Charismatic Jameis Winston wants to let his light shine on everyone, including Deshaun Watson. (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.
Takeaways from Browns training camp Day 11 …
This was a Jameis Winston day in preparation of his first start in a Browns uniform Saturday in the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers.
Winston received extra reps at practice all week, tossing three touchdowns on Tuesday and taking reps behind the first-team offensive line on Thursday.
He capped off his work week with an appearance in the media tent, which is an event unto itself.
Winston’s infectious energy, engaging personality, and preacher-like oratory skills make him a must-listen interview.
“You hear him before you see him,” coach Kevin Stefanski said.
“It comes from who I am,” Winston explained. “My essence, my charismatic self, always exuberant, the light of a man of increase, a man of faith. It comes from my foundation in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That’s where all of my good looks, my energy, everything comes from … it’s a blessing.”
Winston replaced Joe Flacco, the 2023 NFL Comeback Player-of-the-Year winner, because the Browns wanted a supporter of Deshaun Watson, not someone who might threaten his stature as the undisputed leader of the offense. Since he arrived in March, Winston has done nothing but shower Watson with love.
He continued his support when asked about Watson shouldering the expectations on him this year.
“One of the most iconic roles that I got a chance to witness was when he won the national championship against Alabama in Tampa, Florida,” Winston said. “In that game there were some plays where he got hit hard. I saw him getting beat up. But he persevered.
“Through his whole life, where he grew up, Deshaun was built for adversity, he was built for resilience. Honestly, I know he respects everybody’s opinion, but the most important opinion is himself. And I know he’s working through a lot of different things, but he’s happy, he’s poised. He isn’t fazed by anything that anyone has to say because he’s on a mission to be the best quarterback he possible can be. When I was that age, understanding to whom much is given much is much is required. He knows the magnitude and the expectation that a lot of people have of him.
“He wants to be and will be a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Honestly that’s what I’m here for. I guarantee you I’m feeding that into him, making sure he knows that. But he doesn’t need my help. He has that.
“I saw that in him. That game meant so much to me because I’m a kid from Alabama and I had a chance to see him lights cameras action right then and there. That’s a thing a lot of people forget when you can see practice, you can knick knack this that paddywack give a dog a bone. Deshaun Watson is gonna turn it on. He’s always gonna find a way to shine when the lights come on.”
It remains to be seen what Winston can do on the field. But in his role as Watson’s No. 1 supporter, the Browns have to be pleased.
Ford’s growth
Jerome Ford rushed for 813 yards and four touchdowns and made 12 starts in relief of injured Nick Chubb last year. He will open the season as RB1 and feels he’ll be a much better overall running back in his fourth season.
“I think I did decent,” he said of the most extensive play time of his Browns career. “There’s always more work to do. There’s a lot of places I can get better.”
Such as?
“Pass protection and knowing my blocking scheme when running the ball,” Ford responded.
He termed it “a great experience” being thrown in after Chubb went down with a gruesome knee injury in Game 2 in Pittsburgh.
Ford recently witnessed the birth of his second child, Jerome III, and sounds like a more mature person. He has been relatively quiet and business-like in his first three seasons.
But this year he’s looking to open up more.
“More juice and energy,” he said. “Probably more celebrations. Looking to have more fun with our running back room.”
Brownie bits
Winston will start against Green Bay and probably will be followed by Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. Stefanski said the QB3 competitors should get close to equal reps …
Running back D’Onta Foreman returned to practice for the first time since being airlifted to a hospital in Virginia after suffering a neck injury in the final practice at The Greenbrier Resort …
After practice, the Browns signed long snapper Rex Sunahara. Stalwart snapper Charley Hughlett is "a little nicked up," said a source, and might be held out Saturday ...
Stefanski was asked by a visiting media member if he could clone one player and make a full team like him, who would that be? He turned to regular members of the Browns press corps and said, “I mean, everybody knows this answer, right? Want to help him? Nicholas Jamaal Chubb.” …
Stefanski was asked where he stands on the Brook Park dome v. lakefront stadium debate. Unlike GM Andrew Berry, who came out in favor of the dome, Stefanski stayed true to character. “I trust all the people involved. I like whatever they like. I’ll give you the football coach answer: I’ll play anywhere. Tell us where to play,” he said. (Must not have gotten the corporate memo.)