After huddling up, the Browns are sticking with their young linebackers to fill the void of injured Mack Wilson. (USAToday)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from Day 6 of Browns training camp …
Linebackers coach Jason Tarver isn’t panicking after the loss of Mack Wilson for an extended period of time with a hyperextended knee. Surgery for Wilson won't be determined until swelling goes down.
Wilson had more starts (14) with the Browns as a rookie than the rest of the linebackers combined. Still, Tarver gave a surprisingly rosy summation of the position group on Thursday.
Although the Browns reportedly will work out veteran NFL linebacker Malcolm Smith, 31, Tarver and coordinator Joe Woods are committed to young, fast, athletic players at linebacker.
“Our linebacker mantra is run, shed and tackle the guy with the ball,” Tarver said. “Our defense is built on running to the ball. Great defenses run to the ball and attack the ball. We want to be known for that. We have to get off of blocks. This group has put themselves in a position where, although there is not as much NFL video on some of these young men, they are shedding blocks right now. The key is finishing the down unblocked and getting to the guy with the ball.”
B.J. Goodson has replaced Wilson as the linebacker making the calls and appears determined to seize this career opportunity. Goodson was a two-down thumper with the Packers last year. Tarver made the case for Goodson being on the field even when Woods relies on a 4-2-5 alignment to cover wide-open passing attacks.
Tarver gave thumbnail sketches of his top four linebackers.
“B.J. Goodson has done a great job being a pro in the room, running the show, running and hitting and lining everybody up and really getting in front of the huddle, being confident and taking advantage of his opportunities.
“Tae Davis has done a nice job getting stronger in the offseason and really working on shedding blocks well, and he is playing all three positions.
“Sione Takitaki is a ball of energy, and he loves contact. He has gotten better and better and better at his space movement. He had a great day of practice yesterday.
“Jacob Phillips really loves contact, and he is fast. Like any rookie, sometimes he is fast the wrong way and sometimes it is fast the right way. What is great about Jacob is he is a one-time correction young man. You tell him, he writes it down, he analyzes it and learns from his mistakes.”
The other linebackers are Willie Harvey, converted safety Montrel Meander and rookie free agent Solomon Ajayi.
It remains to be seen if any linebacker of note is added. At the very least, you figure the position group can’t withstand another injury to the top four.
Tough break
The biggest question about free agent cornerback Kevin Johnson was his injury history, not his talent. And now the unlucky player is nursing his first with the Browns.
Johnson was hospitalized for observation after tests revealed he suffered a laceration to his liver during Wednesday’s practice. Johnson was injured when he and tight end Harrison Bryant crashed down together going for a pass in a red zone drill. Bryant fell hard on Johnson’s abdomen. Johnson never left the field, but discomfort led to an exam after practice.
“Really unfortunate, unlucky,” said coach Kevin Stefanski. “Hoping for him, that he will be back when he is ready. Really the most important thing right now is that he is safe, and we want him to get well very soon.”
Nothing but time can heal Johnson’s injury. There is no timetable.
Johnson’s injury history since Houston drafted him in the first round in 2015:
A Jones fracture in a foot (followed by surgery) and a fractured wrist in 2015. A fractured foot (surgery) in 2016. A sprained MCL in 2017. A concussion in 2017 and two concussions in 2018.
Johnson has missed 29 games in five years due to injury. He was going to be the Browns’ No. 1 nickel back. Stefanski said there will be a rotation of players competing for the role now.
First up on Thursday was M.J. Stewart, recently claimed off Tampa Bay waivers. Others expected to get looks include Robert Jackson, Tavierre Thomas, Donnie Lewis and Donovan Olumba.
Veterans Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams and Terrance Mitchell got no looks inside last year and are not considered possibilities.
Brownie bits …
The intriguing prospect of having Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt on the field together seems more of a pipedream than even in last season, when Hunt wasn’t eligible until the middle of the season. Running backs coach Stump Mitchell sounded unenthused about the coaches devising creative options with both in the same backfield. “I am not exactly sure how much this year because we have not had an offseason together,” Mitchell said. “Right now, we are trying to get guys to learn the system as it was pretty much in Minnesota [under Stefanski], and they did not have much of that. We are just going to be happy when those guys do get an opportunity to play, and hopefully, we will showcase what we can do.” …
Stefanski has said Beckham’s ball skills are “unique” and “special.” “When the ball is in the air, he has a knack of getting it any which way he can,” Stefanski said. A perfect example came near the end of practice when Baker Mayfield heaved a sky-high ball in Beckham’s direction. Beckham leaped between two defenders at the last moment, hauled it in and hung on after his fall …
According to the NFL transaction wire, the Browns worked out four kickers on Wednesday, including veterans Kai Forbath, Nick Folk and ex-Brown Cody Parkey. Stefanski said the tryouts were no reflection on second-year kicker Austin Seibert, who is the only one in camp. “It is just due diligence. The roster sizes that they are these days, I think it is prudent on [GM] Andrew [Berry)] and the front office to have workouts of multiple positions,” Stefanski said. Seibert, who is sporting a platinum blond mullet, made 5 of 7 field goals on Thursday …
Myles Garrett (hamstring) participated in position drills for the first time since camp unofficially opened with media present. Notably also back were receivers Jarvis Landry and Beckham, and safety Karl Joseph. Right tackle Jack Conklin was not on the field. “Scheduled rest” was the reason. Players have a scheduled off day on Friday. When they return on Saturday, Stefanski should ramp up padded practices with more game situations, as the “install” phase of camp should be done.