Dear Diary,
2013 Training Camp for the Cleveland Browns started yesterday.
The practice facility at 76 Lou Groza Blvd in Berea looks excellent!
Very "fan friendly" with some bleacher seating, cool-off tents,
food vendors, autograph stations, and kids games. While running 11 on 11
and 7 v 7 drills, the team did a nice job of moving around the field which gave
everyone there a chance to see what was going on.
Injury Report:
Thankfully, no one was carted off the field today on a stretcher.
After LeCharles Bentley’s injury in 2006, that’s always a good thing! But there are a few minor injuries worth
mentioning.
#98 Phil Taylor: he played only 8 games last season due to a torn
pectoral muscle. This year in the new Ray Horton 3-4 defense, he’s been moved
to Nose Tackle. I looked for him on the field and… nothing. Turns our he has a
strained calf and is listed as “day-to-day.” Coach Rob Chudzinski says it’s
nothing to worry about. I’d like to see Phil get off the Bike Brigade and onto the
field…
#12 Josh Gordon: while he has to serve a suspension for the first two
games of the season, he is fully participating in training camp – or at least
he was until he went up to catch a pass near the end of practice and landed
awkwardly. At first I thought ankle injury but when he stood, he buckled at the
knee. A trainer came over, got him up and moving again, and he sat out the rest
of the day. Browns are reporting it was just a cramp and he should be fine.
Players to Watch:
#08 Brandon Bogotay. One of the big questions for Browns fans is
“Who will replace Phil Dawson?” Yeah, we worry about kickers here. And yes,
Shayne Graham was signed this off season. So maybe it’s just the fact that he
did me no favors as his Fantasy Football owner a couple season ago, but I don’t
have much faith in him. I watched quite a few kicks from Bogotay yesterday and
he looked good to me. The 6’3” K is 24 years old and posted solid numbers at
UGA. We’ll have to see how he handles wind and snow…
#40 Abdul Kanneh – at 5’10” and 185, this rookie comes from New
Mexico Highlands University where he had 9 interceptions, returning 4 for
touchdowns. He seems small, but he’s quick and he’s aggressive. He was all over
the receivers in coverage – but in a good way. He got five blocked kicks on his
resume and is an early favorite of mine to make the team. If he keeps up the
energy during camp, we could see him on special teams to start the year.
Well, that’s it for now. It
was only the first day after all. Yes,
Jimmy Haslam addressed the media. Yes,
Coach Chudzinski greeted some fans and signed autographs. And yes, we are only
getting started… can’t wait to watch some of the defenders tonight and get a
look at the team in full pads on Saturday!
Respectfully Submitted,
Cleveland Kate
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