Deshaun Watson threw in a 11-on-11 team drill for the first time since his surgery. (Cleveland Browns)
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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 2 …
Deshaun Watson reached a milestone when he participated in his first 11-on-11 practice period since having surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder on November 21.
Players weren’t in pads, or even shells, so there was no contact, and they ran at about half-speed. But Watson looked good throwing the ball for the second day in a row.
“I mean, this is the goal, to get to training camp and have no limit. So, yeah, each day is a milestone for me until we get to Game 1,” Watson said. “So, you know, just trying to get better, just trying to continue to get back to the person I feel like I am and, yeah, just keep working each and every day.”
The 15-minute team period, longest of the overall 50-minute practice, began with Watson under center. He play-faked to running back Pierre Strong, and completed a short pass to TE3 Giovanni Ricci.
Was it coincidence, or symbolic, that the first play after coach Kevin Stefanski announced he would be the play-caller of the team’s new offense was a play-action pass from under center?
All the offensive plays in OTAs and minicamp were executed from the pistol or shotgun formations, which were the hallmarks of the offense new coordinator Ken Dorsey ran with the Buffalo Bills. But Stefanski has insisted the new offense will be a product of all the coaches, not just Dorsey, and the play-fake from under center seemed to validate his statements.
“We have everything [available in the offense],” Watson said. “Whatever Kevin and Ken draw up for this system, we’re going to go out there and execute. So, who knows what’s going to come. It might be four receivers stacked up on the line tomorrow, you know. You never know what’s going to happen. So, yeah, we just got to go in and watch the tape and whatever they draw up, we go out there and execute.”
Watson said he learned from Stefanski that he would continue to call the offensive plays before the team left for The Greenbrier Resort.
Two weeks ago at his 7-on-7 high school tournament, Watson raved about the offense being installed by Dorsey and said he liked his coordinator because “he lets me be me.” So I asked Watson if he can still “be me” with Stefanski calling the plays in games.
“Yeah, they work together. It’s a combination of both of those guys working together with the game plan,” Watson said.
“As far as I know, [the play-calling process] is going to be the same.”
Still, there will be more shotgun-spread formations and fewer multiple-tight ends, more passing, with receivers running “choice” routes, and more RPOs with Watson tucking the ball and running when the read dictates. Also, Dorsey favors a more up-tempo approach, some no-huddle possessions, with the intent of running more offensive plays per game.
“It’s great with me,” Watson said. “I mean, that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life, my whole career. So there’s nothing new in the way I play the game and the way I came up from high school, college, and even my first couple years in the league. So, yeah, I’m cool and comfortable with all that.”
The changes in the offense, along with Watson’s consistent recovery from shoulder surgery, has Watson in the best frame of mind since he joined the Browns three years ago.
“I mean, of course, yeah,” he said. “I mean, I took 2021 off, didn’t play ball. Had the suspension, so missed a lot of ball, and I’m trying to come back. And last year, I thought that was going to be the year where I could play a full year and get a full season under my belt. And the injury happened.
“So, you know, I was very disappointed and down, just because I couldn’t show exactly what I can do for this organization. And, yeah, I understand that they put a lot into me, but sometimes the injuries you can’t control. So, a lot of things kind of didn’t fall in place the last few years. But you know, [I’m] praying and taking one day at a time that everything does this year.”
Watson continued to possess a defiant edge to himself when reacting to questions about his detractors.
He said one change in his approach to this season is “really just blocking out all the (expletive).”
Another time, when asked if he's motivated to prove people wrong who have him ranked in the lower rung of NFL quarterbacks, he snapped, “I don’t give two (expletive) with what other people say, to be honest.”
Mr. Chubb’s progress
The sight of Nick Chubb running with a football in his hand couldn’t be captured on video or photo because the Browns wouldn’t allow it. But it sure drew a lot of attention after practice.
For about 30 minutes, Chubb worked out with a trainer, running 30- to 40-yard sprints and doing some directional running with ball tucked under his arm. Owner Jimmy Haslam had his eyes fixed on the workout, and GM Andrew Berry couldn’t keep from glancing over while conducting a sit-down interview with a national football scribe.
Nyheim Hines, who missed all of the 2023 season after ACL surgery last July, worked out with Chubb and is obviously much closer to coming off the PUP list and practicing with the team.
But Chubb’s progress from two surgeries on his left knee on October 2 and November 14 is now documented.
“I’d say he’s progressing exactly where he should be,” Stefanski said. “You know Nick. I know Nick. I mean, he’s pushing it. He’s doing everything that they’re asking him to do, and as much as he can do more than that, within reason, within what the medical side wants him to do.
“I mean, you should see how much he’s doing day-to-day. I mean, he’s up early, working with the trainers, working with the strength and conditioning staff. So, all that happens in the morning, in the evening, around practice as well.”
The fact Chubb can now be with his teammates on the field, rather than predominantly inside a fieldhouse with a trainer, is a lift not only to the team but to him, also. He’s smiling more.
“It’s good to have him out here, period,” Stefanski said. “We always love when Nick’s out there at practice. He’s somebody that, even though, even when he’s not in the game or play, he can make a big impact on it.
“But I wouldn’t say him being out there is an indication of when he’s back. He’ll be back when he’s back.”
Brownie bits
Defensive end Myles Garrett and tight end David Njoku were held out again as part of a slow ramp up to padded practices. Garrett was asked about the challenge of beating out so many AFC teams to get to the Super Bowl. “It’s a slaughterhouse over in the AFC,” he said. “Guys who come out of it are usually the top dog in the NFL. So we look forward to it, especially in our division. We know that it’s going to be gritty, grimy, it’s going to be tough every AFC North game. We are excited every time we get to share the field with those guys, compete against those guys. Those kinds of matchups don’t lie in the back of my mind, we look forward to those every single time.” …
Bubba Ventrone conducted the first hybrid kickoff period of training camp. The special teams coordinator is auditioning several players to serve as the two returners in the new kickoff format. Among those getting reps on Thursday were James Proche, Jaelon Darden, Strong, Aiden Robbins and Jamari Thrash. Hines surely will join this group, too, when ready …
Let it be recorded that the first interception of camp was turned in by … Christopher Edmonds. The undrafted rookie safety from Arizona State came down with a Jameis Winston pass intended for tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden when it was tipped by safety Vincent Gay …
Running back Jerome Ford remained excused but will be back soon, Stefanski said, and will share some “great news” when he returns. With Chubb and Ford out, the running back with the No. 1 team was Pierre Strong.