Dawgs By Nature
For the first time in the Stefanski era, tackling to the ground is in effect.
Day 7 of Cleveland Browns training camp took place Wednesday. Here is our recap of the session.
1. Figuring Out the CB Situation: During Tuesday's practice, CB Martin Emerson suffered a season-ending non-contact Achilles injury. Now, the search in camp begins for a nickelback, as Greg Newsome will play on the outside.
The depth in camp was a little short with the Emerson injury, CB Tony Brown being sidelined with an injury too, and also CB Myles Harden missing his second straight day of practice for personal reasons.
2. Live Tackling to the Ground: Cleveland returned to having a padded practice Wednesday morning. Also, for the first time in the Kevin Stefanski era, live tackling to the ground was part of practice. Unlike the session I went to yesterday, practice also was on the field closest to the fan bleachers, giving them a better view of things.
3. Flacco to Jeudy: Assuming Joe Flacco is the Browns' starting quarterback, he once had a great connection with WR Amari Cooper. Hopefully we can see that same type of magic with WR Jerry Jeudy, like this throw against CB Greg Newsome.
4. Rookie QB Reps: The Browns were mixing and matching 1s vs 2s, which included QB Shedeur Sanders at one point getting a few reps against Cleveland's first-team defense:
5. Defensive End Competition: The Browns need to see who their defensive end opposite DE Myles Garrett will be. It will likely be a rotation, but here is DE Isaiah McGuire causing a nice disruption:
6. Kaden Davis With the Deep Ball: Several receivers are making nice play in camp, so we're going to have to see some preseason games to make a better determination about some of these guys (because to be honest, even an amateur like me could make some good catches in a training camp atmosphere). Nonetheless, here is WR Kaden Davis hauling in a long ball from QB Dillon Gabriel:
7. Steady Ward: We still want to see more interceptions from him, but CB Denzel Ward was steady last year; here he is with a pass breakup in camp.
8. Deja Vu Scare for Dawand: The cart came out for LT Dawand Jones today, which always makes you worry. However, people noted that Jones didn't seem to be in pain. It sounds like it was just cramping-related among the humid weather.
9. Drill of the Day: The Browns will be counting on their young linebacker a lot this year, which became a priority in the draft after JOK's status and now LB Jordan Hicks retiring.
10. Brownies: S Chris Edmonds continues to see a lot of work up the depth chart. ... WR Jamari Thrash had a nice diving catch in 1-on-1 drills. ... Cleveland hopes to have QB Kenny Pickett back soon. ... The Browns waived/injured WR Michael Woods.
11. Next Up:...
