2014 Training Camp

[SixPACK]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a> HC Mike Pettine said rookie Joel Bitonio is &quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFL?src=hash">#NFL</a> ready&quot; and we feel very confident, comfortable with him at left guard.</p>&mdash; Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ/statuses/494150557108809729">July 29, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Correction from practice tweet: RB Ben Tate was not stripped of ball. Instead, he threw ball at NT Ahtyba Rubin. Tate said O won't back down</p>&mdash; Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ/statuses/494154527822843905">July 29, 2014</a></blockquote>
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^---

 

[AZ_]

Browns signed safety Jim Leonard today. Reuniting him with Pettine.

 

[Pick6]

cool story- I live in Nate Ulrich's old apartment. I still get his god damn mail sometimes.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Browns signed safety Jim Leonard today. Reuniting him with Pettine.

Love his awareness as a safety, all he does is produce. I think he can take the starting spot next to Whitner.

 

[col63onel]

How is Kirksey looking? Would love not to have TEs and RBs tear us up in the passing game this year.

 

[Soda]

How is Kirksey looking? Would love not to have TEs and RBs tear us up in the passing game this year.

I've got no evidence, but it seems like he's getting first team snaps and is moving all over the place. The only thing I worry about with him (and Mingo) is that if they bite on a fake or commit to something prematurely, they can easily be rendered useless on some plays. It'll be nice to have fast guys out there, though.

 

[Soda]

I don't think Billy Winn tore a hammy....

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a> G John Greco has returned to practice today. He was on non-football injury list.</p>&mdash; Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ/statuses/494840366709755904">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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And on a side note, ehhh on those orange jerseys.

 

[SixPACK]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Hello, Cleveland! Heading out to practice. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a> <a href="http://t.co/kZCeJgBDwE">http://t.co/kZCeJgBDwE</a></p>&mdash; Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/statuses/494838190017351680">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a> defense wearing orange jerseys today as reward for besting offense in competition to end Tuesday's practice: <a href="http://t.co/9bcdw0ONm0">pic.twitter.com/9bcdw0ONm0</a></p>&mdash; Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ/statuses/494838011876495361">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a> DE Billy Winn suited up today for his first practice of training camp. Was on non-football injury list. <a href="http://t.co/qW2cXd1NLL">pic.twitter.com/qW2cXd1NLL</a></p>&mdash; Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ/statuses/494838718264381440">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I love how Chris Kirksey jumped up to pick off a pass from Johnny Manziel. The third-rounder is making a strong bid to start at inside linebacker next to veteran Carlos Dansby.

Kirksey was drafted because he is strong in pass coverage. Linebacker coach Chuck Driesbach said a rookie can start at the position "if he's smart and accountable."

But Driesbach's point is not to discount the possibility of Kirksey playing a key role. He loves Kirksey's attitude, adding that he has the right mental approach and attitude to become a good pro.

BEREA: Browns rookie inside linebacker Christian Kirksey called it a simple play.

In Monday’s training camp practice, Kirksey flashed the ability to play possum to rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel. Kirksey stepped in front of undrafted rookie wide receiver Taylor Gabriel and intercepted Manziel’s pass in an 11-on-11 drill.

“I just dropped back in my zone and kept giving ground and the ball came to me,” said Kirksey, a third-round draft pick out of Iowa, “so I just used my hands and grabbed it.”

That hard work has caught the eye of his position coach, Chuck Driesbach, who arrived with coach Mike Pettine from the Buffalo Bills to guide the team’s linebackers. Some scouting reports described Kirksey as a finesse player. Others lauded his coverage skills. During the day, he disabused one notion and confirmed the other.

“We knew he was going to be tough and today he showed it,” Driesbach said. “He really did a nice job at pad level and had some good licks. The interception’s a good start. [He’s] very smart — very smart.”

Just as important, a respected teammate took note of Kirksey’s on-field attitude.

“Chris Kirksey, he has it in him. Some guys get it brought out of them,” veteran inside linebacker Karlos Dansby said. “Certain situations on the field brings that dog out of them, and you like to see that.”

Pettine offered a more reserved assessment.

“He’s flashed,” Pettine said. “I think he’s got a ways to go, but he’s certainly shown, especially today, why we [drafted] him where we did.”

 

[SixPACK]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Names buzzing here at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a>: RBs Terrance West &amp; Isaiah Crowell, who both figure to get carries. WR Miles Austin gets positive reviews too</p>&mdash; Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/statuses/494854973729939457">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>First 2 plays of 11-on-11s go to FB MarQueis Gray. He's solidifying himself at that position, an important one in Kyle Shanahan's offense</p>&mdash; Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mr_KevinJones/statuses/494852463468761088">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Live tackling at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash">#Browns</a> practice, including taking players to the ground. A rarity at camps, from what I can tell.</p>&mdash; Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/statuses/494852719480303618">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[col63onel]

Kirksey is becoming my favorite player. Might need a new avy soon.

 

[Mr. Orange]

Eh, I didn't make it yesterday. Life happened. Sorry guys no camp updates from me.

 

[sjhughes]

Is that family day tomorrow going to be on tv like it has been in the past?

 

[ClevelandOwnz]

Johnny would only sign the VIP people stuff... merp... they have a choice to sign whoever..

 

[Pick6]

Thoughts on the morning:

Defense is definitely ahead of the offense. Leonard came in and got first team reps right away. They are expecting Gipson back mid-week though.

I hardly noticed Justin Gilbert on the field at all except for maybe a few plays. I did not see Desir on the field at all. Not sure if he's hurt and I missed the news, or I just missed him on the field. That Trufant they got is way too small to expect any valuable minutes from. Looks 150 soaking wet.

Running game was pretty meh. Not much going for anyone, other than the rare 5 yard burst. Nobody looked better than the other, except Ogbannoya. He looked like crap.Hopefully that proves to be a testament to the run D and not the Oline/RBs.

Hard to gauge the WRs as the play calling never went down field. Miles Austin either A) got a lot bigger or B) just looked small compared to Dez, because as of right now, he looks like the bulkiest and biggest of the WR corps. The fullbacks may have been the leading WRs for the 1st and 2nd teams. They threw to Gray and Agnew a handful of times in the flats.

QBs- I'm a fan of Manziel, but don't care who starts as long as the best guy starts. Hoyer had a decent opening drive, but didn't do much after that. Manziel had a rough first drive, but looked pretty solid after that. There were no 1st team reps for him, but his ability to extend plays is what I think will ultimately win him the job. He had a few nice completions running towards the sideline and hitting a WR who broke off his route and was coming back. Manziel would have had 2-3 touchdowns if the 2nd team WRs could make anything other than an easy catch. Most importantly, he didn't force anything. Threw the ball away when there was nothing.

A big concern for Manziel is his size and being able to throw over the line. He had zero passes batted from my memory, whereas Hoyer had one batted that was picked off by Mingo. But now that I think of it, I don't really recall Manziel throwing from the pocket much.

 

[Soda]

Phil Taylor looks like he's a go today.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Good morning <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DawgPound?src=hash">#DawgPound</a> , time to get back to work. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrownsCamp14?src=hash">#BrownsCamp14</a> <a href="https://t.co/3dXPLYpqQe">https://t.co/3dXPLYpqQe</a></p>&mdash; Cleveland Browns (@Browns) <a href="https://twitter.com/Browns/statuses/496286891814449152">August 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
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