Day 3 of training camp is in the books. Here's what you need to know.
— Browns owner Jimmy Haslam outlined the state of the team and expressed optimism for what the future might hold in Cleveland.
Haslam, who spoke to the news media before Saturday's practice, said he and Dee Haslam feel "really good" about the team's executive leadership, which includes head coach Hue Jackson, executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown, chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta and vice president of player personnel Andrew Berry.
"I would be remiss if I didn't say that I understand that we have only won four games in the last two years and only won one last year so we are very realistic about where we are. At the same time, we are going to be patient," Haslam said. "We're going to do it right. We're going to build through the draft, selectively use free agency, not take shortcuts and try to produce a team that will consistently win games and as we have said many times – have not done yet but said many times – provide the fans of Northeast Ohio the kind of team they deserve in the Cleveland Browns."
— Jackson said safety Ed Reynolds II suffered a "knee issue" of sorts during the team's live 11-on-11 session. Reynolds started seven games and made 43 tackles in 2016. Offensive lineman Chris Barker also left practice with an undisclosed injury.
— By all accounts, Danny Shelton had a breakout season in 2016. The third-year defensive lineman totaled 59 tackles and was a force in the trenches. But Shelton said he got "complacent" amid a 1-15 season. "I just didn't have that same dominating mindset I had at the beginning of the season," he said. Shelton said his goal is to make the Pro Bowl this year.
— Jason McCourty is one of nine players on the Browns roster with more than five years of experience. The defensive back, who joined the team this past spring after eight seasons in Tennessee, said he's enjoys watching his younger counterparts grow up.
"When you're young, everything is kind of a new experience. Seeing them now in camp, today will be a different experience for them now with pads on," he said. "Just seeing how much they are picking up from the spring until now, not making the same mistakes, asking a ton of questions in the meeting room or in our downtime. it is always fun to watch the young guys come along."
— Jackson took a tough love approach with rookie tight end David Njoku, who struggled with fumbles in Friday's practice. Njoku said he welcomes that kind of coaching. "He's right. Obviously, they chose me in the first round for a reason. It was to make plays," Njoku said. "I just have to work that much harder in this practice this afternoon. I have to hang onto it after every catch."
— Jackson called second-year tight end Seth DeValve an "emerging player" who could have a big role this fall. "I really liked Seth coming out. Last year, I think he would be the first to tell you with all of the injuries and the newness of the National Football League that it was tough," Jackson said. "He hung in there and toward the end of the year, played some football and was really hungry to get better and come out his second year and make an impact." DeValve caught 10 passes — two of which were for touchdowns – in 2016.
