Training camp is here and the full-team practices can't get here soon enough. By then, we'll have plenty of answers to all of the loose ends surrounding the 2020 Browns.
For now, we simply have some questions.
Over the next few weeks, we'll be discussing those queries and analyzing the variables that accompany them. We've narrowed our list to 10, but there are certainly many more that will need to be answered by the time Cleveland opens the season against the Ravens in Baltimore.
We're continuing today with a look at the big picture.
"Normal" went out the window months ago.
Even before the Browns signed the first of numerous free agents they added to the roster in March, the world had changed in dramatic fashion because of a COVID-19 pandemic that has shown no signs of slowing down in the U.S. as July turns to August. Kevin Stefanski was on the job for a little more than two months before everything changed. It was less than that for Executive VP of Football Operations/General Manager Andrew Berry.
The first-time head coach has been tasked with navigating a truly unprecedented situation that is simultaneously affecting all of the Browns' competition in the exact same ways. The first-time general manager has been tasked with adapting to a wide variety of new roster rules, some of which were instituted before the pandemic, while preparing for a season that promises to play out in unique fashion.
There's no manual for it, and there won't be one as the Browns and the rest of the NFL prepare to navigate training camp and the regular season while dealing with all of the hurdles COVID-19 will present along the way.
"The work that has gone into this," Stefanski said Thursday, "has been nothing short of a miracle."
And it's only just begun.
The changes that awaited Cleveland's players this week were nothing short of immense. Basically everything they've done in the past will be different in some way, all the way down to the elimination of huddles during walk-throughs. Most players have yet to be allowed in the building as they await the results of the required three COVID-19 tests over a four-day span.
Check out photos of the rookies and quarterbacks working out Thursday
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Tight end Nate Wieting (87) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Quarterback Case Keenum (5) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Quarterback Case Keenum (5) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Tight end Harrison Bryant (88) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Quarterback Kevin Davidson (9) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (61) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Quarterback Case Keenum (5) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (61) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Tight end Nate Wieting (87) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Larry Jackson during workouts on July 30, 2020
Quarterback Case Keenum (5) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Running back Benny LeMay (36) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during workouts on July 30, 2020
Training Camp is the time when a football team comes together. Practices continue during the season, of course, but they don't carry the same intensity as the ones that get the players prepared for the season. There's also the hours of meeting time, the long days and nights, the time spent in the team hotel. It's an experience unique to football that has stood the test of time.
Some of those norms will continue. The practices that begin Aug. 14 will look a lot like the practices we've grown accustomed to during this part of the calendar. The days will be long and the meetings will be thorough. They'll just be virtual for the first part of camp and whenever possible after that.
The players, to this point, have been lauded for their willingness to adapt and thrive amid the circumstances. They'll have to continue to do so during the crunch-time part of the offseason because the games in September are going to be just as unforgiving as they were in the past.
"We will be efficient," Stefanski said. "I think we have a really strong plan in terms of how we are going to ramp it up. Obviously, the NFL gave us a very strict guideline on how to do that, but even within those guidelines, I think we have a really strong plan and are making sure that we safely acclimate the players and then continue to teach these systems.
"I go back to our offseason program, I was really impressed with the amount of work we were able to get done back in the spring so that is something where I feel like we have built a foundation. Now, we get to build upon that foundation here in training camp."
The Browns and NFL are serious about preventing any possible spread of COVID-19. That much is clear. And it's been made clear to the players their actions outside of the practice facility will have a direct effect on the entire team.
That was the message Stefanski hammered home during his first team meeting. It's among the numerous, new variables the Browns will have to tackle as they prepare for this one-of-a-kind 2020 season.
"It is hard to win in this league," Stefanski said. "As we all know, it is hard to win, and we are going to do everything in our power to not make it harder. If we take care of business in the building and outside of the building, seemingly, that should give you an advantage."
Browns players arrived at the facility Tuesday morning for the start of camp
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn (94) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Safety Andrew Sendejo (23) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Tight end Austin Hooper (81) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Safety Karl Joseph (42) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Cornerback Kevin Johnson (28) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Tight end Austin Hooper (81) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Fullback Andy Janovich (31) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Tight end David Njoku (85) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Defensive tackle Eli Ankou (91) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Cornerback Robert Jackson (34) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Linebacker Montrel Meander (41) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Cornerback Donovan Olumba (33) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Center Willie Wright (66) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Linebacker Tae Davis (55) and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski report for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
General Manager Andrew Berry and Ron Brewer report for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Players reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Safety Sheldrick Redwine (29) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Kicker Austin Seibert (4) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Wide receiver D.J. Montgomery (15) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Kicker Austin Seibert (4) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Punter Jamie Gillan (7) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Punter Jamie Gillan (7) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Safety J.T. Hassell (49) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Tight end Harrison Bryant (88) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Cornerback Kevin Johnson (28) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Running back Brian Herrien (35) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Center Nick Harris (53) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Tight end Harrison Bryant (88) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (61) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Safety Elijah Benton (43) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Center Nick Harris (53) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
Offensive tackle Alex Taylor reports for 2020 Browns training camp on July 28, 2020.
