Terrelle Pryor ran down the sideline with his head slightly cocked backwards, carefully tracking a deep ball during the Browns' third day of training camp. He launched himself forward, hauled in the pass and tucked it into his chest for what was one of several standout plays on the afternoon.
"That was my first — there's been a bunch of good balls thrown to me this camp so far — but we haven't connected. I caught a couple but it was out of bounds or something happened," he said Monday.
"I like to run deep, run past guys, so it is what it is. It's football, I'm an aggressive guy, I like to get the juices flowing, I like to get the team up so a big play, let's make a big deal."
The moment — which brought fans in attendance to their feet — seemed to underscore the kind strides that Pryor, the quarterback-turned-wide receiver, has made in the last six months.
And as the Browns prepare for their fourth day of practice, Pryor looks to continue that momentum into August.
With an unusual combination of size (6-foot-4, 237 pounds) and speed (he's been clocked with 4.3 40-yard dash speed) the former Ohio State star enters his second training camp with the Browns poised to potentially play a key role this season.
"There's a lot of different things we'll do with Terrelle because we think he's very talented," head coach Hue Jackson said, "so we'll just continue to find different ways to have him make a difference on our offensive football team."
After two days of closed practice, the Browns welcomed fans to the training facility in Berea for the third day of Training Camp.
Jackson, who added the Browns have tinkered with where Pryor will line up, has also made it clear that he'll have to earn whatever role he eventually finds himself in.
And with 10 other receivers — not counting Josh Gordon, who was reinstated on a conditional basis and can return Week 5 against the Patriots — there will be plenty of competition in the room for playing time.
"The guys on this field, all (11) receivers we have, these guys can play," Pryor said. "Guys can play. And it's exciting."
Of course, Pryor appears to be firmly in the mix to step up as a key contributor on an offense in search of them.
"I just want to go in and help however I can and be a playmaker. And if that's getting on the field, if that's starting or not, not starting, whatever," Pryor said.
"Just put me on the field and I'm going to make a play and that's going to be my mindset and that's what I want to do. That's my ultimate goal. We all set goals and my goal is that."
