WR drama highlights episode of ‘Hard Knocks’

A week after Jarvis Landry dominated Episode 1, the Browns’ receiving corps again takes center stage.

A week after Jarvis Landry dominated Episode 1 of “Hard Knocks,” the Browns’ receiving corps again takes center stage.

Corey Coleman and his shoe collection are profiled moments before a montage of his missed plays in practice. After offensive coordinator Todd Haley walks off the field saying, “We’ve just got to get his brain right,” an upset Coleman visits head coach Hue Jackson’s office. Choking back tears, Coleman asks Jackson why he’s running with the second team and is told to “ask Todd.”

“If y’all don’t want me to play, why won’t y’all just trade me?” Coleman asks Jackson before he leaves the offense. Before the Browns’ next practice, Coleman is traded for a 2020 seventh-round pick. Defensive lineman Emmanuel Ogbah deduces the message to Coleman was “we don’t even need your (expletive).”

The focus turns to Antonio Callaway, the rookie receiver from Florida, and his run-in with the law the night before he becomes a de facto starter. After Callaway tries to keep his incident from the team, Jackson and general manager John Dorsey learn of the run-in and meet with Callaway in Jackson’s office.

Callaway presents his explanation of the events Aug. 5. Jackson and Dorsey assure Callaway of their support — provided his honesty with the organization.

“I believe you,” Jackson said. “But if I’m wrong on this one, I’m going to have your (expletive).”

Jackson’s “punishment” for Callaway mandates the rookie take every snap on offense during the first preseason game. Callaway’s story this week appears to end on a positive note as he catches three passes for 87 yards and a touchdown from Baker Mayfield in the Browns’ 20-10 win over the Giants.

Through all of these plot lines, there is no mention of Josh Gordon a week after his text to Jackson that he’d see him soon added a significant layer of intrigue to the show’s premiere. THE FACE OF THE FRANCHISE

» Baker Mayfield’s first appearance this week is delayed by the unceremonious end to Coleman’s tenure in Cleveland. Then, he’s

shown in a meeting room studying. According to a digital clock on the wall, it’s 6:31 a.m. Mayfield’s early arrival builds on the narrative established in Episode 1 when Jackson asked the No. 1 overall pick what his “own little routine” is going to be, similar to Tyrod Taylor’s early-morning arrivals. Between his procurement of the quarterbacks’ RV last week and an energetic performance in the preseason opener, “Hard Knocks” has cast heaps of favorable light on the Heisman winner.

Also, Jim Brown tells Mayfield, “We’re behind you 100 percent.” WHAT IS TODD HALEY UP

TO? » A week after causing a scene in a meeting of the Browns’ coaches, Todd Haley stole further screen time with commentary and action that borders between humorous and obnoxious. Haley certainly isn’t personable, but his personality remains fascinating.

Haley plays an integral role in the set-up to Coleman’s trade, deriding the third-year receiver amid a montage of missed catches.

Haley’s cursing is prominently featured when thirdstring quarterback Drew Stanton is knocked down in practice. Later, Haley explains why he wants Eminem’s “No Love” featuring Lil’ Wayne to score the Browns’ pregame video because, as he succinctly explains, “that’s what we’re gettin’.” Haley’s song choice pays quick dividends when it’s played by “Hard Knocks” while the Browns

take the field ahead of their preseason game against the Giants. During another practice, Haley runs through a thought exercise in which he wonders how the parents of Carl Nassib and Brogan Roback decided on their sons’ names. According to Haley, “Carl” isn’t the type of name one receives until they are older. The next time the Browns’ offensive coordinator appears on screen, he is upside-down on an inversion table in Jackson’s office. Haley’s final meaningful appearance is on the sideline during the Giants game as he tells Landry, regarding Callaway, “You’ve got to take that kid in. I don’t care if he’s living in your house. We can’t have him (expletive) up.” WHAT IS BROGAN ROBACK UP

TO? » The Browns’ fourthstring quarterback declares his nickname to be “BRObie,” emphasizing the need to capitalize the first three letters. In a preview of next week’s hour, BRObie is shown interacting with a lizard and extolling the virtue of a cellphone’s portrait mode.

HOBBIES OF THE WEEK » David Njoku meditates. Coleman collects shoes. Myles Garrett writes poetry. DID JOHN DORSEY WEAR A SWEATER? » Yes. WHO WON THE WEEK? » Devon Cajuste.

Viewers were introduced to the tight end, nicknamed “Juice” and now in his third year as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford, vying for a spot on the Browns’ roster. A cursory web search

reveals, according to Cajuste’s LinkedIn, he works as a Research Associate at the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine when he isn’t on the football field.

He has the wind knocked out of him in a special teams drill, followed by cuts of a few missed plays in practice. His father, Greg, is then shown whistling from a spectator tent behind an end zone of the Browns’ practice field. Devon Cajuste answers Greg’s three whistles with three of his own, a call-andresponse that carries on into a talking head of the father and son. Greg Cajuste was given five years to live when Devon was 13 and, 12 years, three heart attacks and a stroke later, he is still kicking. When his son said he needed his father, Greg was at Browns’ practice the next day.

Cajuste’s story picks up during the preseason victory, with his father seated high in MetLife Stadium — his whistles out of his son’s earshot. Cajuste struggles in blocking assignment, beset by a sore shoulder that leaves him shouting in pain following plays. As the game progresses, Cajuste finds his way with a few successful blocks and a pair of catches for 27 yards. The final shot of the episode shows him embracing his father before he boards the team bus out of MetLife Stadium.

After two weeks, Cajuste is among the leaders in the clubhouse as the Browns’ most likable character.