Berea – While much of the talk is about the absence of No. 1 draft choice
Braylon Edwards—the highest drafted rookie in camp is quietly making steady
progress.
Second-round pick Brodney Pool raced around the corner from the left side and
blocked a kick by Tyler Jones toward the end of Wednesday’s morning practice.
“It was set up nicely and I just timed the jump right,” Pool said. “I blocked
a couple of kicks in college, but it was just jumping high and tipping the
ball.”
Pool actually blocked three kicks at Oklahoma and Romeo Crennel was
impressed.
“That was a good play by him,” Crennel said. “We were working on field goal
blocks and he executed the techniques that (special teams coach) Jerry (Rosburg)
had been teaching him.”
Pool is expected to play on most of the special teams and that’s quite
alright with him.
“Special teams are No. 1 here,” he said. “As a rookie, I really expect to
make an immediate impact on the special teams.”
As a safety, Pool isn’t rotating with Sean Jones, Chris Crocker and Brian Russell as the starters—at least right now.
“We’re all getting our reps in practice,” Pool said. “The two safety
positions are interchangeable.”
The Browns do not use a free safety or strong safety, but rather divide left
and right. It is expected that Pool will push for playing time on defense, as
well as on the special teams units.
“Things are going well,” he said “I’m just trying to get the special teams
part of it down and get better every day. I’m concentrating on the little things
that will make me better.”
Quick Hits
Dilfer/WRs Clicking: QB Trent Dilfer and WR Antonio Bryant and Dennis Northcutt continue to impress in training camp. Dilfer hit Bryant streaking down
the left sideline on the first play of 11-on-11 scrimmage for a 40-yard gain.
Moments later, Dilfer hit Northcutt for a touchdown going down the same side
line. CB Gary Baxter was in one-on-one coverage on both plays.
“A lot of what we did in the off season has helped,” Dilfer said. “We got to
know each other on and off the field. We’ve encouraged one another and we trust
in each other.
“I think the receivers have been fabulous in camp,” he said. “In my eyes,
they have been the highlight of camp. They’ve taken average throws by me and
turned them into great plays.”
Defense Stops on Goal Line: After losing to the offense earlier in the week
in the goal line situations, the defense stopped the offense short on all four
attempts. Two plays were runs and two passes.
Thompson Shows Flash: LB Chaun Thompson made a nice play during the scrimmage
where he came from the outside and batted down a Dilfer pass.
“Chaun has the kind of ability coming off the edge to make big plays,”
Crennel said. “If he continues to make progress, he’ll help us.”
No Daylon, or Braylon: CB Daylon McCutcheon was the only play held out of
practice for medical reasons. McCutcheon went to see a specialist concerning the
migraine headaches he has been experiencing.
WR Braylon Edwards missed his sixth day of training camp with no new
information.
“When it happens, it happens,” Crennel said.
Moves: The Browns signed two former Patriots, DB Antwan Harris (5-9,194,
Virginia) and DL Ethan Kelley (6-2, 303, Baylor). To make room RB Chad Scott and
DL Ellery Moore were released.