The NFL had anything but a normal offseason in 2020. While 2021 is still an adjustment for a variety of reasons, the Cleveland Browns staff did get a chance to put their new rookies, and a select group of other players, through minicamp last week.
As a first-time, first-year head coach, Kevin Stefanski and his staff had to make it up as they went to install their new systems in 2020. In 2021, that staff gets to build off of a winning season, playoff appearance, and playoff victory with a closer to normal offseason.
The team’s top pick, Greg Newsome II, is relishing every minute of it. As noted by The OBR’s beat writer Fred Greetham, Newsome realizes the unique nature of rookie minicamp:
“It is amazing,” Newsome said after the first practice Friday. “Like you said, I will never have this one-on-one coaching ever again pretty much. The fact that I am getting right now and before the vets get here is just giving me an edge. When the vets get here, I will at least know what I am doing and will not be a rookie who does not know anything.
“It is good to get coaching after I make a mistake right away and I can learn from it quickly,” he said. “I enjoy having that one-on-one coaching, but I know starting next week when the vets start coming back that I am going to have to be able to do it on my own.”
Coaches and fans have to be excited to hear a young player, who just turned 21, understanding and valuing the importance of that one on one coaching. Previously, we shared how Browns second-round pick, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah loves the team’s attention to detail.
So far so good, in words, from the Browns top two picks in the 2021 NFL draft. One appreciates the coaching, the other the attention to detail. Now for that to translate on the field as the Browns hope their rookies can help push their defense forward as the team battles for the AFC North, an AFC Championship and a Super Bowl.