Cleveland Browns: 4 things we learned from training camp

Aug 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Danny Shelton (71) takes on Buffalo Bills offensive guard John Miller (76) during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe may be confident that the Browns can be a “high-powered” offense in 2015, but if the team is going to have success it will more than likely come from the defensive side of the ball.

Everyone expected first-round selection Danny Shelton to make an impact, and so far he has not disappointed, but fellow rookies Xavier Cooper and Ibraheim Campbell (who unlike Gilbert is making the most of his opportunity) are also turning heads.

“(Danny’s) done a great job. He brings a ton of energy. I think he proven throughout the first couple preseason games and the two days we spent out in Buffalo, he’s going to command a double team in the run game,” O’Neil said. “I think he’s going to very hard for guys to single block. I love the energy he brings. He’s going to push the pocket and the pass game so he’s going to help us.

“Thumbs up on Danny Shelton, I’m excited about him.” – Defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil

“I think (Campbell) has done a great job at safety, he has played almost the entire two preseason games and I think you’ve been able to see how physical he’s going to be in the run game. He’s where he’s supposed to be in the pass game and I think he’s only going to get better as he spends time in the system.”

Cooper, who has three sacks in two preseason games, is another player putting in as much work off the field as he does on it.

“He has a great knack and a feel for that first step and that get-off. To me, he is really good with his hands and I think he has a good understanding of what offenses are trying to do,” Pettine said of Cooper. “Guys that gather pre-snap information – he has shown a knack for being able to hedge his bet a little bit knowing whether it was going to be run or a pass or know whether the run was going to him or away from him. With that get-off comes disruptiveness that is difficult on an offense when your offensive lineman are slow and basically chasing a guy and getting bubbled back into the backfield.”

When the inevitable injuries hit this fall, it’s good to know that the Browns have some young players ready to step up when needed.

Next: The quarterback situation is what it is