This past Tuesday twitter was filled with pictures and videos of Browns players reporting to the facility in Berea. My favorite part of late July. The players took their covid tests and those who passed were allowed into the facility for physicals. The NFL mandated a player must pass three consecutive tests before entering training camp. Apparently the Browns had arranged prior testing for the players and rookies reporting on Tuesday. Smart move. This front office is ahead of the curve again. Today the rest of the veterans take their third test in four days.
Speaking of Covid, three Browns players so far have ended up on the reserve/Covid list. RB Dontrell Hilliard, S Jovante Moffatt and recently P Jamie Gilliam. According to the NFL, the rules for placing a player on the reserve list are if a player tests positive for covid-19 or comes in contact with a person who tests positive for covid-19. The rules in the agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA, forbid teams from commenting on a players medical status, so teams can’t say if a player has tested positive or is in quarantine. There are reports, that Gilliam tested positive a month ago, then tested negative. He said in a recent interview he feels fine, but this still bears watching.
As of this writing, only two Browns players have opted out for the 2020 season. Offensive linemen Drew Forbes and Drake Dorbeck. I will never fault a player for opting out. I doubt, because of no pre-season games, that Dorbeck would have made the team and Forbes was going to be in the competition for the right guard spot. The Browns still have good depth on the offensive line. Right now it appears Wyatt Teller is the leader in the clubhouse for the RG spot with OL Chris Hubbard as depth. I’m really happy the Browns kept Hubbard. Also, rookie Nick Harris did play guard in college. But because OL coach Bill Callahan loved Teller coming out of college, he has the advantage prior to practices.
As for injured players, WR Jarvis Landry still remains a mystery. Landry assured everyone he would be ready for the season and will take his physical this weekend. It won’t surprise me if ends up on the PUP list for the start of training camp. That’s fine by me, I would rather have Landry ready for the season opener, if it takes place. Because of the continuing problems in Major League Baseball with players testing positive, the Marlins, Phillies and now the Cardinals have all had games postponed. I hope Browns players are paying attention. The players will have to police themselves and make sure no one does something stupid and cause a team wide outbreak. Due to the precautions in the facility, if a player is going to catch covid-19, it’ll be on the outside. This is were veteran leadership comes into play.
Last, head coach Kevin Stefanski held a press conference this week and there was some news. When the players hit the field for conditioning drills, they’ll be split into two groups. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. Stefanski also said he’s been able to meet some players mask to mask. However he said he has not talked to TE David Njoku. Sounds like the Browns are planning on keeping Njoku. I’m sure they’re not comfortable with rookie Harrison Bryant as the number two tight end. The coach also reported no members of his coaching staff has opted out for the season. Good to hear. As for who will call plays, Stefanski says they have a plan for that. I’m sure they do, they’ve had a plan for everything else in this weird year.
Hopefully no more players will be placed on the reserve/covid-19 list and no other Browns will opt out for the season. I have full confidence the NFL will start on time, come hell or high water. However, I’m not really confident they’ll finish the season. Let’s all hope the NFL is paying attention to the success the NHL, MLS and NBA is having, as well as, the failures MLB is experiencing. So everyone stay safe and Go Browns.