Jerry Jeudy's first practice of training camp -- finally -- ended in a long touchdown. (Cleveland Browns)
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns training camp Day 8 …
The first day of training camp back in front of fans at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus started with Jerry Jeudy making his first media appearance of the summer.
The wide receiver acquired from the Denver Broncos had not practiced throughout OTAs and minicamp because of an undisclosed leg injury, and had appeared on the field only in one position drill period in seven practices at The Greenbrier Resort.
“I’m good. I’m out here today, so I’m good,” Jeudy said.
And then on the last play of practice, he was good to his word.
Jeudy put a double move on cornerback Kahlef Hailassie and hauled in a Deshaun Watson heave of about 40 yards as he hit the ground and slid into the right front pylon at the goal line.
Earlier, Jeudy snared a Watson pass slanting across the middle in a 7-on-7 period.
About time, huh?
“I’ve been good for a long time,” Jeudy explained. “I’ve been trusting in the training staff and when they want to get me going and getting reps.”
Jeudy got back at an opportune time. With Watson throwing every day now, he needs to make time with Jeudy.
Elijah Moore will miss some practices while in concussion protocol. We know what Amari Cooper can do. We’ve seen Cedric Tillman have a good week at the Greenbrier phase of training camp. We don’t know what Jerry Jeudy can do.
Jeudy was the 15th overall pick of the receiver-loaded 2020 draft. He was taken ahead of CeeDee Lamb (17th overall), Justin Jefferson (22nd) and Brandon Aiyuk (25th).
In four years in Denver, Jeudy had 211 receptions and 11 touchdowns. Lamb had 395 and 32 TDs for Dallas. Jefferson had 392 and 30 for Minnesota. Aiyuk had 269 and 25 for San Francisco.
Jefferson’s second contract with the Vikings landed him atop the salary standings with a $35 million-a-year average. Lamb and Aiyuk are looking to be in that stratosphere. Jeudy signed an extension with the Browns that averages $17.5 million per.
“Everybody’s situation is different,” Jeudy said. “Of course, I want to come here and show that I am the best [of that draft class]. I’m excited about that. Excited to see what the season holds.”
So is everyone else.
Jeudy’s best season in Denver was in 2022 when he had 67 receptions for 972 yards and 6 touchdowns. He slumped last year to 54 for 758 yards and 2 TDs. Which is why coach Sean Payton made him available in trade.
“As a receiver, you always want to get 1,000 yards,” Jeudy said. “That’s the goal. My biggest thing is being better than I was last year and doing what I need to do to get us to help this team and get to the Super Bowl.”
No Z’s for Z
Ask anyone what Za’Darius Smith brings to the Browns and the answer is the same. He brings energy.
“Z is a great teammate,” said coach Kevin Stefanski. “Awesome around the building, incredible energy, juice, practices hard. Really fits in with us culturally. We like everything about him.”
Smith said he leads with energy. Even the cafeteria workers feel it when he comes to breakfast, he said.
“It’s just natural. I’m not a coffee person but I’m a morning person,” Smith said. “A lot of people need coffee in the morning to get going. I’m one of them guys that just wake up without an alarm clock ready to go. I was talking to the lady in the cafeteria … how that I come in with the energy and it helps her sometimes. It’s just natural for me.”
This is what I like about Smith:
“I come to work every day. A lot of guys going into Year 10, they want to take vet days and don’t want to practice. I’m a guy that’s going to continue to come to work every day. Try to get better. I’m still young in this game. Started playing football my senior year of high school. So I feel I still have a lot of growing to do.”
And I like this:
“This is something I was talking to Myles [Garrett] about,” he said. “Last year, I missed a lot of sacks. I had a lot of opportunities and I just didn’t take that extra step. This year for sure I’m working on that to get better. I for sure want double-digit sacks. I might be back upstairs [asking for a bigger contract, if I do].”
Brownie bits
Garrett suited up for his first practice of the summer. Also back was safety Ronnie Hickman …
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was still on the sidelines. The linebacker may not be nursing an injury. There is a feeling he is on the verge of signing a new contract extension …
Denzel Ward had his second interception in the last two practices. He thieved Watson in the end zone ...
Smith raised eyebrows with this comment about rookie defensive tackle Michael Hall: “Oh, man, he’s different. He reminds me of Aaron Donald a little bit.” Smith quickly added, “Hopefully he don’t see this [interview].” He went on: “A young man who wants to learn. Just asks a lot of questions. If you did see [at The Greenbrier], when we were running 1-on-1s, he was winning each and every rep. To have a young man like that that just wants to continue to get better is big for our D-line. Happy to have him.” …
Still no sign of Jack Conklin, who’s trying to work his way back from major knee surgery in September. But Joel Bitonio is encouraged we’ll be seeing Conklin on the field soon. “I saw him working the whole offseason and he was here all summer, too,” Bitonio said. “He got hurt Week 1. I know his injury wasn’t hyped up as much as [Nick Chubb’s], but his was a serious knee injury. He’s fighting to get back. He’s dealt with it before. There’s a process to those things. You don’t want to get reps on it that are unnecessary, but you want to make sure he’s in good enough shape to play. I know their plan is bringing him along slowly. I’m encouraged he’ll be ready when he’s ready.” …
The Browns added safety Faion Hicks to the roster. He was a seventh-round pick of Denver in 2022. They also released center Brian Allen from injured reserve and waived safety Dyshawn Gales.