Rookie Jedrick Wills looks like a natural at left tackle, says guard Joel Bitonio. Now the pads go on starting Monday. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from Day 2 of Browns training camp …
The Haslams’ annual “state of the Browns” address in the first week of training camp is usually an exercise in faith, hope and optimism, followed by a big dose of realism.
The sobering realism of Sunday’s message was in response to the question of whether or not the 2020 season will be played to a conclusion. Jimmy Haslam said it’s the No. 1 question he hears “every day” from fans.
“None of us knows if there’s going to be a full season. But we’re going to do everything we can to get a season in, but do so in a safe manner,” Haslam said.
The first home game is one month from now -- Sept. 17, a Thursday night special against the Bengals.
Not only is Haslam not 100 percent sure it will be played, he doesn’t know if fans will be allowed in. Haslam indicated the Browns submitted a plan to Gov. Mike DeWine’s office to play in front of 20 percent of capacity in FirstEnergy Stadium.
“We have put a lot of time, effort, and resources into insuring if we did have quote 20 percent fans it could be a safe experience,” Haslam said. “We feel good about that opportunity. Obviously, the final decision is up to the governor. But we’re ready and excited to go and I think the city of Cleveland feels the same way.
“It’ll be up to the governor of the state of Ohio to bless or not bless that [plan]. We’ve actually taken them through that. I wouldn’t speculate on if it needs a week or two weeks ahead of time. Everybody’s got to remain fluid and flexible in all we do and I think we’ve all learned to do that over the last 5-6 months.”
The interview wasn’t all doom and gloom.
Haslam expressed excitement about the work done by his new front office “alignment” of chief strategist Paul DePodesta, GM Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski; about the great shape of quarterback Baker Mayfield; and about having Myles Garrett committed to “a huge contract.”
But then came some more realism.
“I think we probably -- all of us including ownership -- learned a lesson last year about tempering expectations,” Haslam said. “I don’t think we managed that as well as we should have. I think you gotta be realistic. This team hasn’t been to the playoffs since, what, ’07? ’02, I’m sorry. We’re in a tough division. I think you have to be realistic. We’re still a young team. On the other hand, we feel real good about Andrew and Kevin, our coaching staff, personnel group and the talent we’ve been able to assemble. We’re excited but realistic.”
Rookies on fast track
Without a normal offseason program and no preseason games, this is a tougher season than any in memory for rookies to break into starting spots. Yet the Browns may have to break in two rookies on their offensive line – one on either side of left guard Joel Bitonio.
First draft pick Jedrick Wills was given the left tackle job the night he was drafted. Now, it’s looking like fifth-round pick Nick Harris may possibly start the season at center in relief of JC Tretter, who is out indefinitely after having a surgical procedure on a knee on Thursday.
Stefanski said there was “nothing new” to report on Tretter’s availability. On Harris’ two days with the No. 1 team in practices without pads, he said, “So far, so good.”
“All of these young players, it is never perfect, and they are constantly learning,” Stefanski said. “It is going to be a tough go early for these guys just as they are taking in all of the information and then the physicality picks up. I would not single Nick out from anybody else. Just know that those guys, there are growing pains to this. We totally understand that. It is our job to push them and make sure he is ready to roll if he is the guy.”
As for Wills, who is making the transition from right tackle at Alabama to left tackle in the NFL, Bitonio said that he looks like a natural at the position. Wills should benefit from one-on-ones against Garrett, once Garrett soon returns from a hamstring injury. In the meantime, right end Olivier Vernon has moved to Garrett’s side to oppose Wills.
“All of rookies are in a very unique standpoint without that offseason where the physical part of this is now ramping up,” Stefanski said. “We have all heard about being in football shape, and you can only mimic football so much without actually doing football. All of our rookies are in that place where it is a lot right now. We will make sure that we will not do too much with them, both physically and mentally. It is a challenge, and I think Jed is definitely up to the challenge.”
Well done
Stefanski has earned praise from his bosses about being calm and organized. Both attributes paid off on Sunday.
When weather forecasts showed a line of thunderstorms expected to move into Berea in the early afternoon, Stefanski re-scheduled practice for 10 a.m. At about 11:30, skies darkened and thunder rumbled in the distance.
You could see the pace of practice pick up measurably for the final periods. The team got in all its work and dashed indoors just a few minutes before rain pelted the practice fields.
Brownie bits …
Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made at least three one-handed catches and was a favorite target of Mayfield. Undoubtedly, being healthy has OBJ energized. Dee Haslam also said Beckham feels “comfortable” being back in his suburban Cleveland home. “I think [the trade from the Giants last year] was a transition, but I think he is doing really well and love the fact that he is talking about how happy he is to be here and how comfortable he is,” Dee said. “I think it is a great improvement so we are really excited that he feels that way.” …
Although they haven’t been announced, Stefanski said he plans to take the players to FirstEnergy Stadium for two practices to put them through game-like stituations prior to the start of the season. The dates have not been revealed and there is no information about whether fans would be allowed in …
One of the quietest acquisitions of Berry’s first transaction season was cornerback Kevin Johnson, who figures to be the No. 1 nickel back in Joe Woods’ defense. Johnson broke up a sideline pass for Beckham on Sunday and almost came down with an acrobatic interception. On the next play, he got physical with rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones. “He is a pro … a very smart player,” Stefanski said of the 16th overall pick of the 2015 draft by the Texans. “I spoke to his coaches when he was coming here, and they all were effusive in their praise of Kevin. Really pleased that he is a part of this group.” …
Kicker Austin Seibert, who dyed his hair platinum blond, made eight consecutive field goals in team drills starting at the 33-yard line (PAT distance), but missed on his ninth kick from 49 yards ...
First practice in pads is Monday. Stefanski said “it remains to be seen” whether he’ll have a live tackling period on the first day.