By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE
Football is back and with that a new era has begun with the Browns. And with that there is always something new to look for during Training Camp which is why I chose six thing to keep an eye out for.
1. The first thing we all should look out for is Hue Jackson and how he runs his practices. From all the different reports there seems to be one contestant and that is how Coach Jackson and his staff are going to run training camp. This isn't going to be like years before which were named "camp cupcake" there is going to be live tackling when playing 11 on 11. Coach Jackson and his staff comes to Cleveland with a resume of toughness, grind it out, intense football teams. That is how they are going to build a successful team in Cleveland. Also going through the name coach Jackson has on his staff there is a ton of experience. Guys like Defensive Coordinator Ray Horton (yes again), Wide Receivers Coach Al Saunders, QB Coach/ Associate Head Coach Pep Hamilton, Running Backs Coordinator Kirby Wilson, and many more. All these guys have spent in total almost 100 years working in the NFL. So they all know what it takes to be successful, and to finally turn this franchise around.
2. The second thing to watch for is Josh Gordon. Earlier this week he was reinstated by the NFL and is now officially on the Browns roster. Unfortunately he is out the first two weeks of training camp but watching an elite player like Josh Gordon will be worth turning into the preseason games. We don't know what shape Gordon is in or how the team will respond to him getting another chance so I'm really curious to see how all that plays out. And one last thing on Gordon, I'm curious if he can make it through training camp and the first four weeks without doing anything stupid (which honestly I think he can).
3. Robert Griffin III is my third thing to watch out for...LOL. But for real, here is someone who was the second overall pick in the 2012 draft, took an average team to the playoffs, but unfortunately got hurt. The Redskins most likely rushed him back too soon since they gave up so much for him. RGIII hasn't played in a regular season game since November 23, 2014. He's only 26 years old, and Hue Jackson basically hand picked him to lead this team. I wouldn't say success is only based on how RGIII plays since we seen Josh McCown can lead this team need be, but if RGIII can be somewhat like his rookie season the Browns are going to be an entertaining football team to watch.
4. My fourth thing to keep an eye out for is the DB redemption. Last year we were talking about "locking down the lake" and that stupid stuff, but this year many players have something to prove. My guy "All-Pro Joe" needs to step it up this year. He got his money and last year was the worst of his career. Yes, he was often injured but when he did play it was extremely poorly even though there was a ton of hype as him being a top-5 corner in the NFL. Two other guys to watch for is Tramon Williams who again played poorly after being signed as a free agent last year. And former eighth overall pick Justin Gilbert who seemed to get into Mike Pettine's dog house and never could escape.
5. Number five is Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo. Both have a lot to prove because:
A. Both didn't have a great year last year.
B. Both are going to be free agents
C. Both are the savy vets on this defense. The Browns drafted three pass rushers in the top 100 picks this past draft (Emmanuel Ogbah, Carl Nassib & Joe Schobert).
6. Which brings us to the sixth thing we all should be looking at. And thats the 13 drafted picks and many other undrafted free agents. Yes we know about Corey Coleman, Emmanuel Ogbah, what about guys like receiver Ricardo Lewis, safety Derrick Kendred, Offensive lineman Spencer Drango, receiver Rashard Higgins, and undrafted free agent center Mike Matthews. There are many spots not just on the 53 man roster that will be overtaken by rookies but potentially even starting spots on both sides of the ball. Which is another reason why even the preseason games will be entertaining.
The 2016 Cleveland Browns are going to be a fascinating team. A team that doesn't expect to win many game but to consistently improve and build towards a positive future and all that starts with Hue Jackson's first training camp in Cleveland.
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