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Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)

Day 4 of training camp brought the second occurrence of two sessions in one day. Today was the day in which cornerback Gary Baxter was supposed to return, but don't get too excited for the morning session, because he wasn't there. Baxter is expected to be on the field for the evening session of practice. Plenty of things happened in the morning, so let's get started on that:

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 4 [MORNING] (7/30/07)
  1. It's Beginning: We were wondering when Ryan Tucker would finally start seeing some reps at the guard position. Tucker was lined up at right guard this morning a few times, with Joe Thomas at left tackle, Kevin Shaffer at right tackle, Eric Steinbach at left guard, and Hank Fraley at center. We'll see if this continues into the evening session.
  2. What About Frye?: Still, the national media seems completely ignorant of the fact that Charlie Frye is having the best camp thus far. In Peter King's writeup after attending the team's camp yesterday, he acts as if the quarterback competition is between Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn (whenever he signs). With the exception of that fact, King's article is a good read.
  3. Anderson Improving: As I stated yesterday, Derek Anderson is getting more comfortable again based on his past several efforts. Frye still has the edge, but at least Anderson isn't rolling over and dying, as it appeared he was doing in the first couple of practices.
  4. More O-Line: The best news in training camp this year by far has to be the fact that our offensive line looks tremendous, and that the backups aren't doing bad either. With how well Seth McKinney looks at guard and Kelly Butler looks at tackle, it'll be a shame that they will be resorted to backups. Once again though, depth is always an asset. If Butler keeps impressing people though, it may make the Browns more inclined to trade away Shaffer if the option comes up.
  5. Babysteps: So far, Nat Dorsey and Travis Wilson have looked fairly poor in camp. This morning was better for Wilson, who was at least holding on to the ball more so than yesterday. The type of camp he's having sounds very similar to the one that Brandon Rideau had last season. As far as Dorsey goes, he still flashes the potential to be a powerhouse, but then gets beat easily on the next play.
  6. Underrated D-Line: My biggest concern with the Browns remains the defensive line. In camp, Robaire Smith and Shaun Smith are adding quickness to the line. Without question, our defensive line will be better this season barring injury. However, considering that I feel we had the weakest defensive line in football last year, almost anything would be considered an improvement.
  7. Banged Up: Between all the players on defense, I believe Orpheus Roye is the man that's most likely to suffer an injury. Roye missed most of the morning practice and had his right knee wrapped. Crennel said that it was only a precautionary thing for Roye, who will receive plenty of "days off" during camp. Receiver Mike Mason did not practice due to soreness in his knee.
  8. Mr. McDonald: We haven't heard much about some of the lower level rookies in camp this year. Cornerback Brandon McDonald has been pretty good in coverage, and even intercepted a pass from Ken Dorsey after it bounces out of the hands of receiver Efrem Hill. On punt returns though, McDonald was clearly having struggles while Syndric Steptoe was not. Joshua Cribbs wasn't fielding punts because he's "already ahead of the others", according to the OBR. If the Browns are still weary about Cribbs fielding punts, Steptoe will win the job.
  9. It's a Fake: The Browns successfully activated a fake field goal during practice. After Dave Zastudil took the snap, he stood up and tossed the ball to a wide open Darnell Dinkins. Early prediction: the Browns will only attempt one fake field goal this season.
  10. Rookie Coverage: Cornerback Eric Wright has been staying right with all of the receivers in camp so far. It would be a surprise if Wright did not start on opening day.
I'll have a report on the evening practice either late, late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

0 recs  |  Comment 11 comments

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Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
The D-line is the one problem are we didn't really do enough to fix. But you can't plug every hole in one offseason. I imagine D linemen will be a primary target in next year's draft/free agency period.

by BringBackKosar on Jul 30, 2007 7:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
If we have a good season, the defensive line will definitely be the priority. Unfortunately, every year, another position outshines the defensive line as a need, an we seem to address that instead. Every year, the defensive line will be fixed the following year, ie. it never happens.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 30, 2007 7:46 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
Fair enough. It is a shame that the sexy, marketing-friendly positions always get handled first, but thats the world we live in.

by BringBackKosar on Jul 31, 2007 4:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
I think that the front office made a choice to upgrade one of the lines the past to off-seasons.  They choose O-Line first, I don't have a problem with that.

by Bernie19Kosar on Jul 31, 2007 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
That is supposed to be TWO not to.  I am not retarded...

by Bernie19Kosar on Jul 31, 2007 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
Exceptionally pleased to hear about Wright.  

by mkwng on Jul 30, 2007 7:46 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
Good stuff man. I love reading your updates and insights after each practice. Keep up the good work. And here's hoping Frye remains the guy after all is said and done. I'd like to see him get another shot with a competent line and coaching staff.
The social commentary you've been missing: www.sawkick.com

by DoubleC on Jul 30, 2007 9:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
I think the likely reason we haven't picked up any defensive line guys in the first is because we still have the taste of the Browncos, Warren and Brown, in our mouthes.  I'm glad to hear Frye is doing well, I've always been a big Frye-Guy.  Lots of people are  under the impression that without Quinn we can't win, but they will be surprised I think with Frye's talent.

by Estonianzulu on Jul 31, 2007 6:47 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
Frye doesn't have to win us games. He just has to not lose them. With a better O-line, he should be able to stay upright and at least move the O forward instead of 3 and outs.

If the O can be on the field that much longer, our D is that much fresher for later in the game (when we lost most of our games last season).

I doubt we crack 7 wins, but 6 wins would be awesome, and I really want at least 2 division wins this year.

by talonk on Jul 31, 2007 12:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
You may be right that 7 wins is probably out of reach, but I wouldn't go as far to say 6 wins would be "awesome".  6 wins ends the Romeo Crennel era and begins a full court press to get Bill Cowher.  6 wins might be enough to save Savage's job, but maybe not if someone like Cowher wanted total control.  

2 Division wins would help.  But anything less than 7 total wins would be failure in my eyes, and the current Coach can't afford another season of failure.

by Ryan Kelsey on Jul 31, 2007 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Training Camp Report: Day 4 (Morning)
We can reach 9 wins at the peak, look at last year.  We would have beaten Pittsburgh and Baltimore if we could have run down the clock, and we would have beaten Houston and Tampa without the injuries.  That would have put us at 8 last year, and we are improved in 07.

by Estonianzulu on Aug 1, 2007 10:28 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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