The center of the Browns' defensive line will be inhabited by Andrew Billings, one of the strongest men in the NFL. (TheLandOnDemand)
Andrew Billings’ strength is unchallenged, but he yearns to rush the passer, too
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from Day 9 of Browns training camp …
At Ohio State’s pro day in March, rookie defensive tackle Tommy Togiai bench-pressed the requisite 225 pounds 40 times – just nine reps shy of the NFL Combine record.
That was nine more reps than Andrew Billings bench-pressed at his rookie combine in 2016.
But when it comes the unofficial designation of “strongest Brown,” Billings wins.
“He’s the strongest guy I’ve ever seen,” said defensive line coach Chris Kiffin.
Billings doesn’t flinch when asked if he’s one of the strongest men in the NFL.
“Yeah. That’s what I work for. From high school to now, yeah,” he said.
Billings was a state powerlifting champion at Waco (TX) High School, where he broke the state record.
“I dead lifted 705 [pounds], squatted 805 and benched 500,” he said matter-of-factly.
Billings was a free agent signed away from the Bengals last year, but he opted out from playing in 2020 because of an asthma condition and Covid-19 concerns. He said it was “nerve-wracking” being away the whole year and also when camp approached. But all that anxiety went away when the pads came on.
“I’m back in the groove,” Billings said.
He’s an important cog in the Browns’ run defense. With the accent on lighter, faster linebackers, Billings’ wide, 328-pound presence up front will be counted on to occupy blockers and keep them off the next rung of the defense.
But Billings is hoping to shed the label of a two-down lineman. He said he can be a force in the pass defense, also.
“Yeah, definitely,” he said. “Guys like [Jadeveon] Clowney and Myles [Garrett], with us pushing that pocket, getting pressure in there so quarterbacks can’t step up, if we do our job it should increase their sacks and also help us out when the quarterback does step up into our arms. So definitely we complement them.
“That’s something I can actually help out with this team, being that big guy to push the pocket. If I do it in the run, I can definitely do it in the pass.”
Coach Kevin Stefanski asserts, “He’s moving people in the run game. Can defeat double teams. And he’s got a great motor. He goes sideline to sideline. He’s a big man running.”
Takk gone, for now
Defensive end Takk McKinley had two bouts of heat-related sickness, missed three days of practice and then was excused from a fourth for personal reasons. He remained absent on Saturday and Coach Kevin Stefanski said he did not know when he’d be back.
“I just don’t have a timeframe yet. Can’t get too far into it,” he said.
Asked if he expected to have McKinley available for the start of the season, Stefanski answered, “I’m hopeful.”
Getting to know you (again)
Odell Beckham Jr. is getting closer to joining team drills for the first time. Maybe next week. In the meantime, the flashy receiver has spent extra time with Baker Mayfield running scripted routes on air (no defender) to re-establish – or establish – a more reliable connection with the quarterback after missing the final 11 games of the 12-6 season last year.
“I think when you’re talking about the pass game in general, it’s about precision,” said Stefanski. “About being accurate when you throw the ball, getting the right depth, running the right route, the quarterback getting a feel for how the receiver runs the route because all the guys are different. So I think there’s great value in the work those guys are getting.
"It’s scripted. The coaches know exactly what throws they want to get and in what order. So that battery’s gotten a ton of reps.”
Brownie bits
The Orange and Brown Scrimmage in FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday has been rebranded the Orange and Brown Practice. There will be no prolonged series between the No. 1 offense and defense, no scoreboard, no anything resembling a live team scrimmage. “It is going to be a nice spirited practice,” Stefanski said. “Going to fun to be around our fans again in our building. We will have a nice two-hour long practice where guys are competing against each other. We will do some red zone work. We will do some two-minute work. We will see some situational ball.” Also on tap should be a kicking competition between Cody Parkey and Chase McLaughlin into the infamous “Bermuda triangle” of NFL stadiums, aka the Dawg Pound end zone. December conditions won’t be replicated, of course …
On the ninth day, lethargy finally hit Camp Stefanski. After three straight padded practices under a draining sun, energy for the entire team was sapped. Symbolic of the day was camp highlight film Donovan Peoples-Jones seemingly hitting the wall. The second-year receiver missed one sideline throw for him, had another bounce off his chest and a third punched out from behind by undrafted cornerback Kiondre Thomas …
Besides McKinley, other notables out included, again, safety Grant Delpit and receiver Anthony Schwartz. Delpit, recovering from Achilles surgery, has missed the last eight practices. Schwartz has missed the last five with a hamstring injury.
