BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – April through June is always the season of eternal optimism for the Browns.
Coming off their second playoff campaign in four years, this year they believe they have all the reason to elevate expectations.
Here’s the top Brownie Bites from Day 2 of minicamp.
Put a ring on it – Myles Garrett was able to check a big box off his rookie ‘to do’ list from 2017 last season when he won NFL Defensive Player of the Year. So what’s next? “God willing, building the success that we had last year,” Garrett said. “But have everyone be healthy and go win the Super Bowl. That’s where my eyes are only.” In recent years Garrett, who has claimed the franchise career sack record and continues to add to it, has turned his focus to another trophy. With his sights on the ultimate prize, finding complete satisfaction might be difficult even if he helps the Browns end their championship drought that goes back to 1964. “It'll never be enough,” Garrett said. “I might feel a little bit of satisfaction once we win one for Cleveland, but then it's always the next year. Not going to stop until the body tells me it's time to hang them up, until I stop having fun, until I stop loving this game and wanting to be in here with my teammates. Until that stage, I'm going to be in here giving my all and just trying to do my best to improve this team.” The 45-14 loss to the Texans in Houston on Wild Card weekend still stings for Garrett considering the mountain they climbed – including starting five quarterbacks and overcoming the loss of multiple key players to injury – just to get there. “It's definitely at the forefront of my mind always,” Garrett said. “That's the last taste of football that we all had. I plan to make that apparent to everyone and continue to keep it as motivation for myself that we stepped out, we didn't get the job done, we didn't execute and we fell short of our goals. Regardless of the injuries and anything else that transpired, we fell short and we didn't complete the mission. So we have to lock back in. We have to circle the wagons and figure out how we can get better.” Garrett’s desire to win the Super Bowl transcends his legacy. “Don't care about legacy,” Garrett said. “I want it for the city. I want it for those guys in there. My legacy, it'll speak for itself once it's said and done. I want it for those guys because they deserve it.”
Wheeze the juice – Tight end David Njoku has an interesting description of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey’s rebuilt offense. “It's very juicy,” Njoku said. “I'm just going to leave it at that. I don't want to tell say too much. It's a juicy offense.” Njoku is coming off his first Pro Bowl season that saw him catch a career-high 81 passes for 882 yards with six touchdowns. “It was gratifying, but I feel like there's a lot more that needs to be done,” Njoku said. “That’s why we're here working today to get the work done and do what we do.”
No big deal – Amari Cooper’s minicamp holdout isn’t bothering his teammates. “I haven't talked to him yet,” Njoku said. “I mean, honestly speaking, it is what it is, at the end of the day, he has his reasons. I'm sure the Browns are in [conversation] with him. I'm sure they're communicating, so I'm not really too worried about it. As long as he's there by September, Week One, that's all we're worried about.” Cooper, who is in the final year of his contract that pays $20 million and has watched the receiver market explode this offseason, is seeking a contract extension.
Lead by example – Coming off a third Pro Bowl season, cornerback Denzel Ward could have easily taken OTAs off, but he felt it was important to participate this spring. “They drafted me to be a leader on this team and that's a way that I show my leadership [by] coming into OTAs,” Ward said. “Regardless if I'm here, I'm a rookie or if I'm a veteran in the league, I just try to come in and help show the guys what it's supposed to look like and how it's supposed to go and if they got questions. But I'm still out here working on my game as well. And what better way than to come out here and do that with your guys and your coaches and everything. So just out here learning out here trying to get better, but just trying to set a great example.” Ward understands the impact he can have on young players. Martin Emerson Jr., a 2022 third-round pick, is one of them influenced by Ward and it shows with Emerson’s emergence on the field. “He's been following me everywhere this offseason,” Ward said. “So he actually came and trained and stayed with me. He lived with me out in Florida. We worked out every single day together and was just working our techniques and everything, lifting and getting better. So he's been on my hip.” Ward believes Emerson has what it takes to be a star. “He's a special player, got hot talent, he’s a physical player, tall,” Ward said. “I mean he’s got the capability of achieving a lot of things in this league being an All-Pro type of player and a number one corner.”
Play of the day – Early in 7-on-7, linebacker Jordan Hicks picked off Jameis Winston, who took the first team reps in place of Deshaun Watson, and flipped the ball to safety Juan Thornhill. Thornhill returned it for a touchdown and did the ‘Chief Slam’ because the pass was intended for Njoku.
Special teams – Wednesday’s special teams work saw Cade York struggle to make field goals and the punt and punt return teams get some work in. Jaelen Darden, Ahmarean Brown, Jamari Thrash and Matt Landers handled the bulk of the punt returns.
Remembering The Logo – Garrett, who is a minority owner of the Cavs and a huge basketball fan, was asked to reflect on the passing of NBA Hall of Famer jerry West. “Less than a year ago around this time he spoke to us [in Los Angeles],” Garrett said. “I loved his message and definitely still had a lot of energy, still had a lot of life to give and wisdom. So my condolences are with the West family. I know he meant a lot. I know he meant a lot to that community out there, and it's a sad day for the NBA and the NBA family and prayers out for them.”
Breakdown – Following Wednesday’s practice, head coach Kevin Stefanski invited Jim Donovan to break the team down. Donovan retired this week after 39 years at WKYC-TV, where he served as the station’s sports director. Donovan, who has battle leukemia twice, will continue to serve as the voice of the Browns on 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns Radio Network. “I love you guys,” Donovan said as players clapped. “Let’s have a big, big year. One, two, three, all the way on three.”
Golden quote – “I know he's a Hall of Fame type player and I know he's working towards that, striving towards that every day.” – Ward on Myles Garrett.
Roll Call – Aside from Cooper’s continued absence, all players were accounted for Wednesday. Jerry Jeudy, James Proche II, Nyheim Hines, Nick Chubb, Cameron Mitchell, D’Anthony Bell, Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio and Jack Conklin were all on hand but observed or worked on the side.
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