Notes from Day 1 of Browns rookie minicamp

On Friday, rookie minicamp began for the Cleveland Browns as 45 players were on the practice field being coached up by the likes of Hue Jackson and Gregg Williams. You can see the list of players who were there in the following posts:

28 rookies, UDFAs, and first-year players
17 players on a tryout basis

CLEVELAND BROWNS ROOKIE MINICAMP REPORT - DAY 1 (5/12/17)

1. This Myles Garrett Guy is Good: All of the reviews on the first overall pick of the draft, DE Myles Garrett, were good. Good is understating it — he was great (well, as great as one can look in non-contact drills). I mean, just take a look at this vicious corkscrew tackling of an orange dummy, and then imagine that being an AFC North quarterback he is wrapping up:

Speaking of AFC North quarterbacks (and teams), Garrett didn’t back down on his comments about the Steelers. Keith Britton of 92.3 the Fan relayed these quotes that Garrett made about Pittsburgh: “We’re not going to lay down and just recognize them as Steelers. Say whatever about last year, [but] that’s gone.”

He also told Aditi Kinkhabwala of the NFL Network that he's not worried about last year when it comes to the Browns’ 1-15 record, because the team he's on this year is 0-0 right now.

2. Roommates: DT Larry Ogunjobi, the team’s 3rd round pick, said that he and Garrett are roommates for rookie minicamp. It seems the two have already formed a bond, working with each other on the field after practice had already concluded:

3. Where is Jabrill Peppers? This one seemed new to me. Although SS Jabrill Peppers was at rookie minicamp, he did not participate in practice. He was there, though, talking to the media prior to practice and defending himself against the drug accusations made by a now-former WKNR 850 employee.

As for why Peppers was not part of practice?

Head coach Hue Jackson wasn’t too worried about it, feeling that it would get squared away soon. Although everyone involved with the Browns and Peppers seem confident there is no drug-related issue that needs to be cleaned up with him, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk did point out that, “coincidentally,” a player can not be drug-tested by the NFL until they either sign their rookie contract, or sign the participation agreement.

4. Reviews on DeShone Kizer: Per Zac Jackson of The Athletic, “Kizer looked the part Friday at the Browns’ rookie minicamp. He confidently barked out signals and, as advertised, wasn’t afraid to throw the ball down the field.”

Because there are only two quarterbacks at rookie minicamp (the other being tryout player Phillip Nelson), Kizer took the majority of reps. Browns Chalk Talk said that Kizer "looked very iffy today" and that you can "tell he has the raw talent, but jas so much work he needs to get under his belt." Below are several more observations of him:

Kizer also said that he's working with private quarterback coach Zac Robinson. Robinson was a backup quarterback with the Bengals from 2011-2013, and is familiar with Hue Jackson's style of play.

5. Caleb Brantley Pleads Innocence: At least for now, the Browns are proceeding with treating DT Caleb Brantley like a member of the organization (although that doesn’t mean they will have him sign a contract as quickly as the other players do). Brantley continued to plead innocence to the media, saying that he can’t wait for the facts to come out and is motivated to basically shove all the negative press he’s gotten back in people’s faces:

6. Njoku Makes Amends: After TE David Njoku was part of a funny story with LT Joe Thomas on Thursday, he explained what happened:

Njoku also said he planned on calling former Browns tight end (and Miami alum) Kellen Winslow later in the day on Friday to pick his brain. As far as talent goes, his speed and great hands were on display Friday:

7. Brownies: As Zac Jackson of The Athletic noted, the media isn’t supposed to report on any specifics they see during practice.

Here is a video clip of some of the Browns’ rookies during practice:

And we leave you with a nice note from Browns RB Matthew Dayes, the team’s second 7th round pick: