku was not listed on the team’s post practice injury report and it is possible he worked out indoors.
Puppy pound counter – A total of 75 puppies have been adopted through the northeast Ohio SPCA this year bringing the adoption total since the program’s inception in 2015 to 570.
Injury report – LB B.J. Goodson (personal), T Chris Hubbard (ankle), CB Kevin Johnson (liver), CB M.J. Stewart Jr. (hamstring), C JC Tretter (knee), CB Greedy Williams (shoulder) and LB Mack Wilson (knee) did not practice Saturday.
