Training Camp Preview: 5 Things to Watch as Browns Prepare to Return to Greenbrier

The Browns will fly out on Thursday for a short flight to The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The training camp trip was an experiment for the organization last year. This time, it’s an attempt to recreate the cohesive experience of a year ago that launched a playoff run despite a mountain of in-season adversity.

“We’ve got to keep attacking the same way, but we’ve got to keep trying to get better at where we’ve fallen short,” Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett said during minicamp in June. “Whether it’s those bonding moments, making sure all the guys are out in the rooms, talking about the games, walking around the games, going to dinner, talking about the game.

“At that point, it’s time to focus. We’re gone for a reason. Think of it as a business trip, not a vacation, and we don’t need to treat it like one.”

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The Browns will spend nine days and eight nights at The Greenbrier through Aug. 2 to kick off camp before returning to Berea for six practices open to the public. Coach Kevin Stefanski is a firm believer in the team’s ability to make it after spending nearly his entire coaching career with the Vikings, who moved from the Twin Cities for training camp.

“I think the guys recognize that it’s good to be under the same roof, it’s good to be together,” he said. “It’s good that they can play X games of ping-pong. It all adds up.”

“You can have team-building exercises. You can also just get everyone under one roof and things like that happen naturally.”

One change from last year is notable.

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A year ago, many players weren’t thrilled to learn they were headed to this remote resort in the mountains of West Virginia. While the logistics still aren’t appealing, the locker room has been won over by the experience.

Throughout the playoff season, players at all levels credited the trip with creating a special chemistry within the team. They spent hours together eating dinner, playing video games, table tennis and cornhole, and getting to know each other.

Here are five issues facing the Browns as they travel to Berea on Tuesday, take a walk-through on Wednesday and practice for the first time on Thursday at West Virginia.

To show up?

Everyone is required to show up on time. No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper may not.

Cooper has sat out the offseason, including mandatory minicamp, and it’s unclear whether he’ll continue to wait until training camp. He wants a new, improved contract heading into the final year of his deal and has seen the receiver market skyrocket.

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Cooper has been exceptional in his two years with the Browns, including making his fifth Pro Bowl appearance last year after rushing for a career-best 1,250 yards. The Browns don’t want to commit huge long-term money to a 30-year-old receiver, but there’s optimism the two sides can work out a deal that would appease Cooper with an influx of guaranteed money.

Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans, 30, was awarded $35 million guaranteed in March, and a two-year, $50 million extension with $30 million guaranteed could be the perfect fit for Cooper.

If either side is unwilling to compromise at this point, things could get awkward and tricky.

Cooper is the best option in the passing game and the Browns don’t have a suitable replacement. Cooper is also close to quarterback Deshaun Watson and a respected team leader, so an extended absence could affect morale as well as production.

The same could be true if Cooper reports his violation to avoid the mandatory $50,000-per-day fine, but is openly disgruntled.
Time is running out for the Browns to get something done and start camp without a giant distraction.

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Ready or Not?

Despite the stunning and encouraging videos that have been circulating on social media in recent weeks, Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb is expected to open camp on the physically unfit to play list. That’s the scenario that has always been the most likely, as Chubb attempts to return from two surgeries to repair severe damage to his left knee, including a torn ACL.

Starting on the active roster means Chubb can be activated as soon as he’s deemed ready to practice. The Browns don’t need to rush him, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he doesn’t play his first game until October.

In the meantime, he can continue his rehabilitation which seems to be going wonderfully.

In June, Chubb said he could only run. He has since been filmed doing balance and agility exercises on one leg, then squatting about 500 pounds. He has made a habit of posting a squat video — curling a barbell under full weight at his high school in Georgia — as he prepares to return from summer break, but it was a surprise given his injury and surgeries.

“Nobody on our team ever doubted Chubb,” Watson said Wednesday at his high school’s seven-on-seven tournament. “If you have any doubts about Chubb, I think you’re rooting for the wrong team.”

The new look

Team activities and minicamp provided a glimpse of new coordinator Ken Dorsey’s influence on the offensive system. Training camp and the preseason will provide an in-depth study.

Dorsey has experience with quarterbacks who are run threats — Cam Newton at Carolina, Josh Allen at Buffalo — and has used an offense with more spread and shotgun elements than the Browns did during Stefanski’s four years at the helm. The Browns won’t abandon the run, but they will lean on the pass and try to capitalize on Watson’s strengths.

Watson is excited about the freedom he envisions as Dorsey, Stefanski and the rest of the revamped offensive staff continue to tweak the scheme.

“It’s beautiful,” Watson said. “It’s fun, it’s exciting and he and Kevin are doing a great job of putting together a good game plan so we can all play at a high level and be one of the best teams in the NFL. That’s the plan and we’re going to take it one day at a time and continue to develop it.”

Another mystery remains. Stefanski has yet to announce (and perhaps decide) whether he will continue to call the games or hand the responsibility to Dorsey. Stefanski could answer the question at the start of camp or wait and see how the preseason games play out.

Ready to go

Watson could have been higher on this list, but his surgically repaired right shoulder passed all offseason tests with flying colors. He threw long and fast in minicamp and should return to 100 percent of his normal reps at some point during camp.

It’s a huge relief for the Browns.

But Watson is still on the list because this is a pivotal season for his future in Cleveland and the trajectory of his career.

Watson missed the 2021 season with the Texans, then was limited to six games in each of his two years with the Browns. Entering the third year of his five-year, fully guaranteed, $230 million contract, he’s not living up to his expectations. He’s also barely a year removed from his most recent of three Pro Bowl appearances with the Texans.

The Browns have done a lot to support Watson on and off the field and give him the best possible chance to succeed. Shoulder injuries were the main issue last year, but it’s up to Watson to be available and play more consistently.

The Browns have one of the best rosters in the league. They just need Watson to play like a top quarterback.

Checkup

Right tackle Jack Conklin, left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and running back/returner Nyheim Hines join Chubb as candidates to start camp on PUP as they recover from knee surgeries last year. Others could also start camp on the sideline, whether on PUP or just slowly working their way back onto the field.

Conklin has battled injuries in recent years, tore his ACL in last season’s opener. He’s posted some upbeat messages on social media recently, but he and the Browns should proceed with caution. If he can stay healthy, he would provide valuable insurance for projected starters Wills and Dawand Jones.

Wills missed the final nine games of last year and underwent surgery to repair a torn medial collateral ligament. He did not practice in the offseason and could start camp on the bench as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.

Hines’ torn ACL occurred in an accident while sitting on a jet ski. He said in May that he expected to return to training early in camp, if not on Day 1.

He was brought in to improve the passing and return game and has experience with Dorsey and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone. He’s motivated to get back on the field and make up for lost time.