Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report - Stadium Field Trip (Day 14)
Football was back at First Energy Stadium on Sunday, as Kevin Stefanski took his team on a game day Sunday walk through. The day featured comeback performances by David Njoku and Damion Ratley and saw Case Keenum shred the Browns' "first team" defense with second and third string players.
Baker sharp in the red zone.
The first team portion of the day featured red zone action. Baker Mayfield and the first team offense faced off against the first team defense and scored twice in two attempts.
On first down, Odell Beckham Jr. worked free on the right sideline and Baker made an off-target throw. After a second down run by Nick Chubb, Baker connected with OBJ for a touchdown with OBJ tapping both feet at the back of the end zone.
In his first red zone action, Case Keenum handed off to D'Ernest Johnson on first down, threw for a short completion to Stephen Carlson on second down, and had a ball dropped in the end zone by Dontrell Hilliard on third down. On fourth down, Hilliard was tackled in the backfield by a penetrating Jordan Elliot.
Baker then returned to the field for a second red zone series starting at the twelve yard line. After a hand off to Kareem Hunt, Mayfield threw a well-placed pass for a touchdown to Austin Hooper, who used his body position to block out linebacker Tae Davis and haul in the high pass.
Baker and the first team offense was given an extra play in the series. Baker was flushed out of the pocket and threw a ball to Kareem Hunt on the right sideline in the end zone. It was a close call whether Hunt got his feet down or not.
Let's hear it for the twos!
The Browns' next team period was a two quarter move-the-ball scrimmage format with Baker and the first team offense and defense pitted against Case Keenum and the second team offense and defense.
Keenum and the backups won the scrimmage 17-10.
First Drive.
Keenum and the twos got the ball first. Case wasted no time, hitting tight end David Njoku on the first play for a 60-yard run and catch.
After two runs by Hilliard, Keenum found Damion Ratley on the left side for a 9-yard touchdown. The four-play touchdown drive looked easy against the first team defense.
It should be noted here that Myles Garret had the day off, nursing a wrist injury. Linebacker B.J. Goodson was also out, as were Greedy Williams, Kevin Johnson and M.J, Stewart in the secondary.
Baker's turn.
Baker then took the ball and produced a three-and-out series against the back-up defenders. Donovan Olumba locked down Jarvis Landry on the first play and Baker wisely threw the ball out of bounds over his head.
After a short run by Nick Chubb and a false start by the offensive line, to set up a third and long, Baker hit Chubb on a check down pass, who was tackled one yard short of the sticks. It was a three and out for Baker and the first team offense against the defensive reserves.
Case does it again.
On his second drive of the day, Keenum cut through the Browns' first team offense like a hot knife through butter.
Keenum hit Pharoh Brown, Rashard Higgins, D'Ernest Johnson, Stephen Carlson, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Taywan Taylor and ultimately D'Ernest Johnson for a touchdown on short decisive throws. The Browns pass rush was not a factor. Olivier Vernon working against the very bottom of the offensive line roster (Chris Hubbard was not active for the scrimmage) looked every bit as invisible as he had for most of the season last year.
The touchdown drive also featured a few nice runs by D'Ernest Johnson and Keenum used his feet to convert a third down and two.
Johnson, who was the star of the drive, had some fun by leaping into the Dawg Pound.
Baker gets off the snide with some help from the spotters.
Baker returned with the first team offense against the defensive back-ups and somewhat came to life in his second opportunity.
After a negligible first down scramble, Baker hit fullback Andy Janovich on a boot play for a first down.
Baker next hit Njoku for a 13-yard catch and run.
On first down, the Browns then attempted a trick play that may have resulted in a turnover had Mayfield not been wearing an orange (no contact) jersey. The play began with a direct snap to Jarvis Landry, followed by a throw back to Mayfield, who then was supposed to throw the ball down field. Landry's throw bounced off Baker's chest and hit the ground, with linebacker Willie Harvey bearing down on Mayfield. At best, Baker would have been tackled for a huge loss on the play. The first team offense was given a Mulligan and lined up second-and-ten on the following play.
On second down, Mayfield completed a short pass to Harrison Bryant. Again, had Mayfield not been wearing the orange jersey, he may not have gotten the pass off as defensive end Robert McCray appeared to beat Jedrick Wills off the end.
On third down, Mayfield hit a wide open Damion Ratley for a 32-yard gain. Ratley was working on rookie free agent safety Jovante Moffatt.
After a failed wide receiver end-around featuring JoJo Natson, Baker hit OBJ for a modest gain, working against Robert Jackson.
On third and two, it looked again like Baker would have been sacked, but was credited with a incomplete pass, instead.
The offense chose to go for it on fourth-and-two. Baker converted, hitting Njoku for a seven-yard gain to the one yard line. A play later, Hunt scored a one-yard touchdown, running behind Nick Harris and Wyatt Teller. Njoku executed a nice kick-out block on Porter Gustin on the play as well.
Finally, a stop for the first team defense.
The first team defense then got its first stop of the afternoon against Keenum and the reserves. After advancing the ball over the 50-yard line with a chunk play to tight end Pharoh Brown and a nice run by Hilliard, Keenum turned the ball over on downs.
Baker and the ones come back.
Baker returned, throwing high and wide to an open OBJ on first down. Chubb then gained a first down on a big run that might have gone the distance had tackling to the ground been required.
On the next play, Chubb doubled down with a second 10-plus yard run behind Jedrick Wills.
Next, Baker swung a first down screen pass to Kareem Hunt for a big gainer, before hitting OBJ for another first down.
Austin Hooper caught a seven yard boot pass from Baker on first down and Chubb ran the ball to the 17-yard line before the drive stalled.
Baker took a sack on first down for a loss of ten yards. Again, McCray appeared to beat Jedrick Wills off the edge. On second down, it again appeared that Baker was sacked, this time from interior pressure supplied by rookie defensive tackle Jordan Elliot. Nevertheless, the offense got another gimme, and the result of the play was credited, advancing the ball to the 7-yard line.
On third and one, Baker again was sacked. This time by Porter Gustin, beating Jedrick Wills around the corner.
Austin Siebert finished the drive with a 35-yard field goal.
Beat the clock!
Kevin Stefanski then suspended the scrimmage with about six minutes left in the second quarter to set up short drives from the opponent's 35-yard line for Keenum and Baker in a hurry-up scenario.
Keenum was up first. He immediately completed passes to D'Erenest Johnson and Steve Carlson. If there had been tackling in this period, it looked like Carlson would have had a chance to score.
Huge back-up left tackle Alex Taylor then committed a false start penalty. Keenum threw the ball out of bounds over the head of Steve Carlson, who was tightly covered by safety Karl Joseph, causing the second team offense to settle for a field goal.
Baker then took the field with the ones and immediately threw what likely would have been a pick six to Jovante Moffatt on a pass intended for Peoples-Jones.
Overall Impressions.
Frankly, it was frightening how easy it was for Keenum to move the ball with reserve players against the Browns' "first team" defense. While it is true that several players were missing, 3-5 of the starting secondary were present (3-4 if you do not count the nickle cornerback) and only B.J. Goodson was absent from the linebacking group who will be available at the beginning of the season absent significant moves by the front office.
Tight ends and running backs caught passes at will against the Browns' first team linebackers and safeties. Sione Takitaki, who is being counted on to make significant contributions, didn't show up. Keenum's quick decision-making neutralized the Browns' pass rush behind a make-shift offensive line.
This defense needs serious help. It's starting to look like they benefited over the course of the early training camp by running against Baker Mayfield, who is struggling to get comfortable in the offense and looks slow in his decision-making when compared to Keenum.
It should have been a cake-walk for Baker and the ones. Not only were they up against a second-string defense -- they were facing the bottom of the roster as injuries have caused some second team players to join the first team.
Baker's overall numbers from the scrimmage looked okay. He completed about 70% of his passes and threw for around 150 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He looked much slower processing information than Keenum, however, and it likely would have led to some sacks that were not credited.
Again, there was a significant mixing and matching of skilled personnel after the first drive of the scrimmage. Stefanski may be best served to get Baker more reps with OBJ, Jarvis, Chubb, Hunt and Hooper from this point forward.
Other observations.
Run Jojo Rabbit, run.
JoJo Natson seems to be leading Peoples-Jones in the competition for kick returner. He also continued to get some reps with the first team early in the scrimmage.
Strangely, the competition might come down to Ratley's late push to make the roster.
The locks at wide receiver seem to be OBJ, Jarvis, KhaDarel Hodge and Peoples-Jones (who has shown too much in camp to expose to waivers). If the Browns keep Higgins for his familiarity with Baker Mayfield, it likely leaves only one spot free for a wide receiver.
If the Browns are high on Ratley's potential, it would be hard to give Natson the final roster spot with the kick return game devalued by rule changes and a capable-enough returner in Peoples-Jones.
DPJ, Ratley and Hodge all can help on coverage teams, which alternatively could leave Higgins on the outside looking in if the Browns really value Natson's unique skill set -- especially if Stefanski continues his trend from Minnesota of not often using three-receiver sets. Right now, however, Higgins is probably the best insurance against an injury to OBJ or Jarvis.
The struggle is real.
Jedrick Wills is struggling in the pass game. With Harrison Bryant coming on strong all camp as a reliable pass catcher and Njoku reminding us of his potential in the scrimmage, the tight end who is ultimately awarded the second most offensive snaps might be the guy who looks the best in pass protection. Wills is getting beaten like a drum by guys like Robert McCray and Porter Gustin right now in obvious passing situations. He will need help against the league's premier pass rushers while he adjusts to playing the left side.
Meet the new unis -- same as the old unis
The Browns wore their "new" uniforms on Sunday. In effect, they have paired the 2012 uniforms with different socks and a more pronounced Nike swoosh on the shoulder. They have also kept the color rush brown-on-brown "dookies" that they featured so prominently last season, although neither team wore them on Sunday.
Personally, I'm hoping I will awaken from the monotony of this retro dream by the addition of orange pants and maybe a surprise pairing with orange jerseys to shake things up. Prior potential uniform combinations have promised a Clemson-inspired look, but never delivered.
White helmets would have gone a long way to freshening up the uniforms as well.
I'm probably in the minority of thinking these uniforms are a step backwards in a bad way.
A look forward.
According to Kevin Stefanski, the Browns will continue in "training camp mode" outside of the prying eyes of the media. A greater part of the practices will be closed to the media, as the Browns get ready to play the Ravens in less than two weeks time.
Baker sharp in the red zone.
The first team portion of the day featured red zone action. Baker Mayfield and the first team offense faced off against the first team defense and scored twice in two attempts.
On first down, Odell Beckham Jr. worked free on the right sideline and Baker made an off-target throw. After a second down run by Nick Chubb, Baker connected with OBJ for a touchdown with OBJ tapping both feet at the back of the end zone.
 |
| OBJ finds the end zone at First Energy Stadium |
Baker then returned to the field for a second red zone series starting at the twelve yard line. After a hand off to Kareem Hunt, Mayfield threw a well-placed pass for a touchdown to Austin Hooper, who used his body position to block out linebacker Tae Davis and haul in the high pass.
Baker and the first team offense was given an extra play in the series. Baker was flushed out of the pocket and threw a ball to Kareem Hunt on the right sideline in the end zone. It was a close call whether Hunt got his feet down or not.
Let's hear it for the twos!
The Browns' next team period was a two quarter move-the-ball scrimmage format with Baker and the first team offense and defense pitted against Case Keenum and the second team offense and defense.
Keenum and the backups won the scrimmage 17-10.
First Drive.
Keenum and the twos got the ball first. Case wasted no time, hitting tight end David Njoku on the first play for a 60-yard run and catch.
After two runs by Hilliard, Keenum found Damion Ratley on the left side for a 9-yard touchdown. The four-play touchdown drive looked easy against the first team defense.
It should be noted here that Myles Garret had the day off, nursing a wrist injury. Linebacker B.J. Goodson was also out, as were Greedy Williams, Kevin Johnson and M.J, Stewart in the secondary.
Baker's turn.
Baker then took the ball and produced a three-and-out series against the back-up defenders. Donovan Olumba locked down Jarvis Landry on the first play and Baker wisely threw the ball out of bounds over his head.
After a short run by Nick Chubb and a false start by the offensive line, to set up a third and long, Baker hit Chubb on a check down pass, who was tackled one yard short of the sticks. It was a three and out for Baker and the first team offense against the defensive reserves.
Case does it again.
On his second drive of the day, Keenum cut through the Browns' first team offense like a hot knife through butter.
Keenum hit Pharoh Brown, Rashard Higgins, D'Ernest Johnson, Stephen Carlson, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Taywan Taylor and ultimately D'Ernest Johnson for a touchdown on short decisive throws. The Browns pass rush was not a factor. Olivier Vernon working against the very bottom of the offensive line roster (Chris Hubbard was not active for the scrimmage) looked every bit as invisible as he had for most of the season last year.
The touchdown drive also featured a few nice runs by D'Ernest Johnson and Keenum used his feet to convert a third down and two.
Johnson, who was the star of the drive, had some fun by leaping into the Dawg Pound.
Baker gets off the snide with some help from the spotters.
Baker returned with the first team offense against the defensive back-ups and somewhat came to life in his second opportunity.
After a negligible first down scramble, Baker hit fullback Andy Janovich on a boot play for a first down.
Baker next hit Njoku for a 13-yard catch and run.
On first down, the Browns then attempted a trick play that may have resulted in a turnover had Mayfield not been wearing an orange (no contact) jersey. The play began with a direct snap to Jarvis Landry, followed by a throw back to Mayfield, who then was supposed to throw the ball down field. Landry's throw bounced off Baker's chest and hit the ground, with linebacker Willie Harvey bearing down on Mayfield. At best, Baker would have been tackled for a huge loss on the play. The first team offense was given a Mulligan and lined up second-and-ten on the following play.
On second down, Mayfield completed a short pass to Harrison Bryant. Again, had Mayfield not been wearing the orange jersey, he may not have gotten the pass off as defensive end Robert McCray appeared to beat Jedrick Wills off the end.
On third down, Mayfield hit a wide open Damion Ratley for a 32-yard gain. Ratley was working on rookie free agent safety Jovante Moffatt.
After a failed wide receiver end-around featuring JoJo Natson, Baker hit OBJ for a modest gain, working against Robert Jackson.
On third and two, it looked again like Baker would have been sacked, but was credited with a incomplete pass, instead.
The offense chose to go for it on fourth-and-two. Baker converted, hitting Njoku for a seven-yard gain to the one yard line. A play later, Hunt scored a one-yard touchdown, running behind Nick Harris and Wyatt Teller. Njoku executed a nice kick-out block on Porter Gustin on the play as well.
Finally, a stop for the first team defense.
The first team defense then got its first stop of the afternoon against Keenum and the reserves. After advancing the ball over the 50-yard line with a chunk play to tight end Pharoh Brown and a nice run by Hilliard, Keenum turned the ball over on downs.
Baker and the ones come back.
Baker returned, throwing high and wide to an open OBJ on first down. Chubb then gained a first down on a big run that might have gone the distance had tackling to the ground been required.
On the next play, Chubb doubled down with a second 10-plus yard run behind Jedrick Wills.
Next, Baker swung a first down screen pass to Kareem Hunt for a big gainer, before hitting OBJ for another first down.
Austin Hooper caught a seven yard boot pass from Baker on first down and Chubb ran the ball to the 17-yard line before the drive stalled.
Baker took a sack on first down for a loss of ten yards. Again, McCray appeared to beat Jedrick Wills off the edge. On second down, it again appeared that Baker was sacked, this time from interior pressure supplied by rookie defensive tackle Jordan Elliot. Nevertheless, the offense got another gimme, and the result of the play was credited, advancing the ball to the 7-yard line.
On third and one, Baker again was sacked. This time by Porter Gustin, beating Jedrick Wills around the corner.
Austin Siebert finished the drive with a 35-yard field goal.
Beat the clock!
Kevin Stefanski then suspended the scrimmage with about six minutes left in the second quarter to set up short drives from the opponent's 35-yard line for Keenum and Baker in a hurry-up scenario.
Keenum was up first. He immediately completed passes to D'Erenest Johnson and Steve Carlson. If there had been tackling in this period, it looked like Carlson would have had a chance to score.
Huge back-up left tackle Alex Taylor then committed a false start penalty. Keenum threw the ball out of bounds over the head of Steve Carlson, who was tightly covered by safety Karl Joseph, causing the second team offense to settle for a field goal.
Baker then took the field with the ones and immediately threw what likely would have been a pick six to Jovante Moffatt on a pass intended for Peoples-Jones.
Overall Impressions.
Frankly, it was frightening how easy it was for Keenum to move the ball with reserve players against the Browns' "first team" defense. While it is true that several players were missing, 3-5 of the starting secondary were present (3-4 if you do not count the nickle cornerback) and only B.J. Goodson was absent from the linebacking group who will be available at the beginning of the season absent significant moves by the front office.
Tight ends and running backs caught passes at will against the Browns' first team linebackers and safeties. Sione Takitaki, who is being counted on to make significant contributions, didn't show up. Keenum's quick decision-making neutralized the Browns' pass rush behind a make-shift offensive line.
This defense needs serious help. It's starting to look like they benefited over the course of the early training camp by running against Baker Mayfield, who is struggling to get comfortable in the offense and looks slow in his decision-making when compared to Keenum.
It should have been a cake-walk for Baker and the ones. Not only were they up against a second-string defense -- they were facing the bottom of the roster as injuries have caused some second team players to join the first team.
Baker's overall numbers from the scrimmage looked okay. He completed about 70% of his passes and threw for around 150 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He looked much slower processing information than Keenum, however, and it likely would have led to some sacks that were not credited.
Again, there was a significant mixing and matching of skilled personnel after the first drive of the scrimmage. Stefanski may be best served to get Baker more reps with OBJ, Jarvis, Chubb, Hunt and Hooper from this point forward.
Other observations.
Run Jojo Rabbit, run.
JoJo Natson seems to be leading Peoples-Jones in the competition for kick returner. He also continued to get some reps with the first team early in the scrimmage.
Strangely, the competition might come down to Ratley's late push to make the roster.
The locks at wide receiver seem to be OBJ, Jarvis, KhaDarel Hodge and Peoples-Jones (who has shown too much in camp to expose to waivers). If the Browns keep Higgins for his familiarity with Baker Mayfield, it likely leaves only one spot free for a wide receiver.
If the Browns are high on Ratley's potential, it would be hard to give Natson the final roster spot with the kick return game devalued by rule changes and a capable-enough returner in Peoples-Jones.
DPJ, Ratley and Hodge all can help on coverage teams, which alternatively could leave Higgins on the outside looking in if the Browns really value Natson's unique skill set -- especially if Stefanski continues his trend from Minnesota of not often using three-receiver sets. Right now, however, Higgins is probably the best insurance against an injury to OBJ or Jarvis.
The struggle is real.
Jedrick Wills is struggling in the pass game. With Harrison Bryant coming on strong all camp as a reliable pass catcher and Njoku reminding us of his potential in the scrimmage, the tight end who is ultimately awarded the second most offensive snaps might be the guy who looks the best in pass protection. Wills is getting beaten like a drum by guys like Robert McCray and Porter Gustin right now in obvious passing situations. He will need help against the league's premier pass rushers while he adjusts to playing the left side.
Meet the new unis -- same as the old unis
The Browns wore their "new" uniforms on Sunday. In effect, they have paired the 2012 uniforms with different socks and a more pronounced Nike swoosh on the shoulder. They have also kept the color rush brown-on-brown "dookies" that they featured so prominently last season, although neither team wore them on Sunday.
Personally, I'm hoping I will awaken from the monotony of this retro dream by the addition of orange pants and maybe a surprise pairing with orange jerseys to shake things up. Prior potential uniform combinations have promised a Clemson-inspired look, but never delivered.
White helmets would have gone a long way to freshening up the uniforms as well.
I'm probably in the minority of thinking these uniforms are a step backwards in a bad way.
A look forward.
According to Kevin Stefanski, the Browns will continue in "training camp mode" outside of the prying eyes of the media. A greater part of the practices will be closed to the media, as the Browns get ready to play the Ravens in less than two weeks time.
Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report - Stadium Field Trip (Day 14)
Reviewed by AT Dawgger
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1:03 PM
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Reviewed by AT Dawgger
on
1:03 PM
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