Cleveland Browns: Training Camp Day 5 recap

The Cleveland Browns wrapped up Day 5 of training camp with two minor injuries amid an otherwise spirited practice.

Following yet another promising day in Berea, the Cleveland Browns continued training camp on Tuesday by completing their fifth practice session of 2016.

Once again practicing with a high degree of effort and energy, the Browns wore pads for the third consecutive day. Overall, the coaches were very pleased with how aggressive all of the players are, and how dedicated the veteran players are to learning this new regime’s schemes.

These next few days are some of the most crucial days of camp, as the installation of the offensive and defensive schemes is completed. So far, the players have responded well to the seemingly overwhelming amount of formations and plays that are being handed to them. But only time will tell just how secure of a grasp the players have acquired in these very important days of practice.

One recurring theme of camp is just how impressive Robert Griffin III has been. Presumably the starting quarterback, the Browns hope to make the most of Griffin’s unlimited potential. In his post practice press conference, Griffin deflected credit and praised his teammates. He also presented a more lighthearted perspective of camp, constantly laughing and genuinely enjoying his time so far in Cleveland.

“I think the guys are having fun,” Griffin told the media. Despite the heavy load of plays the offense has had to learn, and the struggles they may occasionally experience due to this, Griffin has noticed that “the hustle and the effort is always there.”

Griffin also appreciates the fact that the offense is being installed at the very beginning of camp, pointing to the rest of camp as being a time for fine tuning and more situational practice. But no matter what the task at hand is, Griffin will always approach it with the same mentality.

“Every day you got to show up ready to go,” Griffin said. “Doesn’t matter where we go, we’re ready to play.”

In addition to Griffin’s noticeable progress, Cleveland’s wide receivers have made positive strides early on in camp.

Gifted with natural speed, young receivers such as Corey Coleman and Jordan Payton have impressed in the first few practice sessions. Griffin told the media that there is “no shortage of speed” in the Browns’ receiver room, comparing the group to a track team. There are many benefits to speed, but as the Browns have witnessed in recent years, physicality and strength is equally asa important.

In Tuesday’s practice, Andrew Hawkins also made some impressive catches, as the Browns are currently pondering the best possible role for the veteran. At the end of practice, however, Hawkins suffered a minor hamstring injury, though it reportedly is nothing serious.

In addition, center Cam Erving left practice with a left elbow injury, which is reportedly not serious.

Perhaps the biggest surprise early on in camp is tight end Connor Hamlett. The 6-foot-7 and  265-pound rookie has displayed consistently reliable hands, and has the size advantage over most of the other players. Likely a backup or third-string tight end if he does in fact make the roster, Hamlett’s assets are wide-ranging, from being an effective pass catcher to a menacing run blocker.

Overall, Browns head coach Hue Jackson is pleased with the team’s first five days of camp, and especially liked the physical nature of Tuesday’s practice.

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“We’re growing across our football team,” Jackson told the media in his post-practice press conference. “Overall, I think we’re making progress, and getting better each and every day.”

There are issues Jackson wishes to address, most notably the turnovers his offense has been prone to committing early on in camp, but he appreciates the effort all around. It has undoubtedly been a physical camp as Jackson has envisioned it to be. The veteran players are responding well though, as they are all in for this coaching staff and scheme.

Due to NFL rules, the Browns will take a day off Wednesday from practice, following their meeting with the coaches on Tuesday night. It will be beneficial for the players to have a day to physically recover, in addition to mentally reflecting on the first five days of camp.

The Browns will resume training camp on Thursday in Berea for their final after practice of the week, which will take place from 3:25 p.m. to 5:55 p.m..

On Friday, the Browns will hold their first evening practice of training camp, which is sold out. The Browns will then play the annual Orange and Brown scrimmage on Saturday in Columbus at Ohio Stadium.

Next: Which RG3 are the Browns seeing in camp?

Tickets for future training camp practice sessions are still available, and can be found here.  The full schedule for Browns training camp, including the Orange and Brown scrimmage, can be found here.