Three Browns top-flight starters leave Eagles joint practice early
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
PHILADELPHIA
The consensus after the first joint practice between the Browns and Philadelphia Eagles was that both teams got in “good work.” That was true, particularly for the defensive sides.
But by the end of the 1-hour, 25-minute session, which was well-behaved with nary a skirmish, the Browns had seen three of their biggest names walk off the field with injuries or illness.
Right tackle Jack Conklin departed midway with a head injury and was being monitored for a possible concussion. Shortly thereafter, defensive end Myles Garrett, who had won his individual matchups against Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata, walked off, smiling, with a foot injury. And near the end, cornerback Denzel Ward slinked off with what the team termed an illness.
The Browns gave no further updates. It’s doubtful any of the three will participate in the final joint workout on Tuesday. No starters were expected to play in the game on Thursday night.
Ward had enjoyed spirited competition against Eagles top receiver DeVonta Smith. Both players traded wins. Ward elevated over Smith on a sideline route to intercept a deep pass from Jalen Hurts in a 7 on 7 period. That ignited a celebration on the Browns' defensive sideline.The Eagles’ newly-minted $250 million quarterback, however, connected with Smith on two more deep throws in 11 on 11 periods. On one, Hurts displayed his pinpoint accuracy throwing downfield on the run. The audience of Eagles' corporate VIPs and season ticket holders voiced their approval.
Anthony Schwartz provided one of the few offensive highlights for the Browns against the Eagles. He made the catch on this 1 on 1 battle with Eagles cornerback Mekhi Garner. (TheLandOnDemand)
Other highlights for the Browns’ defense included a nice breakup of yet another deep ball for Smith by rookie cornerback Cameron Mitchell, who had increased reps in the slot with Greg Newsome easing back in after a week off with a groin injury and then spending a few reps outside with the No. 1s when Ward left the field.
The Browns forced Hurts to skitter out of the pocket on a few occasions in the 11 on 11 period, sometimes because of the defensive backs sticking on Eagles receivers and sometimes with pressure from Jim Schwartz’s inspired front four. In fact, Hurts threw the ball away on one pressure running toward the sideline and another time Jordan Elliott got him for a “touch” sack.
On the other field, the Browns’ offense had success in the hotly contested 1 on 1s, but struggled in 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 periods.
Deshaun Watson was intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship on a deflection in the 7 on 7 period, and had a fumbled exchange with running back Nick Chubb in 11 on 11.
Then there were receivers Amari Cooper and Anthony Schwartz. One player caught everything thrown to him and the other had two drops. But guess what? Cooper had the drops and Schwartz might have enjoyed his best practice as a Brown.
“I mean, obviously you have to catch every ball,” Cooper said afterwards. “That’s why they call it receivers, right? So obviously I’d like to have those back. But that’s why we are out here. That’s why we practice. Get better, never to get complacent. It always sets reminders for you to focus.”
New guy fitting in
Newly signed defensive tackle Shelby Harris was all smiles after his first practice in a Browns uniform (wearing the infamous No. 97 of Perrion Winfrey). Since it was his first meeting with media, much of the conversation centered on his thoughts about joining the Browns in his 10th NFL season.
“I felt like out of all the teams I was talking to, they’re the most primed to win,” Harris, 32, said. “And, you know, how can I turn down the chance to play with those guys up front and playing it in Coach Schwartz’s defense. Him coming out of retirement, him coming out coaching, I can’t pass that up. It’s truly a D-lineman’s dream to play in, you know, with the offense going to make a comeback and with the guys, you know, big Z [Za’ Darius Smith] and DT [Dalvin Tomlinson] and Myles [Garrett] and Ogbo [Okoronkwo] and everybody. It would have been impossible to say no to that.
“To be in this group and have talent from top to bottom, it makes my job a lot easier.”
Harris is ecstatic to be in a four-man defensive scheme after playing the read-and-react responsibilities of a 3-4 defensive end most recently with the Seahawks and Broncos.
“This is really the first time in a while where it’s just like, hey, get off the ball and go make plays,” Harris said.The Browns will try to pick up Harris' reps so that he may, at the least, contribute meaningful snaps in the season-opener, if not start at tackle opposite Tomlinson.
Brownie bits
Receiver Elijah Moore (ribs) and cornerback A.J. Green (shoulder) did not participate …
Linebackers Anthony Walker and Sione Takitaki continued to trend to being ready for the regular season after 2022 surgeries. Both got in some limited reps in 11 on 11 periods, which was their goal from the start of training camp. It remains to be seen if they will see action in the game on Thursday night, but both look on track to be ready for the real season …
Same holds true for returner/receiver Jakeem Grant, who took No. 1 reps at punt and kickoff return and did work at receiver in 1 on 1s and 7 on 7s …
The Eagles hired Sean Desai to take over as defensive coordinator after Cleveland native Jonathan Gannon left for the Cardinals head coach job. The Browns interviewed Desai also before hiring Schwartz. “I’ve known Sean for a while,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He was in Chicago all the years I was in Minnesota, so we’ve known each other in this profession. He was at Temple for a long time, so I think the world of him. He’s very, very, very intelligent, good football coach. His teams, his defenses always play really well. They’re sound, can rush the passer and really toughen the back end.” …
Rookie right tackle Dawand Jones continues to impress with his stamina and also improving his technique under the auspices of line coach Bill Callahan. But he is locked in as the No. 4 tackle behind James Hudson. When Conklin left the field, it was Hudson who took over for him, not Jones …
Stefanski grew up in Philadelphia rooting for the Eagles and then spent one summer interning at their training camp. He was asked by a Philadelphia reporter his memories of those days. “Stocking Gatorade coolers, making runs to airport. You know, the anything and everything job,” he said.
