Media members, fans and even coaches had no idea what to expect from wide receiver Miles Austin on Saturday.
The longtime Dallas Cowboy was brought in on May 16th, but never fully participated in minicamp. Coach Mike Pettine wanted to ensure the already proven Austin was healthy for training camp.
Boy, did the investment in Austin's credibility pay dividends on Saturday. Behind Josh Gordon, the rejuvenated pass catcher looked like the Browns' most reliable target on the outside.
"I caught a couple balls but I feel like there's more we can do," said Austin, still humble for a 30-year-old. "We still haven't thrown the pads yet. There's still a long way to go. But anytime you get a couple throws your way and you can hold onto them, it's a good feeling."
"Miles Austin especially jumped out today," said Pettine. "I thought he did a real good job of working himself back into football shape. We held him out in the spring. He did a great job over the break of coming in and he banged out the running test. He really showed up today and made some nice catches."
They are at different stages in their careers, but just like Miles Austin, Jordan Cameron knows he still has plenty to prove in the NFL.
Opponents should know who the Pro Bowler Cameron is this season. The Browns defense must keep tabs on Cameron all throughout practice. Reliable and swift, the well-built 6-foot-5 Cameron caught virtually everything thrown his way Saturday. He's faster in space than almost every linebacker, too.
Strategizing a game plan to stop Cameron will be necessary in 2014, or he will gash defenses. And Cameron's expectations for himself are on the rise. The 25 year old recognizes he'll be more of a fixture of the Browns offense.
That doesn't alter his mindset at all, though. Cameron made his trust in the coaching staff apparent on Saturday.
"With Kyle Shanahan's creative mind and his innovative ideas, he'll find ways to get me open and keep pressure off of me," said Cameron.
Today was day one of installment of the playbook (read more about that here in our notes and quotes). Cameron saw no action at wide receiver on Saturday, but that doesn't mean it's not coming down the road.
Cameron, now in his fourth season with the Browns, could tell this training camp will be much different from those in the past.
"The energy and tempo were a lot higher," said Cameron. "Obviously the excitement of where Cleveland is going and the direction we're going in all areas in all sports. People are fired up in the stands. You can tell there is a certain buzz going around. It's pretty contagious."
If Cameron keeps up his play, that Cleveland buzz he speaks of isn't going anywhere.
