Cleveland Browns' Offseason Program Begins April 7th

The Cleveland Browns are one of seven teams who are set to begin their offseason programs on April 7, leading up to the 2014 NFL season. The rest of the league begins their offseason programs two weeks later. The reason the Browns start earlier than the most of the league is because the rules of the CBA allow it if your team has hired a new head coach. For the Browns, that has been the case for two consecutive seasons now.

Monday begins "Phase One" of the team's offseason program. According to the CBA, that consists of the following:

Phase One shall consist of the first two weeks of the Club's offseason workout program. Phase One activities shall be limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only. During Phase One, only full-time or part-time strength and conditioning coaches, who have no other coaching responsibilities with the Club, shall be allowed on the field; no other coaches shall be allowed on the field or to otherwise participate in or observe activities. No footballs shall be permitted to be used (only "dead ball" activities), except that quarterbacks may elect to throw to receivers provided they are not covered by any other player. Players cannot wear helmets during Phase One.

Only the Browns' strength and conditioning coaches would be allowed on the field. More coaches can start getting involved when minicamps and organized team activities commence, per the schedule below:

Voluntary Minicamp: April 29-May 1
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 20-21, May 23, May 27-28, May 30, June 2-3, June 5-6
Mandatory Minicamp: June 10-12

Until C Alex Mack signs his transition tag contract with the Browns, he is not obligated to attend the offseason programs until mandatory minicamp comments in mid-June.