Jabrill Peppers was seemingly everywhere during the final stages of practice Monday, and that's just the way Hue Jackson likes it.
Within a short span of time, Peppers laid a monster hit on wide receiver Rannell Hall during a live-tackling period, broke up multiple passes intended for tight ends and intercepted a Brock Osweiler pass during an end-of-game drill.
"He is growing and getting better every day," Jackson said. "There have been questions about if he can play in the post. I think he is showing you, he can play anywhere. I think he is a very dynamic player and I am glad he is here."
Peppers worked a number of his repetitions with the first-team defense alongside fellow safety Derrick Kindred. The opportunity presented itself last week when Ibraheim Campbell went down with a concussion, and Peppers has fit in nicely wherever the Browns have used him.
On top of his safety duties, Peppers is the Browns' top man on kickoff and punt return. Jackson's also mentioned him as a potential threat on offense, something he did on occasion at the University of Michigan.
"He can do some things," Jackson said. "If he gets the ball in his hands, he is probably going to score because he has that kind of skill, once the ball touches his hands."
With the ball in his hands Monday, though, Jackson wanted Peppers to understand the situation and simply go to the ground. It was a good teaching moment for the coach and his second of three first-round picks.
"I was trying to explain to him in that situation, the game is over. Just get down," Jackson said. "Yeah, but he was going to score. He was trying to go score. Game over, let's protect the lead and that's what we do."
-- Peppers' hit was not only a good moment for him, but also the offense because Hall held onto the ball to convert a third-and-1 for a first down.
"That would have given us an opportunity to score points," Jackson said. "That is what this is all about is those little moments when I am watching our football team get better. Now, the defense wished they had a different call at that time. We didn't get that communicated, and that is why those things happen, but that is how we try to catch people as we go through the season. Those things will come up, and those plays will be made."
-- Before the Browns left the field Monday, they had a mandatory stop at the ice tubs. It was much needed after two consecutive, physical practices.
Jackson was beaming about what he saw from the team during the demanding stretch.
"The last two days, I have really pushed this team pretty far, and as I keep telling them, I will keep pushing them because I think there is a lot in this group," Jackson said. "You just have to keep pulling it out. There are hard days, grinding days, but that is what training camp is.
Asked why the Browns didn't have back to back days like this last year, Jackson said, "better football team."
"I expect more from this team. I want more from this team. That is the expectation," Jackson said. "I really believe we are going to be a better football team. We will put a better product out on the field than what we did a year ago because I think these guys understand where we are."
-- The defense got the best of Cleveland's offense during a good chunk of Monday's practice but the offense made the last big play when DeShone Kizer completed a long, fourth-down pass to tight end Seth DeValve.
"We can't let the ball over our head in that situation," Jackson said. "That is the last play in the game. Yeah, that was the last play in the game. It was kind of like a Hail Mary, and DeShone threw it down there. We made a play, but we have to make sure we get that play stopped."
