These are the 10 major issues of Browns training camp when they convene at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WVA, this weekend.
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
One in a series of articles previewing Browns training camp …
Issues in training camp are different from issues in the regular season.
For instance: “Will Deshaun Watson return to form?” is not a training camp issue. The question won’t be answered until Watson faces live action at game speed – something with which he struggled mightily in his six-game stint last year.
“Will Kevin Stefanski learn how to manage games better?” is another major issue that won’t be answered until real game days.
So keep that in mind when reviewing our list of the Browns’ biggest issues in the 2023 training camp, which begins Saturday at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WVA.
Deshaun Watson's play time in preseason -- and other starting players -- ranks as the No. 1 issue facing Kevin Stefanski in training camp. (Cleveland Browns)
1. How much will Kevin Stefanski play Deshaun Watson and other key starters in preseason?
This issue vexes every NFL coach. Even the lifers (Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll, Andy Reid) vacillate from year to year on how to balance play time in “meaningless” exhibition games with protecting key players from injury. Certainly there is far greater risk of injury than there is reward in shaking off rust and readying a team for the season-opener. There is no league-wide template for all teams to follow. Every team is in a different stage of evolution. In the case of the Browns, quarterback Watson obviously suffered last season from a 700-day layoff. This year, he will be executing an offense different from the one Stefanski tried to play on the run last year. Watson has three new important receivers, also. The Browns have an extra fourth preseason game because of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. I see that as an opportunity, not a nuisance. I would play Watson at least one series in the first game, one half in the second game, at least one quarter in the third game and at least one quarter in the fourth game. There are 15 days following the final preseason game in Kansas City to the season-opener against Cincinnati, so you worry about collecting rust if regulars don't play in the fourth game. The Browns’ schedule calls for them to play division rivals Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore in the first month of the season. Stefanski better have his team ready.
2. Who’s CB2 – Greg Newsome or Martin Emerson?
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz refused to answer when I posed this question in minicamp. He did indicate Newsome and Emerson will compete for the role. It’s THE major position battle in camp. Now, both players will receive ample play time. Because of the three- and four-receiver offenses proliferating, most defenses are in nickel alignments (three cornerbacks) or even dime alignments (four cornerbacks) the majority of time. In those cases, Newsome will continue most of the time covering the inside slot receiver with Denzel Ward and Emerson manning the outside cornerback slots. But what happens when a team lines up only two receivers? Who’s the cornerback opposite Ward? It may be a minor point in the whole scheme of things. But I think it says loads about how the Browns evaluate first-round pick Newsome v. third-round pick Emerson.
3. Will Nick Chubb prosper or suffer from a shotgun-oriented running game?
It was evident in the OTA and minicamp season that Watson will operate mostly out of the shotgun and pistol formations to accommodate his skills. That’s fine for the passing game. But in the running game, Chubb will have to adjust to taking handoffs almost exclusively out of those formations. Most running games suffer from this format. We shall see how the running game is affected. This won't play out until the real season.
4. Will Bill Callahan make or break Dawand Jones in his rookie training camp?
At the rookie minicamp, Callahan worked the behemoth fourth-round pick from Ohio State real hard. Jones needed breaks and threw up in the first two days. When Callahan pressed Jones further, Jones actually got in the face of the venerable offensive line coach and had to be separated by other coaches. The two men talked out their differences and all was well when the full team came in for mandatory veteran minicamp. But you wonder if Jones can hold up during the 90+ degree dog days of August training camp. The Browns are counting on Jones being a key backup offensive tackle as a rookie. He and James Hudson are the only backup tackles of note on the roster. If Jones doesn’t come through, the Browns will have to find another backup tackle.
5. Can Jakeem Grant recapture his Pro Bowl return ability?
The Browns envisioned Grant transcending their return game last year, until he ruptured an Achilles tendon running a pass pattern in an August practice. Grant spent the rest of the 2022 season and then the entire 2023 offseason rehabbing. In minicamp, new special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone managed Grant’s reps with the idea of having him completely ready for training camp. Prior to signing with the Browns in 2022, Grant had six return touchdowns (four on punts, two on kickoffs) in six seasons with the Dolphins and one with the Bears. No Browns return specialist had better pedigree than that since Josh Cribbs retired.
6. Which of the new defensive tackles emerge as pass rushers?
Free agent Dalvin Tomlinson and third-round rookie Siaki Ika are 330+ pound tackles added to stop the run, not to rush the passer. But new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz always has developed tackles as penetrating pass rushers. So whom will it be with the Browns – holdover Jordan Elliott, immature but talented Perrion Winfrey, or one-year, prove-it free agents Maurice Hurst and Trysten Hill? Or will Schwartz have to resort to lining up four defensive ends in obvious passing situations?
7. Can the linebackers return to health and stay active?
This position group was relatively unchanged despite four linebackers ending the season on injured reserve. In the OTA and minicamp season, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (mid-foot sprain) and Jacob Phillips (torn pectoral muscle) were able to participate. Anthony Walker (torn quadriceps tendon) and Sione Takitaki (torn ACL) did not participate. They may start training camp on preseason PUP, which means they would have to be medically cleared before they can practice. The worst case would be to start the season on PUP, which would mean automatically missing the first six games. The Browns will give an update on the status of Walker and Takitaki probably on the first day of camp on Saturday.
8. Which receivers will fall by the wayside?
Under Stefanski, GM Andrew Berry – who chooses the final roster – has kept six wide receivers. The no-brainers this year are Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, Marquise Goodwin and rookie Cedric Tillman. Maybe Berry adds a seventh spot this year to accommodate a healthy Grant, who fashions himself a legit receiver. That leaves one spot among contenders David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, Daylon Baldwin, Jaelon Darden, and Mike Harley. The practice squad can be a life preserver, but it’s looking like Berry draft picks Bell and Schwartz will be fighting for their roster lives. Any time they miss with minor injuries will be costly..
9. Will safety Grant Delpit step up in his contract year?
Entering his fourth season – third after missing his rookie year with an Achilles injury – Delpit is the glue of the safety position. Free safety Juan Thornhill and versatile third safety Rodney McLeod are new free agent pickups. Delpit is determined to reach a new level in his contract year. If so, he can make a major impact in Schwartz’s defense.
10. Which undrafted free agents will emerge as roster keepers?
It’s tougher than ever for an undrafted free agent to win a roster spot with the Browns, but you know there will be at least one. There are eight on the training camp roster. The overwhelming favorite is running back Hassan Hall. He played four seasons at Louisville and one year at Georgia Tech. He will compete for the third running back spot with Demetric Felton and John Kelly. Hall was a returner in college and that skillset will weigh heavily in making the final 53.
