Weekend Recap: Indians split series thanks to starters and Lonnie
August 3, 2015Cleveland Browns Training Camp Day 4: In Pictures
August 3, 2015For the Browns, the fourth full-team practice on Sunday was not just an opportunity to try out a new look, it was a chance to give 2014 fourth-round pick Pierre Desir a chance to show his stuff at cornerback.
With starting cornerback and eight-year veteran Tramon Williams given the day off, many may have expected the Browns to give the nod to Justin Gilbert, the eighth overall pick in 2014. But instead, it was Desir who started opposite Joe Haden for the team’s second straight day in full pads. The reason? According to Browns coaching staff, the Lindenwood (MO) University product earned it through hard work—an attitude that sounds like it may stick with team coaches this year.
“Why was Pierre out there first today? Because he earned it,” secondary coach Jeff Hafley said following practice Sunday. “That is how we are going to be in the room. Whoever earns it is going to be who goes out, whether it is with the twos or if Tramon takes the day off and it’s with the ones.
“That could change tomorrow,” Hafley went on. “It could have changed halfway through practice. When you create competition, you have to be fair and whoever earns it is going to be the next guy in. Pierre earned it today so today he got the nod.”
If Sunday’s starting cornerback scenario sounds familiar… it is. Last season, Desir got the starting nod ahead of Gilbert in a December 21 loss to the Carolina Panthers, when he totaled seven solo tackles and two passes defensed. That day, coaches said that Desir was given the start because they were unhappy with Gilbert’s preparation leading up to the game.
When it comes to Desir this season, Browns coaches are excited about the dedication he’s shown so far—and the promise they see in him for the future. “To (Desir), it’s all the fundamentals and the knowledge of the game,” said Hafley. “When he came he was extremely raw fundamentally. He’s so much quicker, faster, his technique is so much better. And then his knowledge of the game. He’s starting to understand things. He’s starting to understand, I can play outside leverage here, I can play inside leverage here, I can slow down here, I don’t always have to be in a rush.
“So the more experience he gets, the better he’s going to be. And I think (assistant secondary coaches) Bobby Babich and Aaron Glenn, I think those guys spending extra time with him, I think they’ve done a really good job. And he’s put in the work. He’s got a chance. He’s done a really good job so far. But it’s early.”
It may be early, but it seems unlikely that Desir (or Gilbert) will unseat Williams for the starting job by the season opener on September 13 against the New York Jets.
“I think if you look right now, Tramon is with the ones,” Hafley said. “He has done a great job. He has really bought in. He came in in great shape and he has really had a good couple of days. It’s still early.”
When asked if anything in 32-year-old Williams’ performance shows his age, Hafley said he simply doesn’t see it. “He looks young still to me. He can go. The way he takes care of his body, the way he approaches the game, he sits in the front of the room and he has like a beginner’s mentality. He is in there taking notes and asking questions. To me, that says a lot about him. When guys do that, they get it. They know how to be pros.”
5 Comments
Been pulling for this kid since ESPN featured him in that piece before the 2014 draft. At some point you would hope Gilbert realizes that Desir has the work ethic of an immigrant with a young family to support and that he better match it. And that this coaching staff might actually practice the meritocracy it preaches, notwithstanding last year’s Johnny debacle.
http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2399584/star-trek-nodding.gif
This is pretty much how I remember last year’s training camp going. Regular season too. (Especially with the running back position). Players have to earn reps day in, day out. I like the consistency.
borderline obsessed with this GIF