Kevin Stefanski said Deshaun Watson 'looks like himself' during workouts and OTA practices following shoulder surgery in November. (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.
Catching up to things said at last week’s first Browns OTA availability …
Every time the Browns take the practice field with media present Deshaun Watson will be the center of attention.
That’s because the $230 million quarterback has played only 11 games and one quarter in two seasons and now embarks on Year 3 recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery.
So, the daily storylines are: Is he throwing or just taking “mental” reps? Does he have zip on his throws?
And, as a result of the unexpected offensive coaching upheaval and seismic shift in offensive philosophy under new coordinator Ken Dorsey: Will Watson ever take another under-center exchange other than in a short-yardage situation?
These are the issues that will be discussed, detailed and dissected ad nauseam until the season-opener September 8 against the Dallas Cowboys.
And so it was on the first media availability of the OTA season, Watson did not throw. Instead, he took emphatic mental reps as his new support group, Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley, took the QB physical reps.
“We’re rotating days for now,” coach Kevin Stefanski explained. “That will change as we get into minicamp, and obviously when you get into training camp. But for right now, he’ll be throwing every other day.”
The media availability came in the team’s second OTA practice. The Browns did release video of Watson throwing the day before in the first OTA practice. There were a lot of short passes in that video.
Stefanski said, “I’ve been able to watch him the last couple weeks now that we’ve gotten into Phase 2 [of the offseason program]. He’s making great progress, and we will continue to just follow the medical team on this. But he looks like himself.”
Which begs the question: Does he look like Watson of the last two years in Cleveland or like Watson of the Houston Texans days?
There is a considerable difference there.
About that defense
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has a scheduled press availability prior to the team’s next open-media OTA on Wednesday. But don’t expect Schwartz to shed any insight about the shocking defensive meltdown in the 45-14 wild-card game loss to the Houston Texans.
The Browns’ company line about that defensive egg has been “we picked a bad day to have a bad day.”
Defensive end Za’Darius Smith was asked about it last week and his answer spoke volumes.
“I don’t know, man,” Smith said, “But I know something coach told me earlier, man. We not even going to talk about the past. So we’re going to focus on the future. How about that? Yeah. Yeah. That was a great answer, right?”
On another note, cornerback Martin Emerson did give insight on what Schwartz is preaching in Year 2 of his defense.
“Red zone defense,” Emerson said. “We were in the top three, top five, in a lot of categories. I want to say in red zone, we finished 26th in the league last year. So coming into this year, you know, that’s a big goal for us. If we can make guys settle for three points instead of getting seven, you know, we save four points for the offense and, you know, four points in this league that’s a big difference, and that’s my goal for this defense. One of our goals for this defense.”
The Hines project
Nyheim Hines is a potentially interesting addition to the offense and special teams.
In 5 ½ years with the Colts and a ½ year with the Bills, Hines averaged 40 receptions out of the backfield. He also averaged 11.4 yards on punt returns and 25.5 on kickoff returns – with four touchdown returns total.
But Hines missed all of 2023 after he suffered an ACL tear when he was hit sitting on a jet ski by another jet skier.
“You guys will not see me out here for OTA’s during practice,” Hines said. “I should be ready to go for minicamp [June 11-13]. The goal is to be ready right around August 1 or end of July, depending on how my leg comes around, but [the] goal is to be out there for Week One.”
The accident cost Hines a precious year of his career, and it has been tough on him.
“Honestly, this is the hardest thing in my life,” he said. “So if I can get through this hard part, I think the best times are coming for me.”
Hines is adamant not to be pigeon-holed as a return specialist.
“I’m really excited to go out there and prove the offensive threat I am,” he said. “And I’m just as big of a threat on offense as I am in the return game, if it’s passing, catching, kicking, or in empty [formation]. So, I’m super excited to have the opportunity to prove everybody what I can do on offense.”
Brownie bits
Right guard Wyatt Teller, on third-round rookie draft pick Zak Zinter, who may eventually replace him: “Great kid. My initial thoughts: works hard, you know, coming off an injury, can’t tell, which is good. He’s tough and I love that. I commend him on that. There’s a lot to learn. When I got into the league I was a fifth-round draft pick, so he’s better than me. But he’s a great kid and I know he’s going to work hard.” …
The mystery of who will call offensive plays – Stefanski or Dorsey – is still alive. Although indications are it will be Dorsey, Teller had an interesting observation. “At the end of the day, while our OC has changed, our offensive line coach has changed – our head coach is the same, and it’s his offense, right? So … the X’s and O’s haven’t changed. Now, the words we’re going to be using the way we’re going to be utilizing stuff, that’s the difference in the OC and stuff like that. But I truly believe that Kevin, you know, Kevin’s damn good at what he does, and I have full faith in him.” …
Emerson was a Mississippi State teammate of sixth-round pick Nathaniel Watson. The big linebacker, who figures to be an instant core player on special teams, intercepted Huntley on the final play of the OTA practice open to media. “Nathaniel, man, .. he is electric,” Emerson said. “You know, he’s very hyper guy. He comes and plays every day, and he’s very physical, and that’s what we play. Cleveland Browns defense, you know, we are very physical, fast, that’s what I feel like he brings all that to the table. So I’m excited to have Nathaniel a part of this defense.”