BEREA (92.3 The fan) – Summer vacation is over and it’s back to football for the Cleveland Browns.
Rookies reported to Berea last week, veterans report by Wednesday (although some have already reported) and training camp officially kicks off Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m.
Here’s a glance at where the team is as it enters camp.
LAST YEAR: What was once a promising season ended in familiar fashion as injuries and losses mounted in December derailing hopes of the franchise’s first playoff appearance since Jan. 2002. Despite losing their last 5 games, the Browns finished with their best record since 2007 at 7-9 under first-year head coach Mike Pettine. First round picks Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert did not meet expectations, quarterback Brian Hoyer was never embraced as the team’s starter and was subsequently benched and receiver Josh Gordon did not play well after returning from a 10-game suspension.
DRAMA MAJORS: Aside from the departure of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and the 4-game suspension of general manager Ray Farmer for sending illegal text messages to Browns coaches and staff members during games last season, this offseason was relativity calm by Browns standards. Manziel spent 10 weeks in a rehab facility and Gordon was suspended for the entire year for testing positive for alcohol consumption during a trip with teammates to Las Vegas in January.
KEY ADDITIONS: QB Josh McCown (F/A); WRs Dwayne Bowe (F/A) and Brian Hartline (F/A); CB Tramon Williams (F/A); P Andy Lee (Trade); WR Terrelle Pryor (Waivers); DL Randy Starks (F/A).
KEY LOSSES: WRs Josh Gordon (Suspension) and Miles Austin (F/A); QB Brian Hoyer (F/A); TE Jordan Cameron (F/A); LB Jabaal Sheard (F/A); CB Buster Skrine (F/A); DL Ahtyba Rubin (F/A); K Billy Cundiff (Waived); S Jim Leonhard (Retirement).
DRAFT CLASS: NT Danny Shelton (1); OL Cameron Erving (1); LB Nate Orchard (2); RB Duke Johnson (3); DL Xavier Cooper (3); DB Ibraheim Campbell (4); WR Vince Mayle (4); DB Charles Gaines (6); FB Malcolm Johnson (6); TE Randall Telfer (6); LB Hayes Pullard (7); DB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (7).
HOME SWEET HOME: The Browns will hold camp for the 17th straight season since returning to the NFL at their training complex in Berea, Ohio. Tickets for the 11 practices that are open to the public have all been spoken for and are no longer available. The team will travel to Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Aug. 7 for the Orange and Brown scrimmage and then to Pittsford, NY for a pair of joint practices with the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 17 and 18.
UNSOLVED MYSTERY: Quarterback Josh McCown enters camp No. 1 on the depth chart and in line to be the Browns’ 13th different opening day starting QB since 1999. McCown, now 36, has only won 17 games in his 12-year NFL career. He had his best year in 2013 with Chicago filling in for Jay Cutler before going 1-10 last season in Tampa Bay. Meanwhile Manziel is trying to earn back the team’s trust and prove that he can play at the NFL level. Connor Shaw, who played well as the starter in last year’s season finale at Baltimore, along with Thaddeus Lewis round out the depth chart under center.
CAMP BATTLES: RG Cameron Erving v. John Greco; RB Isaiah Crowell v. Terrance West v. Duke Johnson; NT Phil Taylor v. Danny Shelton; OLB Nate Orchard v Barkevious Mingo; CB Tramon Williams v. Justin Gilbert v. K’Wauan Williams.
SEASON OUTLOOK: With Pro Bowlers Joe Haden, Donte Whitner and Tashaun Gipson patrolling the defensive backfield, the Browns secondary is projected to be among the league’s elite. The additions of Shelton and Cooper via the draft and Randy Starks via free agency shore up a defensive front that allowed 1,898 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground in 2014. Offensively, McCown will play behind one of the best offensive lines in the league led by 8-time Pro bowl left tackle Joe Thomas and 2-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack who returns from a broken leg. Cleveland will use a trio of young backs to control the ball on the ground while veteran receivers Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins will be counted on to carry the passing game. On paper the Browns are deeper and stronger on both sides of the ball, but they will play the ninth toughest schedule in the league with their opponents compiling a 138-116-2 (.543) record in 2014.
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