BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Veterans reported to the newly named CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for training camp Tuesday morning.
Players went through the standard intake process which includes COVID-19 testing, physicals, visits with the equipment staff, meetings and photo shoots.
Rookies, quarterbacks, including Baker Mayfield, and players returning from injuries reported Saturday and they’ve been working out the last two days on the field.
Wednesday afternoon, the full team will take the field sans any players that tested positive for COVID or were deemed close contacts of someone who has and those that begin camp on PUP.
The first open practice for fans will be Friday afternoon, the first of a dozen open practices to be held in Berea. The Browns will hold a practice Sunday, Aug. 8 at noon down at FirstEnergy Stadium.
COVID
Despite the accessibility of vaccines, we’re still amid a pandemic and COVID-19 continues to mutate – we’re now on the delta variant – but the NFL marches on.
After completing the entirety of the schedule last year, the league is confident they’ll be able to do the same in 2021 with modified protocols.
The Browns already placed rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Sunday and it is reasonable to expect that he won’t be the last.
Last year COVID hit the Browns hard. Myles Garrett’s defensive player of the year season was derailed by the virus, the entire receiving corps was wiped out for a game due to protocols and head coach Kevin Stefanski was unable to coach their playoff victory in Pittsburgh following a positive test.
This year, vaccinated players must be tested once every 14 days while unvaccinated players must continue to be tested daily, wear masks, social distance from teammates, may not leave the hotel on road trips and must quarantine should they come in close contact with someone who does test positive.
Stadiums return to full capacity and the Browns will host approximately 2,000 fans per training camp practice this year, however physical interaction between fans and players will be prohibited for safety.
SHOW ME THE MONEY
The Browns have four key players eligible for contract extensions – Mayfield, cornerback Denzel Ward, running back Nick Chubb and right guard Wyatt Teller.
Most of the attention is focused on Mayfield, who has two years remaining on his rookie deal after the fifth-year option was picked up in the spring, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he was the last of the four to get done.
Chubb is entering the final year of his rookie contract and the hope is he can be extended before the season. If an agreement can’t be reached, Chubb would become a free agent next spring, but the Browns could tag him.
Ward is in the same boat as Mayfield when it comes to contract status. Injuries have prevented the 2018 No. 4 overall pick out of Ohio State from playing a full 16 game schedule but when he is on the field Ward is one of the top corners in the game.
Teller is scheduled to make just over $2.1 million this year but is eligible for free agency next March. He was instrumental in the success of the Browns offensive line last season showing his strength and athleticism in a variety of blocking schemes and he got to the second and third level in the run game regularly.
The prospective extensions will be a storyline throughout camp but whether or not any of them actually get done should have little impact on the season.
EXTREME MAKEOVER – DEFENSE EDITION
You’ll need a roster this summer while watching practice as there are a lot of new numbers and names to learn after EVP/GM Andrew Berry took a blowtorch to that side of the ball’s roster this offseason.
Defensive coordinator Joe Woods could conceivably have up to nine new starters this season after being limited with his schemes due to a lack of bodies in 2020.
Berry signed safety John Johnson III, nickelback Troy Hill, defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and Takkarist McKinley, defensive tackle Malik Jackson and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. in free agency. Then he selected cornerback Greg Newsome II in the first round and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in round two of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Safety Grant Delpit and cornerback Greedy Williams both return from injuries after being sidelined all of last season and defensive tackle Andrew Billings, who opted out last year, will also compete for playing time.
With an ability to mix and match personnel, it’s fair to expect a quantum leap from Woods’ unit in 2021 and the different combinations of personnel – especially in the nickel and dime packages – he uses will be fascinating to watch throughout camp and the preseason.
FITTING BACK IN
Odell Beckham Jr. looks to be back and as healthy as ever, but they’ll likely hold him back a bit as to not push him too hard too fast.
Following Beckham suffering a torn ACL at Cincinnati in late October, ending his season, the Browns offense took off and never looked back prompting some to feel Cleveland didn’t need the former three-time Pro Bowl wideout.
Berry and Stefanski disagree.
Beckham said this past weekend he’s willing to put his personal numbers aside and do whatever is asked of him that helps the Browns score points and win. With an eye on the Vince Lombardi, Beckham’s patience will most certainly be tested but how his touches fit within the offense will be something to keep an eye on.
ALL ABOARD
The hype train is real, and taking on passengers.
After an offseason spent rebuilding the defense and coming off an 11-win campaign that saw the Browns win their first playoff game since 1994, expectations are super for 2021 – as in Super Bowl contender.
How they deal with the spotlight, and the scrutiny that comes with it could make or break them this season but, at least during camp, the tone from the national media should be an overly positive one.