Browns New and Notes for 7/26

Jul 25, 2013; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive back Joe Haden (23) during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

– Phil Taylor and Kellen Davis were both out of practice again today and worked with trainers on the sideline.  Both are listed as day to day.  Undrafted free agent offensive lineman Chris Faulk was out of practice with a knee as well.  Wide Receiver David Nelson was cleared and did individual drills and Josh Gordon was back at practice after cramping up yesterday.   Gordon was full go.

– The first team guards were John Greco on the left and Shawn Lauvao on the right.  There is some belief that Jason Pinkston is being eased back in coming back from the blood clot.

– Buster Skrine started out as the first team corner opposite of Joe Haden yesterday.  Today, it was Chris Owens and Skrine rotating with the first group.  Leon McFadden is on the second team, which is not surprising given that he is a rookie.

– John Hughes continued getting the first team reps at nose tackle with Taylor out, though the players do not get pads on until tomorrow, which makes it tough to gauge on whether he is truly making the most of the opportunity or not.  He could be the primary sub for Taylor as well as getting some time as a defensive end.

– Tashon Gipson is running with the first team at safety with Jamoris Slaughter and Johnson Bademosi as the second group.  Reports say Slaughter looks completely healthy.  Bademosi making his fair share of plays but could not close the deal on a pair of interceptions.

– Joe Haden had a pick six on a short pass intended for Josh Gordon from Brandon Weeden.  The following play was another Weeden pass intended for Gordon broken up by Skrine.  Haden has been dominant, which is expected.  Apparently, he is working on some things to try to take another step in his development including baiting the quarterback to throw his way before taking the space away and making a play.

– Jordan Cameron has had coaches get on him about not getting the job done.  Apparently, he has not had a great start to camp his first two days.  This could be a matter of the coaches just pushing him because they need him to be good this year as much as it is a case of him needing to perform better.

– Backup offensive tackle Oniel Cousins left 11 on 11 with a rolled ankle and that will be evaluated.  Not expected to be serious as he walked off under his own power.  It remains to be seen if Cousins will be kept for the regular season with all the young players they have.

– Chud grabbed a fan out of the stands wearing a Jim Brown jersey and took him to meet the legend.  Whether or not he is the right man for the job remains to be seen, but Chud understands how to win people over, which is hopefully an indication of how the players feel about him as well.  Chud also did some glad handing after practice, which the front office has to love.  This makes training camp more attractive to fans even though attendance has never been an issue.

– Chud said that Weeden is making progress and makes good and bad plays, which is the coach equivalent to saying nothing.  More meaningful was his praise of Haden where he said that Haden has stepped up as a professional and a leader.  That could be important going forward.  He also said his best days could still be ahead of him if he continues to work.

– Someone did ask Chud would join Twitter in light of Mike Tomlin joining today.  In other words, they asked him a nothing question and hoped to bait him into a quote.  Chud did not go for it and said he is not a tech guy, will not be joining anytime soon.  Good use of an opportunity to ask something meaningful.  Hopefully, the person who asked it waited the entire time to get that tough, probing question in to the head coach.

– The pads go on tomorrow for the first time, so that will be the time to really see who stands out on the team.