:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49626889/usa-today-9281309.0.jpg)
Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden had the opportunity to speak to the local media after OTAs today. Although he can't take part in the practice sessions as he recovers from ankle surgery, he's still a cheerful observer, and he's already made progress since his surgery.
According to the Associated Press, this week, Haden was able to ditch the walking boot and scooter that helped him get around. He's also vowed not to miss any regular season action, but only time will tell with regard to whether he'll be ready for training camp. That falls in line with the expectation the club set a couple of months ago, but back then, there was a shred of uncertainty regarding whether Haden would miss any games.
"I think I’m going to be back definitely for sure not to miss any regular-season time. I don’t really know about training camp. That’s the goal, try to get back [for training camp, which starts in late July], but I just know for sure that my whole thing is I’m not missing any games."
Haden also tried to pump up the secondary, particularly safety Ibraheim Campbell and nickelback K'Waun Williams:
"I think our secondary is a sleeper right now, but I feel like we can be special. With IC (DB Ibraheim Campbell), people don’t really pay attention to him as much. He’s a really, really smart player. Like Coach said, we’ve got (DB Jordan) Poyer, we brought in (DB) Rahim (Moore). It’s just opportunities and competition, and that’s going to bring out the best in people with myself, (DBs) Tramon (Williams), Justin Gilbert and K’Waun (Williams). I think K’Waun, honestly, is one of the best nickels in the league, just being able to put hands on people and do his job as far as blitzing and handling the slots. I think we’re going to be able to surprise a lot of people, No. 1, because we’ve got a lot to prove. It’s just all grind. We feel like a lot of people are counting us out. That chip is what’s going to make us a whole lot better this season."
The first set of OTAs wrap up on Thursday.