On Wednesday, the Browns were so short-handed in the backfield that they used two defensive players at fullback during practice – not exactly the plan.
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Coach Mike Pettine expressed some frustration and disappointment with the rash of injuries.
“Sometimes the consequences of it are frustrating”. It’s not known when he’ll be back, but what’s clear is that every day he’s out costs him valuable experience – and a chance to get more comfortable in first-year coordinator John DeFilippo’s offense and with one of the NFL’s best lines. That’s the situation that Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West finds himself in.
The Cleveland Browns are entering a critical season for the team as they hope to have done enough in the offseason to get a winning record. As their teammates worked out on a lovely sunny morning, West (calf) and Johnson rode stationary bikes and then stood and watched. “I’m just happy for him that he’s getting the results on the field, and the guys around him sense that as well”. “He’ll have a lot of catch-up work to do”.
For those inclined to get excited about Pryor – who started nine games at QB for the Oakland Raiders in 2013, compiling a 69.1 passer rating – the Browns made their hearts go thumpety-thump by running a trick play during practice on Tuesday in which he completed a touchdown pass. “But there’s no substitute for actual live reps”.
NOTES: QB turned WR Terrelle Pryor (hamstring) will not play in today’s scrimmage at Ohio State. The snakebit Mingo had surgery in the offseason on a torn labrum, with which he played 15 games previous year.
Also, receiver Dwayne Bowe (hamstring) and defensive lineman Billy Winn (ankle) were out.
Coach Mike Pettine said Manziel will get reps with the starters at the scrimmage at Ohio State, as the team will not overwork Josh McCown, whom Pettine said is still “firmly the [starter]”. Lately, though, he has been showing signs of improved consistency. If he can manage to stay healthy and continues his work at this pace, the sky is the limit.
“A lot of guys are excited about coming down and seeing what Columbus has to offer”.
“Some of it’s physical, but I would say the majority of it is the mental part of it, understanding protections”, Pettine said, according to Browns.com’s Kevin Jones. “There is a little bit of life out of here whenever we get out from 8 to 10 or whatever it is”.
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“I think we’re pleased that Johnny did do the things he should do in the offseason and it was a great improvement over his first year but anything less would’ve been totally unacceptable”. “We really stress being proactive with it, getting the sleep, the hydration, the nutrition. The weight room, the meeting rooms, the fields – all those things have to be ideal for us to take an NFL team and move it off-site”. “When that number starts to get above what the norms are, then that’s an area for concern and that’s something as an organization that we’re looking to address”. He’s in a competition with rookie Nate Orchard and Scott Solomon. “We think he has the potential to be a good football player”. “Josh will not go with the twos, but guys that are competing to be your No. 2 quarterback, unfortunately and it happens every season in the NFL, that’s going to have to go and play with that first group”.
