Another day in pads for the Browns this Thursday, and I think I get the method to the "madness" of Freddie Kitchens.
The new coach wanted a tough, physical team. They way to do that is to have long, tough, grinding practices, and baby, that fits the bill here.
The Browns are having long, padded practices with a lot of physicality. Length of time on the practice field is extending, and that's the way you get it done. So it is definitely a grinding, grinding pace.
When he lightens up? I don't know. His next step is a mystery as he gets them ready for the Redskins, coming up a week from today in preseason game number one.
The star of the day was the young cornerback out of LSU, second round draft choice Greedy Williams. He was even better after a great day yesterday, and it looks as though (and I know you can't read to much into things during training camp) he is right now the number two corner on this team.
Yes, a starting corner on this team as he lines up with Denzel Ward on the other side. Williams has been a tough guy to get open on through the practices, and he just keeps getting better and better. Guys are being pushed, and a guy like Terrance Mitchell's now not very happy that's he's somewhat getting pushed out of the starting lineup (although he will still be on the field a great deal of time).
So keep watching the young corner from LSU, and what a tandem they're going to have if it works. Greedy Williams is as smooth as silk out there, and has great recovery speed and just great speed overall.
The bit of disappointment comes on two fronts. First, the running back situation. Duke Johnson still not practicing with what looks to be a groin injury, and Kareem Hunt not able to get on the practice field either as he continues to work off to the side and with trainers after practice.
You've go to remember, Hunt really wants to get on the field, and the Browns want to see him on the field and getting into the fray because—once the bell rings and the regular season starts—Kareem Hunt won't be on the field the first eight weeks due to his suspension. There's still a concern that he won't be with the team at all during that time, but that's for the NFL to decide. In the football aspect, he can practice right now and could play in the preseason games. You know the team wants him to play, and he desperately wants to get active, too.
Now to the kicking situation: The Browns did not bring kickers Greg Joseph and Austin Seibert out in any of their periods today. They'll get set for the Orange and Brown Scrimmage Saturday, but in the meantime, new special teams coordinator Mike Priefer had them working on technique. That's a good thing after watching them perform, especially yesterday. There isn't really a leader in the clubhouse right now, and you can see why. Both are struggling, but the Browns vow they are not worried yet.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS: Day 7 of Browns training camp