Training camp has officially arrived! The Browns have reported back to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus and will kick off the first day of training camp at The Greenbrier on July 25 as they prepare for the 2024 season.
So, as the Browns head to The Greenbrier, we opened up the mailbag and answered your questions.
What can we expect from second-year WR Cedric Tillman? I think he struggled last year to get a handle on the speed of the game and the mental side. He has incredible physical attributes and strong hands. With our offense seemingly becoming more spread out and pass centric, could we see a potential breakout season for Tillman? – John C., Erlanger, Kentucky
There is that potential for a leap from Tillman in his second year. Tillman joined a crowded wide receiver in his rookie season with the presence of Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Marquise Goodwin, Donovan Peoples-Jones and David Bell. However, as their receiving corps dealt with injuries and Peoples-Jones was traded to the Lions in October, Tillman earned different opportunities over the course of the season.
Tillman ended his rookie season with 21 receptions for 224 yards, as well as one carry for eight yards. He played in 14 games and earned three starts, and provided a glimpse of what he can add to the receiving corps as he grows with the Browns offense.
Wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea said Tillman took advantage in the offseason of putting in the work to improve his game and spent each day in the facility during the offseason program. That work has started to pay off during OTAs and minicamp when he shined during the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
"Cedric Tillman's been outstanding," O'Shea said in June. "He has taken every rep and used that as an opportunity to become better. I see a lot of improvement in him in year two. Obviously, there were some things he did in year one we were very pleased with and so excited about his future watching him in year one but can't say enough about how well he's done on the field for us as far as his work ethic, making plays, I think he's more confident in year two, which you would hope is the case with a young player. But Cedric, I just spoke to him and spoke to the group about how impressed we've been with him and how much he's improved, and to see his development has been really great as a coach to see."
Do we have enough strength supporting the running back spot? – Phil C., Atlanta, Georgia
Yes, the Browns have depth in their running back room, a need they addressed in the offseason as RB Nick Chubb continues his recovery. During free agency, the Browns signed D'Onta Foreman, Nyheim Hines and Giovanni Ricci.
Over the course of his six-year career, Hines has established himself as both a pass-catching threat out of the backfield and a strong kick returner, as well as his strengths in running the ball. Foreman brings veteran presence to the room as he is entering his eighth NFL and began his career alongside QB Deshaun Watson in Houston. Ricci is also officially listed as a fullback for the Browns and provides another weapon in the run game. All three also have an opportunity to carve roles in special teams.
Their new additions join a group that was led last season by Jerome Ford, who became the featured back following Chubb's season-ending injury, and Pierre Strong Jr. Ford and Strong each found ways to contribute to the run game and keep the depth strong in the running back room. In his second season with Cleveland, Ford had a career-season with 204 carries for 813 yards and four touchdowns, as well as 44 receptions for 319 yards and five touchdowns.
Between Ford and Strong returning from the 2023 season and the additions the Browns made, as well as the eventual return of Chubb, the Browns have a solid level of depth at running back to have a positive impact on the run game of their offense this upcoming season.
How do you predict Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will elevate his game after his career year last year? What are coaches and players saying about him as an emerging leader on the team? – William W., Chattanooga, Tennessee
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had a breakout 2023 season, one in which he led the Browns with 101 tackles and recorded 3.5 sacks, six passes defensed, two interceptions and one forced fumble. He also finished fourth in the NFL with 20 tackles for loss during the regular season and ended the year with 24 total tackles for loss including the postseason.
After the linebacker room went through significant changes this offseason – losing Anthony Walker Jr., Sione Takitaki and Matthew Adams to other teams in free agency – Owusu-Koramoah has a chance to be a leader among the group. Even with the presence of veteran Jordan Hicks, Owusu-Koramoah anticipates his leadership presence growing among the unit.
"I think the evolution for me is kind of starting to step into more of a veteran role, more tutoring and, 'Hey, look, I think that you can do this better,'" Owusu-Koramoah said during minicamp in June. "Guys looking up to you saying, 'Hey, what can I do with my technique here for me to better at this?' Every student has to become a master someday. Every master has to start off as a student. So, continue and progress there."
He also has the opportunity to continue his progress on the field. Last season, he focused heavily on taking one play at a time and anticipating the ball, which allowed him to find success in the defensive scheme. During mandatory minicamp, linebackers coach Jason Tarver praised Owusu-Koramoah for his progression in the offseason in terms of how he was anticipating the ball. They are taking the same approach they installed during 2023, taking one play at a time.
"'My next play is my best play. My next play is my best play, no matter what happened,'" Tarver said of Owusu-Koramoah's mindset. "Going quicker in reactions from good or bad to the next play, and he's just gotten better and better at that. He continued to do that this spring. So, he keeps going on this trajectory, we'll be happy."
His offseason work both on the field and in his leadership will be on display as the Browns begin training camp at The Greenbrier on July 25.
Are the Browns workouts at The Greenbrier open to the public? – David W., Cloverdale, Virginia
No, the Browns training camp practices at The Greenbrier are not open to the public. The first week of training camp offsite at The Greenbrier is an opportunity for the Browns to build team chemistry and bond away from home.
"I believe they recognize that it's good to be under one roof, it's good to be together," head coach Kevin Stefanski said in June about returning to The Greenbrier. "It's good that they get X number of ping pong games in. All of that adds up. You can do team building exercises. You could also just put everybody under one roof and organically those type of things happen. We're going down there to get our work done, but we also get to be around each other."
They are holding six open training camp practices at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus once the team returns to Berea. Click here for more information about the open practices during training camp.
