Three & Out: What You Need To Know About Browns Traning Camp
Photo By: Jason Miller / Getty Images
Kizer Continues To Turn Heads At Camp, No Word On Week 2 Starter
As the Browns enter their fourth week of training camp, the quarterback competition is taking center stage. Rookie DeShone Kizer and offseason acquisition Brock Osweiler split first team reps, despite remaining third on the depth chart.
Quarterbacks Coach, David Lee has noticed the strides the second-round pick has made in just one off-season.
“He is a lot better than he was in the spring, but he is still not there, and he knows it," Lee said to reporters Sunday after practice. "That is why this one on Monday night is so good for him. That is what we need is put him in the real lights on a national television game and see if he can carry these fundamentals that we are harping on him over and over and over into the game."
Second-year Wide Receiver, Cory Coleman was also impressed. "DeShone did a really good job. He came in, and I think in the third and fourth quarter had an unbelievable performance, just like I thought he would.”
No word on Head Coach, Hue Jackson will go with under center for their second preseason game, August 21st.
For Orchard, A New Position And A New Coordinator Is Just What The Doctor Ordered
One of the bright spots of Thursday's preseason opener against the Saints was third-year player, Nate Orchard. The Utah product flashed in the against New Orleans, recording two tackles, a half sack, and a quarterback hurry.
"It felt good getting those sacks, but little things like run stopping, gap responsibility, alignment, technique and stuff like that is what I really focused on taking away from that game,” the third-year player told reporters Saturday.
One of the reasons for Orchard's resurgence after a season ending ankle injury last season is the new defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams. "Hands down the best human being I have ever been around, the most interesting man. Fun, guys love him," the lineman said of his new boss. "Everyone just gravitates towards him. He knows how to motivate us in many ways. We are just happy to have him around.”
A linebacker for his first two years, Orchard was asked to switch to defensive line. Now as an edge rusher, the former Ute can be closer to the player that had 18.5 sacks his final year in college.
"You have to have the mindset to just go get the quarterback. That is what this game is all about. That is what they pay you to do, and that is what we need to do," Orchard said of his new role.
Only time will tell if Orchard will have enough of an impact to start in what has turned into a crowded depth chart at defensive line. Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib look to grow after promising rookie seasons, and first overall pick Miles Garrett has already been penciled into a starting spot.
Jackson Sends A Message: Stop The Penalties
In recent years, it seems that penalties have been an issue for the Browns. Coach Hue Jackson is making sure that trend stops this year. The second-year coach was seen punishing players for penalties in camp.
“These are the things that stop you from winning,” Jackson said. “The penalties and those type of things don’t help you win games. It stops drives, and obviously, we had to deal with a lot of that.”
Starting left guard, Joel Bitonio was seen running a lap after being flagged for a false start at the tail end of Saturday's practice. Even Garrett wasn't above reproach after he was pulled off the field after jumping off sides in 11 on 11 drills.
These actions echoed the coach's words after Thursday's preseason game.
"There are some things we can build upon and some mistakes we have to get corrected and learn from," Jackson said in the opening of Thursday's postgame presser, "but we have a nice stretch of practice days coming up before our next preseason game that we can really use the work to get better at some things."
No doubt Jackson will be expecting the team to improve on 12 penalties they committed against the Saints.
Photo By: Patrick Smith / Getty Images
The Other Training Camp Competition
There has been another competition in camp, albeit not as publicized. Seventh round pick, Zane Gonzalaz has been battling incumbent Cody Parkey throughout camp. Though there has been some movement in the last few days, Jackson has been reluctant to share who has the edge.
“There is a little movement. I think it is kind of close. I am not going to say which way it is, but at the same time, they are still working through it," Jackson said over the weekend. "I wish I could have gotten them both more kicks the other night instead of going for two and all that stuff, but it was fun, too. We will keep working through it.”
As fans know, even though this competition isn't gathering as much attention as the quarterbacks, the winner could have huge implications. Last season, Cody Parkey missed 3 field goals in a 30-24 loss in Miami.
INJURY REPORT: DB Marcus Burley (face laceration), DB Ibraheim Campbell (concussion), OL Gabe Ikard (concussion), DB Ed Reynolds II (knee) and DB Howard Wilson (knee-PUP).
Be sure to stay up to date on everything going on in Berea on Cleveland's Newsradio, WTAM 1100.