Robert Nunn has molded some of the NFL's most gifted pass rushers in recent memory.
Before joining the Browns in January as its new defensive line coach, Nunn spent six seasons with the New York Giants and worked with the likes of Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, who each recorded at least one double-digit sack season during that span.
And now, Nunn is encouraged by what he's seen out of Cleveland's defensive line over the course of offseason workouts.
"They've done everything we've asked them to do," said Nunn, who met with reporters Thursday following the Browns final practice of mandatory veteran minicamp before the team breaks for the summer.
"So I'm excited about getting back out here and starting training camp."
After all, the defensive line — a group Nunn called "a good young group" that's "willing to work" — has started to take shape as the Browns lay what head coach Hue Jackson calls a "foundation" for the future.
And indeed, the unit is one brimming with youth, save for veterans like Desmond Bryant and John Hughes, who are entering their eighth and fifth seasons, respectively. Beyond that, the makeup of the room rests with younger players such as 2015 first-round draft pick and nose tackle Danny Shelton, second-year player Xavier Cooper and rookie end Carl Nassib, who was drafted in the third round out of Penn State.
The Browns took to the field to finish the three-day veterans' minicamp.
Nunn said there's not much of a difference between the way he coaches veterans and younger players.
"We have a way we do it, a way we're going to do things and a way we're going to react to things," he said. "We're going to work hard — we'll have fun — but we're going to work hard and the guys have bought into that."
They've also done their best to try and impress Nunn, who won a Super Bowl with the Giants in 2011-12.
"He's coached on some really, really good defensive lines. One of them being the New York Giants when they won the Super Bowl with Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora. So I think him coming in, that gives us some motivation because we're like, 'Hey we can play, too, so you're coming into to coach some great guys, too,'" Cooper said earlier this month while on Cleveland Browns Daily.
"But I think right now there's not a lot to be said because we've got to go put in on film. The guys in our room know the expectations and we've got to go out and meet them."
Nunn echoed a similar sentiment when asked about the group aiming to please.
"They're going to have their opportunity, they're going to be coached the same way those guys were. Time will tell," he said.
"I'm excited … They come in here and have done everything we've asked them to do. So I think we've got a healthy situation here."
