Cleveland Browns: Observations from Day 5 of training camp
The Cleveland Browns continued to practice in full pads during Day 5 of training camp Tuesday in Berea.
The Cleveland Browns practiced in full pads for the third straight day on Tuesday afternoon in Berea. The day featured the team installing new parts of their offense during a short walkthrough period, as well as 7-on-7 drills and the full-go “siren” period. Our own Eric Sczcepinksi was again at practice to offer up his firsthand account of the day.
1. Hue Jackson is installing creative formations he used in Cincinnati.
At the beginning of day the offense spent time installing and walking through a new part of their playbook. Coach Jackson began installing his unique formations featuring linemen spilt out wide as receivers to create mismatches and confusion for the defense. The Browns practiced run and pass out of this formation.
Jackson used this wacky formation on several occasions last season with the Cincinnati Bengals. The offense also practiced jumbo and heavy formation sets featuring an extra lineman. Jackson has been known for using an extra lineman or lining up with a lineman on the strong side of the formation in run situations.
2. Corey Coleman to be Browns’ featured playmaker
It quickly became clear over the last two days of camp that rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman is going to play a significant role on offense. Coleman has been lining up on both the left and right side of formations and even lined up in the backfield alongside Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. It is apparent Coach Jackson is going to line his rookie playmaker up all over the field, creating mismatches to help give the team its best chance at success.
Coleman appears to be the number one option early in camp and has begun to develop solid chemistry with quarterback Robert Griffin III. The pair connected multiple times on the day in the live 11-on-11 period.
The highlight of the day came when the duo connected on a touchdown to cap off an impressive drive for the offense against the defense. On the play Coleman caught the pass on the left boundary in space and put on an impressive juke move to get past the defender.
One of Coleman’s biggest strengths is his skill with the ball in his hands. Coleman offers the Browns a rare combination of speed, strength and athleticism to make him a threat all over the field. Coleman still has to prove himself against live competition when preseason games start next week, but the early returns on Coleman in camp is the Browns have a great receiving weapon for the foreseeable future.
3. Cornerback playing time is an ongoing camp battle
With star cornerback Joe Haden beginning training camp on the PUP list recovering from offseason ankle surgery, players such as Justin Gilbert and Jamar Taylor have been given an opportunity to compete and receive first-team reps.
With Haden sidelined Tuesday, Gilbert and Taylor both got reps with the first-team, opposite veteran Tramon Williams. Taylor made a handful of pass deflections and looked the part of contributing to an NFL secondary.
However, former first round pick Gilbert struggled on Tuesday. Gilbert struggled in receiver versus cornerback one-on-one drills and looked slightly off in his technique. Gilbert was beat by rookie Corey Coleman for a touchdown in one-on-one drills and the two had a heated exchange.
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The Browns are giving Gilbert a great opportunity to get reps with the first unit with Haden sidelined. Entering his third season, Gilbert must prove he is a capable NFL corner this preseason to Coach Jackson or he could quickly land on the roster bubble.