Cleveland Browns: 4 things to know from Day 6 of training camp

The Cleveland Browns returned to practice on Thursday and here are four things Browns fans need to know from the day’s work.

The Cleveland Browns returned to the practice field in Berea on Thursday as they continue preparations for their opening preseason friendly on Aug. 12 against the Green Bay Packers.

“Today was a very business-like practice for us. The players were off [yesterday]. They came back and they came to work,” head coach Hue Jackson said. “Not that they didn’t but you would like to keep the same momentum that you had for those five days. I think there’s a little lull, but our guys were able to pick it up again and finish the practice pretty strong.

“There is not going to always be the enthusiasm and passion that you like to have all the time, but as long as we work, as long as we keep stacking good days, then good things can happen for our football team.”

Here are three things that Browns fans need to know from Day 6 of training camp:

Josh McCown is still on the team

Trade rumors continue to surround veteran quarterback Josh McCown, most notably from Dallas where the Cowboys are dealing with the loss of backup quarterback Kellen Moore to a fractured leg.

While there is considerable speculation that the Browns will no longer need McCown once they name Robert Griffin III the starting quarterback, Jackson said that is not necessarily the case.

“I have no thoughts, whatsoever. There is nothing to it as far as we’re concerned,” Jackson said. “I’ve heard about it, obviously I have, but I feel good that he’s here. He’s a Cleveland Brown and I know nothing else about the other part of it.

“I hope we’ve created an environment for all of our players to really want to be here, whether it’s in the quarterback room, running back, tight end, defensive backs, anywhere. I think this is a tremendous opportunity for any football player.”

WRs Corey Coleman and Rashard Higgins are standing out

The Browns selected Corey Coleman in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the idea that he would be the big-time playmaker that the offense has been lacking. Rashard Higgins was selected in the fifth round and, while not as heralded as Coleman, put up impressive numbers at Colorado State after catching 238 passes and 31 touchdowns in three seasons.

So far, they have caught the eye of the coaching staff.

“(Corey) can score the ball,” said Pep Hamilton, the associate head coach – offense. “I think we saw it a couple of days ago in our scrimmage when he caught a hitch route down inside the red zone area, he made two guys miss and he scored the football. That’s what we’re going to need him to do. We need a big-play threat or two or three on the perimeter, and we feel like he’s the guy who can do those things.

“For a young guy, (Rashard’s) skillset is above average. He can do a lot of things with regards to beating press coverage and running routes. His routes are fairly detailed for a young guy and he’s still a work in progress, but he’s shown tremendous progress over the course of training camp.”

After ignoring the wide receiver position the past two seasons, the Browns may finally be ready to join the rest of the NFL in what has become a passing league.

Justin Gilbert and Barkevious Mingo are working hard

If you were to pick out two players on the roster who illustrate the struggles the Browns have had in the draft, it would be outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo and cornerback Justin Gilbert.

While Mingo has not been the pass-rushing threat that Joe Banner and Michael Lombardi mistook him for in the 2013 NFL Draft, he has at least been on the field during the regular season and used his athleticism as a coverage linebacker.

The same cannot be said of Gilbert, who was one of only two of Ray Farmer’s draft mistakes in 2014. Gilbert has barely been on the field in two seasons with the Browns – at least not on defense – and when he has, he’s been routinely worked over by opposing wide receivers.

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According to defensive coordinator Ray Horton, however, Gilbert and Mingo are putting in the effort so far in training camp.

“Justin Gilbert has done everything we’ve asked,” Horton said. “We came in – I came in – and we talked about having a clean slate. I remember Justin in college, coming out what kind of player he was. I said, ‘I want you to be that type of player.’ He’s done everything we’ve asked, and I’m very happy with him.

“Barkevious is again doing everything. He I believe gets praised because you see him, he sticks out running. Now, in this league what it takes is you need that, but you also have to make plays and produce. We have a four-week window coming up here where it’s going to be very important, not only for him, it’s going to be important for the rest of our defense, our team and our coaches.

“We’re trying to establish, from the coaching staff, that our players can trust us that we’re going to try to put them in the best position to succeed, whatever that may be. We’re trying to, once we get them in that position, make sure they do succeed. I think it’s a give and take of guys learning what do they want, what can I give them and what can we expect from them.”

The right side of the offensive line is fluid

While the left side of the offensive line is set with tackle Joe Thomas and guard Joel Bitonio, the right side is very much a work in progress.

On Thursday, veteran guard John Greco got in his first practice of camp and was backed up by Alvin Bailey, who had been working with the first team at right tackle.

Rookie Spencer Drango put in work with the first-team offense at right tackle for the first time, while fellow rookie Shon Coleman worked with the second unit.

“I’m going to continue to make moves as we go,” Jackson said. “I’m going to put the best five guys out there and continue to mix and match and see how can we become better. If somebody can do something better for our football team and they’re deserving, then that’s what we’ll do. Nothing is kind of etched in stone. We’re just going to keep working at this each and every day to get better to have the best football team that we can.”

Next: Browns sign backfield duo

The Browns will be back on Friday with a 6 p.m. scrimmage at the team facility in Berea. Then they will be off to Columbus for the Orange and Brown Scrimmage, which Jackson said will serve as a “mock game” in preparation for next week’s game against the Packers.