The pads are on, the fans are out, and training camp is finally underway in Berea. As Browns players and coaches alike prepare for what can only be an improvement on last year’s abysmal 1-15 season, there are several positions where training camp battles will decide the week one starter.
Cleveland Browns Top Five Training Camp Battles to Watch
Quarterback
For the 19th season since 1999, the Cleveland Browns will enter camp with multiple quarterbacks vying for the starting spot. Also, grass is green and water is wet. The incumbent, Cody Kessler, seemed at first to have a leg up on his counterparts. In May, head coach Hue Jackson said the job was Kessler’s to lose. Between OTA’s and the first few days of training camp, it appears that outcome may be coming sooner rather than later.
Reports have been swirling about second-round rookie DeShone Kizer developing quicker than expected, and potentially even having the lead among the group to start week one. Kenny Britt went so far as to say that Kizer could be “One of the great ones.” Then there’s always the “veteran” of the group: Brock Osweiler. A lot is made about his size and arm strength. However, he is spending minimal time with the “one’s” in practice. Therefore, it seems he is making little headway towards the starting job.
As it stands right now, the most effective way to enter this season, barring any injuries or Herculean efforts by Osweiler or Kizer, would be to trot Kessler out week one behind a revamped offensive line. Allow Kizer to soak in the system from the bench until he is 100% ready. Kessler showed promise last season, despite not winning the Browns any of the games he started. With a line can actually protect him, it’ll be fun to see what he can really do. Osweiler is an interesting case. When he was in Denver and had a chance to play, he looked very good. However, his stint in Houston was basically just one long, drawn out, disappointing meme. The question of which kind of player Cleveland is getting in Osweiler abounds.
Jackson said that he will wait until after this Friday’s Orange and Brown scrimmage to address the quarterback position. No matter who starts week one, it would not be one bit surprising to see each of the quarterbacks at some point throughout the season.
Week one projection: 1. Cody Kessler, 2. Brock Osweiler, 3. DeShone Kizer, 4. Kevin Hogan (Practice Squad)
Right Tackle
From the quarterbacks to the men tasked with keeping their jersey clean. Cleveland did a great job in free agency bolstering their offensive line. The Browns added J.C. Tretter and Kevin Zeitler to play center and right guard respectively. They had the cap room to play with, and did not have to use any draft picks to better an area that was a severe liability. With Joe Thomas and Joel Bitonio shoring up the left side, that just leaves one position undecided: right tackle.
Last season was, to put it lightly, an embarrassment at the right tackle position for the Browns. Now, the goal is to finally situate Cameron Erving in his forever home. Erving has seen little success, after bouncing him around the line throughout his first two seasons. This position battle could very well decide Erving’s future with the Browns. Up against him is second-year man Shon Coleman. The Browns drafted Coleman with hopes of him being the team’s future at the position. However, he has only appeared in seven games last season without a start.
Unlike quarterback, it’s hard to say that any man truly has the upper hand here. While Cam Erving has many vocal critics, if he is able to transition and effectively play tackle, he should be welcomed with open arms. The same goes for Coleman. While he is a more natural tackle, his lack of experience compared to Erving will undoubtedly set him behind, at least for the time being.
Week one projection: 1. Cam Erving, 2. Shon Coleman
Safety
Moving to the defensive side of the ball, that on paper, looks as good as it has it years. Focusing specifically on the defensive backs, the safety positions are garnering a good deal of attention this off-season. With the team taking Jabrill Peppers in the first round of the draft and trading for Calvin Pryor in June, there is an added emphasis on addressing the most glaring positional need on defense. The general consensus, though, has been that Peppers will see more action in the return game than as a safety.
With Ed Reynolds going down with an injury that will keep him out for “significant time,” the battle will now come for the second safety position, opposite Calvin Pryor. Reynolds was going to fill in at free safety, and it is possible that Pryor could take his spot there. This would leave the competition open for strong safety. The likely participants would include Ibraheim Campbell, Derrick Kindred, and undrafted rookie Kai Nacua.
At this point, with the Reynolds injury so fresh and training camp barely underway, it’d be hard to declare a “leader” in this competition. This is a position that will likely be decided throughout the preseason, and fans might not know the official starter until the “dress rehearsal” third preseason game.
Week one projection: 1. Derrick Kindred, 2. Ibraheim Campbell, 3. Jabrill Peppers, 4. Kai Nacua
Tight End
When Cleveland drafted David Njoku in May, Browns fans celebrated while debating how to properly pronounce his last name (it’s en-JOE-coo, by the way). While it led to the release of fan favorite Gary Barnidge, Njoku provides a big, talented target for whoever is behind center. On the surface, this might not seem like much of a contest with his main competition being Seth Devalve, but the conversation is picking up.
Throughout the first several days at camp, Njoku has had troubles hanging onto the ball. Something that has been openly chastised by coach Jackson. On top of that, DeValve has continued his development and is even seeing time as a “focal point” in Cleveland’s offense. That being said though, so long as Njoku can fix his case of the dropsies, fans can fully expect him to be the number one tight end option week one. With all the talent at this position, though, don’t rule out seeing a good amount of two-tight end sets.
Week one projection: 1. David Njoku, 2. Seth DeValve
- The Other Defensive End
Myles Garrett is starting week one. Put a pin in that one, it’s decided. After an improved sophomore season, Danny Shelton seems to have a lock on a tackle spot in Gregg Williams‘s 4-3 scheme. And while Emmanuel Ogbah is likely to take that end spot across from Garrett, it won’t come without competition.
The Browns have good, young talent and depth across the D-line, but especially so at D-end. Jamie Meder, Carl Nassib, and Xavier Cooper could all realistically challenge Ogbah for the starting job. Another name that isn’t being talked about as much lately is Desmond Bryant. Bryant missed all of last season after suffering an injury during training camp, but is anticipated to be 100 percent for this season. The issue with Bryant is, he’s 31 years old, and is entering his ninth season.
Youth will prevail here, as Ogbah should be able to hold to his starting spot, and Nassib will push Bryant to third on the opening day depth chart.
Week one projection: 1. Emmanuel Ogbah, 2. Carl Nassib, 3. Desmond Bryant
Other notable position battles
Kicker: Incumbent Cody Parkey, versus rookie Zane Gonzalez
CB2: Incumbent Jamar Taylor, versus Jason McCourty, versus Briean Boddy-Calhoun
WR1: Incumbent Corey Coleman, versus Kenny Britt
Main image credit:
