WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va – The Browns have been nestled amidst the Allegheny Mountains for the first four days of training camp and will finish out the week at The Greenbrier before heading back to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
As Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry has looked on from the sidelines at practice each day, he's taking the time to evaluate his team and see their progress over the course of training camp.
"Year two at the Greenbrier, we're really excited to be back here," Berry said. "We had a great experience last summer – it's a fantastic location for us to come together as a team and really just focus on us and set the foundation for the upcoming football season.
"As we go into training camp and as we go deeper into the summer, we're really excited about the group of players, coaches and staff that we've put together this season, and we're looking forward to the next five or six weeks as we get prepared for Dallas on Sept. 8," Berry continued. "We've got a long way to go, a lot of work to do; but we're encouraged by the early returns in camp, and we're looking forward to keep going and kind of stack days together and ultimately reach the potential of this team."
Berry covered a variety of topics throughout his press conference following the fourth day of training camp. Here are the main takeaways from Berry.
Overarching mindset on the 2024 season
The Browns endured a high level of adversity in the 2023 season. From losing key players to season-ending injuries beginning in the first week of the season, to starting five different quarterbacks over the course of the season, they still managed to finish the regular season 11-6 and clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2020. While the Wild Card playoff game against the Texans ended in a disappointing fashion and an end to their season, it was one that that Browns took an important step forward as a team.
Berry, who has been with the with Browns organization for two stints – the first from 2016-18 as the Vice President of Player Personnel, and the second from 2020 until now as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager. As he reflected on his first few seasons in Cleveland and the lack of success on the field, it made him appreciate the progress and level of success the Browns have found in recent seasons.
So, as he turns his focus to the 2024 season, Berry has two expectations in mind for this football team: maximize their potential on the field and handle any adversity that comes their way in a high-level, professional way.
"Every team in the NFL is going to have those periods," Berry said. "You don't know what it is – whether it's an injury, a losing streak – but you've got to be able to overcome those moments or those stretches if you want to be playing deep into the playoffs."
Outlook on offense
During the offseason, the Browns offensive coaching staff saw an overall as they brought in a new offensive coordinator in Ken Dorsey, new pass game specialist/tight ends coach Tommy Rees, running backs coach in Duce Staley, offensive line coach Andy Dickerson and assistant offensive line coach Roy Istvan.
Yet, with all the changes to the coaching staff, Berry sees a benefit to the number of new voices and perspectives. As they've installed the offense in the offseason and throughout training camp, each of their perspectives have played an important role in developing the offensive scheme.
"They've come from a variety of different backgrounds," Berry said. "Most of them have not crossed path in terms of working together, and to see how they've come together as a staff, as a working group, that's been really cool to see. And then the second part is just the diversity of thought that's within that room, because they come from such different backgrounds, it's been pretty cool to see how that's come together with building out the offensive scheme."
Expectation for Year 2 in defensive scheme
While there were significant changes on the offensive side of the ball, the defense has a level of stability as they enter the second year in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's scheme.
Earlier in the offseason, Schwartz discussed the potential to add "changeups" to their typical "fastball," using the baseball analogy to explain that there are certain elements they can tweak and adjust in their defense in the second year of the system. After the success the defense had in 2023 – in which they led the NFL in total defense, allowing just 270.2 yards per game, and passing defense, allowing only 164.7 yards per game – they know they can take their defense up another level.
And Berry wants to see that dominance continue.
"They were pretty doggone good last year," Berry said. "I think some of the tweaks – which I won't necessarily go into the specifics here – but some of the tweaks that Jim has put in, no secret, we love to rush with four and we love to play a lot of press man coverage. Now that offensive coordinators have had a year to look at what we did and maybe adjust, what are we doing to be able to have those counter punches in our back pocket, so to speak. And Jim's always very proactive in terms of staying ahead of the curve in that regard."
Greg Newsome II and Dalvin Tomlinson's injuries
Both CB Greg Newsome and DT Dalvin Tomlinson have missed the beginning of training camp as they recover from injuries. Newsome, who is on the active/non-football injury list, underwent surgery on his hamstring, while Tomlinson – who is listed on the active/unable to perform list – underwent a scope on his knee on July 26.
Yet, Berry said there is a possibility both are available for the beginning of the regular season.
"I think it's entirely realistic," Berry said. "Whether that happens in the next couple weeks, we'll see and work through that. One thing that we've learned about injuries is that you can never fully project everything, but I think that's entirely possible."
Addition of Mike Vrabel to coaching staff
Through the first few days of training camp, Mike Vrabel has had a presence on the field with multiple position groups. One day he's working closely with the tight ends. Another, he's spending time with the quarterbacks. Each day, he's raced QB Jameis Winston down the field.
Berry said Vrabel is an active coach while out there on the practice field, and the players feed off his competitive energy.
"We are lucky because we're probably on borrowed time with him, but we're going to maximize it as much as possible," Berry said. "I think he has such a unique perspective because here's a former All-Pro player, coached in power five college, defensive coordinator and then very, very successful head coach in Tennessee. So, there's nothing that he hasn't seen or that he can't provide insight into whether it's how we're practicing on the field, how we game plan, player development and player support areas, how we think about acquiring players, whether it's in the draft or free agency. So, we are certainly getting our money's worth with Mike, and we couldn't be more pleased to have him here with us."
Vrabel joined the Browns coaching staff during the offseason. When Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski discussed the possibility of Vrabel joining the staff for the year, they contemplated if he would be interested in taking the job.
"We were like, 'Do you think he'd do this?' Or is he going to maybe want to take the year off with his family?" Berry recalled. "And so, we kind of came in softly, tactfully. And from the very beginning, 'Oh, yeah, I'd love to do this.' It's pretty cool because we had known Mike from crossing paths. Kevin was on a committee with him and everything. Gut to see him day to day, I mean, you would think he's a first time NFL QC by how much he's sprinting up and down the field. So, it's just really awesome."
