CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns center and NFLPA president JC Tretter would like to see the NFL do away with most of the offseason program.
Tretter wrote his opinion in his monthly NFLPA newsletter, which was published Thursday, citing changes made this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in which teams went virtual.
“I believe the changes implemented this season have demonstrated that we can put an entertaining product out on the field while further reducing wear and tear on our players’ bodies,” Tretter said.
Citing a lack of “sloppy play” this season and the lack of “low-scoring games, a high number of penalties and more missed tackles,” Tretter made his case that this year proved the offseason program is largely unnecessary.
“We do not need to be brought in during April-June to practice against each other - it’s simply unnecessary,” Tretter wrote.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who remembers Tretter when he worked in Green Bay, sees both sides of the argument.
“JC is a veteran player. He can probably do without an offseason, but you look at a rookie who comes in for the first time and how valuable those reps are for him to get those reps under his belt,” Van Pelt said. “I obviously will listen to JC and I have a lot of respect for JC, but at the same time as a coach, you want to have those guys around so you can teach.”
Changes likely are in the offing at some point in the future be it to OTAs or minicamps, which special teams coordinator Mike Priefer concedes, but he too hopes the entire program is not eliminated.
“I think it is going to change,” Priefer said. “I think this offseason proved that there are changes that we can live with. I would never eliminate it. I think it is extremely important to the development of our young players, especially our draft picks, our college free agents and really players who come from other teams to integrate them within our locker room and getting the players around each other.
“Part of keeping us all going in the spring is the team camaraderie, building a chemistry in the locker room and understanding and looking your players in the eyes and telling them what you expect from them, even though it is in the spring. I think it is a very, very valuable tool for any football team. I hope they do not eliminate it. I think that would be a mistake, but I know this offseason has proven… I understand where JC is coming from. I think JC is outstanding, and he has done a great job of leading the Players Association. At the end of the day, I hope it stays.”
Perfect Practice – While the Browns didn’t practice Thursday following three more positive COVID-19 tests, quarterback Baker Mayfield apparently had the practice of his life Wednesday according to Van Pelt.
“Practice yesterday was incredible,” Van Pelt said. “He threw the ball with extreme accuracy. Everything was perfect. I think he had the perfect day of practice. I know he is locked in. He is dialed in. Now, we just have to go with the bumps in the road here and then turn it loose on gameday.”
The Browns practiced for about an hour on Wednesday after the day was delayed by contact tracing.
“He was very sharp. He was laser focused,” Van Pelt said. “When I walked in, [Mayfield was in] a little bit of a surly mood and just a different day so I could tell that he was locked in and ready to go. He ripped every ball he threw and bounced one off of a helmet that was just absolutely fired. He was locked in. We did not have a long practice, but he was perfect, and yes, statistically, yes.”
Kickin’ It – Priefer did not have any revelations about why Cody Parkey has developed the case of the shanks down the stretch.
“Honestly, the last couple have been completely different,” Priefer said. “One he pushed right, and one he pulled left. We have talked about it. He has worked on it. He is working on it again today. It is frustrating for him, as well as for our football team.
“He knows he has to make those kicks and he needs to make them stretch to help us obviously to win this game and hopefully keep going.”
Priefer said Parkey worked alone at a high school field Wednesday and the plan was for him to do so again Thursday if the team was unable to practice.
Parkey has missed a field goal or PAT in each of the last three games, but Priefer is confident this week that streak could end.
“Typically, he will not miss two in a row, not even in practice,” Priefer said. “I think he will bounce back this week. He knows how important he is to the success of this football team. I am not into predictions, but I feel really good about him going out performing well on Sunday.”
Injury Report – DNP: OT Kendall Lamm (illness), C Nick Harris (knee); LIMITED: LB Tae Davis (ankle), LB Sione Takitaki (ankle), LT Jack Conklin (knee), S Ronnie Harrison (shoulder), DT Sheldon Richardson (neck), LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring), RG Wyatt Teller (ankle), C JC Tretter (knee); FULL: LT Jedrick Wills
**The Browns did not practice Thursday so participation is an estimate.