Cleveland Browns Training Camp

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Upbeat Browns Open Camp



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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Fred Greetham

Date: Jul 29, 2005

Long-time Browns writer Fred Greetham has joined the staff of BerniesInsiders.com and reports on today's activities at training camp. We're delighted to have Fred - who has covered the Browns for Browns News-Illustrated, the Associated Press, and the Browns themselves - join our team here at Bernies, as we crank up the coverage of the 2005 Browns!

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Optimism abounds in Berea as the Browns officially kicked off their 2005 season in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd ready for some football.

Coach Romeo Crennel broke the players in with a 90 minute workout in shorts and shells.

The players went through conditioning (Thursday),” Crennel said after his first practice as an NFL head coach. “I’m really looking forward to tomorrow (Saturday) when we put on the pads.”

Quarterback Trent Dilfer is ready for camp.

“It’s exciting to go in the huddle and get started,” he said. “I can feel the passion of the city about this team and I’m excited to be a part of it and get it started.”

Veteran players welcomed the approach as opposed to the Butch Davis regimen of practices that some players felt took too much out of them in camp.

“He sees training camp as the most important thing is to have guys ready to start the season,” Daylon McCutcheon said.

Offensive tackle Ryan Tucker and linebacker Brant Boyer ended the 2004 season on injured reserve and were glad to get back to camp.

“I’m really excited,” Tucker said. “We have a new system. It’s a new year and we have the chance to get a fresh start.”

“It’s a fresh start,” Boyer said. “We have new players, new coaches and a new system.”

McCutcheon has a lot of confidence in Crennel’s approach.

“He’s won everywhere he’s been,” McCutcheon said. “You can’t come into camp any other way than to be optimistic.

“I think this is a whole different team from last year,” McCutcheon said. “If you look at the roster, we have a whole different team.”

McCutcheon is right there. Of the 91 players listed on the training camp roster, only 39 were on the roster a year ago—nearly 60 percent turnover.

“I can see where everybody’s thinking we’re going to have a long season,” Boyer said. “There’s going to be skepticism and the unknown factors of how we’ll come together.

“I’m not going to make any predictions, but we are going to surprise a lot of people,” Boyer said. “We have quality people and a quality organization with people of good character.”


QUICK HITS

MISSING IN ACTION: As the training camp opened, No. 1 draft choice Braylon Edwards was the lone player missing.


READY TO GEL: The Browns are hoping to use training camp to pull their offensive line together. L.J. Shelton was brought in to replace Ross Verba at left tackle.

“We just want to get ready for the season,” Shelton said. “We have time to work together and get our timing down during camp. By the time the season starts, we’ll have no excuses.”

Tucker is excited about the additions brought in to upgrade the line.

“With (Joe) Andruzzi, Shelton, (Cosey) Coleman—all veteran guys coming in, we should be a lot better,” Tucker said. “I’m really looking forward to playing with those guys.”


THREE'S A CROWD?: One of the interesting battles in training camp looms with Lee Suggs, William Green and Reuben Droughns battling for playing time. Suggs is the incumbent after rushing for over 700 yards, including three 100-yard games to finish the season.

“I’m trying to use the momentum from the last three games from last year,” Suggs said. “I’m ready to get going. In the NFL, you never have too many running backs.”


LOGJAM AT WIDE RECIEVER: The wide receiver position appears deep with Antonio Bryant, Dennis Northcutt, Andre Davis, Richard Alston, Frisman Jackson and C.J. Jones returning from a year ago. Add in Braylon Edwards and Josh Cribbs to the mix and the numbers could be interesting.

“We have a lot of numbers there,” Davis said. “I feel we’re deep and that is a strength.”

Davis has been mentioned in trade rumors.


HELD OUT: CB Daylon McCutcheon, LS Ryan Pontbriand, OL Craig Osika and LB Brant Boyer were held out of practice with minor injuries. Crennel said none of the injuries were serious.

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Camp Quotes: Day 1

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Terrelle Smith signs autographs at the end of a tr

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Rich Pasan
Date: Jul 29, 2005

Trying to get a sense of what the players are thinking as the new Browns era gets underway? Rich Passan helps bring it to you in the most direct way - by talking to the players themselves and bringing their answers to key questions straight to you.
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Throughout the Browns’ training camp in Berea, Bernie’s Insiders will focus on players’ thoughts as they get ready for the 2005 National Football League season. We will bring you periodic bytes as the players conclude practice and meet with the media. These will include the words of veterans and rookies alike as coach Romeo Crennel and his staff puts together the best 53-man roster.

Mason Unck

On practicing in pads Friday: I heard it was arranged, but you never know. Coach Crennel has been taking real good care of us. He just wanted to us to get our legs underneath us and get used to running around with the helmet on a little bit. Tomorrow (Saturday), it’ll come. You don’t beg because you know you’ll get what you’ll beg for.

On the switch to the 3-4 defense and where he’ll fit in aside from special teams: They’ve got me playing in the middle. Trying to learn the system. Now it’s more like trying to perfect the system, seeing if you can work in the mix. That’s kind of what everyone is working toward. Everybody’s behind each other. And with special teams, it’s another big emphasis in my game that I’ve got to pick up and lead.

On never playing the 3-4 before: This is all new. Tomorrow will be new with the pads on. I’m looking forward to it. A lot of us are looking forward to it. I like to run downhill and hit people. So that’s what they’ve got me doing as a mike (middle) linebacker. I’m working strongside now. But they’re pretty much interchangeable. But the more you can do, the better it is for your chances of making the team. I make sure I know as many of the linebacker positions as possible just in case they say, “Hey, go in there” and I can run it like they want me to.

Leigh Bodden

On no pads: Not surprised. Want to know why? Because I’ve been here already for a week. Basically, what we did on Monday we did today.

On being interchangeable at cornerback and safety: I think I am, but right now, they’ve got me at cornerback and playing a little bit of the nickelback.

On playing time last season helping his confidence this season: We’ve got two good corners in front of me and a lot of good corners that are backups and I’m just trying to fit in where I can fit in.

On what coaches are telling him: They’re telling me to keep getting better every day and I’m going to be a better player.

On seeing the possibility of more man-to-man pass coverage: Yeah, but we’re going to mix it up. We’re going to do a lot of different things. We’ve got a lot of things in store with Romeo and our defensive coordinator (Todd Grantham).


Amon Gordon

On the opportunity to contribute this season: My mind-set is to come out every day and work. You can’t take any days off here. There are plenty of guys around the league doing exactly the same thing I’m doing and you can’t afford to have any bad days. It’s important to come out and be proficient in your technique and know what it is you’re doing.

On what coaches are telling him: They reflect some of the same sentiment. We want to come out and be mentally and physically tough and stop them on first and second down. Just come out and do what we do. We need to establish ourselves and create our own identity seeing that’s it’s a new situation.

On where he’s best suited on the defensive line: They’re interchangeable. Similar schemes, just different position on the field. I feel comfortable out there at end. But it really makes no difference to me, honestly, to go out there and perform.


Simon Fraser

On his approach as he begins his first pro training camp: Lay it all on the line. Day by day.

On the attitude so far at camp: The attitude around here is very upbeat, uptempo, positive. A lot of guys want to change this around and I think we’re getting the first steps down.

On what he wants to show the coaches: My main focus is to do as much as I can, show the coaches I can as many things as I can. They can utilize me in any way they want to.

On his preference to play a specific position on the defensive line: I played both sides (of the line) in college (at Ohio State). So I’m comfortable with both sides here.


Andra Davis

On the Browns’ poor run defense last season being used as a motivation this season: That doesn’t matter. It’s just like a newspaper. Pro athletes can get caught up in that. People are going to write their opinions. That’s what they get paid for, their opinions. It’s our job to go out and not prove them wrong because we’re not playing this game for the people who write. We’re playing it for ourselves and for the guys on this field, the people in this community, all the Cleveland Browns fans. That’s who we’re playing this game for.

On how the 3-4 best suits him: It allows guys like Ben Taylor and me to be athletes. It allows us to fall back and use our natural instincts and athletic ability a little more. In 4-3, you usually have one gap and you hit your gap. You have to be disciplined.

On the difficulty switching to the 3-4: You have to be a little patient in the 3-4. In the 3-4, you’ve got to slow-play it because you not only have the A gap, sometimes you also have the C gap.


Joshua Cribbs

On the possibility of being a third-down back: That makes a lot of sense. I hope I get that opportunity. I’m very capable of doing it. I’ve been trying to press the coaches to give me the opportunity. And when the opportunity presents itself, I will take it. I’m sure coach Crennel is aware of my versatility. That’s a coaching move. I jokingly said something to them, but I’ll probably try to strengthen that joke. Whatever I have to do for the team to make it, whatever I have to do to make them shine, I’m doing it all for the team. I love the support from the fans. This is a great opportunity to be here. Right now, I’m soaking up this opportunity that I have in front of me.

On his first impression when he went onto the field for the first time: It was “Wow!” I just looked at the fan base (who ringed the field) and looked around. This is what I’m entering. This is Cleveland fan base and it’s phenomenal, it’s great. Especially coming from Kent State, where the fan base wasn’t all up to par. Coming here to Cleveland is great. I’m going to love it here.

On how he’s coming along making the switch from quarterback to wide receiver: I’ve come so far. I feel so comfortable at the position. I feel like a natural catcher. Coach (wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie) has been giving me pointers every day. He’s been on my back. You put me anywhere and sharpen my skills at that position and I’ll be great. I’m trying to show the coaches that. Doing whatever I can for this program.


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[LoKyBuckeye]

Browns holding out hope for Edwards

Associated Press
Posted: 17 hours ago

BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Rookie wide receiver Braylon Edwards missed Cleveland's first day of practice in full pads as the Browns worked toward signing their first-round draft pick on Saturday.

"There's nothing new," Browns owner Randy Lerner said.

On Friday, the Browns sent a new proposal - their third - to agent Lamont Smith. The sides had hoped to have a conference call to discuss the club's latest offer but Smith was out of town and got home late.

"We're trying to communicate effectively," Lerner said. "I know we've organized our proposal and tried to communicate a proposal that's simple to understand and can be communicated back and forth without rewriting the contract, to try and cut down on the time.

"It should go quicker. Braylon should be here and he should be involved."

Smith did not return a phone message seeking comment.

The Browns had been encouraged by Tampa Bay's signing of running back Carnell Williams, the No. 5 pick, who reportedly received a five-year, $30 million deal. The only other top player to sign is quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall who signed a six-year, $49.5 million deal with San Francisco.

Smith got a guaranteed $24 million signing bonus.

That kind of number boggles the mind of Lerner, who is in favor of the NFL adopting the NBA's rookie salary structure where first-year players have to play for a specified amount.

"The NBA has it right," Lerner said. "There are two solutions to the problem, it seems to me. The preferred solution is don't draft high anymore. The second solution is on a structural level, clearly, you'd want a better system. The idea of paying somebody who hasn't done anything yet that kind of money doesn't make sense.

"The numbers are crazy. It's very difficult to see how a single player getting paid that amount of money is going to contribute commensurate with what you're paying."

Lerner didn't sound as if he expected Edwards to be signed by the end of the weekend, a target Smith had pointed to a few days ago. Lerner said team president John Collins, salary cap coordinator Trip McCracken and general manager Phil Savage are working tirelessly at getting Edwards in camp.

"We're on it," Lerner said. "We're available 24 hours a day to deal with Lamont and he knows that. I know it's a high priority for Braylon, who is a terrific kid. We know that. John is on it, Trip is on it, Phil is on it. I can assure you they're on it as much as three people can conscientiously and diligently be focused on something."

Edwards is the Browns' fifth straight fifth-round draft pick to hold out. Last year, tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. missed 12 days before signing.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Pictures of Browns camp...

Charlie Frye in action....



Trent Dilfer throwing downfield...



Rodney Pool going up high for a ball....



The offensive line fires out....


Lee Suggs, William Green and Terrelle Smith at camp..

[WoodyWorshiper]

Rodney Pool looked awesome going up that high to catch that pass. What position does Rodney play? I can only hope that our 2nd round pick Brodney Pool (S from Oklahoma) can get up as high as Rodney to get the ball.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Richardson Comes Out Kicking

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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Fred Greetham
Date: Jul 31, 2005

New punter Kyle Richardson was booming kicks today, drawing an audible reaction from the crowd and (more importantly to his immediate future) the coaching staff. Fred Greetham offers up the first independent report from Sunday's practice!
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BEREA - One of the moves made by the Browns in the off season was the signing of unrestricted free agent punter Kyle Richardson to compete with Derrick Frost. Punting was one area the Browns didn’t have to worry about from 1999-2003 with Chris Gardocki handling the chores.

Richardson drew some oohs and aahs from the crowd at Berea as he sent several punts over the return men. The longest traveled about 55 yards.

Besides the fans, it caught Romeo Crennel’s attention.

“He’s doing pretty decent,” Crennel said. “He got a hold of one that caught some people’s attention. We have some good competition there.”

Richardson missed all of last season on injured reserve with the Bengals after tearing his bicep trying to make a tackle in the preseason opener last Aug. 16. He averaged 40 yards a punt in 2003 for the Bengals. Richardson is entering his ninth season. He played with the Ravens from 1998-2001. His career average is 41.1 yards, with his best year being 1998 with the Ravens when he averaged 43.9 yards a kick. Frost averaged 40 yards a punt in his first year in the NFL with the Browns.

“There’s a long way to go,” Richardson said. “I’m just trying to improve every day. There’s a lot of things to work on. I’m trying to work on my consistency and placements. I’m just looking at this as nothing more than an opportunity to win a job. ”

Richardson said he hopes to settle with the Browns after playing with Seattle, Miami, Baltimore and Cincinnati.

“I’d like to be here as long as I can,” he said. “I’ve changed teams a couple of times and I’d like to stay here a while. I’ve played in Cleveland Stadium three or four times and it does take some adjustments. It’s a good challenge.”

“He’s kicked the ball well so far,” Crennel said. “We just want him to do that consistently.”

QUICK HITS

Bryant/Dilfer Hook Up: WR Antonio Bryant made the play of the day when he caught a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch of a Trent Dilfer pass for a touchdown in the 11-on-11 scrimmage. Bryant beat rookie CB Antonio Perkins on the play. Dilfer threw the ball close to 50 yards in the air.

“I didn’t get a couple of balls yesterday,” Bryant said. “I told (Dilfer) I’d make up for it today.”

Both Corners Out: Michael Lehan and Leigh Bodden took the lion’s share of reps at cornerback as Daylon McCutcheon and Gary Baxter sat out Sunday’s practice. McCutcheon has been experiencing headaches since the beginning of camp and Baxter had a sore neck.

“(Baxter’s) neck was a little stiff, so we took him off the field,” Crennel said.

Crennel said he is concerned with McCutcheon if the headaches continue.

“We are concerned if the headaches continue,” Crennel said. “It has lightened up a little, but not enough to get him back on the field.

Crennel said Bodden and Lehan have taken advantage of the opportunity.

“They’ve both gotten more work,” he said. “The other guys have to pick up the slack. Lehan lost about seven pounds during Saturday’s practice.”

Besides Baxter and McCutcheon, LB Brant Boyer (toe), LS Ryan Pontbriand (back), Craig Osika and RB Chad Scott did not participate in team drills.

Plays of the Day: Second-year Safety Sean Jones intercepted a pass in the end zone from Dilfer during a two-minute drill…WR Dennis Northcutt dropped a Dilfer pass, but redeemed himself with a nice catch, cut and juke down the sideline during 11-on-11…Rookie QB Charlie Frye hit RB William Green with a short pass and Green made a nice move to get down the sideline.

Moves: The Browns released LB Eric Mahl and signed OL Mike Pucillo (6-4, 311, Auburn). Pucillo will wear No. 61 after spending the last three years with the Bills where he played in 15 games with 12 starts.

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