After a week of practicing, the Cleveland Browns are back are once again in Berea, OH. Believe it or not, the orange-and-brown play their first preseason game in just one week. Here are a few observations from camp.
What a different feeling when the coach actually shows emotion. New Browns head coach and Ohio native, Rob Chudzinski gets “it”. The little things that fans see and hear is what proves it. Things like inviting Sam Rutigliano on the field and picking his brain are one of them. It has been fun to see him interact with fans and actually look like he cares. While “Chud” wasn’t the first choice for the new Browns regime, he fits quite nicely. Once he starts winning games, this town will embrace him more.
Trent Richardson is hungry. “TRich” is ten pounds lighter and looks quick. And, even though it doesn’t seem possible, he looks like he is leaner and added more muscle. I believe we will see a much different no. 33 this year. Keeping him healthy and ready to go is key though.
While I didn’t understand the move when they made it, Dion Lewis is a pleasant surprise. The former fifth round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles is fast and has the ability to break defenders’ ankles. This could mean goodbye for Montario Hardesty or Brandon Jackson.
Two players on defense could make an impact and huge strides this season; Johnson Bademosi and Chris Owens. Both players have shown ball hawking ability so far and don’t be surprised if Bademosi is starting next to TJ Ward come September 8th.
Ryan Miller‘s injury was very scary. Although it was not seen by the public, it had an impact on the team’s morale. Miller is doing fine and is in the NFL‘s concussion protocol program.
What’s going on with Josh Gordon? Is he a player that doesn’t get it? How serious is the tendonitis in his knee? This remains to be seen. The Browns will be missing their number one receiver for the first two games due to suspension. What is nice to see is that Greg Little looks to have continued to mature. He is saying all the right things to the media and is ready to embrace the number one receiver spot.
Finally, there are no higher hopes at an athletic spot than Jordan Cameron at tight end. Like Brandon Weeden, this is his spot to lose. In camp, it is no secret that they plan on throwing to him a lot. Cameron has been seen lined up in the backfield, flanked out as a receiver, and at his regular spot next to Mitchell Schwartz. Cameron is boom or bust this year.
As the regular season looms ahead, important decisions must be answered. Each day that goes by, the decisions will be come more apparent. For now, staying healthy must be priority.
Ryan Ruiz is the Cleveland Browns Beat Writer for The Inscriber: Digital Magazine. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter. Ryan also is a Cleveland Browns correspondent for The Sports Fix. Tune in every Friday at noon on www.thesportsfix.net.