QB practice reps headline storylines into Browns camp
Training camp is just around the corner, with Cleveland Browns rookies reporting Friday and the first practice coming July 27.
Here are key storylines heading into camp:
All eyes on Watson, Brissett
This isn't so much about the conversation about whatever potential suspension Deshaun Watson may eventually receive for possible violations of the NFL personal conduct policy.
Instead, this is about how the firstteam reps will be doled out through the course of camp. At some point, barring a stunning decision to not suspend Watson, there's going to be a need to prepare Jacoby Brissett to start the Sept. 11 opener.
Watson drew virtually all of the firstteam reps during OTAS and minicamp. Browns coach Kevin Stefanskisaid that could change for camp with new information.
However Stefanski elects to divvy up the first-team reps is going to be fascinating to watch. It's going to be a balance between the short-term and long-term.
The health of Willis, Conklin
The one full-time starter who will be new along the Browns' offensive line is at center. Nick Harris is the presumptive favorite to take J.C. Tretter's old spot.
That, however, isn't the biggest storyline to watch with the line. Instead, it's on the edges, where tackles Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin are coming back from injury-plagued 2021 seasons.
Wills spent all season battling a nagging ankle injury. He drew positive reviews for where he was at during OTAS and minicamp.
Conklin lost his season on Nov. 28 when he tore a patellar tendon. He did not participate in any on-field drills during the offseason, but was in the facility progressing through his rehab.
How's the offense going to look?
So much of the offseason discussion has centered on the quarterback position, for obvious reasons. A byproduct of that is its impact on what it's going to do for the offense as a whole.
Getting the quarterback on the edge is something that should carry forward, but for differing reasons. With Baker Mayfield, it was to get him outside of the pocket to provide better passing lanes.
With Watson, or even Brissett, it'll be partially that, but also partially to utilize their own dual-threat ability. That could also open the door to more run-pass options and potentially less straight playaction.
The trickle-down, especially when Watson's on the field, is the potential for opening things up for the running game.
Can ‘D; pick up where it left off?
The Browns bring nine of 11 starters back on defense.
After an inauspicious start to 2021 that even had some players questioning defensive coordinator Joe Woods, that unit grew into one of the better defenses in the league in the second half of the season. Now, the question is if that group is ready to take the next step into being that kind of defense from start to finish.