Training Camp Report Part III

[BernietheKid]

Aug. 17, 2011 12:18 p.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Reading between lines, Steinbach won't play vs. Lions
One gets the impression from coach Pat Shurmur's comments about rookie LG Jason Pinkston that starter Eric Steinbach (back) won't play on Friday. Shurmur said Pinkston is in line for increased reps against the Lions. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 12:15 p.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Shurmur likens Norwood to Rams' Amendola
Coach Pat Shurmur compared emerging WR layer class=player title=Norwood,Jordan idref="565738">Jordan Norwoodlayer> to Rams WR Danny Amendola, who has become a viable pass-catcher. "They have the same skill set. Jordan finds a way to get open and he's smart." Norwood has been lined up both wide and in the slot. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 12:07 p.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Starters will play close to a half
Coach Pat Shurmur said the starters will play close to a half Friday night against the Lions. He added that he seeks to increase the number of reps for the starting offensive and defensive lines to more than 20 plays. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 11:57 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Dockery adjusting to FS position
DB James Dockery on his move to FS: "It's going to take some adjustment, but I'm a good height (6-1) and I have good speed for the position. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 11:54 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Fujita high on fellow LB Brown
LB Scott Fujita on emerging MLB Titus Brown: "He's not just a football player. He's a junkyard dog. He just makes plays." Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 11:53 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Fujita says he's fine
OLB Scott Fujita sluffed off a question about his thigh injury, stating simply, "I'm fine." Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 11:51 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Dockery gets time at free safety
James Dockery hadn't played FS since his freshman season at Oregon State, but he has been reintroduced to the position and will play CB as well. He conceded that the move will force him into the weight room to gain strength in playing the run. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 11:44 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Shurmur says injuries part of training camp
Coach Pat Shurmur on G Eric Steinbach (back), S T.J. Ward (hamstring) and) RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring) leaving practice: "This time of year you get a lot of soft tissue injuries -- I wouldn't call them injuries yet." Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 11:13 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Injuries to three starters not serious
Injuries to LG Eric Steinbach (back), S T.J. Ward (hamstring) and) Peyton Hillis (hamstring) are not considered serious. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 9:58 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - West Coast offense perfect for Cribbs
WR Josh Cribbs is benefitting more from the West Coast system than any receiver. The shorter routes have been easier to grasp and has allowed him to take advantage of his talents running after catching the ball. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 9:56 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Looks like rookie FB Marecic will start
Rookie Owen Marecic is a sure starter, but he hasn't been as involved in the passing game as one might anticipate from a FB in the West Coast offense. Browns RapidReports

[BernietheKid]

Aug. 17, 2011 9:54 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Browns focus on rush offense, defense
The Browns are focusing on their rush offense and defense. They're executing 9-on-9 drills with no WRs or CBs on the field. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 9:51 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Smith, Malava take advantage of absences
Brian Smith and Kaluka Maiava are receiving first-team reps at OLB in the absence of Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong. Titus Brown, who has been impressive, is backing up MLB D'Qwell Jackson. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 9:35 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Four remain sidelined, working with trainers
LB Scott Fujita (thigh), LB Chris Gocong (neck), TE Benjamin Watson (hamstring) and S Usama Young (hamstring) remain sidelined, but are running and working with trainers. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 9:29 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Schaefering returns, but shift to 4-3 may hurt him
DT layer class=player title=Schaefering,Brian idref="1616801">Brian Schaeferinglayer> (leg) has returned to practice. The 4-3 defense and personnel additions to it might take him out of the mix in regard to playing time. He played frequently at DE in the 3-4. Browns RapidReports

Aug. 17, 2011 9:18 a.m. - by Marty Gitlin - Massaquoi running, close to return
WR Mohamed Massaquoi (foot) is running briskly on the side and appears close to making his camp debut. He probably won't return to game action until at least next week. Browns RapidReports

[YtownBacker]

Just a few comments on the above posts. The team really seems to want to get Pinkston as many reps as they can to try to get him up to speed since Yates retired. Also, Dockery is playing on the coverage teams which bodes well for him making the team. He seems to be headed the Mike Adams route. Special teamer, backup corner and backup FS.

Norwood has taken reps with the #1s as a slot receiver and Little was only coming in as the 4th receiver behind Cribbs and Robo. When MoMass gets back there will be a fight for reps and playing time. This game Friday may go a long way developing a depth chart at WR and DB.

Titus Brown has been very impressive. So impressive that he worked some with the #1s while DQJ moved to WSLB. That was just a few series, not to be confused with a position change for Jackson.

You are starting to get a feel for guys that are pushing their way onto the roster by watching who lines up on special teams. Brian Smith is lining up with the kick coverage units and is fighting for a backup LB spot. I'd expect to see him a lot Friday.

If you jump into FA with both feet you never get to see or develop guys like Norwood, Titus Brown, Skrine, Pinkston or Dockery. Sometimes it might just be better to keep what you have and coach them up. That's why there are so many UDFAs playing in this league. Good teams develop their own.

[BernietheKid]

Shurmur press conf. transcript - 8/17

Posted 50 minutes ago

The transcript of Coach Pat Shurmur's Wednesday morning press conference.

Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur press conference 8-17-11

(Opening statement)- “We had a good practice this morning. We did a lot of red zone, tried to keep the same format as we did a week ago. I took the pads off the guys this morning. We just worked in helmets and protective spider pads. I feel like we got a lot of work done. Today’s practice, (Eric) Steinbach’s back tightened up on him a little bit so we took him in side, just precautionary. T.J. Ward felt his hamstring a little bit, again, precautionary there. Peyton Hillis, at the end of practice, felt his hamstring just a little bit. This is the time of year when you start to get some soft tissue injuries. I wouldn’t call those injuries yet, there was a lot of work that got done so it was just precautionary with T.J. and Peyton. Otherwise, it was good work. We got 50 snaps in the red zone today, which is good, between 7-on-7 and team. That’s a very important part of the game, being successful there whether you’re scoring touchdowns or preventing the scores. I felt like that competition was good.”

(On preparing for the season and preparing for roster cuts at the same time)- “As far as preparing the team, we try to get better each day at something. Today was red zone. We did some base as well. You teach the schemes and as you’re teaching the schemes and running the plays you see how your players fit so that’s part of it. As far as evaluating who the team is, at the end here, their competition and how they perform really direct us to what’s going to happen there. As fans, you could pick out a few guys who are definitely going to make it, but at the bottom part of the roster there’s some good competition right now.”

(On the next step he wants to take in the upcoming preseason game)- “You want to build on the last game. We’re looking generally for efficiency, guys to perform well, eliminate the mistakes and then move forward in terms of the details of the plays that we’re running. That’s what you’re looking for. You’re looking for some consistency and efficiency, and you want to see the guys perform well. When the situations dictate it, you’d like to see guys step up and make plays.”

(On if there’s a position group that will sort itself out own its own through preseason games)- “I think in all the position groups there is something that we take away each preseason game. We’re in a situation right now where we have a couple linebackers that are dealing with some minor injuries. Those guys that step up and play, naturally, we’ll get to see them more than we would if they weren’t. That’s one position. You’re’ always looking at the skill positions. Then what you want to do is see how your draft picks are developing, the younger players. It’s a long winded answer to your question, but I think that’s what you’re looking for.”

(On if he has seen any affects from the lockout)- “I don’t know. I think we’re kind of into this thing, close to three weeks in. We’re all kind of feeling the same things. Their legs are tired, but there’s a certain amount of work that we need to get in. I would say they’re fighting through it pretty well. The overwhelmingly majority of the guys are doing a good job of taking care of their bodies between practices. From that standpoint, it’s probably hard for me to compare because I wasn’t with this crew a year ago. That’s where I’d have a better feel maybe next year.”

(On Owen Marecic and the fullback catching passes out of the backfield)- “I think the fullback needs to be able to catch the football. That’s a position that promotes and lends toughness to your offense because they have to lead block. They’re asked to do a lot of things from the backfield that you require from linemen and guys on the line of scrimmage. But, then you add the added piece of being able to catch the football and then we’ll hand it to him as well. That’s a multi-dimensional position when it comes to playing offense.”

(On how Marecic has performed thus far)- “I think he’s done a good job. Owen’s one of those steady as you go guys. If you’re not looking real hard, he doesn’t say much. His demeanor’s very quiet, but he takes it in and when you watch him, he makes very few mistakes. He gives great effort and I think he’s progressing well.”

(On Jason Pinkston stepping in for Steinbach)- “He’s in there and he’s ready to go. Depending on this weekend, he’ll get more work than he might of had Steinbach not developed this back-whatever, we’ll see.”

(On how much the starters will play and if the game plan will be similar)- “The starters, without saying it definitively, I think the starters will play close to a half. The starting lines played about 16 plays last week and I’d like to see them play up into the 20’s. That would be good. As far as game planning, we always game plan where we do what we do well and there’s always things in the game plan that attack the defense we face. I think that it’s going to be no different than any other game.”

(On if they are looking for anything specific to work on)- “We’re looking to work on things, but you’re not going to see 10 flea-flickers and halfback passes, maybe one. But, there are certain things we’re looking to get. We want to see the guys execute the fundamentals of the offense. That doesn’t understate the fact that we spent time in the offseason and the last couple days preparing for this game.”

(On Jordan Norwood’s skills in the pass game and return game and if he has caught his eye)- “He has. Last year, I was with a guy named Danny Amendola. Let’s forget their size and stature for a minute. That same type of skill set, finds a way to get open. He’s very smart. We lined him up today at the flanker, the X and in the slot. He’s very smart. Typical, if he’s lined up with another receiver out there, he determines on and off. He’s doing a nice job and then you add the return piece on to it. I think he’s doing good.”

(On James Dockery playing safety)- “I think in this game you may see him playing a little bit of safety. He’s shown up well at corner, that’s where he plays. Much like any back-up role player, you’ve got to get it done on special teams and then you have to be somewhat flexible. For a guy that’s caught our eye in some ways, to be able to line up at safety, I think is a good thing.”

(On evaluating his defense)- “I was pleased with the way they played. There was a lot of good physical play. We played a lot of man coverage. You didn’t see guys running wide open. I thought the coverage was tight. For the most part, the receivers were challenged and we did create some pressure and disrupt the quarterback. Those were all good things. I’m pleased with where they’ve come in less than three weeks.”

(On Kaluka Maiava stepping up)- “He’s one of those guys that’s benefitting from the reps. He’s probably known as a special team’s type guy that’s a backup player, but he’s stepped in and done a nice job. I feel like he can play on scrimmage downs and most likely he will.”

(On Maiava’s size)- “When you step up on him, he’s not tall, but he’s got some size to him which is evident when you get real close to him.”

(On if the second game is the midway point for training camp)- “I wouldn’t consider it the hump because the third preseason game is a game where we’ll play the number one units or the guys that we feel are starters even more than a half. I wouldn’t consider it the hump as a half way part of the preseason games. When you play the preseason game it’s exciting. But, once the game is over and you get them back out here, it was just a fancy practice in the midst of training camp. As you evaluate it after the fact, we play Friday and were in here on Sunday practicing then we’re right into training camp mode. I wouldn’t call it the hump, but there’s some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of getting your team ready for the first game.”

(On guys at the bottom of the roster getting their last chance to play in the preseason games)- “Typically, the fourth preseason game, they play the whole game. It’s where you need to really start picking up the pace if you’re going to have a chance to make it.”

(On what was said after Jarrett Brown threw an interception against Green Bay)- “There’s reasons for everything and I think he would agree you can’t throw that ball. It was a corner route and a defender was underneath it so you just pump fake it and try and run to get a couple yards. If you can’t run then you throw it away. That’s what you say. Then you say, ‘Now that’s over so let’s go onto the next one.’ That’s what you do. Unfortunately, every once in awhile a quarterback is going to have a bad play. The key is to not put two together. What I liked about what he did though was he came out after that and really managed, very well, a four-minute drive that melted a lot of clock and put us in position to kick a field goal and make it a two-score lead. From that standpoint, I thought he did a good job.”

(On working on split back formations)- “I like running the ball and throwing the ball out of split backs. That could be a fullback and a halfback or it could be two halfbacks. We train them that way. We have a solid portion of our offense that’s a two back set. It just showed up today, there were certain things we were working on and our progression of putting the plays in. We were working on that a little bit more today than you’ve seen in the last couple.”

(On running that formation anywhere on the football field)- “We can do it coming out all the way to going in. The situation dictates you can it anywhere.”

(On if Montario Hardesty will play Friday)- “Still haven’t finally decided on that. Tonight’s the night we’re we really zero in on who’s available and who’s going to play and how much.”

(On if Ndamukong Suh commands a lot of attention even in a preseason game)- “Doesn’t matter, when there are good players out there, they’ll get your attention. Obviously, if you’re going to have success against Detroit, you have to block that front. He’s an outstanding player one of the finest in the league, but he’s only one of a bunch of very talented guys on that defense.”

Shurmur press conf. transcript - 8/17


Pat Shurmur Press Conference 8/17
Head Coach Pat Shurmur talks to the media following practice on 8/17/11
Pat Shurmur Press Conference 8/17

[Dan in Florida]

Day 18 VIDEO - Camp Report:

Tony and Mary Kay report Day 18 on Cleveland Browns Training Camp (video) | cleveland.com

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

Just a few comments on the above posts. The team really seems to want to get Pinkston as many reps as they can to try to get him up to speed since Yates retired. Also, Dockery is playing on the coverage teams which bodes well for him making the team. He seems to be headed the Mike Adams route. Special teamer, backup corner and backup FS.

Norwood has taken reps with the #1s as a slot receiver and Little was only coming in as the 4th receiver behind Cribbs and Robo. When MoMass gets back there will be a fight for reps and playing time. This game Friday may go a long way developing a depth chart at WR and DB.

Titus Brown has been very impressive. So impressive that he worked some with the #1s while DQJ moved to WSLB. That was just a few series, not to be confused with a position change for Jackson.

You are starting to get a feel for guys that are pushing their way onto the roster by watching who lines up on special teams. Brian Smith is lining up with the kick coverage units and is fighting for a backup LB spot. I'd expect to see him a lot Friday.

If you jump into FA with both feet you never get to see or develop guys like Norwood, Titus Brown, Skrine, Pinkston or Dockery. Sometimes it might just be better to keep what you have and coach them up. That's why there are so many UDFAs playing in this league. Good teams develop their own.

Really good post Ytown! I remembered Titus Brown catching my attention in the Packers game last year. He was excellent at getting good depth in his hook zones while he made plays vrs the run at or behind the line of scrimmage. HOWEVER, the staff realized Titus was a DE at Mrs. Sippi State; and ILBer in a 3-4 was quite a position change where they just felt more comfortable going with an experienced FA like Gocong. I think this was beneficial for him last year. That said, I think it's time to let Titus play more this year. I'd rather see D'Qwell Jackson playing OLBer. I actually think he could impress me quite a bit more there than he does in the middle.

It's an excellent point about FAs interfering with young players developing (ie: Lance Moore's chances here ended with Antonio Bryant being the experienced high paid FA signed at the time).

[YtownBacker]

If you bring in some stopgaps like Bowens, Barton and some of the ugly over-the-hill corners again then guys like Brown and Skrine don't get the reps and don't get a chance to show themselves. Also UDFAs like Smith and Dockery don't get a second look.

If you are committed to building through the draft then you got to bite the bullet and spend time developing your young guys.

and if we would have brought in one of those veteran slot receivers Norwood would end up on someone elses roster for them to develop.

[Brown Warrior]

You might have an excellent point on Norwood. He looks really, really good to me.

Did you know they give away luxury spa resort rooms in Tucson this time of year? It's unreal. Dropped our son off and we're at a R-C charging Holiday Inn rates.

It's hot So, uh... get in the pool.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

You might have an excellent point on Norwood. He looks really, really good to me.
.

Very true. He also looked really good returning punts. Not bad at all for a guy who's signing bonus was a Walmart Soda and a bag of potato chips. It would be really if this guy could really help us in the passing game.

Hats off to BTK for sharing the latest and greatest camp reports.

[BernietheKid]

Carucci’s Corner: ‘Browns Daily’ lessons from Wolf, Little
Posted by Vic Carucci on August 18, 2011 – 1:47 am

By Vic Carucci, Senior Editor

Here’s what we learned from former Green Bay Packers general manager and long-time NFL team executive Ron Wolf and Browns rookie wide receiver Greg Little during Tuesday night’s edition of “Cleveland Browns Daily, Driven by Liberty Ford”:

–During his visit this week to the Browns’ training camp, Wolf was impressed with how the team conducted practice. “It’s the way I kind of like football,” Wolf said. “It’s quick, it’s crisp, there’s enough hitting going on. It has a physical aspect to it, which to me, is the one thing I had such a hard time with (regarding new rules that call for considerably less contact in training-camp workouts). (Football’s) the only major sport where you don’t do what you do (in practice). You don’t practice blocking and tackling. Baseball, they play over 200 games a year. Pro basketball, they play spring games, they have summer games, they have pickup games, they practice what they do. It’s easy to say that you could do these things, but if you don’t practice it, I don’t know how you can get better at it. It’ll be interesting to see how this all works itself out.”

–Little said he doesn’t see himself at any sort of disadvantage because he missed his final season at North Carolina due to a suspension. “I think I did a great job in preparing myself for the day that I eventually stepped back on the football field,” he said. “And I think I’m doing a tremendous job with absorbing the offense and terminology and my conditioning as well. I think I’m making strides towards getting better, every day.”

–Wolf said that he and Browns president Mike Holmgren, whom Wolf hired to coach the Packers, have had plenty of time remembering the “good times” of their highly successful run together in Green Bay. “The fun of starting the operation together, and it was just the two of us, essentially to sink or swim,” Wolf said. “We were given that opportunity, which in that time in pro football was hard to believe. At that time they would say, ‘Here, it’s your operation, run it.’ So we could look at each other and say we did or we didn’t do it. And the only two people we could look at if we failed, was each other.”

–Little on dealing with the dropped passes he has had in practice: “When I have a play like that, I don’t necessarily forget it, because I want to make a play to make everyone else forget about it, so that’s my take on it. When I do have one of those drops here and there, I go back and watch the tape and try to think of what I could’ve done differently to ensure the catch.” What’s the solution? “Looking the ball completely in before getting up the field,” Little said. “The game is so fast and coaches are always talking about getting north and south and getting vertical upfield that oftentimes you do lose sight of the catch, all the way in. It’s just a minor thing that guys lose sight of sometimes and then they’re cured in the game.”

Cleveland Browns | Blog | Carucci

[BernietheKid]

Jordan Norwood claims slot receiver role in Cleveland

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 19, 2011, 11:25 AM EDT
AP
It’s that time of training camp when some position battles start to get settled.

In Cleveland, upstart second year receiver Jordan Norwood has locked down the team’s slot receiver job, according to Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

The starting wideouts on the outside will be some combination of Mohammed Massaquoi, rookie Greg Little, and Brian Robiskie. Massaquoi looked like the safest bet, but he hasn’t been healthy at all.

We thought Eric Mangini was building a tough team in Cleveland last year. Now they have completely different schemes on both sides of the ball.

Maybe it will work. Maybe it will set the franchise back a bit. There is an opportunity for the Browns to surprise this year because they play the NFC West out of conference.

Jordan Norwood claims slot receiver role in Cleveland | ProFootballTalk

[hammertime]

oh my gosh!! what about josh?