BEREA — The Browns officially started summer vacation Thursday afternoon.
Following a two-hour morning practice and a short meeting, the veterans were dismissed until training camp, which is slated to start July 23. The rookies will stick around for a couple of weeks.
According to coaches and players, the Browns are ahead of where they were at this point last year. It makes sense.
They’re coming off a 10-win season, many of the same players return and the offense is in its second season in coordinator Rob Chudzinski’s scheme. Mel Tucker is the new defensive coordinator, but he’s only tweaking the 3-4 scheme of years past.
“We feel good about where we are right now,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “We’re ahead from a knowledge standpoint.”
The Browns do have a couple of areas of concern as they prepare for training camp. Daven Holly is done for the year, leaving the cornerback spot compromised, and right guard Ryan Tucker (hip) isn’t expected back until August. He can also play right tackle.
“Depth is an issue,” Crennel said.

Lewis on Ogden

Ravens left tackle Jonathan Ogden retired Thursday after what will certainly be a Hall of Fame career. Browns running back Jamal Lewis played with Ogden for several years in Baltimore.
“J.O. is one of the more humble guys I’ve ever played with,” Lewis said. “He led by example and was never outworked. I’ve never seen anybody protect the left side the way he did. 
“It was an honor to play with one of the best left tackles in the history of the NFL.”

Dedicated Donte

Veteran receiver Donte Stallworth missed the first four practices of minicamp and probably could’ve received an excused absence for Thursday’s lone session following a family member’s funeral in California on Wednesday.
He didn’t ask.
“He went to the funeral, then caught the red eye and got in at 6:30 this morning,” Crennel said. “That shows a little bit about him.”
Stallworth was signed as a free agent in March to be the No. 2 receiver. Coaches and teammates have raved about his quickness.

Practice reps

Reserve running back Jerome Harrison’s quickness was on full display during an 11-on-11 drill, as he took a pair of dump-off passes and turned them into touchdowns with bursts up the field.
“Jerome has a unique set of skills, with his quickness and his pass-catching ability,” Crennel said.
• The defense stopped the offense five straight times in team drills until third-string quarterback Ken Dorsey hit Nate Hughes on a post for a touchdown with Darnell Terrell in coverage.
• The offense then heated up, with Derek Anderson hitting Braylon Edwards for a touchdown on a double move past cornerback Terry Cousin, a recent acquisition. They connected again versus cornerback Eric Wright, but the defense thought Edwards pushed off.
• Receiver Efrem Hill made a great diving catch on the sideline of a deep pass from Brady Quinn.

Extra points

Cornerback Brandon McDonald missed the entire minicamp following a death in the family. Cousin took his spot with the first team, and Mike Adams took Cousin’s spot as the nickelback.
• The sprinklers near the end zone went on twice, the second time as Harrison crossed the goal line on the final play of practice.
• Agent Tom Condon, who represents Edwards and Quinn, was spotted at team headquarters Wednesday.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---