re: ***Official Practice Thread***

Foster was working through a knee injury while 20 pounds overweight.

Think Hightower 2010.

If it wasn't downhill, there were problems.

LINK

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Dakota Ball, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman, missed the morning practice and then underwent an emergency appendectomy Wednesday afternoon.

The tone of the practice seemed quiet, which could mean the players are tired. But most of the practices in preseason camp so far have been businesslike. This seems to be a team that recognizes there is work to do, and it gets the work done.

LaMichael Fanning continues to work with the tight ends. It will be interesting to see how long this “experiment” goes before Saban either decides to keep Fanning at his new position or send him back to the defensive line.

Jalston Fowler continues to work with the H-backs/tight ends, but we imagine he works with the running backs later in practice, after the viewing periods are over for members of the new media.

If anybody is wondering how well Derrick Henry has recovered from a broken leg that he suffered in the spring, he or she should see the freshman running back in one particular drill. Running backs have to hop on one leg over a pad, then hop back on the same leg. Then they switch legs and repeat the double hop before surging ahead. Henry looks just fine.

Sophomore running back Kenyan Drake had to stop in the middle of one drill to add some protection for his right thigh, but he resumed working as if nothing was wrong.

Star sophomore running back T.J. Yeldon still is practicing with his left hand taped as he protects an apparent thumb injury.

Offensive linemen worked on footwork and hand work. During one pass-protection drill, new offensive line coach Mario Cristobal clapped and urged, “Faster! Faster! Faster! More physical!”
Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is hoarse.

Slot receivers are running drills in this order: Junior Christion Jones, redshirt freshman Chris Black and freshman ArDarius Stewart. Don’t sleep on Jones.

Sophomore cornerback Geno Smith participated in a drill with safeties. Perhaps that’s part of being the “star” in nickel defense.

Among the observers was Cleveland Browns general manager Michael Lombardi.

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Or Cyrus or CJ.

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Or Cyrus or CJ.

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I'm not sure on Joe Thomas' contract status, but to me he's still the best OL in football, and Schwartz, while inconsistent, was a really good pass protector as a Rookie and a solid run blocker. I don't think they were looking at Cyrus. If I was guessing, he wanted to see :

AJ - Browns need a QB, they're a great landing spot for AJ

CJ - Pair him with Jackson in the middle of their new 34

Steen - The Guard play in Cleveland is abysmal. Steen could be a solid third round pick for them.

HaHa - Pair a center fielder with Ward in the secondary.

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Thomas is locked up

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For Cleveland's sake, I'd hope so.

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Could use a LB, but Horton is raving about Robertson

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Then CJ may not be one of his priorities.

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Just extended Greco and have Pinkston and Lavau. I doubt they draft a guard.

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I don't know, I don't follow them as close as you do obviously, but just from my outside perspective it couldn't hurt to use a mid round pick on one.

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HCD is a real possibility

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He and AJ would probably be my top two guesses.

Adrian Hubbard or Moseley

I think the Browns are still confident in Weeden and not gonna use a 1st rder on a QB (unless its a disastrous season and they pick top 5 but I don't see that happening)

I agree on Steen also they need some OL and I think people will love him after this year

Not gonna go OLB two first rounds in a row

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I think the Browns are still confident in Weeden

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Which is hilarious.

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Which is hilarious.

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I think he'll do good in Norv's vertical system, but I don't know if his decision making is ideal. He'll make some plays to Gordon/Little down field, but I feel like he'll also make some bad ones. If the Browns do go QB, I think AJ fits Norv's vertical system really well, and I'd love to see him and Richardson together again. Plus if Smelley can earn a role on that team, he'll be able to get a few to Brad and overall it'll make him more comfortable as a rookie.

AJ vs Notre Dame

A masterful performance on the big stage from #10. Every incomplete pass except one was a throwaway or a drop. Though the first deep miss to Cooper could be called a real miss, I maintain that Cooper should have just dove for it, but either way it's a miss since it didn't hit Coop's hands.

Not only did he have just one "true" incomplete pass, but every throw other than that miss was right on the money. People outside of T-Town respect this man, but maybe not quite enough.