Cleveland Browns begin minicamp in Berea

BEREA - Three days of minicamp begin for the Browns in Berea Tuesday - and it’s all hands on deck for Browns players.

The practices are mandatory, which means the likes of kicker Phil Dawson, the team’s franchise player and linebacker Scott Fujita will be here.

“To me it’s just another day playing in the yard. Minicamps, OTAs, the way you practice is the same. We’re wearing the same equipment, the only difference is that we put a walkthrough in before,” Head Coach Pat Shurmur said before todays one hour and forty five minute practice.

There were two big story lines out here today. Phil Dawson and Scott Fujita. Dawson, who was franchised by the Browns for the second year in a row told reporters after practice that he understands why the team placed the tag on him. Dawson who spent the entire offseason in Texas for the first time in a long time, now that his school age kids are getting older. Dawson said "You don't realize how much you miss home until you have been away for a while".

The Browns All-Time leader in field goals made said he would like to retire in a Browns uniform, saying "It makes sense" Dawson also admitted he wasn't ready to retire anytime soon and is glad to be back.

The other big story involved Browns linebacker Scott Fujita who is looking at a three game suspension to start the upcoming season for his role in "Bounty Gate" as a member of the New Orleans Saints. Fujita would not answer too many questions due to the personal nature of the on going incident, but he did say saving his reputation and continuing his active involvement in the Browns Community are very important to him.

Fujita said the biggest problem for him has been the distraction that this has caused his preparation for the upcoming season. Fujita is glad the season has started and is hopeful the process will eventually work itself out.

The three day camp continues on Wednesday and Thursday before another week long OTA session next week.