The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
So far, so good in Browns training camp
Freddie Kitchens likes what he is seeing after 10 training camp practices, and not just the numbers recorded when he and his assistant coaches break down the tape.
The Browns on Aug. 3 conducted their annual Orange and Brown Scrimmage at FirstEnergy Stadium before a crowd of 37,686 that made sure it arrived early to avoid traffic jams.
Proceeds from the tickets costing $5 apiece benefited the Cleveland Browns Foundation’s Get 2 School, Stay in the Game! Network.
The next time the Browns are in their home stadium is Aug. 8 when they kick off their preseason in a game with the Redskins.
They are not a finished product yet and they won’t be when they face Washington. But they are aimed in the right direction. There is a sense of purpose and determination that hasn’t been seen on this piece of land since Bernie Kosar was the quarterback more than 30 years ago and ancient Cleveland Stadium stood in the same space.
“I thought these guys did a great job of staying in the moment and competing,” Kitchens said after practice. “We were sloppy at times, but let me tell you — this group we have, they’re going to compete. And if we compete on every day and every snap, we have a chance.
“I like this team. I like it when a team cares about each other. I like it when a team competes against each other very, very hard, and then they pick each other up, pat each other on the tail and then do it again the next play. We’re not totally there yet, but we’re going to get there. And I think these guys are totally committed to getting there. They’ve done nothing but work their tail off and done everything we ask them to do. I’m not satisfied, but I’m happy up to this point.”
Baker Mayfield wasn’t alive the last time the Browns won a playoff game. They beat the Patriots, 12-5, on Jan. 1, 1995. Mayfield was born 103 days later.
Some questions remain unanswered. But Kitchens isn’t overly concerned because the season opener at home against the Titans on Sept. 8 is five weeks away.
Kareem Hunt practiced for the first time this summer during individual drills in the Orange and Brown scrimmage after missing the start of training camp with a groin injury. Kitchens has to balance getting Hunt practice time while keeping in mind Hunt is suspended for the first eight games of the 2019 season. Running back Duke Johnson is still out with a hamstring injury, which means more playing time for Dontrell Hilliard.
Right guard continues to be the only revolving position on the offensive line. Eric Kush worked with the starters Aug. 3. The other competitors are Austin Corbett and Kyle Kalis. The starting five should be settled by now, but it isn’t. It will be interesting to see which player is with the starters in the preseason opener.
“Greg Robinson wasn’t playing (left tackle) until (nine) weeks into the season last year,” Mayfield said. “Whatever group we decide is going to be the final one is going to be a great one, because they’re going to show how resilient they are.
“Stuff happens along the way in the season. Guys getting reps with the first team is not a bad thing right now.”
The kicking battle between incumbent Greg Joseph and rookie Austin Seibert was a focus of the Aug. 3 practice. Joseph was 5-for-5. He connected from 33, 38, 43, 46 and 48 yards. Seibert missed from 43 and 46.
The battle is far from over, Kitchens said. Joseph and Seibert will go head to head again Aug. 6 after the Browns enjoy an off day Aug. 5.