The Browns wrapped up their second week of training camp and will play their first preseason game against the Packers on Aug. 10.
Through the first 11 practices, the Browns defense has looked strong in their coverage and assignments, creating plays in both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods. The offense has also had their moments, where QB Deshaun Watson or QB Jameis Winston have connected with different pass catchers for touchdown passes or deep balls throughout camp.
Now, as the Browns take their work in practice to the field in a game setting, it'll provide a look at how the Browns stack up against another opponent, as well as give opportunities to younger players.
So, ahead of the first preseason game, we opened up the mailbag and answered some of your questions.
How is our linebacker group progressing? – Joseph J., Corry, Pennsylvania
The linebacker room has dealt with some injuries over the course of camp, with Tony Fields II missing time as well as Jordan Hicks missing a few days recently. However, collectively the linebacker room has improved. They have the necessary depth at the position to have success in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's attack-style defense.
"It's one of the most athletic groups I've been a part of," Hicks said of the linebacker room. "Young, energetic, chippy, aggressive. Everything you look in a linebacker group, we have it. We just have to continue to build and lead and put it all together each and every single day and just see how we grow."
Throughout camp, linebackers coach Jason Tarver said all their linebackers have been working alongside one another to improve and prepare for the 2024 season.
Hicks brings veteran leadership and experience in his role among the group. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is looking to build off his breakout season in 2023. Devin Bush has learned the defense and adds NFL experience to the room. And rookie Nathanial Watson is acclimating to the NFL, asking questions and learning from his fellow teammates about the defensive system. Tarver has been impressed with the progress Watson has made as he's learned the tempo of play and what it's like to play against NFL linemen.
"Nathaniel's really good in that he's played all positions of football," Tarver said. "He's played on the edge. He's played offense, he's played defense. And so, he knows the game of football and he sees and feels football. And he's been really good at not making the same mistake twice. When he sees something, he fixes something, and he locks in."
What could WR Matt Landers potential role look like? – Majour C., Cleveland, Ohio
The Browns have a packed wide receiver corps, featuring Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore, as well as younger players like Cedric Tillman, David Bell, James Proche II, Jaelon Daren and Michael Woods II, as well as their 2024 fifth-round draft pick Jamari Thrash. Landers will need to use the preseason games to showcase his potential and what he could bring as a depth piece to the receiver room.
Even so, Landers has showcased his potential in training camp, and head coach Kevin Stefanski has seen Landers make big plays in camp.
"He's made plays down the field," Stefanski said on Aug. 5. "He's gotten behind the defense. I think he has a good understanding of what we're doing, so he's in the right place at the right time. So, excited about him to continue to make some steps and these preseason games will be big for guys like Matt. Show what they can do in a setting like it's going to be down there on Saturday night."
Will TE Treyton Welch play in the preseason? – Conrad D., Howard Lake, Minnesota
As Stefanski explained on Aug. 5, some starters will play about 10 snaps in the first preseason game on Aug. 10, while others will rest. So, this opens the door for a guy like TE Treyton Welch to get game reps in the offense.
Over the course of the three preseason games, Welch should earn his share of snaps to showcase what he could bring to the tight end group and try to earn a roster spot.
"Another young player who's doing a nice job," Stefanski said of Welch. "And you have to remember this is a big moment for these guys. They're getting on an NFL field for the first time and going up against opposite jerseys for the first time. So, the message to our young players – Treyton and all of our young players – is really to take the practice field to the game field and not get overwhelmed by 'you're wearing a game jersey' or 'you're in the stadium' and those type of things."
