Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas (73) and Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz (72) during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns had what was inarguably the best day so far in training camp on Tuesday in Berea.
And it was all thanks to Joe Thomas.
Thomas, the team’s Pro Bowl left tackle, on Monday let out the scream that was heard throughout Browns Nation (where, just like the former British Empire, the sun never sets), after 349-pound defensive tackle Danny Shelton rolled up on Thomas’ leg, forcing him out of practice.
But all is well, according to Thomas, leaving the Browns and their fans to breathe a sigh of relief.
“When you have 700 pounds falling on your leg, you are pretty concerned,” Thomas said after Tuesday’s practice. “But once I got up, I knew it wasn’t too bad. It is just about every year you get rolled up, but it is not always that the media and fans are at practice where they diagnose everything.”
During a session with the media, Thomas also talked about the reality of playing on the line in the NFL, revealing that he is one of the toughest players in the NFL. The eight-year veteran has suffered a trio of MCL tears and a pair of high ankle sprains since joining the Browns to go along with the torn ACL that occurred his junior year at Wisconsin.
But through it all, Thomas has always been there for game time.
“You suck it up. You’re a lineman,” Thomas said. “The great part about being a lineman is you need to be quick and fast, but you don’t need to be that quick and fast. If you lose a little bit because you’re hurting, you can make it up with technique.”
Next: Speaking of injuries
Jul 30, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) runs a play during training camp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Johnny Manziel, currently QB2 on your depth chart, practiced on Tuesday but did not throw the ball due to a sore elbow.
It’s nothing to worry about, though, according to head coach Mike Pettine.
“Just had a little elbow soreness so we just wanted to rest it for the day,” Pettine told the team’s website. “Still let him go through everything else. It just was an accumulation of reps, started to get a little sore. We would do that with any of the guys, but he was the one that was experiencing some stiffness.”
Even though he could not throw the ball, Manziel had a great day “mentally,” according to quarterbacks coach Kevin O’Connell.
“Yeah, he had some stiffness and soreness in his elbow. It just comes from the high volume of throws. He has obviously worked very, very hard every day, not only in camp but prior to camp to be ready,” O’Connell said. “With that comes – sometimes you have to help a guy out from when he is working as hard as Johnny is to just take a day. He had a heck of a day mentally, mental reps behind Josh (McCown), Connor (Shaw) and Thad (Lewis). It was a good day from that standpoint. We are expecting him to be ready to roll.”
Despite the elbow soreness, Manziel’s strong “mental” day leaves him in position to see some playing time during Thursday night’s opening preseason friendly against the Washington Redskins.
O’Connell also took time to point out the impact starting quarterback Josh McCown has had on the other quarterbacks.
“From Day 1, Josh – the intangibles are off the chart. That is no secret. I think physically he has been tremendously athletic. He has been tremendously accurate with the football. His pocket movement has improved on a daily basis, and it was already something he was pretty good at to begin with,” O’Connell said. “His work ethic on a daily basis, setting the tone for that quarterback room, is something that is not only going to help our quarterback room but is going to help our entire football team, offense and defense. Everybody seems to respond to the tempo that Josh McCown sets on a daily basis and I think that is one of the things that has us really excited about him.”
Next: Browns not considering Ray Rice
Nov 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Suspended NFL running back Ray Rice (left) arrives with his wife, Janay Rice for his appeal hearing on his indefinite suspension from the NFL. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY
With Terrance West and Duke Johnson, among others, still working their way though injuries, and Isaiah Crowell not taking hold of the top running back spot in their absence, it is only natural, we suppose for people to assume the Browns “must do something” about the running back position.
Which is probably why SI.com felt the need to ask Pettine about the possibility of the Browns bringing in Ray Rice for a look. Pettine and running back coach Wilbert Montgomery are familiar with Rice from their time together in Baltimore, but Pettine sees no need to make a move.
“We’ve talked about it, but I don’t think we’re there at this point,” Pettine said. “I don’t think it’s gotten to that point, to say, ‘Hey, I’d kind of be comfortable with it.’ But I think it would get to that point if we arrived at it from a football standpoint, then asked that question. Instead of working the process backwards. Why bother with asking the question if the need never presents itself?”
Related: Who will take charge of the running back position?
There are two major reasons that the Browns don’t need to concern themselves with Rice.
Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer are building a culture around the team that doesn’t have room for someone who knocked out his then-fiancee in a hotel elevator.
Second, as SI pointed out, Rice isn’t any good. The last time he played, in 2013, he averaged just 3.1 yards per carry and totaled just 660 rushing yards, the worst totals of his career. Their are other NFL teams that actually need a running back and have no interest in Rice, so why should the Browns waste their time on him?
The answer is that they don’t, which is why Pettine is comfortable riding with what he currently has in the backfield.
“As we stress to our guys all the time, mental toughness, dealing with adversity,” Pettine told the team’s website. “A guy goes down in your position group, you’ve got to take more reps, that’s adversity you have to deal with. How are you going to handle it?
“The message has been consistent and we’re looking for one of those guys to step up,” Pettine said. “That’s one of the strengths of our team. you want everyone to think and act and prepare like you’re the No. 1 guy. I think you can be special when you take that mentality. Don’t put yourself in a role. Go ahead and assume all of it.”
Next: City releases new rules for Muni Lots
Nov 2, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans cheer against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Just in time for Thursday night’s home game against Washington, the city of Cleveland has released new rules for tailgaters using the Municipal Parking Lot prior to games.
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The following list of rules and restrictions will be distributed to all vehicles entering the lot in addition to being posted at various locations throughout the lot:
- No open pit fires
- Propane grills only (No charcoal)
- No alcohol
- Saving spaces is prohibited
- You will be charged for all parking spaces that you occupy
- No in & out privileges
- All liter must be dispensed in trash containers
- Vandalism of any type will not be tolerated
- Crossing the shoreway is prohibited
- No private latrines
Anyone violating the rules and regulations may be fined or removed from the parking lot.