Why it’s OK to climb aboard the Browns’ offseason hype train — for at least a few days (original) (raw)

BEREA, Ohio — If you watched the competitive 7-on-7 periods during the Browns’ mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday, you’d be more likely to shop for Super Bowl tickets than to think the Browns are still a developing pass offense that could be seriously pursuing free agent DeAndre Hopkins.

Tuesday, Deshaun Watson threw confidently and accurately. Amari Cooper, as always, was in the right place. Donovan Peoples-Jones caught most of Watson’s targets; on some, he was tightly covered and, on others, Watson threw him open. The Browns broke the huddle for the first 7-on-7 drill with Cooper, Peoples-Jones and prized offseason acquisition Elijah Moore in their three-wide set, and what followed was a crisp glimpse at an offense Watson and head coach Kevin Stefanski have been envisioning since Watson’s arrival 15 months ago and — specifically — since the Browns’ trade for Moore 10 weeks ago.

It was just a glimpse. It’s still early June. But there’s nothing wrong with climbing aboard the offseason hype train for at least a day (or three) of this mandatory minicamp, then revisiting things when the Browns reconvene in late July for their extended training camp.

Those mid-practice periods were probably Watson’s best on these Berea practice fields. From a consistency standpoint, they were far and away his best. Watson was markedly better than he was in the first open OTA practice two weeks ago, and his string of completions was longer than any he had in what was an improved open OTA showing last week. That is progress.

In the realm of what matters and really doesn’t matter in highly-scripted, non-contact practices and what translates to Stefanski and Watson actually making pieces fit this fall, Watson’s progress absolutely matters. His comfort level and his body language matter. Having Cooper back on the field pretty clearly matters, too. It’s still June, the Browns are still really just getting started and none of Peoples-Jones’ 20-yard catches can be carried over to September, but crisp completions beat the alternative.

GO DEEPERBrowns temperature check entering minicamp: No more excuses

Asked after the session if that was as good as Watson has looked in any prior practice, Stefanski seemed to sense the aforementioned late-spring hype train gaining a little steam.

“I think you’ve always got to be real careful (with that),” Stefanski said. “(As a) former defensive back speaking now, 7-on-7 is geared to the offense. You should complete balls at 7-on-7”

He’s right. That hasn’t always happened on these practice fields — for going on 25 years, and specifically in Watson’s limited prior appearances — so it’s notable. And it certainly was noticeable.

What matters and what doesn’t right now? Stefanski was asked about that, too.

“This whole offseason is about building a foundation, and that’s foundational fundamentals, techniques, schemes, relationships, all those things,” Stefanski said. “So in order to get where you want to go in the season, you’ve got to make sure that you spend this offseason not skipping any steps. This minicamp is really the final step in our offseason program. So every one of these meetings, every one of these periods, every one of these walkthroughs are important. Every rep has to count.”

The Browns acquired Cooper in March 2022 almost a week before they acquired Watson. Cooper had a strong 2022 season for the Browns, but he was basically playing on one leg late in the season and his field time with Watson, who was only eligible for the final six games last season, was limited.

Cooper remains on a bit of a pitch count following February core muscle surgery, but he was running through these team drills Tuesday after mostly being a spectator during OTA practices. Of all that really doesn’t matter right now, the opinions and assessments of the No. 1 receiver are among the things that do.

“Deshaun looks in a bit of a better groove,” Cooper said. “Just having that long layoff, of course, you know you’re going to lose some rhythm, some form of rhythm, but he looks like he’s really getting that back.

“He made a throw today and right when he released it I said, ‘great throw.’ I didn’t even know if it was a great throw, but I just felt that it was and it was right on the money. (That one) wasn’t to me, but I saw (it). He’s definitely getting more comfortable. (He’s) getting his rhythm back, looking like Deshaun.”

Last week, Watson spoke highly of Hopkins, his longtime friend and former Houston Texans teammate. Though Watson was careful to say that he liked his current receiving corps and that he doesn’t make the personnel decisions for the Browns, Watson made a strong public pitch to Hopkins — and also to his employers. A week later, Hopkins remains a free agent and Cooper was asked Tuesday about Watson wanting to add Hopkins to the Browns’ current group.

“Who wouldn’t?,” was Cooper’s reply.

Amari Cooper reeled in a career-high nine touchdowns last season, (Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports)

“DeAndre has been a very great player in this league,” Cooper said. “Obviously, (he and Watson) have a lot of chemistry. If I was (Watson), I’d want the same thing. “(If) you add a great receiver like that, (other guys) probably (get fewer touches) because there’s only one ball. Everybody’s got to get their touches. So I mean as long as it’s helping us win, I wouldn’t have a problem with it.”

Cooper later said he believed Hopkins could fit with the Browns because “there’s more than one way to skin a cat. I think our skillsets are a little different, but we both get the job done. With DeAndre, he’s pretty unstoppable with the way he uses his hands and his body to position himself well to make the catch. So it (would) be pretty good (for our offense).

“The more the merrier. The more guys that can make plays, the more plays that are going to be made. Yeah, it’s just that simple.”

The Browns are flexing Moore all over the formation, and he’s been a frequent target of Watson when the Browns move inside the red zone for these 7-on-7 situations. Moore was undoubtedly the most-targeted player in the two open OTA practices, and Tuesday was Peoples-Jones’ turn to get the most chances.

Outside the 7-on-7s, most everything is still being conducted at a light pace, and the defense is both learning a new scheme and frequently substituting. Bigger tests lie ahead, for sure, and it would probably be silly to even consider this a test. But what’s essentially a passing camp is most productive when passes are completed and the occasional touchdown is scored, even when the script for such plays is slanted toward the offense.

There’s no indication if the Browns are really going to pursue Hopkins. There’s probably not a lot that could happen here to change the team’s thinking, but it was also notable that third-round rookie Cedric Tillman got a first-team rep Tuesday and caught a pass from Watson during the quarterback’s hot streak. The Browns added Moore, Tillman and designated speedster Marquise Goodwin this offseason so Watson would have both more options and better options as this offense continues to evolve.

For now, the top three seem to have their roles pretty set. Cooper being back in the practice mix just seems to help everything run a little smoother, and Watson also seems to trust both Moore and Peoples-Jones. The Browns are far from ready to play games that count. But after Tuesday’s strong showing, they’re also probably excited about Wednesday and Thursday and the chance to keep building.

“The vibe (in the wide receiver room) has been pretty good overall,” Cooper said. “I mean even other position groups are seeing it. A lot of plays are being made out there coming from the receiver position, so it looks good so far.”

(Top photo of Deshaun Watson: Nick Cammett / Getty Images)

Zac Jackson is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Cleveland Browns. He is also the host of the "Zac Jackson and Friends" podcast. Previously, Zac covered the Browns for Fox Sports Ohio and worked for Pro Football Talk. Follow Zac on Twitter @AkronJackson