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Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 2 - Bowe's Optimism Caps Offensive Day

By Chris Pokorny
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Day 2 of Cleveland Browns training camp took place Friday at 9:30 AM, with a little bit lot of optimism from WR Dwayne Bowe and some strong play by the quarterbacks and receivers.

CLEVELAND BROWNS TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 2 (7/31/15)

  1. Bowe Brings the Optimism: The beginning of training camp is always a time when fans and players can be overly optimistic about their team's chances in the upcoming season. After Day 2 of Browns training camp, it appears the team has the most optimistic player they've ever had on the roster in WR Dwayne Bowe: If that wasn't ludicrous enough, Bowe also said that Cleveland has three No. 1 receivers...and then we he named those three receivers, he actually named four players in himself, WR Andrew Hawkins, WR Taylor Gabriel, and WR Brian Hartline. Maybe Hawkins + Gabriel = 1 full-sized NFL player?

    As over-the-top as Bowe's comments may seem, I'm glad that he's in a happy place right now. For the past several years, I've had the impression that he didn't feel like he had a quarterback who he was on the same page with (Alex Smith), and he simply wasn't as big of a part of the Chiefs' offensive gameplan as he used to be. Bowe senses that he can have a bit of a resurgence in his career in Cleveland.

  2. Strong Practice for McCown: Last year, we kept waiting for QB Brian Hoyer to have a solid practice to pull away in the quarterback competition. There is no competition this year, but QB Josh McCown has already had that type of day fans were looking for in 2014. If McCown can make these type of throws deep, a guy like Bowe will continue to sing his praises:
    That completion went for about 40 yards over the outstretched arms of CB K'Waun Williams, and it came just one play after McCown showed off his mobility with a 10- to 12-yard scramble. Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 the Fan says that McCown was 9-of-11 in passing during 11-on-11 drills, and 15-of-19 overall when you factor in 7-on-7 drills. Head coach Mike Pettine complimented McCown for his accuracy on the intermediate and deep passes, including picture perfect passes to WR Travis Benjamin and WR Brian Hartline despite good coverage.

  3. Strong Practice for Manziel: I said that QB Johnny Manziel needed to be given at least a week or two of practice time before fans rushed to judgment on him. On Day 2, McCown wasn't the only one lighting it up: Manziel was nearly perfect. According to Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 the Fan, Manziel completed 10-of-11 passes during 11-on-11 drills, and was 14-of-15 overall (his one incompletion was nearly picked off by ILB Tank Carder).

    Per Jason Gibbs' tracking on ESPN Cleveland, Manziel completed 3 passes to TE Gary Barnidge, 2 passes each to WR Vince Mayle, WR Terrelle Pryor, WR Darius Jennings, and WR Kevin Cone, and 1 pass each to RB Luke Lundy and TE Rob Housler. When the ball isn't hitting the ground and all of these receivers are able to get touches in training camp, it's a good sign for the offense.

  4. The Battle Lines Have Been Drawn: It was universally accepted that the quarterbacks and receivers had a really good day -- so much to the point that SS Donte Whitner had to give them their props: That is where the fun and games ended, though, as Whitner also gave the offense friendly word of caution: "Wait until Saturday when we put the pads on."

  5. Pryor to Work on Special Teams: I have a feeling that we're going to be talking about WR Terrelle Pryor every day of camp. Besides catching a couple of passes from QB Johnny Manziel, here was his highlight of the day: The one-handed grabs are fun to watch, but would he have held on after a hit? Time will tell. I've been skeptical about Pryor's chances at making the roster as a wide receiver, but a way he could definitely improve his chances would be to fulfill a niche on special teams. He's reportedly been seeing some work both as a gunner and as a player who jams the gunner. There was a spot for WR Marlon Moore on the roster last year, so what about Pryor instead for 2015?

  6. Live Look In: The Browns did a "live look in" special from 10:00 AM to 10:42 AM on Friday. While Nathan Zegura and Matt Wilhelm offered commentary, the camera flashed to the action in Berea. You can re-watch the action in our "videos" section below. If you fast-forward to the 18:40 mark, I asked a question under the @DawgsByNature account that made it to the air.

  7. Punt Return Duties: According to Browns.com, WR Travis Benjamin, WR Taylor Gabriel, and CB Tramon Williams were busy fielding some of P Andy Lee's booming punts. Watching Lee might be a fun sight for fans, considering he's one of the best all-time in the NFL.

  8. Injury Update: WR Marlon Moore (illness) was removed the non-football injury list and returned to practice. The other injured parties from Day 1, RB Glenn Winston (knee), ILB Darious Eubanks (knee), and CB Charles Gaines (hamstring), each remained on the stationary bikes.

  9. Brownies: There were 2,976 fans who attended practice. ... QB Thad Lewis took third-team reps ahead of QB Connor Shaw, flipping the order from Day 1. ... RB Isaiah Crowell received the first carry today, but as promised, all of the running backs saw work with the first-team offense. ... LT Joe Thomas is expected to get the day off on Saturday. ... WR Vince Mayle had a better day catching passes after dropping a few on Thursday.

    CB Kendall James was in position, but dropped, an interception for the second day in a row. ... WR Kevin Cone seems to be making a few nice snags so far. OLB Scott Solomon stayed with the first-team offense, but Mike Pettine says that the other players competing with him will get their turn with the first-team defense. ... Browns Hall of Famer WR Paul Warfield watched practice. ... Day 3 of practice is scheduled for 9:30 AM on Saturday (gates open at 8:30 AM), and the team will be in full pads (but no live tackling).

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