4:35 p.m.-HUE JACKSON BELIEVES ‘WINNING IS IN THIS GROUP’ OF CLEVELAND BROWNS
BEREA, Ohio -- Wins have been hard to come by for the Cleveland Browns since their return to the National Football League in 1999, and most especially over the last two years, but there is a different mindset and belief within the organization ahead of the 2018 season.
The Browns wrapped up their third training camp under Coach Hue Jackson Tuesday, and despite a 1-31 record in his first two years with the organization, he is confident things are heading in the right direction.
“Very excited, probably more excited than I have been the first two years because I truly believe that winning is in this group, in this coaching staff, in this group, in the plan that we have laid out,” Jackson said after practice at the Berea training facility.
“I think that there is a chance. Now, we have to go do it. We have to coach well. We have to improve our players, and the players have to buy into what we are all selling. At the same time, I have never been more confident about a group having the opportunity to have success than ever before.”
PHOTOS: Cleveland Browns conclude Training Camp with Tuesday's practice
Jackson is especially excited after seeing what the Browns were able to accomplish through three weeks of training camp and the first two games of the preseason, which included a solid passing effort against the New York Giants in Week 1 and a productive running game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
“We got a lot of work done, practiced a lot of situational football,” Jackson said. “I think that we competed extremely hard. We did some tackling. We did a lot of things leading up to the first preseason game, and I think that showed in the first preseason game. I thought that there was some improvement in the second game, offensively and defensively.”
The key for Jackson and the Browns now is being able “to put it all together” when they host the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium Thursday night in the “dress rehearsal” game for the regular season, which gets underway against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland on Sunday, September 9.
“We just have to keep getting better each and every time that we go out,” Jackson said. “I saw that the last time. I need to see it again, and in some other areas -- how hard we play fundamentally, the penalty issue, we have to continue to curb that. That involves the discipline of our football team.
“We talk about it all of the time. We have to go do it. I am expecting our veteran players to lead that charge. We have to continue to get good quarterback play. We have to protect our quarterback. We have to put more pressure on the quarterback and take the ball away.”
The Eagles are the reigning Super Bowl champions, and Jackson is confident playing against them, despite knowing that their top two quarterbacks are not expected to play, will be a good test for the Browns as they draw nearer to the opener against Pittsburgh.
“What better way to have a dress rehearsal game?” Jackson said. “It gives us a chance to go out and measure where we are and really go play good football. I think that our guys, to a man, are excited about the opportunity.”
3:00 p.m.-WATCH: BAKER MAYFIELD IMPERSONATES CLEVELAND BROWNS GM JOHN DORSEY FOR ROOKIE TALENT SHOW
BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns’ rookies completed a rite of passage Tuesday, and not just their first training camp in the National Football League.
With the team breaking camp ahead of their Week 3 preseason game Thursday, the first-year players took part in the Rookie Talent Show, and one thing is for sure, quarterback Baker Mayfield does not lack for confidence, as he gave an impersonation of Browns general manager John Dorsey.
In the first video that was posted to the Browns’ Twitter account, Mayfield gave his rendition of Dorsey addressing a player that was new to the franchise.
“Hello, this is John Dorsey,” Mayfield said why prominently chewing on a piece of gum. “How ya doing, buddy boy?
“Playing in the National Football League is a blessing. It’s a privilege. Not many people get to do it. Ya know what I mean, buddy boy? That’s good stuff, huh? Yeah, yeah, that’s good stuff.”
During the 60-second clip, Mayfield went on to describe what it means to be a member of the Browns.
“It takes dedication,” Mayfield said. “You know what else takes dedication? Being a Cleveland Brown. See, being a Cleveland Brown is way more than just playing football. It’s about being an elf. It’s about coming to work every day with your hardhat and your ‘Air Dorseys’ and your sweater. You strap on those shoes, and you go to work.
“I do it every day. Don’t be scared.”
In a second video, and later, a photo posted to the Browns’ Twitter account, Mayfield was seen impersonating Dorsey’s gait as he walked through the second floor of the team’s Berea headquarters. Mayfield impersonated the walk while wearing white sneakers with “Cleveland Browns” printed on the tongues of the shoes and an orange Nike Swoosh with a brown outline on the sides.
Prior to the debut of the video, Browns coach Hue Jackson said Mayfield was “going to play quite a bit” in Thursday’s third preseason game, which will be against the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Thursday night.
“I want him to play,” Jackson said. “He is going to play. That is for sure.
“When Baker does go play, whoever he is playing against, he is playing against. Last week, when he went into the game, he was still playing against a lot of guys who were ones. That is just a part of it.”
No word yet on what Dorsey thought of Mayfield’s good-natured impersonation.
PHOTOS: Cleveland Browns conclude Training Camp with Tuesday's practice
10:30 a.m.-BROWNS REMAIN COMMITTED TO QB TYROD TAYLOR
BEREA, Ohio -- When the Cleveland Browns acquired quarterback Tyrod Taylor in a trade with the Buffalo Bills back in March, they named him the starter, and remained committed to that proclamation despite selecting Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
And as training camp comes to an end today in Berea, Taylor remains at the top of the depth chart and will continue receiving all first-team repetitions.
“Everybody is asking me that a ton of times,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said after Monday’s practice. “Why? I will tell you the reason why: we are learning a new system, and I think Tyrod needs every rep he can get with the ones. I think Baker is doing outstanding with the twos. If something happens and we need to put him there, we will. Right now, that has not happened.”
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