The second training camp held at The Greenbrier Resort was considered a success by coach Kevin Stefanski. If they have another winning season, they could return in 2025. (TheLandOnDemand)
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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.
WHITE SUPHUR SPRINGS, WV
Takeaways from Browns training camp Day 7 …
The Browns departed for home after their seventh practice in nine days at the lavish Greenbrier Resort. They were satisfied their second year of opening training camp here was a success.
And who can argue that the bonding experience last year didn’t contribute to overcoming the adversity they eventually faced in 2023?
“We really followed what we planned on doing when we came down here,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Really pleased with the effort from the guys. I thought they did a nice job with everything we really asked them to do.”
Will they be back in 2025?
“Good question,” the coach demurred. “We really enjoy our time down here. Those are discussions we’ll have internally. But again, year two down here, different in that our players, our coaches, our staff, knew what to expect. But really, it’s a first-class operation. They take great care of us and and bottom line is we got our work in. Sometimes we had to adjust on the fly with the weather, but we got our work in.”
Phase 2 of training camp begins Sunday with the first of six practices open to the public at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Until then, we present The Greenbrier Awards from Phase 1 of the 2024 training camp.
Most Impressive Player: David Njoku.
He caught everything thrown to him and relished the tough, individual coaching from coaching consultant Mike Vrabel. Entering his eighth season at the age of 28, and now in a pass-happy offense that appears to stress shorter pass routes, Njoku should be expected to surpass 1,000 yards receiving over the next several seasons. If healthy, he should have his best season yet.
Most Impressive Coach: Mike Vrabel.
The word used almost unanimously to describe Vrabel was “awesome.” His expertise at several areas, combined with his energy and respect for the opportunity given him during his (expected) one-year hiatus as an NFL head coach, make this one of the greatest “consultant” pick-ups ever. GM Andrew Berry was spot-on when he said, “We’re getting our money’s worth.”
Most Satisfying Performance: Deshaun Watson.
Shoulder surgery? What shoulder surgery? The quarterback threw in every period for six consecutive practices until given a throwing day off on the last day. He not only survived as the competitive practices intensified, he got better. “He has no limitations [throwing the ball],” Stefanski said. Also, the defiant edge Watson flashed in his one Q&A session may serve him well when the games start counting. “He’s focused, locked in,” Stefanski said.
Most Inspirational Performance: Nick Chubb.
Chubb’s exhibition of running sprints and directionally, with a football tucked under his arm, for 30 minutes after the Day 1 team practice served notice to everyone, including himself, that he will play football this season. It was also a sobering reminder of his work ahead. He may be at the 40-yard line on his way to the end zone. It’s still probable he starts the regular season on reserve/PUP, which means missing a minimum of four games and possibly up to eight to 10. The Thursday night home game against Pittsburgh on November 21 remains a tantalizing target for Chubb’s triumphant return. After that, the Browns play Denver, Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Miami and Baltimore. Those seven games may dictate the Browns’ playoff fate, and Chubb could be a big part of it. The man is smiling again.
Most Improved Sophomore: Cedric Tillman.
The most physical receiver on the roster pulled in long TDs the last two practices. He received the longest pass from Watson (about 40 yards) since Watson’s return. Tillman is clearly WR4 on the depth chart and should get many more reps over his second season than as a rookie.
Under-radar New Player to Watch: Matt Landers.
The lanky wide receiver is well-traveled. He played at three different high schools; Georgia, Toledo and Arkansas in college; and spent time with Seattle and Carolina, plus two UFL teams, before the Browns signed him in May. He measured 6-4 3/8 and ran the third-fastest 40 (4.37) at the 2023 NFL Combine. He had a good enough week to warrant watching in the preseason. He’s also taken reps at kick returner to improve his chances of at least meriting a practice squad invite in September.
Under-radar Returning Player to Watch: Kahlef Hailassie.
The cornerback claimed off Kansas City waivers last September had an active week. There has to be a good reason Berry claimed him, and it’s beginning to show.
Biggest Disappointment: Jerry Jeudy.
The projected No. 2 wide receiver participated only in one positional drill in six practices because of an undisclosed leg or knee injury.
Biggest Concern: Left tackle.
With Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin still on active/PUP, James Hudson has been holding down the No. 1 left tackle spot. Stefanski said Wills is progressing toward being cleared to practice. Conklin, the incumbent right tackle, has been working inside the building and is said to be in good spirits in meetings. Still, he seems a candidate for reserve/PUP at the 53 cutdown.
Brownie bits
Elijah Moore may have suffered a concussion, Stefanski confirmed, when he hit the ground hard being defended by Denzel Ward on a pass over the middle by Jameis Winston. An update will come on Sunday …
Running back D’Onta Foreman rejoined the team after being released from a Virginia hospital when X-rays and CT scans were negative following a collision in a punt drill on Thursday. It remains to be seen how much time Foreman will miss with a possible concussion …
Denzel Ward turned in the third interception of camp in the right corner of the end zone in a red zone drill. Stepped in front of a Winston pass ...
In the first two-minute drills of camp, the second-team offense quarterbacked by Tyler Huntley was denied a touchdown by the first-team defense and the first-team offense QB’d by Winston scored on the second-team defense. Watson didn't participate.