Jarvis Landry did Jarvis Landry-like things in Friday's intrasquad scrimmage.
The three-time Pro Bowl receiver delivered the play of the day with a head-spinning, one-handed catch that earned a thunderous applause from those in attendance. It was more of the same from Landry, who enters his first season with the Browns following four years in Miami.
But on this hot evening in Berea, it was Cleveland's defense that stole the show and set the tone early in the session.
"Everyone is getting their hands up, hands on the football, whether it is PBUs or interceptions," defensive end Myles Garrett said. "Then we are rushing well and tapping off the passer, and I feel like those are signs of a great defense, if you can get after the passer and you can take the ball away."
— Headlining that performance was linebacker Jamie Collins, who looked full speed after suffering a season-ending knee injury last fall. He picked off a tipped pass throw by Baker Mayfield and broke up a would-be touchdown to tight end David Njoku in the end zone.
"The more that he practices, the more that we put him into those situations, the more plays that he will make," Jackson said. "He's an instinctual player. I think he sees the game a lot differently than everyone else. That's his skillset."
Collins, a former Pro Bowler who helped New England win a Super Bowl in 2014, is entering his third season in Cleveland.
— Starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who turned 29 on Friday, connected with Landry over and over throughout the scrimmage. The pair has built a chemistry, Jackson said, he hopes carries over into the season. "Those guys have been spending a lot of time together all throughout OTAs, the offseason and training camp," he said. "That chemistry is important. I have seen him hit (TE) Darren Fells and hit some other guys. The ball has to get spread around in our offense in order for us to be good."
— As for Landry, who seems to catch every ball that comes his way, Jackson said nothing the receiver does surprises him "because he does it every day."
"He works at it. The guy will stay after and go to the JUGGS machine and catch anywhere from 200-300 balls. That is just how important it is to him."
Added Landry: "I pride myself on making any type of catch in any way. We call it the catch radius; any ball that's thrown to me is a good ball."
— Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield also put together a solid showing while commanding the second-team offense. He came out strong with a pair of long competitions to receiver C.J. Board and tight end Devon Cajuste that set up a Nick Chubb touchdown against the Browns' second-team defense. When he and the second-team offense faced Cleveland's starters, though, they had their share of teachable moments — especially during a goal-line period.
Jackson shrugged that off, saying he came away pleased with the youngster's performance. "What our defense does down there is tough," he said. "We're not game-planning our defense right now. He did get off to a hot start and led the team down there to score, but that's what we expect. He threw some good balls. The guy is throwing the ball extremely well, and I think that you guys see the accuracy. He had a good day."
— Jackson believes new kicker Ross Martin, who knocked down a 50-plus yard field goal, is pushing second-year incumbent Zane Gonzalez. "The guy has made some really strong kicks," he said. "Yesterday, he was very consistent. He's done a nice job. We'll take it all in as we evaluate. We're a long way from deciding who's on this team. Is he in the competition? Yes, he is."
Martin, a Solon native who set multiple program records at Duke, signed with the team this spring. Gonzalez made 15 of 20 field goals as a rookie.
— Board had a pair of nice catches, including one in which he put Collins on skates with a quick juke move. He was signed to the Browns' practice squad last season and is fighting for a spot in a crowded receivers room.
— Jackson said defensive tackle Caleb Brantley (thigh) will be fine after requiring medical attention on the sideline.
