BEREA, Ohio -- Brooks' Notes Day 7
Browns Camp Early Session

Derek Anderson worked the first team today. Brady Quinn got 2nd team duty.

Looks like Mohamed Massaquoi is really starting to get into the groove. Tight routes with sure hands. If camp the season opened today I'd say he'd be starting opposite Braylon Edwards.

Mike Furrey still has a burst. Playing the slot position in 11 on 11 Furrey has separation speed even at the "old" age of 32.

Lots of work on the 2 minute drill at the end of practice. Head Coach Eric Mangini says the coordinators called the plays in order to give him an idea of how the Offensive Coordianator Brian Daboll and Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan think in certain situations.

Brooks' Notes: Browns Camp Day 1

Mistakes jumped out at the evening practice. You saw a lot of guys running laps.

Sean Rogers, Brady Quinn among the many players who were made to run this evening. Brian Robiskie showed his hands by making a couple of tough grabs and also dropped an over the shoulder touchdown in the back of the endzone.

Robo received a lot of reps with Braylon Edwards on the sidelines nursing his non-football injury. The Browns are being very tight lipped about what happened to Braylon. That’s something Browns fans better get used to. Head Coach Eric Mangini does not like to divulge anything about anything. It’s his style very similar to his early mentor Bill Belichick.

All in all a good first day, no one was hurt and football’s back!

Baskin's Notes: Camp Day 1

It’s a far cry from last year, when the fans chanted “Super Bowl!” at the first practice. The first session of Browns training camp was much more subdued, but the play of the field can best be described by crisp and focused. Here are my notes from the first session.

The first very noticeable thing. During stretching then randomly throughout practice, music will blast out. It is a clear indication that Eric Mangini wants to simulate being able to focus and concentrate on the task at hand. The music is loud, and it is music they will play at stadiums around the NFL. Also, the Browns main entrance has a great tribute to the Hall of Famers when you walk into the building. There have been cosmetic changes around the building. There were rumblings that Mangini was trying to erase the past. After just one playoff game since 1999, that is a good idea. But, tributes to older players had been painted over in the building. Nevertheless, the new sign was done with a touch of class. It is really cool.

Back to football. The highlight of the first session was a 60-yard-plus TD catch by rookie Brian Robiskie. Not sure that Mangini noticed the catch. He was asked about it after practice. He seemed to be looking at the big picture, rather than just one play. As a whole, the offense looked sharp. The defense looked like it was a bit behind. But that was just one practice. Also I’m not sure that a head coach is going to spend a ton of time glowing about a rookie after the first practice.

Braylon Edwards was on an island. While most of the team was practicing on the north end, Edwards was alone on the south end of the practice fields. He was running wind sprints and patterns. When asked if his current injury was due to a pick-up basketball game, he did not answer. After being peppered a bit, he said, "You will have to ask Coach Mangini.” When Mangini was asked about his situation, he said it’s just an injury, with not much more to add.

Josh Cribbs talked about his contract situation. He gave no answer about what he is going to do. He did say that he can separate his feelings about his contract and playing football. I am a Josh fan. But, after today he is better off not talking about his contract. The current state of the economy leaves fans with a bitter taste about athletes who want more money. I watched Josh sign autographs all day today after practice. He even stopped his car to sign more autographs in the parking lot after practice. I truly believe Josh loves Browns fans and football. I believe him when he said he was going to get a new deal, and he is right about the fact he has a short window to make money for his family. But, in his best interest, the rest of his story should play out behind closed doors.

The quarterback situation is what is. It will be Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn. This story is going to get real old. I am not planning on hearing any true answer until the third pre-season game against Tennessee. Mangini said after practice that things are the same as mini-camp. Quinn has a narrow lead in the QB Derby. But they will split the reps with the first team.

It was good to see Ryan Tucker back at camp. He looked totally different. He had a little more than a buzz cut. Mangini said he was excited to be back at camp.