BEREA, Ohio—The Cleveland Browns have completed their second week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The team is coming off a disappointing season where they finished with just eight wins. However, thanks to its 11-win season in 2020, Cleveland has secured its most victories in a two-year stretch since 1988-1989.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has new and old faces returning as the Browns prepare for their first season with DeShaun Watson at the quarterback position. Watson is facing allegations of sexual assault made by 23 women.
The team continues to build strong chemistry both on and off the field. This will be one critical aspect the Browns must constantly strengthen, especially once training camp arrives in July.
Positive energy all around
There is no “I” in “Team.” That was part of the Browns’ mindset during the first couple weeks of OTAs.
The team is only as strong as their weakest link, and they have taken that to heart. One of the players who has benefited spirit is second-year cornerback Greg Newsome II.
“It (feels) like college … It really feels like a brotherhood,” Newsome II said in an interview with the Varsity House Podcast earlier this week.
That energy is not only felt amongst teammates, but the coaching staff as well. Kevin Stefanski loves the fact that so many of his players are attending the voluntary practices.
“It’s great having those guys out there and working,” Stefanski said Wednesday. “When they’re out there, they’re getting better. Even when (they) make a mistake … I just think every opportunity we have out there to improve as a football team is so incredibly valuable.”
Even with the surplus of positivity that has already been expressed, Stefanski and his Browns look to continue growing throughout the summer.
“There are young players on our roster who we are developing. They’re all developing at their own pace.” Stefanski said. “I think we (the coaching staff) just have to be smart about (how) each guy develops at (their) own pace.”
Clowney returns
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has returned to the Browns. Last season, Clowney recorded nine sacks, the second highest total of his career.
Last month, Clowney signed his second contract with the Browns, an $11 million deal.
But to his fellow edge rusher, Myles Garrett, Clowney’s return was worth much more.
“We were probably the best duo in the league as far as getting pressure (on the opposing offense),” Garrett said Wednesday. “(We’re) a special combo. And if he comes back in shape, I think we’ll be able to do something really special this year.”
The Browns finished top-15 in the NFL last season in both passing defense (5th) and rushing defense (12th). With Cleveland also resigning cornerback Denzel Ward to a five-year deal, the sky is the limit as to what the team can achieve on the defensive side of the ball.
Njoku staying in Cleveland
David Njoku has been nothing short of spectacular during his time in northeast Ohio.
In his first five years (all with the Browns), Njoku has scored 15 touchdowns. Last season, he secured 475 receiving yards and had a 68% successful catch rate.
As a reward for his stellar play, the 25-year-old inked a four-year, $56.75 million contract on Wednesday.
“It means the world (to me). Everything comes full circle,” Njoku said earlier this week. “To be able to sign a four-year deal, where it all started, means everything to me.”
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt expressed how proud he was that Njoku is reaping the benefits of his outstanding effort.
“He’s worked hard and really deserves that,” Van Pelt said. “To see a guy that (wouldn’t) label himself as a run-blocker become one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the league has been impressive … He’s grown tremendously (and) it’s been fun to watch.”
Njoku’s deal will keep him in Cleveland through the 2025 season.
Winfrey standing out
Rookie defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey was drafted by the Browns in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft.
Ever since he arrived in Cleveland, Winfrey’s attitude has impressed the entire organization, especially defensive coordinator Joe Woods. Earlier this week, Woods sat down with the media to discuss Winfrey’s impact at practices thus far.
“With his size, athletic ability, attitude, and approach to the game, he’s exactly what we were looking for,” Woods said.
Winfrey’s personality is not the only thing that stands out on the field—it is also his elite skillset.
“He has extreme length,” Woods explained. “(He) is very explosive … We want guys that get off the ball (and) dent the line of scrimmage. And that’s exactly what he did in college.”
Last season at the University of Oklahoma, Winfrey had 5.5 sacks. It will be a tremendous boost for the Browns if he continues to develop. Doing so adds another anchor for the already elite duo of Garrett and Clowney.
What’s next
The Browns will resume their OTA practices on Monday. They will then have a three-day mandatory minicamp beginning June 14.
All training will be conducted at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea.
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