Day eight of Cleveland Browns training camp unfolded with head coach Kevin Stefanski openly expressing frustration over what he termed a ‘sloppy’ practice, marked by inconsistent offensive execution. Yet, amidst the errant passes and dropped balls, a notable beacon of consistency emerged in veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, offering a crucial silver lining as the team progresses through its preseason preparations.
With full pads donned, the Browns returned to the Berea practice fields on Friday, navigating a session that provided ample insights into the evolving roster and ongoing quarterback competition. Even as Kenny Pickett made a limited return to the field, the narrative of the day quickly pivoted towards the performances of the other signal-callers vying for snaps.
A moment of concern arose when defensive back Greg Newsome II appeared to tweak his shoulder during an 11-on-11 blitz pickup drill while breaking up a pass intended for Jerry Jeudy. This incident led to Newsome sitting out the remainder of full-contact team drills, highlighting the physical toll of training camp and the need for vigilance regarding player health.
Despite the overall offensive inconsistency, Joe Flacco delivered the most impressive performance among the Cleveland Browns quarterbacks. Participating in approximately 17 team snaps, Flacco completed nine of 13 passes, culminating in a touchdown throw to 2024 fifth-round pick Jamari Thrash. His strategic approach, balancing aggressive throws with efficient check-downs, proved largely effective throughout the session, including another touchdown connection with Harold Fannin Jr. in 7-on-7 drills.
Flacco’s consistent execution has become a recurring theme in this highly anticipated four-way quarterback competition. As the team prepares for a crucial joint practice in Carolina on Wednesday, the veteran’s steady hand could prove vital. The extent of Kenny Pickett’s participation in these upcoming sessions will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the outlook for the quarterback depth chart.
Conversely, rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel experienced a challenging day, contributing to the offensive sloppiness noted by Coach Stefanski. Gabriel completed only three passes, and his struggles were compounded by dropped passes from receivers like Jerry Jeudy and Harold Fannin Jr. His performance, including an egregious interception during 11-on-11 blitz work, marked a clear step backward after several days of apparent progress.
Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders continued to rotate with the second and third teams, diligently making the most of his limited opportunities. He completed six of nine passes and delivered a touchdown pass on a crossing route to running back Ahmani Marshall during 7-on-7 drills. The Browns’ patient approach with Sanders suggests a long-term developmental strategy, likely requiring a breakout preseason to significantly alter his position on the depth chart.
In sum, Joe Flacco’s Day 8 performance underscored his decisiveness and ability to get the ball out efficiently, keeping it out of harm’s way throughout the practice. His impressive stretch included a 4-for-4 showing in 7-on-7 work and a strong 2-for-3 completion rate during the final red zone 11-on-11 session, further solidifying his strong outing.
The Cleveland Browns are set to continue training camp with Day 9 on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m., marking the second-to-last session open to the public. Fans eager to witness the ongoing developments and see their favorite players in action have a limited window remaining to attend.
